TL-29 Examination #4

The "Edge Mark" brand TL-29 type knife was distributed by Gutmann Cutlery Co. until 1997. Woodstock International, Inc. registered the "Edge Mark" brand January 26, 1972 (USPTO #72413722). They are still located in Bellingham, Washington. They are importers of metal/woodworking machinery and other textiles as well as knives. These TL-29 are made in Pakistan (model#3190). These come without "Edge Mark" logos on blades and only the country of origin and the model number.


 The boxes come wrapped in sets of two and has Gutmann Cutlery, Inc.- Mt. Vernon, NY 10553-1396 printed on it.

That old location had been their exclusive distribution site since 1947. They distributed PUMA (Germany) brand in 1957 and also post-war Hitler Youth knives and many others.

They started to "piss-out" in the 1980's and went "belly-up" totally in 1997. The trademark they had "Forester" since 1978 gone defunct on May 1, 1987. The "Sigmund Cohn Corp." is still there making base and precious metals at 121 South St. in Mt. Vernon that had been directly across the street from the old Gutmann Cutlery location since 1901.

"Mount Vernon is in the Bronx."

Most every building there currently has their windows bricked or boarded over.


The "Edge Mark" TL-29 type has hollow ground stainless steel blades.

 It is unique in design because the screwdriver tip secondary blade has a "ranger" lockback and wire stripper features. It has brass liners and pins with non-contoured wood grip plates. The spear tipped main blade has a half-stop.


"These were extremely affordable but very well made."


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While retailers continue to explore captive brand and private label programs to improve margins and provide differentiation, in the cutlery segment, consumers continue to be drawn by known brands, according to industry experts. The (1961-1966) Kabar USA #1148 model TL-29 is a brand people trust.

 This knife has an E-Z Open feature on the mark side of the wood scales similar to a E-Z Open Scout knife made (1856-1930) by Empire Winsted. This knife is made by Robinson Knife Works under supervision of Bob Skerker and his family. The factory is in Springville, N.Y. and was operated by the Case Brothers Cutlery Co. Inc. (Jean, John, Andrew) since 1900.

In 1912 and 1914 this plant was illegally burnt by a collection agency hired by their own family member William Russell Case called Youngsville Radiator Company of Niagara Falls. It was a $30,000 debt recovered and new ownership to be established as the George A. Robinson Knife Company (1917). Total control was carried by W.R. Case by 1921 and re-tooled in 1927.

Supervision by Bob Skerker's father David began in 1928 when W.R. Case backed out of the affair but still owned the legal rights to his relatives defunct trade name "TESTED XX". George A. Robinson was from West Mansfield, Mass. where he helped his wife's family shoe making business with knives and awls he made. He gained skills from Sheffield (Matilda Street) related to Herbert Robinson (1898) and also influenced by cutlers like W.W. Taylor, Matthew George, John Murphy. In 1928 Robinson enters into business with General Electric Appliance Company too.

He like many cutlers from Europe were hired by W.R. Case once they re-located from New England to Bradford or Warren County, Pennsylvania. Kabar Cutlery Inc. was very popular when it was wholly owned by Danforth Brown in 1952.
His grandparents are John Brown and
Emma E. Case from Cattarugus County (Little Valley) New York. Danforth's father Wallace R. Brown purchased the Tidioute Cutlery Company in 1902 and eventually registered it as the Union Cutlery Company in 1909.

Wallace R. Brown died in 1924 and his son Danforth Brown and took control. World War 2 began and he patriotically submitted patterns (Mark 2 and TL-29) and with determination were issued under military contract in 1945. Millions of these were then made both for the military and for private purchase.

 Kabar Cutlery Inc. tossed around by investors after Danforth Brown died in 1960 and dissolved it into bankruptcy and liquidation by 1961. When W.R. Case family arranged for the transfer of the assets to his already successful Robinson Cutlery facility run by Bob Skerker and General Electric Co. (invented/designer) Michael Callahan.

During this time the brand name became "Kabar Cutlery USA" making the model #1148 TL-29 up until 1966 when all rights to the brand name sold to Cole National Corporation.