Really cool Crane knife. Need help with ID.

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Kushing
Posts: 14
Joined: Fri Feb 09, 2018 8:07 pm

Really cool Crane knife. Need help with ID.

Post by Kushing »

Hello. This one is for you experts. Bill , I wrote I would post a cool knife I purchased. All I really know is one side is marked Rostfrei and the other 2 cranes. Nothing else. The one book I have on knife collecting in general says that a just Crane stamp is a Crane Cutlery Co. New York associate with Max Klaas. I find that hard to believe it to be that old. Is this a German made switchblade ? Is it an Italian made for Klaas ? Any info would be great. Never ever seen just the Crane logo. Anyways. Thanks

BTW. I am not skilled enough to post them as regular pictures like my last post the guy corrected. I’m sorry for the inconvenience.
https://ibb.co/gB5io7
https://ibb.co/hBGpT7
https://ibb.co/eoLuvn
https://ibb.co/jdmdMS
https://ibb.co/fzUto7
https://ibb.co/cDpto7
https://ibb.co/iE0Ban
gravknife
Posts: 1498
Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2015 9:34 pm

Re: Really cool Crane knife. Need help with ID.

Post by gravknife »

Kushing

I believe that knife is an italian leverlock by Massaro.

I have one stamped with the kissing cranes but its not german there were other makers a horster one posted recently ....these were made for the german market and marked accordingly.

I would wait for confirmation from other members but i am almost sure.Its identical to my knife in shape but yours is brass and wood and has the sear spring covered whereas my example is stainless with faux horn plastic scales and has visible sear spring....its the bolsters that give them away .
I think your example may be a bit older than mine .

They are great knives and open quickly and lock up very well.

I will find a picture of mine and post it to show you...i have 2 examples in 7 and 8 inch .

Hope this helps

Ian
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Kushing
Posts: 14
Joined: Fri Feb 09, 2018 8:07 pm

Re: Really cool Crane knife. Need help with ID.

Post by Kushing »

Thanks ! The bolsters are definitely different and the pin locations are different. I have seen the lever locks that have the metal showing through the scales Anyways I'd be happy if it was a Massaro.
gravknife
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Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2015 9:34 pm

Re: Really cool Crane knife. Need help with ID.

Post by gravknife »

They are great leverlock anyway kushing.
I like your rosewood and brass example ...more substantial than my plastic and stainless ....nice knife.

The real KC is a different animal...its a true german tank of a knife and has unusual upswept
nickle silver bolsters ...(there are pictures under kissing cranes on search here) ...plus killer staghorn scales .

Good solid knife that you have anyway and well made by the italians.

Good to meet you anyway.

Ian
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Kushing
Posts: 14
Joined: Fri Feb 09, 2018 8:07 pm

Re: Really cool Crane knife. Need help with ID.

Post by Kushing »

Thanks. I found a picture of a brass one by Massaro It was real horn but again the bolster lines are different. Basically just single cut embellishments yet mine has intricate 2 line cuts. Also haven't seen any brass cranes. Thanks again.
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Bill DeShivs
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Re: Really cool Crane knife. Need help with ID.

Post by Bill DeShivs »

Made by Massaro for Robert Klass.
Klass knives with just the kissing cranes, and not marked Klass are imports.
Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler
http://www.billdeshivs.com
Factory authorized repairs for:
Latama, Mauro Mario, LePre, Colonial, Kabar, Flylock, Schrade Cut Co., Presto, Press Button, Hubertus, Grafrath, Kuno Ritter knives, Puma, Burrell Cutlery.
Kushing
Posts: 14
Joined: Fri Feb 09, 2018 8:07 pm

Re: Really cool Crane knife. Need help with ID.

Post by Kushing »

Any idea on the year ? Or era it was made ? Is it rare ? Is it worth hanging on to ? Thanks again Bill and everyone.
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Bill DeShivs
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Re: Really cool Crane knife. Need help with ID.

Post by Bill DeShivs »

Probably 15 years old, or so.
It's a good, medium-quality knife.
Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler
http://www.billdeshivs.com
Factory authorized repairs for:
Latama, Mauro Mario, LePre, Colonial, Kabar, Flylock, Schrade Cut Co., Presto, Press Button, Hubertus, Grafrath, Kuno Ritter knives, Puma, Burrell Cutlery.
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