Cattaraugus Cutlery Company
Encyclopedia
The Cattaraugus Cutlery Company began as the New York
distribution company J.B.F. Champlin and Son, founded by John Champlin and his son Tint in 1882. The Champlins expanded into knife production, and along with William R. Case
and his brothers, they formed Cattaraugus Cutlery in 1886, based in Little Valley
. The company hired expert cutler
s from Germany, England, and other U.S. manufacturers, to produce high quality cutlery. Admiral Byrd
selected Cattaraugus knives to take on his expedition to the South Pole
.
Over time, the Case family separated from Cattaraugus to form W. R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co.
, incorporated in 1905. Cattaraugus closed business in 1963. The building still stands in Little Valley, abandoned for decades and in an effectively unusable condition, with its roof partially collapsed.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
distribution company J.B.F. Champlin and Son, founded by John Champlin and his son Tint in 1882. The Champlins expanded into knife production, and along with William R. Case
W. R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co.
W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company is an American manufacturer of traditional pocketknives, fixed blades/sporting knives, limited edition commemoratives and collectibles. The company originated in Little Valley, New York around the turn of the 20th century before relocating to its current home,...
and his brothers, they formed Cattaraugus Cutlery in 1886, based in Little Valley
Little Valley, New York
Little Valley, New York may refer to:*Little Valley , New York*Little Valley , New York, the county seat, in the northwest corner of the town...
. The company hired expert cutler
Cutler
A cutler is a maker of cutlery.Cutler may also refer to:-Places in the United States:*Cutler, California, a town*Cutler, Florida, now part of the Village of Palmetto Bay*Cutler Bay, Florida, formerly known as Cutler Ridge*Cutler, Illinois...
s from Germany, England, and other U.S. manufacturers, to produce high quality cutlery. Admiral Byrd
Richard Evelyn Byrd
Rear Admiral Richard Evelyn Byrd, Jr., USN was a naval officer who specialized in feats of exploration. He was a pioneering American aviator, polar explorer, and organizer of polar logistics...
selected Cattaraugus knives to take on his expedition to the South Pole
South Pole
The South Pole, also known as the Geographic South Pole or Terrestrial South Pole, is one of the two points where the Earth's axis of rotation intersects its surface. It is the southernmost point on the surface of the Earth and lies on the opposite side of the Earth from the North Pole...
.
Over time, the Case family separated from Cattaraugus to form W. R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co.
W. R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co.
W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company is an American manufacturer of traditional pocketknives, fixed blades/sporting knives, limited edition commemoratives and collectibles. The company originated in Little Valley, New York around the turn of the 20th century before relocating to its current home,...
, incorporated in 1905. Cattaraugus closed business in 1963. The building still stands in Little Valley, abandoned for decades and in an effectively unusable condition, with its roof partially collapsed.
Further reading
- Ritchie, Roy and Ron Stewart. Cattaraugus Cutlery Co.: Identification and Values. Collector Books. 1999. ISBN 1574321374.