Quartermaster Knives of WW2 - Cattaraugus, Case and Modern Copies

In this video we will look at some very interesting knives from WW2 and the modern copies of them. Quartermaster knives were designed by the US Army Quartermaster Corps for general issue as a heavy duty knife with a 6 inch blade. It is such a successful design that modern companies copy it and many of us, me included, still use one as a robust field knife.

[@Don69420]

I found one of these in my fathers garage, Not sure how he had it, my grandpa did join the military right before vietnam ended, but everything i read said these were only used in World war 2. It unfortunately was ground down to be sharp for about 2 3/4 inches on the back of it and at some point in time, someone decided to "sharpen" it with a table grinder. The handle is not in great condition, it has been in a bucket for the last 20 years at the very least, I actually remember finding the knife as a kid and my dad quickly hid it. I Dont have the experience to completely refurbish it, but im going to sharpen it, Try to clean the rust off and im going to make a sheath for it. Just like every single example ive seen, it has the slight damage on the center of the handle.

[@whiskeyriver4322]

After breaking three Kabar knives, my dad, a Marine during WWII, traded a sailor on the island of Saipan, three cartons of Chesterfield cigarettes for the sailor's Cattaraugus Q225 knife. That knife served my dad for the duration of the war, and I carried it for the first ten years of my Army service until it was stolen in 1989. Tough little workhorse she was; becoming very rare to find one in good condition these days.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Now that is an endorsement! I'm sorry it was stolen from you. We had a way of dealing with barracks thieves when I was in the Army. I hope you find one that can fill its place, even if it isn't your dad's Q225.

[@Thearrowslayer]

My grandfather was stationed on Saipan during ww2 in the navy. He carried a 225Q and even customized the handle while he was there. He passed it down to me when I was 12 I’m holding it in my hand right now,it’s one of my prized possessions. He was a hell of an American. Taught me to sharpen a knife properly with that same knife. Although I’ve never met anyone that could hone a knife like that man could. You could have done surgery with any knife he owned. He lived to be 94, we lost him years ago now. I treasure this Cattaragus knife in his honor.

[@donavantew8278]

Awesome video my friend. Just awesome

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Thanks Donavan!

[@donavantew8278]

@@FreeAmericaChannel thank you brother. I really enjoy watching your videos, I love that you took the time to gain the knowledge and you are very well spoken. I could set in your classroom and listen all day. I look forward to a new year of collecting vintage piece’s and sharing with free America channel. Your awesome 🇺🇸🙏🇺🇸

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

@@donavantew8278 Thanks for the kind words, indeed. I am enjoying watching your videos as well and yours often remind me that I have a similar or same blade to haul out and make a video about. I think we'll have a great year ahead!

[@donavantew8278]

@@FreeAmericaChannel that’s so awesome. I have to do a vetinam video soon. My soon got me a flak vest and I can’t wait to do a display with it. Stay strong patriot and keep free ⚔️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@randyritter4425]

The Q225 was issued to the Navy Sea Bees at the start of Ww2

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Good data point, and not surprising at all. Thanks for sharing that!

[@gregorygolden1296]

I have the CASE XX . Had no handle, so I made one out of Red Oak and wrapped it with self sticking rubber tape. For years I did not know it was a WWII knife. It's the 337-6Q. You can tell it saw some action... No rust but used not abused. Thanks for your video Brother.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

That sounds like a cool repair. These old war horses will last forever with a little care. I use one and it keeps a great edge for a knife over 80 years old. No BS American 1095 carbon steel.

[@gonagain]

Two theories on the left handed sheath. One is that a quartermaster wore the knife on his left hip because they were issued a .45 that they wore on their right side. The other is that, if you wore it on your right side, it came out of it's sheath edge up for fighting.

[@roeberdt-bT.1021]

...both of my grandfathers served in WWII and unfortunately neither of them were able to pass on their service utility knife to their grandkids. And so the cattaraugus was the utility service knife I found and was able to afford that I keep with my grandfather and grandpa in mind, faith, and heart.,... ...and so Thank you for the post, it's absolutely appreciated. (I've wondered about the "service designation" of this knife. And so learning about that helps me place my definitions as appropriately as is possible.)

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

I am very happy to know that my video was helpful. These knives are timeless, heavy duty chunks of American craftsmanship.

[@roeberdt-bT.1021]

@@FreeAmericaChannel ...and hopefully loved in every case. I know for my own self the knife represents a tie and connection to the past and history that is an absolute for our world. ...a piece/reference of "reverence" and respect for lack of a better way to say.,... Thanks again for the post, always absolutely appreciated.

[@kurtkrill5300]

Much better and more useful and more robust than the GI Marine issue field blade.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

It is a robust knife for sure. Thanks for watching!

[@alanrice39]

Great video, that’s a outstanding knife and piece of history.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Thanks Alan! Thanks for watching!

[@skibee50]

4:30 Its a survival tool ...maybe it saved someone's life

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Very possible.

[@retiredatforty]

Loved this video. Thank you! Subscribed.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Thanks for the sub! I'm glad this video was helpful. Let me know what else interests you.

[@crawwwfishh3284]

Back when they built them to last. High carbon.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Indeed. Steel from an era when "American steel" meant the finest steel in the world.

[@crawwwfishh3284]

@@FreeAmericaChannel 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

[@lonewandererbushcraftwildc6822]

Great history why did they only come in left handed sheath?

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

I don't think they only came in left handed sheaths, just that left handed sheaths seem to be the most common at this time in history.

[@addisonesslinger3653]

They came in left handed sheaths because you carry your pistol on your right.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

@@addisonesslinger3653 That may be true and it makes good sense. I would love to see some documentation to that effect, of course. Especially since the vast majority of people carrying these Q knives were issued long guns.

[@davidzirn5934]

I have a Kase XX 337 6"Q That my Father had in France. The puzzeling thing is the pommel.I think maybe it was modified .If you would be interested in seeing it I could send you a pic. Is it possible the orignal pommel was damaged and my father made a replacement?

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

It is absolutely possible and modifying knives in the combat theaters was a common practice during WW2. I would love to pictures!

[@addisonesslinger3653]

I wish someone would make a modern version of this knife true to the original design and not that over priced BR version.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

I agree. You would think that Ontario could make one with a leather handle instead of that plastic handle version they made.

[@sofakingphat8087]

I purchased a knife from eBay that was supposed to be a case X X 337 6-quartermaster. When I received it, the handle is made out of aluminum or some other metal. Also the clip point part of it is sharpened. It has the markings on the blade that are correct. Is this some sort of variant?

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

There are a couple of possibilities. Some knives were modified during WW2 by their owners. Aluminum and plexiglass were common handle replacement materials, especially in the Pacific theater where salt water and damp jungle environments did a number on the leather handles. In a number of instances the aluminum and plexiglass came from crashed aircraft. It could have been modified post war as well, and there is no real way to determine that unless there are some kind of markings, but the handle you describe sounds like a very typical war time modification. There is an entire sub-community of collectors that focus their attention on so-called "theater-made" WW2 knives, even though the vast majority of them are actually theater-modified from issued knives. It sounds like your knife is one of those. The clip point being sharpened would be another modification the original owner would have done. I would love to see pictures of it!

[@sofakingphat8087]

@@FreeAmericaChannel is there somewhere I can send you pictures?

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

@@sofakingphat8087 If you go to my channel page, go to the "About" tab, below you will see "For business inquiries:" click the "View Email Address" button. You can send pics to that address.

[@sofakingphat8087]

I have another quick question, does the case knife have colored spacers? If so what is the color coordination. I’ve seen most knives that exhibit black red yellow. Is this true with case 337 quartermaster knives? I was lucky enough to have my case quartermaster authenticated shortly after our last conversation. I hope I’m not getting on your nerves but you are a well of information my friend. I greatly appreciate any help you can give me.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

The Case 337 6"Q knife does not have colored spacers at all. The Ontario Quartermaster copies do have colored spacers in black, white, red, white, black pattern at the guard and the pommel.

[@sofakingphat8087]

@@FreeAmericaChannel thank you so much. I greatly appreciate all your help. Perhaps one of these days I will be able to share a photo of my rebuild.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

@@sofakingphat8087 I really hope you do! I would love to see it.

[@sofakingphat8087]

I have a really quick question. I recently purchased a Case XX 337 quartermaster, all the markings on the blade are correct. The pommel has been broken off. My question is, should it have a rat tail tang? I would appreciate any help you could give me.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Not a rat tail tang but a tang that runs all the way through the handle and ends in the pommel. If you look at 5:30 in the video you will see the end of the tang between the two round "nails". That rectangular shape is the end of the tang. On the Cattaraugus knives the pommel end was checkered before being assembled so the tang end and nails are not checkered. The Case knives were checkered after they were assembled so the tang end and nails are checkered with the pommel. If the end of the tang is broken off with the pommel you may be able to weld a piece on and shape it.

[@sofakingphat8087]

@@FreeAmericaChannel I have a Cattaraugus 225Q and I can see that the end of the tang is at least a quarter inch wide just like the blade of the knife. The case knife I have is a lot smaller. It runs all the way to the pommel but it is really skinny at the end. The whole width of the tang is a lot smaller than the width of the Cattaraugus. I don’t have any other pieces left over from the case. The tank for the case is the same size but significantly smaller than the Cattaraugus.

[@addisonesslinger3653]

How can a question be quick when you're writing It? Should it be read very quickly?

[@sofakingphat8087]

@@addisonesslinger3653 I suppose it depends on the IQ of the person reading it.

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

Someone needs to remake this knife with all the details.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

I would love to see that too.

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

@@FreeAmericaChannel I might try and find one in rough shape to be replicated somewhere. Future projects right?

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

@@turtlewolfpack6061 Last time I was on ebay I say a couple of rough candidates for less than $50.00. Good luck!

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

@@FreeAmericaChannel thankyou! After Christmas I am going to start the hunt.

[@Metalholic7of8]

Bark River knives makes a pretty nice clone of this knife maybe even a few improvements but I know it is not cheap I think I picked up two quartermaster originals for about 120 bucks for both of them On eBay.