VINTAGE WW2 CATTARAUGUS 225Q KNIFE RESTORATION

Hi guys! In this video I partially restore a Cattaraugus 225Q Knife! I found this knife at a small antique store for only $25, it is from WW2 and is one of my favorite knives from the war that I have ever handled. Its very robust with a full tang blade and stacked leather handle. The use of the knife during WW2 is unclear but some say it was primarily given to USMC quartermasters. It is a very excellent knife and was very enjoyable to work with?
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[@astral5ram]

Adding a little information about the knife in order to dismiss the stupid idea that these were crate openers: Maj. Gen. Norman 'Dutch' Cota would not have worn a crate opener on his side when he was decorated by General Bradley @t Here's someone who's done the research: By Frank Trzaska The Cattaraugus 225Q and the Case 337Q knives have always intrigued me. Perhaps it is some of the myths that always circulated about them that drew me in. I love the challenge associated with a knife with a mainly oral history. Very little has been written about the Q knives in the way of facts. We can find photos of them in just about every theatre of World War Two being worn by front line fighters yet the myth is that the were issued to Quartermaster personal for opening crates. Just on the surface it sounds ridiculous that a knife would be procured for such a use when crowbars had been in inventory for just such a task. In fact there were even specialized crate opening tools specified for that job in Quartermaster catalogs. The myth grown up around these knives even has the pommel as being designed to hammer the nails back into the crates apparently after the wrong box is opened. It sounds fishy when put into this type of context yet the myth continues to grow and to spread. Like most good urban legends some fact is always present to make the myth palatable to the majority of people. In this article we hope to end some of those urban legends and present the facts associated with the misunderstood and underappreciated Q knives. At the start of World War Two it is a known fact that the U.S. forces were woefully under prepared to wage a war on this large of a scale. In fact a war this large had never been fought before or for that fact ever since. Many new ventures would be engaged in to meet the production demands of such a large force. Knives were but one aspect of the new style war to be fought. It became immediately known that the U.S. forces were short of cutlery of all types. To meet this demand it was decided to use whatever style could be put into immediate production. The early Marine Corps Raider knives were nothing more then Camillus hunting knives quickly popped out and sent to the newly formed group. Along these same lines the portion of the military tasked with purchasing all types of supplies was the Quartermaster Corps. The Army had their own Quartermaster Corps as did the Navy, both of which cooperated but were usually tasked with much different problems. In this specific task they were both looking for the same type of vendor to produce an item in great need by all branches of the services. Fast production was needed so a style of construction was chosen which would lead to little changes needed by the producing factories. This was a simple matter in choosing a stacked leather handle that had been in continuous production since at least the turn of the century. Other then that simple order any six inch bladed hunting knife would do. Our good friend Carter Rila has made a great distinction between somewhat common words that will come into play with these knives. He distinguishes the word "type" and "pattern" for just such an occasion. A“pattern” is a knife made to a specific design, subtle differences are known to exist but the knife generally follows a pattern. A classic example would be a common USN Mark 2 knife. Made by Ka-Bar, Camillus, Pal and Robeson Shuredge they all look much the same following a specific pattern. A “type” is a knife purchased for a specific general task but not following a specific pattern. A classic example of a type is the USN Mark 1 knife. A five-inch bladed hunting knife that will fit a similar scabbard. The first fixed blade knives procured were of the “type” designation. A six-inch bladed hunting knife with stacked leather handle. The Pal RH36, the Robeson / U.S.A., the Case 325-6 and the Queen City knives all fit this designation. Right on the heels of the earliest procurements the Quartermaster Corps standardized on a design for the six-inch bladed knives and we find ourselves switching over to a “pattern” knife, the well-known Q knives. We all know the military likes standardization so it was only a matter of time until this happened..Designed by the Quartermaster Corps, the Bill of Materials list was number B/M No. TJC7 dated 12/1/1942 the official nomenclature is "Special Hunting Knives, 6", No.225.”The Bill of Materials for 1000 knives included 904 lbs. of High Carbon hot rolled cutlery blade steel. Carbon content to be not less the 1.0% while not more the 1.1% (this amounts to basic 1095) and 211 lbs. cold rolled SAE 1010 steel was called for in the manufacture of the guards and butt plates. A later Bill of Materials was issued to Case with the knife designated No.337, we do not know the reason for this change but suspect the change in handle design. These procurements were handled by the Jefferson City Quartermaster Depot, which had control over most of the cutleries in the Northeast U.S. We list the above as absolute proof that the Q knives were Quartermaster designed and procured for military issue. But you say we already knew that, it is part of that myth you were talking about. Well we still have more to the story. Next we move on to contracts. If the knives were officially procured by the military there must be a trail of contracts to follow. In many cases the factories that made the knives no longer exist and of those that do, much of the old paperwork was thrown away. They are not in the history business; they make knives for a living. With that said we managed to locate a file of all contracts listing purchase over $50,000 dollars. The file, known as the Alphabetical Listing of Major War Supply Contractors was put out by the Civilian Production Administration, Industrial Statistics Division. It covers purchases from June 1940 to September 1945 when the huge cancellation order was put into effect. Looking up Cattaraugus we find they had seven major contracts totaling over $1,238,000.00 for Hunting Knives. Even at the high price of $1.25 each that would mean over one million knives were procured from 1942 through 1945 by Cattaraugus alone. Even if every Quartermaster supply clerk, sewing machine operator, driver and baker had two knives issued to them it would not have amounted to that total. To think these knives were only issued to Quartermaster personal is ludicrous. In an interview with Mr. J.B.F. Champlin, President of Cattaraugus Cutlery we find a very curious statement. On the topic of the "Commando Knives" made there Mr. Champlin states: "Handsome gadgets, men can use them to open boxes, drive nails, cut throats, open coconuts" and dig foxholes." So here we find the basis for the myth, or perhaps the truth.

[@kyemeeks7386]

Excellent information, and thank you!

[@kyemeeks7386]

I'm going to pin your comment, so it will be easier to see by others!

[@dwightehowell8179]

You don't ware your box opening tools so guess what got used under field conditions. The army/marine blades did not hold up to that bleep but the quarter master blade did. Being used as a pry bar is about the only justification for sticking that much steel into a blade. It would bleep at being a combat knife.

[@astral5ram]

@@dwightehowell8179 as you could clearly observe, from the information I provided, Cattaraugus 225Q and Case XX were designed as all purpose knives, again as Mr. Champlin states: "Handsome gadgets, men can use them to open boxes, drive nails, cut throats, open coconuts" and dig foxholes." They can be promptly used to kill someone by someone who knows what he's doing with a knife, blade up and go to work, I can assure you. To assume that the general or main purpose of a knife is to replace a pry bar is naive.

[@tyleringle268]

@@kyemeeks7386 Nice video I really enjoy watching it! Is that vasline you put on the leather handle?

[@halspencer6613]

Cattaraugus Cutlery was a knife maker at Little Valley (Cattaraugus County) New York into the approximately 1950s. The company was originated as on offshoot of the Case Brothers Cutlery of Bradford, Pennsylvania. The owners were ,I believe, two brothers related to the Case Brothers Family. Cattaraugus Cutlery made excellent wares producing also straight razors and a limited amount of household cutlery and kitchenware. I have a 2-blade Cattaraugus pocket knife that was my father-in-law's while he worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) before WW 2. I carry it every day and it still holds an excellent edge.

[@johnnyhofer9656]

Wonderful buddy.

[@johnpoelking1264]

Carried one for yrs.became mh second hand ...brand of excellence

[@kyemeeks7386]

They are excellent!

[@patricia2645]

Here is a hot tip for you...for the crusty old rust. Do this first, Simple and cheap....soak in white vinegar overnight, scrub with toothbrush rinse. You will be amazed from cast iron skillets old ax heads, and fighting knives too! Very nice pocket knife by the way. Hope the tip makes life easier and shiney.😢

[@Appocalachia2020]

Nicely done. Its good to see new life in these old classics.

[@phillipanon7139]

I love Cattaraugus 225Q. Great video, thanks!

[@kyemeeks7386]

Thank you!

[@evilgenius396]

I watched it 4 times, amazing work mate well DONE.

[@patrickgrove1830]

That was an excellent restoration. Thank you.

[@tristanbarnett6271]

Got to say I've never seen any of your videos before this is my first and I am very impressed you restored that knife and made it look so original love the fact that you preserved a lot of the pitting to give it that aged look and I love that you replicated the leather handle exactly like the original and I also love the fact that you replicated the sheath exactly like the original great job I'm definitely going to be watching more of your videos

[@kyemeeks7386]

Thank you! I definitely want to get more up, just to find the time to do so!

[@tristanbarnett6271]

@@kyemeeks7386 I mean you did a marvelous job if I could I would buy that from you LOL just for the fact it was restored very well

[@timzeafla7678]

Nice job! I actually live about 10 minutes away from where the Cattaraugus knives were made.

[@kyemeeks7386]

Thank you! Thats awesome!

[@markgoostree6334]

I made a sheath for one of these. My friend came to me with the request. His knife was /is in great shape but the leather sheath was just falling apart. You have a great knife there! They really seem to have just the right amount of mass and they feel right in your hand. I'm hoping to find one, but they've gotten kind of expensive! You do some good work on the entire project!

[@kyemeeks7386]

I really love them, and thank you for watching! It will serve him well!

[@andrewc525]

Nice job. I actually have one myself that I am going to restore.

[@kyemeeks7386]

That’s great, they’re great knives!

[@normanrea8146]

I have one given to me from my father. It is in need of some restoration. Good video.

[@kyemeeks7386]

Thank you, they're great and that's extra special!

[@markneo1]

Lindo trabalho. Parabéns 👏🇧🇷👏

[@edwardmartin4894]

I have the twin brothers of both of these knives.... The Cattaraugus even has the same broken leather washers.... The folding pocket knife has a broken back spring, so O will probably leave it alone. But, you have inspired me to restore the Cattaraugus 225Q.... No, I don't think I will video and post it here...lol. Good job though, gave me some ideas of what (and what not) to do... Great job on the sheath also....although I think I would have used a piece of wood as a backer instead of destroying that nice piece of thick leather....

[@kyemeeks7386]

Thanks for watching! Thats very nice, I love older knives! And yeah that piece of leather was too stiff for any of my uses, so thats what I use it for.

[@GentryGallery]

The broken washers were actually by design - the center washers were scuffed at the factory to add additional grip. Almost all of them will have some damage in the middle after weathering and age because of this

[@B-leafer]

Fyi... The "rounded" corners where the hilt fits onto the tang, which you filed square, are designed to be there deliberately, to reduce stress risers at those vulnerable points. By filing square, you increase the potential of the tang to fail, breaking at those points from lateral stress. For the next time..

[@jasonbennett9995]

Nice knife good job God bless from Canada eh I find if you wet the stone you get a better edge

[@willisblevins4190]

Nice video I that knife it is in pretty good shape thanks

[@kyemeeks7386]

Thank you!

[@eltanman]

Great job on that Kyle

[@kyemeeks7386]

Thank you!

[@aferllama2849]

Another such video and my eyes will burst. This applies more to video than to work.

[@kyemeeks7386]

Yeahh I need make it a bit smoother and cut more, Thanks for watching!

[@jimgrun6473]

Great video! Just discovered this channel and look forward to more. What’s the watch you are wearing? Thanks!

[@kyemeeks7386]

Thank you! Hopefully I'll be posting more soon! And I'm wearing a Seiko 5, not an expensive watch but it has been pretty great!

[@chrisnewport7826]

A good solid knife if you can get a good edge on it.

[@johnnorman7708]

I seem to have missed the hard rubber spacers that were between the leather and guard and pummel. Did you just not decide to use that feature again?

[@randyblackburn9765]

I thought my Catteraugus Q was in pretty rough shape but this one was rough before redo . BTW the nails are a bit crude but they worked. The knife and sheath tuned out great . The other knife on the table looks kinda like a Pal WW2 knife

[@kyemeeks7386]

Thanks for Watching! yeah in hindsight I probably should have replaced the nails. Actually the other knife is an older Marbles hunting knife.

[@randyblackburn9765]

@@kyemeeks7386 wow a Marbles ! Good find

[@fernandoalfonso9984]

It's pretty good repair of knife handle and a sample of how to make an ugly sheath knife

[@lewerduadasslav3499]

alles andere als eine restauration - murks hoch zehn

[@4your.837]

The amount of time and efford you put into this knife is awesome. The result is amazing. Regards

[@imamsantoso7232]

Mantaaap

[@Militarycollector]

You need to get yourself a bench grinder with a wire wheel on one side…

[@vincentbuccieri9305]

Use White Vinegar and Liquid Wrench Next Time. It Will Make it Alot Easier

[@unclebmcc6848]

I have exact knife in a little worse condition.👍🇨🇦

[@sonysetiawansonysetiawan5011]

👍👍👍

[@abugarciareelrepairandmain8684]

Dude! Great video. How are you getting all this traffic in such a short time? Maybe it's the knife? I been trying to get my channel going but it's slow. You seem to be killing it. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

[@kyemeeks7386]

Thanks Mark, I really don't know. My guess would be the content itself, and I would definitely suggest finding successful channels in your niche and study their videos to find out what works for them. Also in this case, there were very few videos about Cattaraugus knives specifically and that definitely makes it easier to rank in the YT search engine. I wish you well with your channel!

[@wendyglasgow6394]

Lovely job, particularly like the sheath . Thank you .

[@kyemeeks7386]

No thank you for watching!

[@idahofishgamer3560]

Leather can be restored

[@fernandoalfonso9984]

The sheath is lack of the tuch of grace

[@GentryGallery]

Very nice! You need to scuff the center of the grip (actually done in the factory believe it or not) to have a true reproduction :)

[@aliskilled6194]

Kami punya boateng saber x pernah ubah suai!!

[@davidu01]

Don't get too excited over this knife that I believe is being readily confused with the K-BAR Fighting Knife used by the Marines during and since WW2. The Cattaraugus knife is a poor imitation of the KBAR if at all that was since bought by ONTARIO KNIFE, CANADA.

[@josepotes6682]

☕☕

[@dennisschaaf8813]

Maybe he could restore that rusty-ass vise next. Hang in there Kye.

[@kyemeeks7386]

Hehe

[@aliskilled6194]

Hampa duk ubah suai hampa punya pedang!!

[@dwightehowell8179]

After you removed the defective rubber washers soaking the entire knife in rust remover would have been an astute move.

[@william6526]

What a shame that this historic knife was destroyed by a amature that didn't have a clue about restoring a piece of history back to its earned glory. When I saw him with the file I knew this was going to be a disaster and sadly it was.

[@imamsantoso7232]

Sudah saya like coment dan subscribe

[@andreyche193]

An example of how not to do knife "restoration". First of all there was no need to use an angle grinder on the blade. Should have done it by hand on a sandpaper fixed on a flat surface with a two-sided tape: would avoid further rounding up the surfaces and transitions in-between and wouldn't even have to spend much time and effort at all! And then all that gluing was not only not unnecessary but simply yak! As the leather tends to shrink over the years and use that permanent gluing may get in the way of making an adjustment. And then hammering in these screws! Ugh! That knife was cheap but it was a good knife and could be made good again!

[@kyemeeks7386]

Yeahh the angle grinder is a bit over kill, but they do work fast, I really should have replaced the nails instead of reusing the originals but thats hindsight now, thanks for the advice!

[@davephilpott6569]

A shorter clip with no fastforwarding would take the irritation right out of this video.

[@royneder351]

ruined it

[@phoenixh87]

Change you battery in your smoke alarm

[@user-hi1lb1yh9q]

Дилетант👎

[@stephenbrown5844]

Shame this bloke doesn't seem to know anything about preservation or how tools work

[@kyemeeks7386]

🤷🏻‍♂️😂

[@edwardwilliams4197]

Crap

[@Beaverbush1969]

You have literally sandblasted away years of history 👎

[@evanlilly6791]

Epoxy would work better for the leather handle instead of cheap rubber glue that looks like silicone when it dries.