Cattaraugus 225Q

[otis24]

My new "toy". I've been wanting a Cattaraugus 225Q since I learned of their existence about a month ago. Won this one on eBay, $110 shipped. Razor sharp! In the eBay pics, the sheath looked like it had been dyed black. Not the case. Someone blued the blade. They did a nice job. Next on the purchase list is a Case 337-6-Q.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Good choice!
One of my long time favs.

 

[Racer X]

pretty good deal. mine looks pretty rough in comparison, but was carried by my grandfather. Not sure if I should try and correct some of the worst of the damage. Massive scrapes bordering on gouges where it looks like it was rough "ground" with a file. Sheath is just about shot, but repros are available. Leather washers not rotten though.

 

[Retired W4]

Found one here in ATL back in January. Heavily used but still in good usable condition, and SHARP. Yours is very nice.

 

[RevolverP320]

Very nice, and a good price as well. Some good deals are found by searching Cattaraugus 2250 on Ebay.
Guess some mistake the Q for a 0.

 

[otis24]

I was very happy with the condition of this one when I received it. There is a little bit of pitting on the blade in spots. Given it's age, that is to be expected and does not bother me. I was mostly concerned about the leather handle being dry rotted. That was not the case.

 

[Racer X]

Any idea the steel used?

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Remember this a WWII issue knife.
It's most likely 1095 Carbon Steel or Similar.

 

[AJ]

I bought mine about 15 or so years ago. Paid $35.00 for it back then. Will try to remember to post a picture of it tomorrow.

 

[AJ]

I bought mine about 15 or so years ago. Paid $35.00 for it back then. Will try to remember to post a picture of it tomorrow.

Here are the pictures that I promised.........

 

[Jack Flash]

Great pictures. Here is a 225Q (top) and a KA-BAR that belonged to my late FIL:

The sheath is for the KA-BAR. Alas, no sheath for the 225Q.

 

[AJ]

Great pictures. Here is a 225Q (top) and a KA-BAR that belonged to my late FIL:

The sheath is for the KA-BAR. Alas, no sheath for the 225Q.

Since this is a 225Q thread I will not post another picture.

I too, have a Kabar, two in fact. One I carried in the Corps and a WW II Kabar that WW II/Korea USMC Vet carried back then.

 

[A10]

The Cattaraugus are my favorite combat knife. I have two, one my Dad had that someone took a grinder to, and another one I found in real good shape, sheath and all. Bark River Knives built a tribute knife, called the Quartermaster.

 

[AJ]

The Cattaraugus are my favorite combat knife. I have two, one my Dad had that someone took a grinder to, and another one I found in real good shape, sheath and all. Bark River Knives built a tribute knife, called the Quartermaster.

The 225Q was not designed or accepted as a combat knife. It is believed that they were issued to the Quartermaster's personnel to assist in opening boxes and wooden crates. WWII – The Cattaraugus 225 Q Commando | The High Road

Did some more research on Frank Trzaska's Website: US Military Knives Bayonets Machetes

This is what he had to say:
Cattaraugus 225Q

After studying these knives for quite some years I still can not come up with documentary evidence that they were purchased by the government for the Quartermaster Corps or any other branch for that matter. I have been told by many that such paperwork exists but it has taken on the mystique of an AUrban Legend@ to me. AThe blades were made extra thick to pry open wooden crates.@ AThe pommels were doubled and checkered to provide a hammering surface for resealing the crates.@ These are just a few of the often repeated comments I have heard concerning these knives. Are they true? I would think that a pry bar or a hammer would be better suited for such activities. I do know that J.B.F. Champlin was the wartime president of Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Mr. Champlin=s son Jack, was in the Army Quartermaster Corps stationed in Europe. Is this a coincidence by any chance? Jack carried a 225Q knife made especially for him according to local newspaper accounts. Could this have been the connection for that mysterious AQ@ stamped on the blades of the Cattaraugus and the Case examples of this knife? The knives were, at the time, known by the factory workers as ACommando@ knives but we have gathered that the moniker was a marketing ploy as they look nothing like the original ACommando@ knives. Again that seems to be aimed at general sales and marketing not a government contract. If anyone has access to any government records showing the actual purchase of 225Q type knives I sure would like to see it. Let=s put this Acommon knowledge@ issue to rest once and for all.

 

[A10]

The 225Q was not designed or accepted as a combat knife. It is believed that they were issued to the Quartermaster's personnel to assist in opening boxes and wooden crates. WWII – The Cattaraugus 225 Q Commando | The High Road

Did some more research on Frank Trzaska's Website: US Military Knives Bayonets Machetes

This is what he had to say:
Cattaraugus 225Q

After studying these knives for quite some years I still can not come up with documentary evidence that they were purchased by the government for the Quartermaster Corps or any other branch for that matter. I have been told by many that such paperwork exists but it has taken on the mystique of an AUrban Legend@ to me. AThe blades were made extra thick to pry open wooden crates.@ AThe pommels were doubled and checkered to provide a hammering surface for resealing the crates.@ These are just a few of the often repeated comments I have heard concerning these knives. Are they true? I would think that a pry bar or a hammer would be better suited for such activities. I do know that J.B.F. Champlin was the wartime president of Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Mr. Champlin=s son Jack, was in the Army Quartermaster Corps stationed in Europe. Is this a coincidence by any chance? Jack carried a 225Q knife made especially for him according to local newspaper accounts. Could this have been the connection for that mysterious AQ@ stamped on the blades of the Cattaraugus and the Case examples of this knife? The knives were, at the time, known by the factory workers as ACommando@ knives but we have gathered that the moniker was a marketing ploy as they look nothing like the original ACommando@ knives. Again that seems to be aimed at general sales and marketing not a government contract. If anyone has access to any government records showing the actual purchase of 225Q type knives I sure would like to see it. Let=s put this Acommon knowledge@ issue to rest once and for all.

1.25 million plus 225Qs sold to the US Military, issued all across the forces, not just to the Quartermaster Corps. I have seen photos of GIs carrying them in WW2. Mike named his the Quartermaster becauseit needed a name.....

 

[RoyM52]

Mine was traded for, by my Father, while serving in the South Pacific during WW 2. {HE was Navy and had his own PT boat} I got it from him. They are heavy duty knives. When I was a kid, I used the Knifes butt plate to pound in tent stakes. Old wooden stakes for an old canvas tent.

 

[AJ]

1.25 million plus 225Qs sold to the US Military, issued all across the forces, not just to the Quartermaster Corps. I have seen photos of GIs carrying them in WW2. Mike named his the Quartermaster becauseit needed a name.....

I don't think that many Kabars were purchased during WW II. Would like to see copies of the contracts.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Once Saw a Prototype Kabar.
Belonged to Marine Raider Gordon Warner.

 

[SuperMan]

...was my father's issued knife in WWII when he was in the Navy...

When I was about 12 and needing a knife for the outdoors my mother ordered a Craftsman/Sears small upswept skinner type knife. They were out of stock and when my father found out went upstairs and came down with two knives, one for me and one for my brother. I ended up with the Catteraugus and my brother a Robson also with about a 5.5" blade.

It was the only fixed blade knife I had for about 15 years.

When my mother's father died I inherited a big box of old knives...and what was in it...one of the Craftsmen skinners that I didn't get as a kid...

Bob

 

[Jack Flash]

Did some more research on Frank Trzaska's Website: This is what he had to say:
Cattaraugus 225Q

... I still can not come up with documentary evidence that they were purchased by the government for the Quartermaster Corps or any other branch for that matter. I have been told by many that such paperwork exists but it has taken on the mystique of an AUrban Legend@ to me. The blades were made extra thick to pry open wooden crates. The pommels were doubled and checkered to provide a hammering surface for resealing the crates. These are just a few of the often repeated comments I have heard concerning these knives. Are they true? I would think that a pry bar or a hammer would be better suited for such activities. ...

Sure, a whole tool truck would be great to have. While you're at it, throw in a couple of trailers full of spare parts, nuts and bolts, and don't forget coffee and donuts!

But that ignores the haphazard and chaotic conditions encountered during warfare. Guys found themselves having to do all sorts of jobs with only the tools they had on them. In such situations, the 225 Q was a godsend.