Rebirth of a Cattaraugus 225Q

[Onomea]

I like the venerable Cattaraugus 225Q a lot, and have my Marine father's knife from WWII. I've written about it here before: https://smith-wessonforum.com/firea...-my-father-s-knife.html?highlight=Cattaraugus



In January I bought this one off eBay:



There's a technique to removing the three washer pommel that a previous owner did not know. (I think it's that the top washer needs to be given a quarter turn for removal.) The pommel was broken with only one washer remaining.



And someone got too aggressive in an attempt at sharpening the blade:

My idea, which I've been thinking about for a few years now, in buying the knife was to have a knife guy I know — same fellow who fixed my father's knife's sheath a few years back — customize to my liking a damaged Cattaragus 225Q. (I say damaged because to customize one in good condition seems not only wasteful to me. It seems disrespectful as well.)

I asked the knife guy to clean up (and reprofile as needed) the 1095 carbon steel blade, add a brass hilt, a stag handle, and a lanyard hole. He said it would take five or six months, which I was fine with.

The knife came back today:





I'm pleased with the result.

 

[s&wchad]

Nice save, it looks great!
I see a custom leather sheath in your future...

 

[LittleAugieMo]

I too have a 225Q my Father carried in the Pacific. Not quite as rough as your project knife tho. Nice save!

 

[Onomea]

Nice save, it looks great!
I see a custom leather sheath in your future...

Thanks!

The knife guy provided this sheath with the knife. I asked for the retaining piece and snap to be around the hilt. I'm not quite sure what to make of the shape of the sheath...

I too have a 225Q my Father carried in the Pacific. Not quite as rough as your project knife tho. Nice save!

These are really terrific, multipurpose knives. I think if I needed a knife and could only have one knife, I'd probably choose the 225Q from among the dozen or so in my collection. I have knives that are more valuable, knives that are prettier, and knives that are likely stronger, but I think the 225Q has gotta be the best multipurpose knife I have.

 

[Exmilcop]

I had one years back. Sadly, a "buddy" ripped me off for it. It was the best camping/wilderness carry blade I ever had.

 

[ladder13]

Your knife guy did some great work!

 

[Onomea]

Your knife guy did some great work!

I agree. I suspect others do, too, which explains his lead times... Here is his website: MMK&T Home

 

[old bear]

I like the venerable Cattaraugus 225Q a lot, and have my Marine father's knife from WWII. I've written about it here before: https://smith-wessonforum.com/firea...-my-father-s-knife.html?highlight=Cattaraugus



In January I bought this one off eBay:



There's a technique to removing the three washer pommel that a previous owner did not know. (I think it's that the top washer needs to be given a quarter turn for removal.) The pommel was broken with only one washer remaining.



And someone got too aggressive in an attempt at sharpening the blade:

My idea, which I've been thinking about for a few years now, in buying the knife was to have a knife guy I know — same fellow who fixed my father's knife's sheath a few years back — customize to my liking a damaged Cattaragus 225Q. (I say damaged because to customize one in good condition seems not only wasteful to me. It seems disrespectful as well.)

I asked the knife guy to clean up (and reprofile as needed) the 1095 carbon steel blade, add a brass hilt, a stag handle, and a lanyard hole. He said it would take five or six months, which I was fine with.

The knife came back today:





I'm pleased with the result.

As Iggy used to say Ya done good son. Enjoy that guy..

 

[garddogg56]

Great recovery ��

 

[Bald1]

Your knife guy is a knife artist. I love knives from my region. Western NY has a rich knife history.

 

[otis24]

The Cattaraugus 225Q is my favorite knife. I owned two of them. I gave one to my wife’s cousin’s husband. He is an Iraq War veteran and knife collector.

 

[Golddollar]

Your knife guy is a knife artist. I love knives from my region. Western NY has a rich knife history.

Ever go down to the Case Knives/Zippo Lighter Museum in Bradford, PA? It's a fantastic place.

 

[ACORN]

IDK, I think your knife guy switched knives on you.
The transformation is remarkable!
A silk purse from a sow’s ear.

 

[Hawg Rider]

My family immigrated from Germany to Upstate New York in the mid-1800s, and there are a few relatives still up there. I was born there, and stayed until I went off to college. A few years before I left for college, my Uncle Bud presented me with this Cattaraugus pinned stag hunter, which he had inherited from his uncle. Uncle Bud only had daughters, and wanted to pass this knife down to me. This knife was manufactured around 1900, and has held up beautifully. The original sheath deteriorated after 100+ years, so a buddy of mine made this one for me. This family heirloom will be passed down to one of my sons sometime in the near future. The other son will get my Dad's WWII Case XX pilot's survival knife with original sheath. Enjoy!

 

[Bald1]

Ever go down to the Case Knives/Zippo Lighter Museum in Bradford, PA? It's a fantastic place.

Yep twice.