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ED. Wustof 11cm: I've been looking for the right example for years and thanks to Mark Erickson I now have it.
Wustof kitchen cutlery is still made today. My research indicates that Wustof ceased production of "pocketknives" in the 1970s, but didn't yield any information regarding their marketing of contract knives.
I have no idea when my knife was made, or whether it was made by Wusthof, or is a contract knife. It does not neatly fit into any of Ulf A's leverlock types, and does not have the dimensions of any of my other leverlocks. It is thinner than others but has a thicker blade and backspring than most. Scales are stag, liners brass, and the blade is polished.
I am happy to add this one to my collection and would appreciate any additional information on it.
Jim,
I believe your Wusthoff is a Bonsa contract knife.
It's my theory, after examining thousands of leverlock parts, that most of these knife parts were common-made by just a few manufacturers, and then assembled in the various factories. This is why there are subtle differences in shape, as there is leeway to grind the handles differently after assembly. Pin placement remains the same, though.
Thanks for the insight, Micky, and it absolutely makes sense. Your choice of the term "subtle differences" is spot on. When comparing the Wusthof to my other leverlocks I did notice it was by far closest to a Bonsa. Pin placement is identical on the two, as is overall shape. What threw me was that the Bonsa has steel liners and the Wusthof has brass. The Wusthof has bolster grooves and the Bonsa does not. Thinking about it, these would be simple component substitutions for a manufacturer, and would not need any technical assembly line changeover from other runs. Likewise, the presence of the "Springer" stamp on the Bonsa, the polished blade on the Wusthof, and the scale material would be simple component substitutions. Given the cottage industry manufacturing practices of German leverlock production, it all makes sense. Here is a photo of the two with the Wusthof on top.
