Older Cleavers - Anyone Know Anything About These?

Question

I recently bought these two cleavers at an antique/flea market. I don't have any knowledge of cutting tools or cleavers and was hoping someone here might know something about these. I couldn't find much online so where else would I ask but here?:)
The larger one is marked Foster Brothers / Solid Steel / 2190 , has 3 rivets and is about 15 inches long. The smaller one is marked with a stamped USG between the first two of three rivets. The handle is leather. On one side of the blade it is marked USA and on the other what looks to be either the number 11 or the letter H, with Chicago USA underneath in a semi-circle (small lettering).
I'm sure they are not of any great value, but was just wondering about their age and who might have made them. And if anyone can tell me how best to sharpen them, that would be great as well. Currently they are pretty sharp and I must say that the smaller one made quick work of two chickens I was chopping up this morning.
Any information anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Answer

Hi, mothership:

 I, too, have a Foster Brothers cleaver.

 As for history: Foster Brothers was started in 1878 by Frank and Allie Foster in Fulton, (upstate) New York. Within a few years all of the Foster Brothers were involved in the business. Foster Brothers was acquired by Chatillon around 1900, but continued to produce knives in the Foster factory. Around the turn of the previous century, they mechanized the factory adding modern tools like power hammers; all knives prior were hand worked at an anvil. At the height of pre-WWII production they made over 500 different sizes and styles of knives the largest being a splitting knife for meat packers that had a 2 foot long blade and a 2 foot long handle (I have one of those, too). During WWII Foster Brother's production focused on cleavers and butcher knives which were used in the military's food supply chain. They produced more than 250,000 meat cleavers during the war. The factory was closed at some point during the early 50's because Chatillion decided to liquidate the Foster Brothers properties.

You can determine the timeline of the company name that would have been marked on the blade. I have confirmed this with some knife collector online discussion boards:

1878ish-1890 FOSTER BROS. (founding name of company)
1891-1904 FOSTER BROS. COMPANY (incorporated under new name)
1904-1953 FOSTER BROS. & CHATILLON CO. (acquired by Chatillon)
1953-1956 FOSTER BROS.
1957+ COLUMBIA CUTLERY CORP uses FOSTER BRO. LOGO, original plant closes

My "small" one is an 1190 (9" blade, marked "FULTON BRAND MADE BY FOSTER BROS), so I'm not sure about how old it is. thought my knife was war era based on the fact that they produced so many during that time. But, the trademark on my blade shown below reads differently and the only times they were producing under that name was from opening to 1901 and in the 50's. The blades from the 50's that I saw online had much less patina and the engraving was much more pronounced and mechanized looking.

How to best sharpen? These are *supposed* to be convex ground like an axe. I took mine to my bladesmith friend Bob Kramer, who rehandled it to match the custom hunter he made me. (On sale now on eBay!!!) Bob touched up the edge on a 2x72 belt machine using the slack-belt technique. You can approximate this at home with emery fabric tape to "shoeshine" the edge.

Hope this helps.

Aloha,
Kaleo

Answer

I have recently came across an old cleaver. The marking on it said "Foster Bros" with the word "Trade" then under that was a stamp that looks like an arrow point to the left, shaft, and feathers. Then under that was the word "mark". Has a wood handle with three rivots in the wood handle (good shape), and the top of the blade dosen't look hammered. Anyone make any sense of this?

Answer

Anyone know anything about his?

Thanks

Answer

Your Foster Bros cleaver was definitely made by Foster Bros Cutlery in Fulton, NY. My husband worked there and made them until 1962. They did not close in early 1950's but sometime after 1962.

Answer

Can anyone identify or date this cleaver style knife? I found it while metal detecting in virginia, it was about one foot under earth and is badly rusted, but i can make out the word 'waldron' on the back of the blade

Answer

Any info on this cleaver, year?

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I have this I don't know anything about it seeing if anyone knows anything about it?

Answer

I have also have a Foster Bros cleaver #1138 that i have a question about. My cleaver has a brass piece in the handle that I can't find anywhere in the history of the company. can someone give me some idea what the mark means or who it may indicate as the maker within the foundry?

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Older Cleavers - Anyone Know Anything About These?

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