American Presidential history is dotted with great knives. Partly because a healthy percentage of our Presidents have had military careers and view knives as indispensable tools, but moreover because our Presidents have often mirrored the spirit of America. That spirit of course was coined by Teddy Roosevelt as “Rugged Individualism” and no two words in the language better describe the average American. Since February contains President’s Day, we thought it appropriate to do a piece on Presidential Knives.
It is difficult to research specific presidential knives because it is such an ordinary thing that people have considered it unnecessary to mention, and then once forgotten, it’s lost to history. But we do have some interesting and noteworthy presidential knives to mention.
Early presidents surely all carried knives. We can’t imagine Washington or Andrew Jackson as not toting an awesome custom fixed blade. (Washington seems like a Fiddleback guy while Jackson would surely have carried a T.M. Hunt M-18, of course). But the knives of the early presidents are usually lost to history. However, the night Lincoln was assassinated, the contents of his pockets were preserved. Pictured here is the actual knife, which is a William Gilchrist 6 bladed pattern that we now call a Congress. Each blade contains the marking, “William Gilchrist’s Celebrated Razor Steel” on one side and the initials “W.G.” on the opposite. Lincoln stated he carried the knife because his glasses had a bad habit of loosening, and he used the knife to retighten them. (Hey Abe, don’t use your knife as a screwdriver!)
Teddy Roosevelt was one of our most beloved presidents, and he made no bones about his adventurous outdoor spirit. In 1884 when he was a young man, he decided to have some photos done of himself by New York photographer George Bain. Teddy donned his “buckskins” and various accoutrements and was forever immortalized in the collective conscience of America as the ultimate outdoorsman. In most of the photos you can clearly see the large Bowie style knife on his belt.
Teddy’s cousin Franklin occupied the White House from 1933 to 1945; part of which was a time when we were at war with Germany and Japan. These were tense times in Washington D.C. and surely the President had some concern for the safety of the capitol. It was widely reported that the President had an Ek Commando knife on his desk, though I imagine this was more for intimidation of political opponents that defending the Oval Office from Japanese invaders. Either way, it was effective as FDR was our only president to have been elected four times.
During World War II, a young man who had been involved in the film industry made several films for the war department which were meant to garner support for the war effort. The young man owned and carried a Randall and was known to speak of the finer points of the quality of his knife. This man would later become another of our most beloved presidents; Ronald Reagan. Reagan was a sentimental man and kept memorabilia throughout his life. His Randall Knife was a treasure to him as many veterans feel about their tools carried throughout a conflict.
Eisenhower’s knife is probably the best known because he made a habit of buying a particular pattern and giving them away. Case made a pattern called a #63, which was an equal end pen knife and perfect as a comfortable pocket knife with its smooth rounded edges and slender feel. Ike (as he was affectionately called) frequently gifted these and W.R. Case and Son’s Cutlery quickly took notice and started making a knife they then called an Eisenhower. Today, that pattern is in the vault, and not currently produced, but they can be found on the secondary collector market.
Presidents are both reviled and beloved, but the lens of history seems to diminish the more objectionable qualities of the men. Remember, Lincoln was reviled by half the country, and Teddy Roosevelt lost an election in 1912. But time seems to reveal the impact of each Presidency. So that makes me think, I wonder what Trump is toting? He either has a tricked-out Curtiss Folder or a totally badass custom fixed blade like the Dirk Loots Dagger. If anyone has “an in” with the President, ask him what he’s toting for me. If he doesn’t have one, tell him to call 1-833-GOT-KNIVES. We can fix him up.