The News from ElephantToenails.com

I was born and raised in a small, two-traffic light town located in southeast Alabama named Brundidge. In the name of progress, however, one of the traffic lights has been removed. We were hell bent on not becoming too big. Fifty years later, we still have just one traffic light - so, I guess the removal of that second traffic light must have worked. Although I’ve traveled all over the world, had some great times and met some great people, Brundidge is still my favorite “small town.”

My passion for collecting knives, guns, cars and Harley motorcycles started in my hometown while attempting to walk in my grandfather’s shoes. My grandfather taught me how to “have my cake and eat it too” by buying stuff that he was passionate about, taking good care of his stuff, and believing that sometime in the future, you should pass the stuff on. He instilled that in me at an early age, and I plan to pass my stuff on to the grandkids, but NOT YET!!

After graduating from high school at 17, I enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where I served for 5½ years (some of the best years of my life) - another case of “having my cake and eating it too.” After wearing that blue uniform for my country, I suppose I was hooked on uniforms. I returned from the Land of the Rising Son (Japan) and joined the Metropolitan Police Department in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., where I served for 20½ years (the last 13 years I served as a training officer at the Fourth District) before retiring.

So - after 26 years of service in the Air Force and on the Police Department, I decided that it was about time for me to “man up” and do some real work - I founded V. Henderson Landscaping in 1991. I am still having fun doing this. One of the properties that I take a lot of pride in landscaping and maintaining is the US Chamber of Commerce located across the park (Lafayette Park) from the White House. This property was once the home of the historic Webster family - so, if any of ET.com folks decide to tour this great city and the White House, feel free to walk across the park to the U.S.Chamber, go the front desk and ask for me. If I’m not around that day, they will know how to reach me.

In the past few years while chasing that next “must have” for my collection, I’ve had the chance to talk with some of the most passionate people that I’ve ever encountered (the late James Parker, his son Buzz Parker, Bob Wurzelbacher and, without a doubt, Scott King to name a few). These men have been forthcoming, earnest and helpful - some things that you don’t see much any more. This is just one of the reasons that collecting knives can be so intoxicating for me - what better way to spend your money - collecting knives that you can enjoy for a lifetime while at the same time, teaching your kids (or in my case, the grandkids) some real life lessons about taking care of your stuff, investing, patience and discipline - like “having your cake and eating it too.”

Just like ET.com creator, Scott King, I am also hooked on the elephant toenail pattern - stag is my favorite handle material. C. Platt Son, Case and Napanoch are my favorite brands, but I love all brands of elephant toes. When I’m not searching for old elephant toes, I love driving some of the vehicles that I’ve collected over the years. My favorite is a 1974 Pantera that I purchased brand new and it still has the original wiper blades.

That’s a little about me. I look forward to reading all of your bios.

P.S. Thanks Scott for firing up the old toes again!

Napanoch Cutlery Co. 1900 - 1919 Napanoch, NY

Napanoch is one of the brands that ranks up near the top in my book. The most information I have found so far is a fantastic little book called Napanoch- A White Man’s Knife with A Red Man’s Name by Mr. Rhett Stidham. Written and complied by Mr. Stedham in cooperation with Mrs. John Cushner and her daughters. Mr. Cushner began working for Napanoch in 1903 up to 1920.

Brothers Irving and William Carmen and William Hoornberg leased the former DuVall Rake Manufactory building in June 1900 and by August the company was in operation. Mr. Stidham reports the knife company became known as Napanoch Knife Company in 1905 and then in 1909 it incorporated.

Winchester Repeating Arms Company of New Haven, Connecticut bought the firm in 1919 and moved the operations to New Haven. Mr. Stidham writes the Napanoch brand continued to exist until 1921 or possibly later.

Many of the employees of Napanoch, including Mr. Cushner, founded Honk Falls Knife Co. in the old Napanoch factory in Napanoch, NY. The factory burned in 1929 and that firm never recovered. However in 1931 Mr. Cusnher converted his barn to a knife shop and made knives under the Napanoch Knife Company name until his death in 1938. His daughters continued to fill his orders and terminated the business in Spring of 1939.

Acccording to Marion Dumond former Town of Wawarsing Historian & Ellenville Public Library Director in Forward into the Past in Wawarsing.Net Magazine Sept. 2004, the Carmen brothers worked under Dwight Divine founder of Ulster Knife Co. (formed in 1875).

In his book, Mr. Stidham writes Napanoch made contract knives for many firms. I have listed the ones that have toenails.Wilbert Cutlery Co. of Chicago, Il (sears brand)

Hibbard, Spencer and Bartlett, Chicago, Il

Challenge Cutlery Co. Bridgeport, CT

Henry Sears No. 1865 St. Paul, MN

It is also believed Napanoch made W R Case & Son contract toenails.

In the Oct 18th, 1906 edition of Youth’s Companion, the Jumbo Pocket Knife is shown in an advertisement illustrating the Napanoch Knife Co. toenail. The caption reads, “Designed especially for that large class who require a knife for heavy work, such as leather or rope cutting, or other similar material requiring great strength.” ….how cool is that?!

Napanoch is as one of the brands ranked Very High in the 2008 Vintage Toenail Price Guide. 

My name is Merle Hagen

2. General geographic area you call home

Pahrump Nevada moved from Minnesota five years ago, no snow to shovel or grass to mow here

3. What first got you into collecting toenails?

I belonged to the The North Star Blade Collectors in Minnesota and a member had Napanoch for sale, just had to have it. I love the large bdes and the double and long pulls.

4. How long you have collected toenails?

That was my first tonail late eighties I think.

5. Do you collect other patterns in addition to toenails?

I collect canoes mainly and rigging knives. I’m a tin can sailor and being a norske from Minnesota I collect Nwegian fixed blades.

 6. Do you collect old or newer toenails?

I’d like to collect more old toenails but most are out of my price range. I have a napanoch the others are newer.

7. What is your favorite toenail?

My favorite is the napanoch 

8. What is your profession?

I’m retired

9. Do you attend knife shows? If so about how many a year?

There aren’t many shows here, I think they have one in Reno every year but I haven’t been able get up there. Not alot of intrest in knives here mostly guns. I’ve been shooting with the local cowboy action shooters.

10.Are you currently looking for any particular toenail to purchase? 

No

11. Any other information you would care to share with the members here at ET.com.

There aren’t any knife clubs around here closest ones are in california. I keep in touch through the ET.com club here and case collectors forum and levine’s forum.

I’d Like to hear from anybody in the Las Vegas area. tracker_42@msn.com

Some of Merle’s favorite sites are:

Merle’s Space http://cid-126b9538976b5d2b.spaces.live.com ;

THESTRIPPER http://www.papercut.com/emailStripper.htm ;

rednecks www.redstateupdate.com ;

Fred’s Place www.geocities.com/dixref1/fred;

ThePahrumpsters www.geocities.com/dixref1;

ethanol not www.healthandenergy.com/ethanol.htm 

Hey Scott,

Just a quick note to say hello and that I enjoyed your article in Knife World.  I found it very informative and an absolute pleasure to read.  I learned a lot about Toenails that I didn’t know before.

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