Ray Hackbarth's Swivel Knives - Ahead Of His Tme

[WyomingSlick]

A while back I finally aquired a Ray Hackbarth 1000D swivel knife for much less than I ever expected to pay for one on eBay. This was due to the fact that the knife was not identified as a Hackbarth knife in the auction and everyone else was sleeping, LOL! While I have seen several regular 1000 model knives sold on eBay, this was the first and the only 1000D I ever saw. I have to put this one down as one of my top five eBay buys of all time. Do I sound tickled? You bet I am!!!!

Long before most leatherworkers ever heard of Don and Barry King; Ray Hackbarth was producing top bench leather stamps and swivel knives down there in Phoenix, Arizona for many of the saddlemakers who worked for N. Porter Saddle and Harness Company.

Ray also advertised in magazines and sold tools through the mail. His advertsement in the May-June 1948 issue of Western Horseman as shown below seems to indicate that he not only was one of the first to use stainless steel for his stamps, he may also take credit for being the first to use a ball bearing in the swivel knives he made.

Also shown in the first picture is the cover of Ray's brochure (circa 1950) and the swivel knives he offered within.

And here are my two of my Hackbarth knives complete, disassembled, and a close up of the Hackbarth name on the barrel of the 1000 model. The 1000D does not have Ray's name on it. I know that I have seen model 1000 for sale on eBay that also did not have the name on them so perhaps he only started putting the name on the later knives he made.

[WyomingSlick]

And here is a scan from Leather Secrets showing F.O.Baird using a Ray Hackbarth swivel knife.

That should come as no surprise since Baird worked for a time at Porter's and likely knew Ray Hackbarth.

Edited November 24, 2011 by WyomingSlick

[King's X]

Awesome find. I bought one like show on the right, but I didn't pay $7.50! It also didn't cost me a mint. The same previous owner has another one like the one showed on the top of your photo. I hope to have some $$ saved soon to pick that one up for my collection.

Thanks for sharing!