The Cattaraugus Cutlery Company began as the New York distribution company J.B.F. Champlin and Son, founded by John Champlin and his son Tint in 1882. The Champlins expanded into knife production, and along with William R. Case and his brothers, they formed Cattaraugus Cutlery in 1886, based in Little Valley. The company hired expert cutlers from Germany, England, and other U.S. manufacturers, to produce high quality cutlery. Admiral Byrd selected Cattaraugus knives to take on his expedition to the South Pole.

Over time, the Case family separated from Cattaraugus to form W. R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co., incorporated in 1905. Cattaraugus closed business in 1963. The building still stands in Little Valley, abandoned for decades and in an effectively unusable condition, with its roof partially collapsed.

[edit] Further reading

• Ritchie, Roy and Ron Stewart. Cattaraugus Cutlery Co.: Identification and Values. Collector Books. 1999. ISBN 1574321374.

[edit] References

• Case History. Case Pocket Knives. 2002. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
• Guide to Cattaraugus Knives and Cattaraugus Knife Collecting. All About Pocket Knives. 2007. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
• "Take Cattaraugus" Explorers Advised Admiral Byrd. Advertisement. Cattaraugus Cutlery Company.