TABLE OF CONTENTS Tribute to Master Firearms Engravers ...................................................................................................i Preface ..................................................................................................................................................iii Dedication ............................................................................................................................................iii Acknowledgments ................................................................................................................................iv Introduction ..........................................................................................................................................xi Section I THE CUSTOM KNIVES OF RALPH BONE AND ENEDINO DE LEON .................................. 1 Orientation ............................................................................................................................................ 3 Motivation - Promote Awareness of Knife Enthusiasts ...................................................................... 3 Challenge .............................................................................................................................................. 4 Sources of Information ........................................................................................................................ 4 Information Presented ......................................................................................................................... 4 Primary Time Line ................................................................................................................................ 5 Ralph Bone’s Introduction To Knife Making ....................................................................................... 5 Ralph Bone’s Adoption of “Small Bone Stamp” ................................................................................. 6 Interim Career Activities ....................................................................................................................... 7 Original Bone Knife Designs and the “R & E Arms Company ............................................................ 8 Origination - Bone’s Knife Serial Numbering System .......................................................................10 Ralph Bone’s Association with G.W. Stone - “The Ralph Bone Knife” ............................................10 Introduction “Ralph Bone Knife” Catalog .........................................................................10 Standard Production Knives - Bone and Stone ...............................................................11 Standard Serial Numbering System - Bone and Stone Knives .......................................12 Model L “Hunter’s Bowie” - Early Variation ......................................................................12 Unique Knife Designs in 1965 - Four Digit Number Identifier ........................................13 Bone’s “MAGNUM” knives ................................................................................................16 Sheaths, Prices and Options .............................................................................................17 Termination of the Bone - Stone Partnership ..................................................................17 Non-Exclusivity of Ralph Bone’s Knife Designs ...............................................................17 Ralph Bone’s “00” Stamp .................................................................................................................18 B 00 ....................................................................................................................................18 L 00 ....................................................................................................................................18 L 00 - Bowie - “Mexican Bowie” ........................................................................................18 “The Ralph Bone Knife” - Ralph Bone’s Sole Proprietorship ..........................................................21 The Establishment and Operation of the Ralph Bone Knife Company: ..........................................22 Establishment of the Corporation ....................................................................................22 “The Ralph Bone Knife” Catalog .......................................................................................22 Trademarks: ......................................................................................................................23 Small Bone Trademark ......................................................................................................24 Large Bone Trademark ......................................................................................................25 Concurrent Uses of Trademarks .......................................................................................31 Shareholder Contributions ................................................................................................32 v Sam Arnett’s Management of the Ralph Bone Knife Company .....................................32 Miniature/Promotional Knifes .........................................................................................35 Ralph Bone’s Tenure as Principal Knife Maker - Ralph Bone Knife Company...............36 Introduction of Enedino De Leon to Knife Making ...........................................................................37 John De Leon’s Association with Ralph Bone Knife Company ......................................................39 How Knives Were Made at Ralph Bone Knife Company ..................................................................39 Blade, Guard and Handle Materials..................................................................................................40 Distinctive Design of Ralph Bone Knives .........................................................................................40 Relative Cost of Ralph Bone Knives ..................................................................................................41 Variations in Size and Shape of Bone Knives Within Models ..........................................................41 Knives with Leather Handles .............................................................................................................42 Standard Production/Cataloged Knife Models: ...............................................................................43 BONE CLASSIC/FIGHTING KNIVES .......................................................................................43 Model CB - Classic Bowie ..................................................................................................44 Model MB - Mexican Bowie ...............................................................................................47 Model AT -Arkansas Toothpick ..........................................................................................49 Model A - Combat Knife ....................................................................................................51 Model B - Stiletto ...............................................................................................................52 BONE HUNTING KNIVES ........................................................................................................53 Model C - All Purpose Hunting Knife ................................................................................54 Model D - Big Game Hunting/Skinning Knife ..................................................................54 Model G - Small Game and Fish Knife .............................................................................56 Model H - Bird and Small Game Knife ..............................................................................56 Model L - Hunter’s Bowie ..................................................................................................57 Model M - Big Game Skinning Knife .................................................................................59 Model U - All Purpose Skinner ..........................................................................................62 Model V - Caper Knife ........................................................................................................62 Model W - Weatherby Knife/General Purpose and Camp Knife .....................................64 BONE SPECIALTY KNIVES ......................................................................................................68 Model E - Steak Knife (set of 6) ........................................................................................69 Model F - Cutlery Set .........................................................................................................69 Model G - Trout and Quail Knife ........................................................................................71 Model I - Fish Fillet and Boning Knife ..............................................................................73 Model N - Boot Knife .........................................................................................................73 Model N - Throwing Knife ..................................................................................................74 Model P - Push Dagger ......................................................................................................75 Model R - Patch Knife ........................................................................................................76