Vintage Chicago Cutlery U. S. A. 7 - Piece 103S Steak Knife Set
Item History & Price
Offered for your consideration is a gorgeous, original 7-piece set of Chicago Cutlery's classic 103S steak knives. Vintage Chicago Cutlery knives are grossly under-rated for the quality and performance they offer. They are also underappreciated by just about everyone who isn't familiar with the history of the company. Before moving their production out of the U.S. these knives were one of the best values going. They were handcrafted in Wauconda, Illinois by highly skilled workers.... The Wauconda plant used no automation and blades were ground by hand with eight highly skilled grinders each grinding 2, 000-3, 000 blades per day. The grinding was done by feel and by eye. They used no automation or jigs. The high-carbon blades easily take a wicked edge that's simple to maintain. This is an original, matched set and it has not been cobbled together with random 103S knives. All knives are original to the set and the wood is consistent in both color and texture on each knife with one knife having slighter lighter handle wood as shown. This is also an early set that has the large font markings. The handles on these earlier knives seemed to be of a slightly higher level of finish (edges more rounded, etc.). I've shown a small font 103S for comparison purposes (NOTE: The small font 103S is NOT included and shown for comparison only). CC knives (as well as all wood-handled knives) are frequently found with heavy dishwasher damage to the handles. The high temperatures and harsh detergents strip the wood of its natural oils and leave it with a faded/bleached, washed out, tired appearance. It also causes warping, grain separation, and a dry, rough feel. The handles on this set have never seen the inside of a dishwasher and they simply don't come much nicer.
The 103S is not a rare Chicago Cutlery knife by any means. That being said, this set is somewhat of a conditional rarity and original matched sets this nice are few and far between. Finding these knives is not difficult, finding them with nice, undamaged handles is a different story altogether.
The knives have seen light use and remain in excellent condition with no problems at all. They have not been cleaned or buffed and remain completely original.
The knives were beautifully crafted and offer full measures of the fine quality that built Chicago Cutlery's reputation. The sleek blades are free of any errant grinder marks or harsh sharpening abrasions and they appear to have been lightly honed at the most. The edges are free of any nicks, chips, dings, or damage and remain very nice with just a bit of normal light wear. The characteristic edge striations from CC's hand honing process remain clearly visible along the entire length. The blades remain fairly sharp and the knives are ready for immediate use, although a few strokes on a good stone or hone would quickly have them shaving sharp. The needle-sharp tips are all intact and original with no blunting, burrs, or bending. The American Walnut handles are especially nice and actually look much better "in hand" that what the photos indicate. They remain tightly pinned and all are free of any chips, cracks, gouges, or damage with little wear. The wood is dark and rich with absolutely none of the dishwasher bleaching, fade, and gapping that's so common to these knives. The wood is also free of any water exposure damage from normal sink washing and the handles show no stains or discoloration. The wood has a warm, silky-smooth feel in the hand and a great look all the way around. The markings remain bold and strong on all six handles with the wood tight to the tang along the entire length.
The knives measures just over 8-1/4" in overall length.
The block is the original and it's very nice as well. It's free of any cracks, chips, splits, or damage with no stains or discoloration and no water exposure damage.
If you're a fan of these fine, U.S. made knives, this is a great-looking set that's sure to please.
An exceptional, original set of these classic American knives!!
Sorry but no international shipping.
The 103S is not a rare Chicago Cutlery knife by any means. That being said, this set is somewhat of a conditional rarity and original matched sets this nice are few and far between. Finding these knives is not difficult, finding them with nice, undamaged handles is a different story altogether.
The knives have seen light use and remain in excellent condition with no problems at all. They have not been cleaned or buffed and remain completely original.
The knives were beautifully crafted and offer full measures of the fine quality that built Chicago Cutlery's reputation. The sleek blades are free of any errant grinder marks or harsh sharpening abrasions and they appear to have been lightly honed at the most. The edges are free of any nicks, chips, dings, or damage and remain very nice with just a bit of normal light wear. The characteristic edge striations from CC's hand honing process remain clearly visible along the entire length. The blades remain fairly sharp and the knives are ready for immediate use, although a few strokes on a good stone or hone would quickly have them shaving sharp. The needle-sharp tips are all intact and original with no blunting, burrs, or bending. The American Walnut handles are especially nice and actually look much better "in hand" that what the photos indicate. They remain tightly pinned and all are free of any chips, cracks, gouges, or damage with little wear. The wood is dark and rich with absolutely none of the dishwasher bleaching, fade, and gapping that's so common to these knives. The wood is also free of any water exposure damage from normal sink washing and the handles show no stains or discoloration. The wood has a warm, silky-smooth feel in the hand and a great look all the way around. The markings remain bold and strong on all six handles with the wood tight to the tang along the entire length.
The knives measures just over 8-1/4" in overall length.
The block is the original and it's very nice as well. It's free of any cracks, chips, splits, or damage with no stains or discoloration and no water exposure damage.
If you're a fan of these fine, U.S. made knives, this is a great-looking set that's sure to please.
An exceptional, original set of these classic American knives!!
Sorry but no international shipping.
