Model 1963

Model 1963 with pearl handles in a wild cherry wood box.
Model 1963 with pearl handles in a wild cherry wood box.

Model 1963 with pearl handles in a wild cherry wood box.

Mooney Warther made his last pocketknife in 1963. This photo shows Mooney carving the Lincoln funeral train in 1965.
Mooney Warther made his last pocketknife in 1963. This photo shows Mooney carving the Lincoln funeral train in 1965.

Mooney Warther made his last pocketknife in 1963. This photo shows Mooney carving the Lincoln funeral train in 1965.

David Warther Knives Model 1963


 In 1963, at age 78, Ernest made his last pocket knife. It was number 500 and it had handles made of abalone pearl.

 It was in these later years that the Warther pocket knives, made by Mooney (1885-1973) and son Dave (1926-2011), were often made with abalone and mother of pearl handles. When Dave's oldest son Dale (1952-2010) began making pocket knives in the 1970's he continued with a focus of utilizing pearl handle material.

Today, the Model 1963 is fitted with a variety of different pearl handle material including abalone and Mother of Pearl.

The bolsters and liners are of Nickel Silver. This has been the traditional bolster material since these knives were first made over a century ago. Nickel Silver, also known as German Silver, is a very tactile material that holds a warmth, a specific feel and an alluring weight that speaks well to the holder.

Nickel Silver retains an old world medieval depth of character that lets you know it is not stainless steel. This look and feel is an earmark of the Warther pocketknife.

The box that holds the knife is in the shape of the ancient Egyptian hull form to reflect my work in carving ships. The box for the model 1963 is of wild cherry. When dad built the first museum in 1963, in Dover Ohio, the wood work in the building was done in wild cherry and I continued with that idea when I built the New Warther Museum in 2013 in Sugarcreek, Ohio.

 The knife is 6.75" long unfolded. It is 3.75" long folded and has a 3 inch blade.

Mooney in his later years
Mooney in his later years
Mooney in his later years
Blade grinding in the Dover, Ohio pocketknife shop which is separate from the kitchen knife factory.
Blade grinding in the Dover, Ohio pocketknife shop which is separate from the kitchen knife factory.
Blade grinding in the Dover, Ohio pocketknife shop which is separate from the kitchen knife factory.
A Starfish array of our pocketknives
A Starfish array of our pocketknives
A Starfish array of our pocketknives