Mr.Jerry Posted June 14, 2018 Share #1 Posted June 14, 2018 I posted this in the edged weapons category, but I was thinking that this really qualifies as a home front effort as well. At the last Badger Military Show I put up a small display of my collection of the knives made by the vocational schools here in Fond Du Lac and Fort Atkinson. Made out of leaf springs, they were made by Legionaries, teachers and students and given to local service men free of charge. I will also have a revised display at the Next Badger show in August. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh B. Posted June 14, 2018 Share #2 Posted June 14, 2018 Interesting- I'd have never known. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LtRGFRANK Posted June 14, 2018 Share #3 Posted June 14, 2018 Nice display Sir Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Jerry Posted July 25, 2018 Author Share #4 Posted July 25, 2018 Check out this month's issue of Military Trader Magazine for an article I wrote on these knives! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Backtheattack Posted August 4, 2018 Share #5 Posted August 4, 2018 Never seen one, interesting theme, thank`s for posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhodak Posted August 9, 2018 Share #6 Posted August 9, 2018 Very interesting, How where the blades Marked? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Jerry Posted August 9, 2018 Author Share #7 Posted August 9, 2018 The FDL ones were electro-pen engraved, while the Fort Atkinson ones were acid photo etched. Both were marked with the name of the school on one side, and the serviceperson's name on the other. A few I have have rank/rate, service numbers and one even has the unit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crag the Brewer Posted April 3, 2023 Share #8 Posted April 3, 2023 Hello Mr. Jerry. I'm sorry for bringing up an old thread. I have read articles that included your display of the Knives made here in Wisconsin for our troops during WW2. I found this forum, and signed up to ask you a few questions, hopefully that is ok? I'm a part time knife maker, and a friend of mine who is well established in the Wisconsin National Guard asked me if I would help him with a project. Some of his guys are retiring soon, and in the next couple years..... He wanted to give a Thank You to the guys leaving, and asked if I could make a knife like these Fond du lac knives? We both agree with they would be appropriate, and I am going to keep all the work here in Wisconsin. Wisconsin serving Wisconsin. I found a local knifemaker who is going to help with the heat treating. I am donating my time in grinding, and assembling the blades. My buddy is going to make the display racks/cases. I was wondering if You could help with questions of the design? I'm uncertain of how the butt/pommel looked, if the tang extends through the rear? The blades thickness? If you had a scaled drawing with dimensions? I'm probably going to make them out of 1084 steel. I can keep you posted with our progress, if you'd like. We have a few months still. I think the first one needs to be finished this fall. Thank you for everything that you have done, preserving this important History. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Jerry Posted April 3, 2023 Author Share #9 Posted April 3, 2023 That is awesome! Drop me a line on our website (militarycollectorshq.com) and if you want to stop by the shop in West Allis sometime I would be happy to show you some from my collection. Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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