Vintage 1978 Bear Creek Pocket Knife – Taylor Cutlery Kingsport TN – Brown Delrin Handles – USA Made Two Blade Folder

This handsome 1978 pocket knife from Taylor Cutlery is a crisp example of American cutlery design from the late 20th century. Featuring the “Bear Creek” shield in nickel silver and a special etch on the main blade—"BEAR CREEK SURGICAL 1978"—this knife highlights the era’s emphasis on premium stainless steel. The secondary blade is marked “Taylor Cutlery Kingsport Tenn,” confirming its roots in a growing Tennessee knife company known for blending traditional form with modern materials.

Both blades retain excellent shape with a good edge, solid snap, and no wobble. The rich brown Delrin handles have a smooth, almost translucent look with subtle swirls, adding warmth and vintage character. The nickel silver bolsters are bright and well-fitted.

📐 Specifications:
• Pattern: Two-Blade Jack Knife
• Maker: Taylor Cutlery – Kingsport, TN
• Tang Stamps: "Taylor Cutlery Kingsport Tenn" and "BEAR CREEK SURGICAL 1978"
• Blades: Clip Point & Pen
• Handle Material: Brown Delrin
• Bolsters: Nickel Silver
• Length (Closed): ~3 3/8"
• Origin: USA

🔍 Condition Note:
Excellent mechanics with strong snap and no wobble. The handle has very light pin cracks near two pins on the shield side, along with slight discoloration near the pins. Otherwise, this knife presents beautifully—clean blades, tight construction, and excellent action.

🧲 Historical Note:
Taylor Cutlery was a rising name in the late 1970s, eventually becoming associated with Schrade, Smith & Wesson, and other legacy brands. The "Surgical 1978" etch denotes the use of surgical-grade stainless steel, a popular marketing term at the time for corrosion-resistant steel with good edge retention—not intended for medical use, but proudly billed as high-performance.

🧷 Collector’s Note:
This knife checks several collector boxes: American-made, date-marked, dual branding (Bear Creek and Taylor), and stainless etchings. For fans of transitional era knives from the ‘70s–‘80s, it represents an attractive and functional piece of cutlery history.

Disclaimer:
All knives in this shop are vintage or pre-owned unless stated otherwise. While many are in excellent condition, they may show normal signs of age or handling such as scuffs, blemishes, or blade wear. I try to document condition as accurately as possible in both the description and photos. Feel free to reach out with any questions!

By purchasing this knife, you are confirming that you are 18 years of age or older and are complying with all applicable laws and regulations regarding knife ownership in your area.
This knife ships wrapped in acid-free archival tissue to help preserve both the blade and handle during transit and storage.