This is cool how rocketry has lead to the collection of modeling tools,, which I too enjoy. Nice going..... mine are old too. Dan.

__________________
ENGINE COSTS ARE " OUT OF SIGHT " .....

Ok, let me check. It may be the same as yours, but I am not sure now that you mention it. BTW, I think that ‘script’ Xacto logo is their oldest logo. I have seen a partial page of a 1951 Xacto catalog and this Whittlers set is on that catalog page.

When you get a chance, yes, post a photo of the third #6 handle; I’d like to see it. And I’ll check my set and see which variety of #6 handle I received. Could be the seller’s inventory had ‘transitional’ examples as this #6 handle evolved. We have all seen it happen with rocket kits where certain parts — nose cones, transitions, decals, etc. changed and evolved during the years a given kit was produced.

Earl

__________________
Earl L. Cagle, Jr.
NAR# 29523
TRA# 962
SAM# 73
Owner/Producer
Point 39 Productions

Rocket-Brained Since 1970

Steve-

Ok, checked my #6 and it appears to be like the photo in the seller’s listing. It is interesting to see the variety. Otherwise, your set and my set look identical.

It is amazing to me how well preserved the outer cardboard boxes are! No fading, no brittle cardboard, no discoloration, dark patches, fading, etc. They must have had these VERY well stored the last 70-75 years. And the inner wood box is just simply pristine, as was the knife.

Earl

__________________
Earl L. Cagle, Jr.
NAR# 29523
TRA# 962
SAM# 73
Owner/Producer
Point 39 Productions

Rocket-Brained Since 1970

Earl-

Okay, I have a bit of info on the #6 handles that Sue sent to me today to help identify the different versions. I asked her for pictures from her personal collection and Sue sent me these images as well as permission to post her photos here to assist collecting the other styles, if one is so inclined to do so. Personally I did want to add that out of all the #6 purchases that you and Sue and I made from this eBay seller only mine has that “flat head” collet style. Her findings are below:

“ Hey Steve -Here's some additional pics. I've wrapped some of my personal handles in grip tape and that's what you see with the red handle.
Despite the red tape, you can still clearly see 3 different handle sizes (postiions #2,3 and 4, looking from handle upward orientation).

And I notice there's 3 different necks, (positions #2,3,4), and #3 is a little longer than #1,2 and 4.
I also included the flat head as well as the rounded "egg head" collet style.
The squares on my cutting mat are 1" for reference.

Just an FYI, I looked over my older stuff in my collection, and I noticed the exact same egg head collet is used in the very early (but not the first handle) #2 handles, (and is interchangeable) which leads me to believe the egg head came first, and the flat head succeeded it....as I haven't come across any old style handles with the flat head.”

So, probably as you suggested mine is a transitional #6 handle version with Xacto moving from an older style to a newer style collet design even though my packaging, Xacto logo & set contents along with the procurement dating that you obtained from the seller suggest the same original purchase time frame from Xacto.

Attached Thumbnails

     

__________________
Steve Naquin
TRA# 677 L2
NAR# 85518 L2
SAM# 0052

🚀 In Construction: Der Blue Maxx/Minie-Magg 5.5” & Vander-Burn MDRM Clone w/Stickershock23 Custom Decals
🚀 In Paint & Detail: USR Banshee
🚀 In Build Queue: Estes Doorknob w/Vander-Burn Rocketry Upgrade Kit [Sport Decor], Semroc Centurion-F, Semroc Egg Crate
🚀 In Repair: SLS Lil’ Hustler, SLS Aero-Dart 1969 Trim
🚀 Stay Tuned For Fall 2021 Launch Dates

Steve-

Wow, ok thanks for the info and photos from Sue! That’s neat to see the side by side comparisons.

Ya know, looking closely at Sue’s images (and from the overall ‘feel’ I had about my #6 from this purchase) is that I think the #6 handle that I got in this purchase (like the one Sue got too, with the ‘egg head’ collet) is a ‘cast’ piece and not ‘machined’ like it seems other handles are. If you look at the middle photo in your post, you can see the rotational machined marks in the metal along the neck on the three handles to the left of the egg head collect handle. But that handle, the far right one, no machining marks can be seen.

I did not know exactly what it was about the general feel of mine when I first opened it and looked it over, but I think that is it. It is a cast piece and has no machining on the shank or handle, except on the very tip of the shank of course so the collect can screw on.

Thanks for getting with Sue and getting her comparison photos. One could think that in the late 40s and early 50s, products and production methods were probably developing rapidly. If one had very early examples of the #1, #2, and #5 handles, there may be many variations of those products also.

Earl

__________________
Earl L. Cagle, Jr.
NAR# 29523
TRA# 962
SAM# 73
Owner/Producer
Point 39 Productions

Rocket-Brained Since 1970

Found an actual usage for that Gigantic #33 blade in the #6 handle.
It is excellent at SLICING CHEESE !
Cuts right through like butter !
Doesn't dull the blade much either.

__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, and HAVOC !

Start collecting razor strops and you can keep that #33 blade razor sharp.

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I love sanding.

Nah.
I don't need any more "collections" at this time !

__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, and HAVOC !

Hey GH, did you get the Xacto brochure via email the other day? Just want to make sure you rec’d ok.

Got a 1978 full Xacto catalog that I will scan and send out too. I’m looking for them primarily in the very early 70s so I can better date some of these knives and knife sets, but even this one from the latter 70s will help some too.

But I have really been surprised at how hard it is to find any Xacto catalog.


Earl

__________________
Earl L. Cagle, Jr.
NAR# 29523
TRA# 962
SAM# 73
Owner/Producer
Point 39 Productions

Rocket-Brained Since 1970

That's too funny ... I was wondering when you would find a use for that gigantic blade!

__________________
Steve Naquin
TRA# 677 L2
NAR# 85518 L2
SAM# 0052

🚀 In Construction: Der Blue Maxx/Minie-Magg 5.5” & Vander-Burn MDRM Clone w/Stickershock23 Custom Decals
🚀 In Paint & Detail: USR Banshee
🚀 In Build Queue: Estes Doorknob w/Vander-Burn Rocketry Upgrade Kit [Sport Decor], Semroc Centurion-F, Semroc Egg Crate
🚀 In Repair: SLS Lil’ Hustler, SLS Aero-Dart 1969 Trim
🚀 Stay Tuned For Fall 2021 Launch Dates