Name/Title
Grinder, FoodEntry/Object ID
2016.2.0022Description
2 Grinders and a clamp
This Heavy duty E.C. Simmons Keen Kutter K11 Meat Grinder is designed to be attached to table top. It is sturdy and in good working condition. A Quote from Survivalist Forum about manual meat grinders says “The best one is a Keen Kutter K11. About 100 years old and built like a brick outhouse. It will outlast me if I don't lose it.” A little history: "Keen Kutter is a trade name first used by Simmons Hardware Company of St. Louis, Missouri in 1866. The name was adopted as a trademark by Simmons Hardware Company in 1870 and was used on their highest quality tools and cutlery. Simmons Hardware Company was purchased by arch rival Shapleigh Hardware Company (also of St. Louis) in 1940 Shapleigh Hardware Company was known for their premium brand Diamond Edge. After Shapleigh acquired the Keen Kutter trademark it was modified by replacing the "E.C. Simmons" in the top of the logo with Shapleigh's. Shapleigh continued to use the trademark on products until they went out of business in 1960. Items bearing the Keen Kutter trademark are considered collectible. Jerry and Elaine Heuring, authors of Collector's Guide To Keen Kutter, have documented current values and general information in their books. The Hardware Companies Kollector's Klub founded in 1995 is another great source of information for Keen Kutter collectors."
On the handle is:
Great Britain 2432897 D.R.P. NO. 104762
Brevete SC. DC. 1897 Belgiun ??448
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Keystone Food Chopper
Location: Boyertown, Berks County, Pennsylvania
Founders: Thomas Rutter, Thomas Potts
Period of Production:
Products Manufactured: Limited Line
Brand Names: Keystone Food Chopper
Primarily known for food grinders, vintage ca. 1920s-1940s. Hollow ware produced as sideline to promote grinders appears to be limited to a #5 skillet. Skillet is of smooth bottom design, which would correspond to timeframe of food grinders.
Food grinders are marked "C.I. Co. Boyertown PA", the C.I. appearing to stand for Colebrookdale Iron, a company originally engaged in the manufacture of sad irons and trivets, with history as far back as the early 1700s. Early 20th century advertising copy confirms this.