"whats that knife?"

[elk ninja]

Long story short, I ran across an ad in one of the hook and bullet magazines a while back and saw a knife I really liked.  I'd like to add something similar to my collection, but haven't found what I am looking for yet.  Can anyone tell me what the woods type knife is in the picture?  Mable's?  Maybe... Bark River?  Not that I can tell...
 

Any help is appreciated!  

And by the way, anyone have any experience with the chef's choice sharpeners?

[TOEJAMMER]

It is a Western Company made knife.  They were locted in Boulder, Colorado, but went out of business about 15 or so years ago.

[arrowflipper]

I'am not quite sure,But to me it looks like a Western.

[sticshooter]

The one with the red wood looks like western and other wood handled looks like a rapala.<><

[elk ninja]

Thanks Toe, arrow and Frank, I do believe you all are right!  After your posts I did a little digging around and it does indeed look like a Western.  Unfortunately they did close their doors in 1992, so there really aren't any new examples around, and most of what I did find is, well, lets just say "well used."  I really do like a knife with patina, but then there is basket cases.  At any rate, I think I'll survive using the beauty Frank (sticshooter) made for me recently anyway...

But out of curiosity, how were those Westerns?  Good steel or hardware store junk?

[arrowflipper]

Mike i can only speak for what i have used.I have 4 Westerns,three have been used for many years.I have two that are 648A and two that are model 648.I think the model 648 was the ones that were used in the Fred Bear kits.I've gut and skined many a deer with them.They seem to hold a pretty good edge.The 648 holds a little better edge than the 648A.Maybe there carbon i'am not sure.I like mine,Guess i'll just pass them on to my son some day.Heck i like all knives!

[B M A]

I was going to say Western.  My dad gave me one some 30+ years ago when I started hunting and I still have it.  It has been a great knife.  The edge holds very good.  
Last fall I was in a Goodwill and found the same knife, just a tad smaller.  I paid a whole 1$ for it.  I was thrilled to find it.  I cleaned it up, sharpened it and made a sheath for it.  I gave it to my son as his first hunting knife.  Brock

[seabass]

i have a well used western but it has leather handle scales and a different blade.my blade has an upturned point.i have had it for a very long time.seems like a good knife though.it has L39 on the brass finger guard,steve

[Wampus]

Here's a pic of my Western W36 that I bought in the mid 80's