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A photo sampling of some of Heath knives.
The late Pete Heath perfecting his craft in his garage here in Winneconne. -Submitted photos |
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Heath Knives Still in Circulation Today
Man’s hobby-turned-profession still known today nationally
If you’re a long-time Winneconne area resident or a knife-enthusiast you may know about Heath Knives. The late Clarence “Pete” Heath spent much of his adult life perfecting a hobby and today, still many of his knives are highly sought by collectors.
Heath was a long-time Winneconne resident, first coming to the area after World War II with his wife, Cleona. Before his interest in knife-making grew, Heath worked at Electrolux Corp., a vacuum cleaner company. It was the 1950’s when Heath began doubling as a part-time police officer, eventually becoming Chief of Police in Winneconne. “I believe it was known as Village Constable back then,” said the younger Heath of his father’s career. Heath’s career in law enforcement also included work as a dispatcher for Winnebago County and the Wisconsin State Patrol.
According to his son, Heath’s interest in knives sparked because, “He wanted to get a good knife for himself – he was a deer hunter and just wanted a good knife.” He took it upon himself to learn how to fashion knives, and sought advice from friend Bill Staege, a man who lived in Northport near New London. Recalled Heath, “I remember going there [to his place], he was a master gunsmith, there is a lake in Canada named after him.”
After some years making knives, Heath got a contract from Abercrombie and Fitch. He fulfilled that order which involved shipping the knives to New York. “In the early 70’s he got a contract in Portland, Oregon. It was a big order – 300 knives,” said Heath. At that point he quit his job to work full time crafting knives out of his garage. His workspace was about that of a two-car garage.
Now obviously this hobby became fruitful enough to support the family, but just how much may be debatable. The younger Heath can fondly say with a chuckle, “I believe it financed many fishing expeditions to Canada and Minnesota.”
Jake Jakus, a long-time collector of Heath Knives, recently bought what is to believed to be the most complete collection of Heath Knives in existence. According to him and other collectors, “Heath knives were not readily found and when they were, they were reasonably priced and affordable.” The materials used in Heath knives included African ebony, Brazilian rosewood, Cocobolo, maple, walnut, Indian sambar stag, micarta, ox, steer and water buffalo horn.
Heath passed away in 1979 at the young age of 59, but Cleona is still alive today living in Menasha, as are his three kids, Ron, Mike, and Sharlie. Mike Heath was able to take the last knife from the house when his father died, a filet knife. Asked as to whether or not he pursued his father’s hobby-turned-profession, “No, I didn’t take to it in college – much to my disappointment now,” said Heath.
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