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Cooper Cutlery
Published: March 23rd, 2026
The story began in 1895 when John W. Schatt and Charles B. Morgan established the Schatt & Morgan Cutlery Company. Initially operating as the New York Cutlery Company with administrative offices in New York City, the founders sought a dedicated manufacturing location to build their designs. In 1897, they moved operations to Gowanda, New York, where they utilized the existing infrastructure of the old Platts cutlery plant.
A pivotal shift occurred in 1902 when the Titusville Board of Trade successfully recruited the company to Pennsylvania. This move became permanent, and production in Titusville officially began in January 1903. The leadership structure consisted of John Schatt as president, Charles Morgan as vice president, and J.V. Crouch as secretary-treasurer.
The company experienced immediate and massive scaling. Between 1903 and 1905, the factory’s output increased by 1000%. By 1906, the facility had transitioned to electric machinery and employed a workforce of over 100 people. While the “Keystone” pocketknives were their primary focus, the company also produced razors and pioneered the manufacturing of cold-rolled steel screen door hinges. The company was a cornerstone of the local community and fostered employee engagement through initiatives like a company baseball team.
In 1911, Charles Morgan acquired John Schatt’s shares to become the sole president of the company. Morgan’s influence extended into civic life, as he served as the mayor of Titusville and a member of the Board of Education. During the First World War, the factory produced 30,000 clasp knives under his leadership for the U.S. Navy. However, the post-war era introduced significant internal friction. In the late 1910s, management discovered that five key department heads, Geza Revitsky, Frank Foresther, Clarence Erickson, Harry Matthews, and Jesse Barker, were secretly manufacturing unscaled knives for independent sale.
Following their dismissal, these five individuals founded Queen City Cutlery in 1919. They began operations in a small garage located behind Titusville High School. This new entity focused on the use of stainless steel, which was a challenging material that helped them remain viable while the parent company, Schatt & Morgan, began to struggle under economic pressures.
- Schatt & Morgan Cutlery Company was founded in 1895 by John W. Schatt and Charles B. Morgan
- In 1902, Schatt & Morgan Cutlery Company was relocated to Titusville, Pennsylvania
- In 1919, five former Schatt & Morgan department heads founded Queen City Cutlery
The Great Depression's economic collapse forced Schatt & Morgan into bankruptcy in 1933. At a sheriff’s auction that same year, the founders of Queen City Cutlery purchased the Schatt & Morgan factory, its machinery, and all associated trademarks. This acquisition allowed the five men to move back into the very building from which they had been fired. For the next 85 years, the facility on Chestnut Street produced some of the finest traditional cutlery in the United States. The company eventually rebranded as Queen Cutlery Company and maintained the Schatt & Morgan name as its premium heritage line. Despite ownership changes over the decades, the factory continued to use the original heavy presses and hand-finishing techniques established at the turn of the century.
By 2018, the aging infrastructure and financial challenges at the Titusville plant led to a complete cessation of operations under Daniels family ownership. This closure threatened the permanent loss of the historic dies and equipment. On June 1, 2019, Gilbert Cooper, a veteran collector with a background in self-taught cutlery craftsmanship, attended the bankruptcy sale. Cooper purchased the majority of the factory’s physical assets, which included the original forging hammers, the grinding wheels, and the vast library of historic "Master Dies" used for stamping Schatt & Morgan and Queen blade shapes.
Following the purchase, Cooper relocated the equipment to Winchester, Ohio. The move was a monumental logistical task requiring five semi-truck loads and six trailer loads of heavy machinery and parts. Although the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent state-level shutdowns delayed the final transport of certain items, Cooper managed to secure the essential machinery and thousands of unfinished knife components.
Possessing the machinery was only half of the battle, though; the legal identity of the knives remained a separate hurdle. In August 2019, Cooper acquired the trademarks for Schatt & Morgan, Battle Axe, and Big Chief via an online sale. Because Cooper already held the specific dies and physical components for these knives, he was able to transition from setup to production with remarkable speed. By June 2020, the historic patterns were once again being manufactured, only this time under the Cooper Cutlery banner in Ohio.
The path to founding Cooper Cutlery was paved a decade earlier, when Gilbert Cooper moved beyond collecting and began mastering the trade's technical skills. This transition began when James Parker, who co-founded Smoky Mountain Knife Works alongside Kevin Pipes, sold Cooper approximately 4,000 unfinished knife blanks. Cooper established a dedicated workspace on his property and spent years teaching himself the complex mechanics of knife assembly, reading extensively, and studying the nuances of the craft through a hands-on, self-taught curriculum.
This education proved indispensable following the Titusville acquisition. Cooper used his skills to complete the vast work-in-progress inventory salvaged from the Queen factory while simultaneously configuring the heavy industrial machinery in the new Ohio facility. The company remains a focused family operation, with Gilbert serving as president alongside his wife, Debbie, and their two sons, Seth and Matthew.
By utilizing the original 100-year-old dies, Cooper Cutlery ensures that every knife maintains the exact proportions and tactile qualities of the original Schatt & Morgan releases. While staying true to traditional patterns, Cooper has continued to refine the product line by introducing materials such as D2 steel and thicker liners to enhance durability. The production process emphasizes the "walk and talk", the mechanical snap and tension of a traditional slipjoint, and includes in-house "jigging" and dyeing of bone handles. Through this combination of salvaged industrial equipment and focused skill, Cooper Cutlery has successfully ensured that the legacy of the Titusville cutlery tradition remains an active part of American manufacturing.
- Cooper Cutlery is operated by Gilbert, his two sons, Seth and Matthew (pictured above), and his wife Debbie.
What to Buy
The Cooper Cutlery Beaver Falls Cutlery Co. Purple Smooth Bone Jack is a traditional pocket knife built with classic materials and everyday practicality in mind. It features a 2.75-inch spear point blade made from D2 tool steel with a satin finish and a plain edge, providing strong edge retention and reliable cutting performance. The blade opens with a nail nick and operates on a slipjoint mechanism, delivering the smooth, non-locking action expected from a classic jack knife pattern. A 3.5-inch purple-dyed smooth bone handle is accented with a nickel-silver bolster, brass pins and a nickel-silver shield, giving the knife a clean traditional appearance. Measuring 6.25 inches overall, it slips easily into the pocket for daily carry. Made in the USA.
The Cooper Cutlery Dollar Knife Co. Osage Orange Camel Bone Jack reflects traditional American pocketknife design produced on the historic Queen Cutlery machinery. It features a 2.75-inch spear point blade made from D2 tool steel with a satin finish and a plain edge, providing strong wear resistance and dependable cutting performance for everyday tasks. The blade opens with a long pull nail nick and operates on a slipjoint mechanism with a half stop for smooth, controlled action. A 3.5-inch Osage orange camel bone handle is fitted with brass pins, a black shield, and a nickel silver bolster, giving the knife a warm, classic look. Measuring 6.25 inches overall, it carries easily in the pocket. Made in the USA.
The Cooper Cutlery Foster Brothers Butcher Knife is a traditional working knife built for breaking down meat and handling demanding cutting tasks. It features a 7-inch upswept blade made from stainless steel with a dual-forged satin finish, providing strong corrosion resistance and smooth slicing performance through large cuts. The curved profile allows long, controlled strokes when trimming fat or separating meat. A push tang construction keeps the knife light and well-balanced for extended use. The natural wood handle is secured with large pins and branded with the Foster Bros. name, offering a comfortable, classic grip. Measuring 12 inches overall and weighing 3.8 ounces, it delivers reach and control for butcher work. Made in the USA.
Written By
Drew Clifton
Drew is the lead writer for SMKW's Knives 101, crafting informative and engaging content for the world’s largest knife store. With expertise in knife history, design, and functionality, Drew delivers articles and product descriptions that educate and inspire knife enthusiasts at all levels.
Expert Reviewed
T.C. Barnette
T.C. Barnette is a dynamic media personality and the esteemed spokesperson for SMKW (Smoky Mountain Knife Works), where his passion for knives intersects with his captivating on-screen presence. With a magnetic charisma and deep expertise in cutlery, T.C. has become a beloved figure in the knife community.