C. Risner Cutlery "Indian Head" Trademark
The earliest documented use of the “Indian Head” trademark dates back to March of 1974, when it appeared on Buck Creek brand knives imported by Millard Burns of Burns & Company in London, Kentucky. These knives were manufactured in Solingen, Germany and brought into the United States by Mr. Burns.
My grandfather, Clarence Risner, was the founder of C. Risner Cutlery and served as President of both the National Knife Collectors Association and the National Knife Museum. In 1978, Mr. Risner and Mr. Burns formed a close friendship, and through that relationship my grandfather began freelancing Buck Creek knives and Indian Head knives at knife shows.
In December of 1986, Mr. Risner purchased the Indian Head trademark and began producing knives bearing the circular 1902 Indian Head shield, with “C. Risner Indian Head” stamped into the blade tangs.
For many years, I’ve wanted to bring the C. Risner Indian Head knife back in a meaningful way. In 2024, I was truly honored to work with Bill Howard, founder of Great Eastern Cutlery, to produce the first ever USA made Indian Head knife.
More recently, I’ve added additional Indian Head pocket knives to our lineup under my own brand design, the C. Risner Brand. These include patterns known as the Kentucky Holler Jack and the Coastline Jack.
Over the coming years, I plan to continue expanding the Indian Head pocket knife collection, carrying forward the tradition my grandfather began in 1978.
-Austin Jackson, Grandson of Clarence Risner. Owner, C. Risner Cutlery
Detailed History of the Indian Head Trademark
Buck Creek knives were originally established and produced in Germany for Millard Burns of Burns & Company, based in London, Kentucky. The company began importing knives in 1968, starting with a single stock knife pattern featuring yellow Delrin handles and the “Buck Creek” tang stamp. The reverse tang identified Solingen, Germany as the place of origin, where the knives were manufactured to Mr. Burns’ exact specifications.
The Buck Creek name itself comes from a mountain stream located in eastern Kentucky near London.
The earliest documented use of the “Indian Head” trademark dates back to 1974. Both the Buck Creek Indian Head and Owl Head lines featured a circular profile shield bearing their respective designs.
In 1978, Clarence Risner, owner of C. Risner Cutlery, began a friendship with Mr. Burns. Through that relationship, Mr. Risner started freelancing Buck Creek knives and Indian Head knives, all of which continued to be produced in Solingen, Germany for Buck Creek.
Following Mr. Burns’ passing in the spring of 1985, Mr. Risner purchased the Indian Head trademark. From 1986 through the early 1990s, he continued producing Indian Head knives in Solingen, Germany.
The most common pattern produced under the Indian Head trademark was the three blade stockman, though Mr. Risner also produced several small four blade congress patterns. Handle materials varied and included stag, bone, acrylics, and celluloids. All Indian Head knives produced under Mr. Risner’s ownership featured high carbon, hammer forged steel and have since become highly collectible.
During Mr. Risner’s stewardship of the Indian Head trademark, he licensed its use to Smoky Mountain Knife Works and Blue Ridge Cutlery. Both companies had Indian Head knives produced in Solingen, Germany as well as later production runs in China.
Mr. Risner’s friendship with Mr. Burns ultimately led to Mr. Risner becoming the sole importer and distributor of German Eye Brand knives in the United States from the early 1990s through 2015.
Today, the Indian Head trademark is owned by C. Risner Cutlery LLC.
-Austin Jackson, Grandson of Clarence Risner. Owner, C. Risner Cutlery
