ID unmarked vintage tanto knife

[greenjim]

I purchased this knife from a friend who buys and sells a lot of things like jewelry, rare books and collectibles. He's got a good eye for value but he's not a knife expert so he couldn't tell me anything about it. At the time, I was looking to buy a modern tanto blade but I fell in love with the vintage style of this one.

Hoping to find markings I removed the screw at the base of the hilt but none of the handle pieces came loose at all. I didn't want to do more damage than good by forcing the handle apart. I'm not opposed to giving it another try if so advised.

I'm looking to sell this knife (I've got my eye on an HI khukuri and need to raise funds) so any information will be greatly appreciated.

[CWL]

Blade looks handmade, but definitely not Japanese. Blade shape is that of an "americanized" tanto which was only introduced to the US in the 1980's so can't be that "vintage". That butt cap and nut really looks home-made.

add: I think I've even seen HI make a similar tanto offering before.

[DJD]

Every part of it looks westernized.

DD

[spiraltwista]

Why do people call you GreenJim? Knife is clearly not traditional Japanese...


J

[greenjim]

Thanks for the replies. I agree the blade looks handmade and it does not look like traditional Japanese. I removed the nut and tried once again to remove the handle. That thing won't budge. I have not been able to find any tantos close enough to compare this to. What is a reasonable value on a knife like this?

By the by people call me GreenJim because there was already a Jim when I was hired and I drove a green Silverado at the time.

[spiraltwista]

By the by people call me GreenJim because there was already a Jim when I was hired and I drove a green Silverado at the time.

Cool!

[CWL]

Thanks for the replies. I agree the blade looks handmade and it does not look like traditional Japanese. I removed the nut and tried once again to remove the handle. That thing won't budge. I have not been able to find any tantos close enough to compare this to. What is a reasonable value on a knife like this?

By the by people call me GreenJim because there was already a Jim when I was hired and I drove a green Silverado at the time.

It may have been epoxied into place by whoever assembled the knife.

As a Registered User, it is against the rules for you to ask for valuation, but don't get your hopes up for a mystery tanto that nobody can identify. It is probably worth whatever you can sell it for in a garage sale or swap meet.

[DJD]

I rather like the ferrule and handle inlay, though they look more celtic than Japanese. But the way the inlay appears to be 'cut off', makes me suspect it was 'lifted' from the handle of a piece of flatware. I'm also guessing that the blade was re-ground from a bayonet or piece of a sword. Decorative value IMHO.

DD

[Triton]

Thanks for the replies. I agree the blade looks handmade and it does not look like traditional Japanese. I removed the nut and tried once again to remove the handle. That thing won't budge. I have not been able to find any tantos close enough to compare this to. What is a reasonable value on a knife like this?

By the by people call me GreenJim because there was already a Jim when I was hired and I drove a green Silverado at the time.

I don't expect you would find anything worth seeing under the handle. Certainly not any kanji and if it's a makers mark, based on the quality of the work it's probably some guy that did a few knives in his garage. As for a value it is as they say worth what someone will pay for it. In this case I wouldn't expect all that much. My recommendation would be to put it up on ebay and see what it brings if anything at all.

Sorry, rereading this it sounds rather negative, but honestly it doesn't appear that you have anything of any particular value there. None of us win them all.

[greenjim]

Thanks again for the replies. I didn't intend to break the rules. I figure it's worth what somebody is willing to pay and y'all confirmed that. I agree that the inlays are a nice touch and with the exception of that nut at the bottom the handle/hilt is simple, solid and well made. It's no Hattori Hanzo but for what it's worth I think the mystery sword recycler did a good job.

[HoosierQ]

I rather like the ferrule and handle inlay, though they look more celtic than Japanese. But the way the inlay appears to be 'cut off', makes me suspect it was 'lifted' from the handle of a piece of flatware. I'm also guessing that the blade was re-ground from a bayonet or piece of a sword. Decorative value IMHO.

DD

My first impression was also that it was a reground bayonet based on that fuller. Kinda of a shame as the original bayonet might have been worth more than this knife.

Don't despair. The think is still worth its intrinsic value as a knife. If the steel is good and the redo did not damage the heat treatment it may be a handy blade.

You know, several people have asked me what knife they should get their boy. I'm the knife guy at work I guess. These days I recommend strongly against pocket knives because of how the schools are...a kid gets caught with the smallest little SAK and his life'll be ruined. I recommend getting a boy something big that won't fit in a pocket that he can forget or be a smart alec and try to sneak to school. Were I a boy again, I would love something like that. Just saying...