A Coleman slip joint question?

O

oldscrimmer

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Nov 23, 2007
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Over the weekend we went to a supplier to buy for our shop, and in the process I looked over their selection of slip joints as a possibility for our Christmas customers. In the offerings I found a Coleman Trapper, genuine stag scales, silver bolsters, NIB, and had “First Production Run” etched in the blade. The blade area back of the kick was marked AUS 6 Seki, Japan. First I didn’t know Coleman was using a graded steel such as AUS 6, and second I didn’t know they were using Seki companies to build them. I’ve always liked some of the Seki knives, but was shocked to see a slip joint made there. I guess I just have not paid attention to slippies lately.

My question is: does anyone know if the “First Production Run” etching makes any difference to the value of the piece?
 
I doubt it will make much difference, "First Production Run" markings on a knife that is massed produced in factories don't really have meaning, from observing them being bought and sold at shows and Ebay. I think it's more of a marketing gimmick.
 
I have a 3-blade stockman and a 4-blade congress COLEMAN from SEKI and marked as yours is on the main blade. The funny part is as far as I can determine that was also the single and final production run.
 
Pretty much what I thought too, just wanted to make sure before I put it on the stone. I plan to give it to a friend for Christmas to get him started in slip joint use....didn't want to mess up any intrinsic value it might have. Seems to be a good working knife, would rather have a bit better steel, but it'll do. The stag however was very nice and well fitted. It'll make a good gift for him. Thanks for the comeback!
 
Yep, this is the same Coleman as the camping gear.

I have a trapper in blue bone, a sowbelly stockman, a mini trapper and an equal ended pen knife.

the last three are Sambar stag, nicely finished, well fitted. all 1st production run.

I think the AUS6 makes them unusual.

But they are not valuable; they seem to be well-made; I have the mini trapper as a user and it takes one heck of a good sharp edge.

Brass liners, nickel silver bolsters. They look the part. I reckon they must have been promotional knives? not sure.

:)
 
They are made by Taylor, the same company that makes Schrade. I have a first production run Coleman stockman made in China so I don't think the "First Production Run" really means too much.

They made a limited productuon run of a 6 blade sowbelly stockman. I have a blue bone and one stag, they were limited to 1,000 each. They were made in Seki, Japan and seem to be well made.
 
Interesting they seem to be everywhere these days. Every Japanese person and his dog has a coleman backpack. Didnt even know they made backpacks.
 
They make great packs. I toted one for years commuting to work on a bike (26 mile round trip) It beat the 'The North Face' pack I had by a mile.
 
A tiny bit off topic, but W.C. Colman was a camping fan. I saw an old piece of film footage on the history channel once with his model T Ford outfitted with built in camping devises that would later lead to a line of auto camping products.

He developed his lantern because he had poor eyesite, and wated a lantern brite enough to read at night with. He was a very interesting man.

Okay, back on topic.:)
 
I live near and work in Wichita, KS, original home of the Coleman company. The Coleman family isn't involved in the business any more, other than by name. The factories are still here though. Originally they started out making the lanterns. There is a nice museum in their factory outlet store.

I've seen some of those knives in the store from time to time.

It may be a little off topic, but a son, Sheldon Coleman, took that family manufacturing experience, and probably a lot of the money, and started his own company, here in Wichita.

That company is Big Dog Motorcycles. Not related to knives, but may be of interest to some. Pretty wicked V-Twin customs.

http://www.bdm.com
 
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