A German made Bowie that I've always desired, but had never bit on... Until now...

[PocketKnifeJimmy]

Cool knife, I dig it.
But I have to ask, are your cases displayed in full view where company can see them? lol

Yes, I wouldn't be able to truly enjoy my collecting hobby if these items were hidden in a safe. I enjoy the process of acquiring the items and finding ways of incorporating them into my personal domain's decor. I believe I have about 80 or so small to medium sized glass topped display boxes housing the bulk of my eclectic collection of "interesting objects"

 

[PocketKnifeJimmy]

Before you lock that baby away in a display case , you should send it to me to play with for a few years .

I'd give it that genuine , classic historical (used) look ,at no charge to you .

But seriously: Looks like it could be a great hunting / fighting knife ! Not just beautiful to behold .

Thank you, sir

The thing is, for my collection purposes, I seek out items that are as good/minty condition as possible when buying from the vintage/secondary market. I sometimes wind up having to pay a bit more for that premium condition, so... Although your offer to lessen their condition "free of charge" is appreciated, I will have to pass on it, thank you

 

[PocketKnifeJimmy]

Yesterday I ordered another Solingen made Bowie that has been on and off of my radar for a bit... a 'Crocodile Hunter Bowie'.
It seems that it too is one of those forged steel fixed blade patterns that likely came from one source in Germany, (my hunch being the Anton Wingen/Othello firm), and supplied to other firms under contract.
I have seen these German knives with many brands, but again, their blades are likely coming from one source.
The pre-owned, (maybe 25 to 35 years old), 'Crocodile Hunter' specimen I have coming my way, was made in Solingen Germany under contract for AG Russell.
It's listed as having a 10" blade, with a 15" overall length.
It really does seem to me that the Anton Wingen/Othello firm forged out many styles of blades, (and maybe even complete knives), for a lot of other companies. I guess they were in Germany what Camillus Cutlery was in the USA... A maker that produced quite a bit of product marked under their own brand(s), but also one that made quite a bit of product for other companies.
I love finding out about the history of the companies behind the items I collect

My knife purchasing has almost completely shifted to acquiring excellent to mint/minty condition vintage specimens, rather than my buying new currently produced knives.
And, the truth is, I've been much happier with that decision

Anyhow, the following photo, (copied from the vendor's online page), is the one I purchased. The photo is not the best, so I'm hoping it turns out to be a really nice specimen

 

[cbach8tw]

i will go opposite, I got a nice used Bowie from an antique mall during one Christmas, still had a very good edge, and it is typical of the many German knives shipped To the US. I have shown this before, but I like the aged used looks to it, thst is what I would want to display, still able to be used. This mark is El Toro. What is funny is the it has Alemania in the other side, which is Spanish for Germany, so I wondered if that Is a marketing gimmic, I forget which company used that mark.

 

[PocketKnifeJimmy]

i will go opposite, I got a nice used Bowie from an antique mall during one Christmas, still had a very good edge, and it is typical of the many German knives shipped To the US. I have shown this before, but I like the aged used looks to it, thst is what I would want to display, still able to be used. This mark is El Toro. What is funny is the it has Alemania in the other side, which is Spanish for Germany, so I wondered if that Is a marketing gimmic, I forget which company used that mark.View attachment 1924252View attachment 1924253

"Alemania", like you already mentioned, means "Germany" in Spanish. I know Boker used it a lot because their products were very popular in South America. Heck, popular enough that Boker has their 'Boker Arbolito' manufacturing branch located in Argentina

As for your preference for buying knives with patina or an already broken in look... That is all good in my book... One should get what one wants, not what others may feel is best

 

[cbach8tw]

That is the fun of collecting, everyone has their own criteria and interest, which really makes each collection enjoyable to the owner. I would have like to get a Linder crocodile Bowie, very similar to yours, Linder is going to be going out of business I heard somewhere.

 

[PocketKnifeJimmy]

That is the fun of collecting, everyone has their own criteria and interest, which really makes each collection enjoyable to the owner. I would have like to get a Linder crocodile Bowie, very similar to yours, Linder is going to be going out of business I heard somewhere.

Yes, Linder already closed their doors.

 

[PocketKnifeJimmy]

It arrived today... I performed a wee bit of light tarnish removal with a fine jewelry cloth on it's pommel and guard, then gave it a complete Renaissance Wax treatment, and... Wah-Lah, she's now ready to continue living a pampered life, just there displaying her beauty.

 

[DMG]

Jimmy, you're going to need a new forum name.

Or bigger pockets