A question for you CASE lovers!?!

J

Jason Burns

Joined
Jan 20, 2001
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One of the folks in our church approached me this morning with a question. (Nothing deep mind you . . . just knives!)
His father had just "inherited" a large number (73!) of vintage Case knives. Many over 70 years old he says and still NIB! I am not a Case collector but was asked where the best place to find values of and sell these would be. My response, "I don't know but I KNOW someone on the forum can help!!"
So, if any of you can help a pastor provide MUCH NEEDED info to one of his church members, it would be greatly appreciated!:D ;) :D
 
NIB Case knives that old could be worth many, many thousands. Research the value of these knives carefully. Jim Parker may be one man to contact. He writes books about pocket knife values and even owned Case at one time. I got one of his recent books from Smokey Mountain Knife Works. I don't have the book or contact information at hand, it's at work, but I will monitor this thread and get it to you if no one can do it sooner. There is a name and address in the book to which you can send Case knives for appraisal.
 
Hi Jason,
Unfortunately I don't have a definitive answer for you on this but if I were you I would also post this question on the W.R.Case & Sons Cutlery Forum over at KFC.

I'm sure that someone there should be able to point you in the right direction.

Just remember as Wirebender has pointed out already, these knives may, and probably are worth a lot of money.
Many collectors will most likely come out of the woodwork with offers. Please pass this warning along to your friend because since Case knives are the most highly collected knives (especially certain older models) they may find that they have some rare finds within their possesion and need to be careful with whom they deal.

I would research & sell each knife as an individual. They will be worth a lot more than the sale of the collection as a whole. Unless of coarse they want or need the money fast or simply can't be bothered in which case they should at the very least shop the collection around before selling. It could be the difference of several thousands of dollars.

Good Luck with your search!!

--The Raptor--
 
I would also look to the Case Clasic Collectors Club for some further information.
*Note-I have no previous dealings with this organization. I only know of their existance. I believe Jim Parker contributes to this site but I am not sure of this fact.

Also, EBay may be a good source for research as well. You can see what other knives have sold for in the past.

One more thing. There is a book by Jim sargent called "The American Premium Guide to Knives & Razors - Identification and Values" which I find to be a great source of information on the value of older Case knives.
*Note-Keep in mind that values listed in any book is not a set in stone value but rather an interpretation of value of a knife that has sold in the past combined with the current state of the market at the time of publishing.

Ultimately, as I believe Bernard Levine has been known to state on occasion, the value of any given knife is exactly what any given buyer is willing to pay for it. Or something to that effect.;)

Again....Good Luck!!:)

--The Raptor--
 
Thanks! Other replies would still be appreciated but I will check @ KF . . . I never noticed the Case forum there!?!:rolleyes: :confused: :rolleyes:
 
This collection sounds like one that probably deserves to be appraised by an expert who has no interest in buying them. It could be costly but if we're talking about Tested (pre-1940) or earlier that seems to be the way to go. The books are helpful but they're just a record of what was happening in the months or years before they were written. Kind of like yesterdays stock quotes. (I stole that one from Bernard Levine)

DaveJ
 
Just as an example, one such old Case knife sold for over $700 on Ebay in the last week or so.
 
Jim Parker or Jim Sargent would be glad to appraise them but they will try to buy them as well. I can do it but I would also like to buy them. The best bet if they want to sell would be to sell them indidually on ebay or knifeauctions.net. They would bring top dollar on either site.
 
You can also have him call Mack Parker or Tony Watkins here at SMKW. Have your congregation member call our toll free number and ask for one of them. Here is the number:

1-800-251-9306

If I can be of any help let me know. :)
 
The book I referred to at the top of this thread is Pocket Knife Traders Guide Volume 4 by Jim Parker. There is an address for a man who appraised a knife for a friend of mine, but he is also interested in buying Case knives.

Tony Foster
302 Jamesbury Road
Wando SC 29492
843-971-4777 10AM-10PM EST

Obtaining this book would be a very good idea. You can see that many 1920-1940 knives are given four figure values. It also mentions that dealers might give you 60% of mint price. You won't get the values listed from a dealer, of course, but you could look through pictures and try to identify exactly which models your friend has. Value depends on which rare variations he has. In the process, you can get an education on Case, Parker, and Bulldog knife companies. I don't know where to go for a disinterested appraiser. If any of these knives are rusty, DON'T clean them up. Get some professional advice on that.
 
My choices would be Jim Parker, Jim Sargent, Tony Fosteror or Bruce Voyles.
 
I have linked this thread to my friend. He has found the info most helpful and is bringing the collection into Atlanta this weekend. He will be contacting some of the folks you guys have suggested.

Thanks a million!!!
 
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