Advise on traditional knife books?

btmccutcheon

btmccutcheon

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OK, here's the deal... my girlfriend wants to get me a good book on traditional knives but quickly became overwhelmed looking. I know Bernard Levine's 4th edition is supposed to be the most comprehensive, but it's difficult to find and expensive if found. I don't want to do that to her. So I figured several of you might have some good suggestions for a book or books for us novice traditional collectors, enthusiasts, and nuts to have on hand to learn from and refer back to as we descend deeper into our sickness.

And as always, thank you all for helping me to learn, and being patient with me when I speak from ignorance.

Todd
 
I gave away a duplicate 4th edition on the Traditional Forum a few years ago. Unfortunately, I don't think I have any extras left.

I haven't seen the 5th edition but from what I understand the main text of the 5th edition is mostly the same. Here's a description of the changes:
http://www.knife-expert.com/lg5review.htm
If you just want the history, you could buy the 5th and just ignore the prices. The prices are out of date anyway. You'll also miss the value ratings. I don't know if there are later editions and I don't know what changes may have occurred on later editions.

BRL was pretty fair. The relative values will mostly hold true. But individual prices are outdated. Some other writers (Parker et al) have valued knives that they collect/sell as much higher than they should be. In general, I would not follow book prices anyway.
 
I'm really glad you posted this. I've been meaning to ask the same thing for a couple weeks now and keep forgetting.

I'd love some books on Traditional knife history for Xmas, but I'd like to hear from the gurus about their favorites.
 
Get LG4 and Goins first but here are a few others...



Counterfeiting Antique Cutlery by Gerald Witcher (ISBN# 0966102800)

Coutellerie de Poche by Dominique Pascal (ISBN# 2-84567-289-6)

Goins' Encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings by John and Charlotte Goins

Knife World Magazine

Levine's Guide to Knives and their Values 4th Edition by Bernard Levine (ISBN# 0873491890)

Pocket Knives of the United States Military by Michael W. Silvey (ISBN# 0965554422)

Pocket Knives: The new compact study guide and identifier by Bernard Levine (ISBN# 0785810269)

Sheffield Exhibition Knives by Bill Claussen, Bill Adams, Brad Watts, Pete McMickle, Terry Moss, Kelly James, and Joe Dennard (ISBN# 9780967091402)

Swiss Army Knives a Collector's Companion by Derek Jackson (ISBN# 1840922354)

The Knife and Its History: Written on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Victorinox

The Knife Guide: Identification and Value by Bernard Levine (ISBN# 0940362007)

The Old Knife Book by Tracy Tudor

The Sword and Knife Makers of Germany 1850-2000, Volume I, A-L by Anthony Carter (ISBN 0946696314)

U.S. Military Knives Bayonets & Machetes Book III by M. H. Cole
 
Goins is perhaps the best IMO for overall information , Specifics, year of Manf., Tang Stamps, history. Also The Old knife Book by Tracy Tudor is Awesome. I have an extra copy I could let go if interested.
 
These are the only ones I own. I don't use the reference books as much as I could. The two books on the bottom were great reads on winter nights.

 
TinyDog said:
Goins is perhaps the best IMO for overall information , Specifics, year of Manf., Tang Stamps, history. Also The Old knife Book by Tracy Tudor is Awesome. I have an extra copy I could let go if interested.
Click to expand...

The Old Knife Book is a nice collection of old catalog reprints.
 
I have been interested in some reading material. Thanks for this thread!!!!!

EDIT: I was looking on the big river store looking to pickup Levines 4th edition, but a review on there (yes, I realize they are subjective) has me a bit concerned. Now I realize just about any book that can further my knowledge in my passion is a plus, but I want to know which edition has the best information.
The review indicated BL didn't even "write" the 4th edition, so.......
 
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I've got Levines 5th edition. It has a lot of contribution by other writers. Which is good.
I scanned and posted a fair few pages on here a while back.
DK (Dorling Kinderly) have a 2 book set called Battle and Weapon -not limited to knives tho.
DK also has "Knives and Swords".
 
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