Black Jack Knife Collector's

Phantom4-
Please email me with your list of doubles.
May some of my doubles and your doubles can
"do lunch"

Tom-As far as a price guide, anyone can email me and I will do my best.

As far as I am concerned, old retail price is the best place to start. A lot of Blackjacks were heavily discounted and now some of the better ones should at least bring retail.

Keep your eyes peeled for serial numbered pieces. That is the best place to start as far as "rare" knives are concerned.
I dont consider many classic blades (randall styles) as rare. Even though only a few of some handle materials were produced, if you tried to collect every Blackjack knife made with a different shade of pakkawood you would go nuts.

Old cutlery shoppe catalogs can give some good ballpark prices.

Consider the evolution of Blackjack.

Originally High end Japan made with limited USA production of large Mamba (not acheap knife either)

Then after the move to Effingham Il, BJK began producing more items at lower prices as their production increased, eventually they dumped all their Japan made stuff around 1993-4

Then because it was so easy to switch handle materials on the stick tang Randall knock offs to create SKU's, you see a huge growth in that end of the line by 1994, as well as huge numbers of Ek SKU's.
At this time practically everything was stick tang or Ek. Becker was always limited production.

To have an inclusive blackjack collection you should really have:

Japan Made BJK knives
Usa Made BJK catalogued items
Becker Knife and Tool
Ek from 1993-1997
Cripple Creek (what junk!)
HG Long from 1993-1997

I have chosen to stick JUST to Blackjack catalogued items and protos just to make life easier. Thats still a bunch of knives.
Over the 10 year stretch from 1987-1997 Blackjack must have had at least 200+ SKU's.

There are way too many uncatalogued, one of a kind, promotional, and commemorative knives to even begin to catalogue.

Some large runs of knives were made for NWTF, DU, and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
Some knives were marked for Law Enforcement agencies like DEA or Secret Service.
Some customers would order knives and have their names etched on or even use special handle materials. Just because something says
"for display only". dont think that that is rare either. Lots of knives were marked that way.

I can help with approximate values. AG Russell sometimes has some BJK in his "cutting edge", and Ebay has had a rash of stuff lately.
 
I agree with Anthony for the most part concerning price. Although It is my feeling that at least the later knives are not quite bringing retail while the earlier pieces may bring more than retail in some intstances. The old retail prices are however a good place to start. I prefer the older randall pinch knives myself. I am also crazy enough to go after the odd ball handle combos and such. All the BlackJack's I have at present are odd balls. With the exception of two Mamba folders. It makes it much more interesting to me to seek out the odd balls. I mean everyone can have a skinner in micarta. But how many have a subhilt skinner in silverwood? Even if it is just Pakawood died a different color. I find it to be more interesting than something with a Kraton handle. Without a doubt the best ones as far as fit in finnish are the earlier ones primarily the ones that were produced in Japan. Those are some very nice knives. I have owned a few and will be adding more very soon. Trying to track down all the variations is an interesting challenge to me. I would at least like to have pictures of as many as I can just because I find it interesting and I want to know what was made. I will not try to get them all though. That would not be very realistic. I plan on just picking the ones I like. One of the major reasons I like the Randal knock off's is becuase of the performance. The later ones out perform the earlier ones based on my testing and from what I have heared from others. That is a big factor for me. Another argument for the earlier ones is they are and will continue to be IMHO more valuable. The plus for me as that the later knives, are and I feel will remain to be more affordable. Without a doubt Anthony knows more about BlackJacks the anyone I have ever met. I am very greatful Anthony that you are willing to let us ask you questions and for advice concerning price. I have to addmit that this thread has recieved much more response than I thought. I have been meeting more and more people that have or are starting to put together collections of BlackJack's. It will be interesting to see if this trend continues. I suspect it will.
If anyone is interested in tradeing for other BlackJacks or even customs feel free to email. I have a few Customs I would be willing to trade as well as some Remington bullet knives.

Regards,

Tom Carey
 
Almost forgot. I have two folding Mamba's. I want to part with the one with the Kraton handle. The other one I am keeping because it so darn nice! I still think the Japanese makde the best darn factory folders as far as fit finnish and smooth functioning goes. After all look at the Spyderco Viele. I am looking for a folding Mamba in stag if anyone has one they are willing to part with. I must addmit the early ones are really starting to grow on me! I pretty much plan on having a mix.

Regards,

Tom Carey
 
I forgot to mention that I also have a Yukon skinner folder in the original box and wrapping paper. It is the smaller sized folder. Very stout knife and pretty darn well made. I would be willing to trade my 1-7 stage handled for a leather handled or even micarta handled 1-7. thanks and keep'em sharp.
PS I believe after talking with a gentleman that used to sell B-J's exclusively in his gunshop that the 1-7 I have is/was a salesman's sample, I bleive Tom C. mentioned the same thing.
 
Longbow-
Is youre stag handled 1-7 a hunter, meaning it has a single guard? I am interested in it. I have several 1-7 hunters with leather handles and metal buttcaps if anyone is interested.
m
 
m, nope my knife has the double guard. It is not the sub hilt model. The guard just extends above and below the hand. I think they referred to this as the double guard and the hunter models as the single guard. It is in mint shape though. Sheath has never been worn. Doesn't appear to have been worn anyhow. thanks
 
Anyone out there

I am looking for

Large Mamba's (10" blades)
Warner-Morans
Warner-Loveless
Damascus Mamba
Anaconda with Green Handle
Any protos or handmades.
Kampa
Wasp II
Monahan Stinger

Thanks


------------------
++++++++++++++++++++++++

Anthony P. Lombardo
-will destroy knives for
food-
 
Anthony -- I just saw a couple on eBay earlier today that might interest you: a Warner-Moran Rio Grande Camp Knife & a Magnum Camp Knife.

------------------
--+Brian+--
 
Thanks anyway Longbow.I like the double guard classic models but I have been looking for Hunter 7 and 5 inch models, trailguides, and B,K,&T's lately since I already have several double guard models.
Thanks,
m
 
Anthony,
I have several prototypes as we were making sheaths for BJ (but you know this). Also several EK's. Also have some actual Black Jack Kydex sheaths that were never delivered, with logo imprinted.
 
I have received some e-mail about the BJ kydex however, I am experiencing some problems with out going e-mail. It will be a day or two (probably Monday) before I can answer directly. In the mean time I do have some original first run Black Jack Kydex sheaths for: 1-7 blades, the 5" blades, and the Black Moor 2000. All of these sheaths were made under contract but never paid for. I would be happy to sell on a first come basis at $35 each. I also have tooling to produce the 2nd generation BJ sheaths for the 7 and 5" blades. These sheaths were just leaving the prototype stage and were being tooled for but only a hand full ever shipped to BJ. The 2nd generation sheaths are superior to the first generation sheaths. If there is enough interest I will make a small run at $40.00 each, however, I will not imprint the BJ logo on any item that we re-make. This second generation tooling and also the sheaths we made were never paid for. As such they are the property of Edge-Works. The logo is a different matter and I will not use it.

910-455-9834
 
Guys, I swear I don't work for the Cutlery Shoppe but their Spring flyer arrived yesterday and they have some kind of a special run of BJ knives (trailguides, I think) with white micarta handles and scrimshaw! Expensive but if you collect, you won't find this anywhere else. Give them a call at (208) 884-7563. Good Luck!
 
Phantom4,
If you still have any duplicate Blackjack knives for sale I would be intersted. I would probably use them on military duty though. I am intersted in some of the Blackjack fixed balde knives. Please email me with a list of available knives.
 
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