Comprehensive Guides to Older Folders?

NAFix

NAFix

Joined
Jan 23, 2005
Messages
108
I'm fairly new to collecting... 2-3 years, and have spent most of my time with foreign autos... That gradually moved to vintage American switchblades, and now I find myself with quite a pile of vintage folders that I know very little about. For instance I have a KA-BAR trapper that goes back before the Stylized logo font, just all caps as I typed it here, over OLEAN, NY on the tang. I guess it's the "Old Timer's Trapper" that the newer Ka-Bars stamped that way is talking about. I have no idea of the actual age or handle material. It's black and jigged, and feels like micarta, somehow more pliable than bone or delrin, but there's no grain as in micarta. I think it may be the same material as in the old stand-by electrician's knife. Is this the place to ask these questions? Perhaps a better question would be where can I get some good thorough guides on the older brands?
Thanx,
NAFix
 
Best I've ever used is Bernad Levine's Guide to Knives and their Values, 4th Edition. Wealth of information. :) The 5th Edition was pretty much disowned by Levine, as it was edited without his approval or consent, so make sure to grab the 4th. Some of the prices are pretty whacked in the 5th, too- a Boker whittle went from $68 in the 4th to $900 in the 5th. It's like some editor was trying to increase the price on his collection.
 
Sword and Shield said:
Best I've ever used is Bernad Levine's Guide to Knives and their Values, 4th Edition. Wealth of information. :) The 5th Edition was pretty much disowned by Levine, as it was edited without his approval or consent, so make sure to grab the 4th.
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Any hints where I could find one? All the online booksellers have only the 5th; I found a couple for sale on The Auction Site That Dare Not Be Named, but folks want $100 for 'em!
 
There are some other reference books available to us. You asked a question in another thread Nafix, about a KaBar Trapper, which knifeaholic answered very well for you. I found like information in two books, both by pretty authoritative authors: 13th Edition Official Price Guide to Collector Knives by C. Huston Price, available at your local bookstore. And: The Standard Knife Collectors Guide , by Ritchie and Stewart, again easy to find and reasonably priced.

I do urge you to stay away from the Pocket Knife Traders Price Guide by Jim Parker.

Current prices on collectors knives can be found on ebay (subject to some craziness as per the high prices now being paid for very ordinary Schrade products).

The best source of info of all? You are already here! Welcome.

Phil
 
NAFix said:
... I have a KA-BAR trapper... It's black and jigged, and feels like micarta, somehow more pliable than bone or delrin, but there's no grain as in micarta. I think it may be the same material as in the old stand-by electrician's knife.
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Could it be bakelite?
 
I have go to with Sword and shield.
I have a few shelf fulls of books including several editions of the other books that were mentioned and Goins (Encylopedia of Cutlery Markings), but if I was forced to pick one it would be Levin's Guide III or IV.

On the Kabar,
I have a trapper with brown jigged handles (maybe 25 years old) that feels more like hardened rubber. (not quite as firm as bakelite.). I keep and use it in the kitchen since whatever the handle material might be it is very grippy.
 
Thanx all who responded. Just ordered the Levine Guide... a little pricey, but of I gonna do this.... might as well have the tools!! On the KA-BAR, I agree it may be hard rubber, it does have that feel, and there is some minor shrinkage on top edges, and it maybe dark brown; if so it's VERY dark brown. Thanx again everyone.... Now about this old Premium Stock Knife (<<blade stamp) from germany... See new thread at "Solingen Cutlery Premium Stock Knife."
Barry
NAFix
 
I am sure Bernard Levine has stated that no knife handles have been made with Bakelite. Many old Remintons and Ka-bars (& others) were handled with something called 'black composition', an inexpensive material. The only real bakelite I have seen on a knife was say the Pommels of some knives produced during WW2 when aluminum was strictly rationed for the war effort. Most famous of these being Marbles.
Welcome again to knife collecting, NaFix. If you ever have a Schrade question, come see us in the Schrade forum here.
Phil
 
Welcome to the insane world of knife collecting.

Do yourself a favor and get your reference materials and study them first.

Decide what you want to collect, then go about aquiring the knives you desire.

If you just buy everything you see, you'll wind up with a boxload of knives and no direction in your collection, before long you'll find yourself longing for knives you can't afford till you sell from your collection.

Research before you buy, learn as much about the knife before you spend your money, you'll be a lot happier. :)
 
If you just buy everything you see, you'll wind up with a boxload of knives and no direction in your collection...
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Then you're not a "collector," you're an "accumulator." I'm an accumulator myself - if I see an interesting or attractive knife, I buy it. I haven't sold or traded ~any~ of my knives, ever. I refer to those people as "swappers," more interested with making a good trade and meeting people than owning knives. I don't understand it myself, but that's OK! :)

Best Wishes,
Bob
 
Well I guess I'm a collector, accumulator, swapper!! I accumulate a certain type of knife for awhile, put 'em all in a display case, and poof it's a collection. Then I buy and sell some others on auction sites, so I can support my habit. I've never sold off any of my accumulation or collections.
I've just today started reading my new Levine's 4th edition and have been enlightened again by the incestuous knifemaking industry of roughly the last 120 years. I also learned that I won't find much about specific Case knives in Levine's, because so many other books have been written about Case!! So, anyone know anything about this Blue-Bone Trapper I picked up for a buck (i.e., 100 pennies, not a knife) at a garage sale this morning?? From the tang stamp I can tell its a 1989 B6154 D, which I assume is for the Damascus blade... and it has what looks like a gold-not-brass Case shield. Also has the long-tailed "C" and xx stamped in the front bolster with the number 039. Anyone know if this is a limited, numbered edition? I suppose the Damascus is real; Case wouldn't sell and etched damascus, would they?
Any help much appreciated...
Barry
 
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