Does anyone know of a good resource to find the worth/model/year of a Very Nice Ralph Selvidio Damascus Folder ?

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seths_ma

Joined
Oct 15, 2023
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20
The knife is a Switchblade, like Brand New, Has Mother of Pearl grips, Beautiful Damascus Blade and Bolsters, Beautiful File work on the back, Some type of Blue Metal locking mechanism, and inlaid in several places with 14k gold. I'm not 100% sure it's Selvidio but I'd say more like 90% sure. If anyone knows different please let me know. ANY help would be valuable to me. You may have to click on the pics to make them larger. Thanks!!
selvidio.jpg
 
May I ask what the big deal is on asking other members if they know anything about this mans work? What exactly is this forum used for if not for information? Is there a better way to phrase my question that wouldn't hurt others feelings? What does one need to do to be a Member with selling privileges? I have had an account on here for several months so I'm not exactly new. Thanks!
 
The reason for the membership requirement is that many folks attempt to use their asking questions about the value of a knife as a lead-in to their their true intent, which is to find someone to sell it to.

Since selling here is limited to paying members at the Gold level or above, having this requirement in place limits how many times a day the other moderators and myself have to address those who skirt the rules. (Not directed toward you, but you asked about the reasons.)

So, thanks for your support, beautiful knife, and I hope you find out the information you seek. (We also have a sub-forum on autos and a Custom Knife section that may provide useful information if it doesn't pan out here.)

(BTW, the moderation staff here are all volunteers with no financial interest in the site, so we do not operate on the basis of self-interest.)
 
seths_ma said:
May I ask what the big deal is on asking other members if they know anything about this mans work? What exactly is this forum used for if not for information? Is there a better way to phrase my question that wouldn't hurt others feelings? What does one need to do to be a Member with selling privileges? I have had an account on here for several months so I'm not exactly new. Thanks!
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Nobody's feelings are hurt, and you can ask about the work. However you do have to be careful how you phrase it. It can easily fall into a grey area of a back door sale. Which is certainly true when asking value.
In the end it is up to moderators to decide.
 
Peter Hartwig said:
Nobody's feelings are hurt, and you can ask about the work. However you do have to be careful how you phrase it. It can easily fall into a grey area of a back door sale. Which is certainly true when asking value.
In the end it is up to moderators to decide.
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I certainly appreciate the info! It is for sale as soon as I can figure out what to put on it. The guy did some really great work. I am more than happy to pay my dues and whatever else it takes. Building this forum certainly wasn't free and I would never go around them intentionally. Thanks again!
 
Blues said:
The reason for the membership requirement is that many folks attempt to use their asking questions about the value of a knife as a lead-in to their their true intent, which is to find someone to sell it to.

Since selling here is limited to paying members at the Gold level or above, having this requirement in place limits how many times a day the other moderators and myself have to address those who skirt the rules. (Not directed toward you, but you asked about the reasons.)

So, thanks for your support, beautiful knife, and I hope you find out the information you seek. (We also have a sub-forum on autos and a Custom Knife section that may provide useful information if it doesn't pan out here.)

(BTW, the moderation staff here are all volunteers with no financial interest in the site, so we do not operate on the basis of self-interest.)
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Duly noted. If someone would happen to see one of my pieces on here and wished to purchase it what is the proper way to do such a thing? More than happy to follow the rules. Thanks!!
 
You should list it on the Exchange in the custom section. And I imagine an interested party might send you a private message with an offer outside of the Exchange, which is also okay as you are now allowed to sell here...just not to conduct commerce in the discussion threads.
 
Blues said:
You should list it on the Exchange in the custom section. And I imagine an interested party might send you a private message with an offer outside of the Exchange, which is also okay as you are now allowed to sell here...just not to conduct commerce in the discussion threads.
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Ok gotcha! Thanks again!
 
That looks like a Dale Reif custom to me. It also looks like it says "Reif" on the backspacer. And it's a liner lock.

Here's an example of Mr. Reifs work. Notice in particular the screw heads (slotted with file work).

efymjjK.jpg

72S9ubY.jpg
 
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If that was indeed made by Reif, consider yourself lucky to have actually got one. He took quite a number of orders and left a lot of customers hanging without a knife or their money.....His knives have been tainted for years as a result, and don't seem to sell for anywhere near what they might otherwise be worth.
 
killgar said:
That looks like a Dale Reif custom to me. It also looks like it says "Reif" on the backspacer. And it's a liner lock.

Here's an example of Mr. Reifs work. Notice in particular the screw heads (slotted with file work).

efymjjK.jpg

72S9ubY.jpg
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I believe you are correct. Thank you!! THIS is the very reason I came here. A lot of good info on here for sure. I certainly appreciate the input. No I get to do some digging and see what it's worth. I wish it wasn't a Switchblade as I think eBay would have been a good spot. eBay doesn't allow the sales of switchblades unfortunately.
 
Arathol said:
If that was indeed made by Reif, consider yourself lucky to have actually got one. He took quite a number of orders and left a lot of customers hanging without a knife or their money.....His knives have been tainted for years as a result, and don't seem to sell for anywhere near what they might otherwise be worth.
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Well that's really sad. It's too bad too - The guy was obviously very talented. Sure is a nice piece. It just so happened to be in a collection I purchased. I didn't even see it until I got back home.
 
I don't know if Mr. Reif ever made all of his customers whole before his death, but just to show that people are not always one thing, Mr. Reif died (drowned) trying to save the life of his dog. He died rather young (59), and he had family, including grandchildren.

Dale Allen Reif, Wichita, Kansas.

Just thought I'd provide another side of the man. I don't condone a knifemaker taking money and not providing knives, but again, I don't know if he made it right with his customers (does anyone?). If I owned a knife, and I knew the maker gave his life trying to save his dog, I might look more favorably on that knife (and perhaps the man himself). But that's me.
 
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I met him years ago when he was still a police officer or perhaps had just left at that point, I can't recall. He sent me a knife, (fixed blade), which, after I found out about the bad reputation he had developed, I gifted to a corrections officer here on the site who had lost his favorite knife.

I couldn't keep it in my collection in good conscience.
 
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