Anyone knows the quality of the Ek blades made in Effingham, Il?. I think that that was the period when the brand was owned by Blackjack knives. I´m not sure, but the quality it´s said to be not too good. It´s true? What would be a correct price for a Ek knife in good condition? Thanks
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
Ek Knives quality
- Thread starter Perico
- Start date
We carried them in a shop I used to work at. In my limited experience quality was alright.
I bought three model 3s for presents at $37.50 a piece. That was the wholesale price in 1989. Retail I think we had them listed at $90. My brother and brother-in-law still have theirs and I'm sure my dad still has his. None have ever used them though.
Current prices from ebay usualy range from $75 - $150, depending on model.
I bought three model 3s for presents at $37.50 a piece. That was the wholesale price in 1989. Retail I think we had them listed at $90. My brother and brother-in-law still have theirs and I'm sure my dad still has his. None have ever used them though.
Current prices from ebay usualy range from $75 - $150, depending on model.
Ok guys, you don't know all of the facts. The original EK knife, before being farmed out to Blackjack, was of superior quality for knives at that time. Even the first many batches coming out of Blackjack's factory were quite good, usually using 440C as a base metal. It wasnt until later that blackjack got into financial trouble that the blades went into total chaos. Unfortunately that went on for some time. Those knives that were produced prior to this event were, and are, very good field knives. I have owned two, and broken only 1 in the field; however, I was a Green Beret with the 10th Special Forces Group and frankly put those knives through hell. They kept a great edge and sharpened easily when finally dulled. The only thing is, like all stainless knives, they do not give like a good carbon blade. Again, they were great for their time.
Like I said we carried them. The few I've dealt with had very little use. When the business was sold we still had about 4 still on the shelf. The ones that I gave as gifts are shelf queens.
However in 1995 the Cutlery Shoppe was selling them damn near dirt cheap. Cheaper than what we paid wholesale for them. I wished I would have bought a few of their bowies (model 5?). Not sure if these were made when Blackjack was having problems.
There used to be a guy on ebay who sold Eks. He had a flyer that he'd send that had the history of Ek from start up all the way thru the Blackjack era. I've got a copy of it somewhere. It's worth looking for.
