Hi Folks- Need Help with a Kershaw

T

TimL

Joined
Jan 16, 2008
Messages
3
I am new to this forum but would appreciate any help/info. you can give. For many years I have had a cased Kershaw knife that has been scrimshawed with a fish scene. It is signed "Walter Alexander", AP 1985. It is accompanied by a certificate signed by Pete Kershaw, Date-1985, model is blank and the serial number says "Artist Proof". I have found such knives noted with serial numbers but have never seen an "Artist Proof". Is that more rare? Is there any collectibility to these knives? Would appreciate any info. you can provide. Tim
 
Hang around...Dave (kershawguy) will answer sooner or later. The guy's a walking Kershaw encyclopedia!
 
HI Tim, First welcome to the Kershaw forum. The knife you have is indeed rarer than the serial numbered ones. I don't know that it makes it more valuable than a serial numbered one , but you could certainly make that case. I always thought that the AP stood for "Alexander Prototype" But it was pure speculation on my part. I had never seen the certificate with one before. I believe they were samples submitted to Kershaw to choose catalog items, for example I don't believe the fish was ever in the catalogs. These were all done on model # 2120 bone handled knives and are very collectible today. I have a few in my collection and only because I can't afford to buy every one I see. They can bring $125 to $175 from a collector. I have several knives with scrimshaw from various artists and Walter Alexander is by far my Favorite, his attention to detail was impeccable , they are gorgeous knives. Most were done later , which further proves that the AP ones were early submissions. Feel free to ask any questions you may have. Please keep me in mind if it is something you are considering parting with. Hope this helps. Please post picture, or send it to me and I will post it.
steelhead15@juno.com


Dave
 
Here are a couple photos I grabbed quickly, the first one is the same style as Tim asked about.

Dave

honker.jpg

pheasant.jpg

eagle1.jpg

scrims-1.jpg
 
Thanks for the great information. PM sent with photos, thanks for posting the photos.
 
Does anyone know where I can get the brass "professionally" repolished. I wouldn't want to give this to just anybody fo fear of the scrimshaw getting ruined.
 
Here are Tims photos, thanks for sharing them Tim. The majority would say to leave the patina of the brass as it is, if however you decide to veto that , you could do it yourself, I use "never dull" it doesn't scratch and is easy to use.

Dave

Knife2.jpg

Knife1.jpg

Cert2.jpg
 
wow... gorgeous.... my 2 cents on the polishing is to just use a little oil or WD to remove any icky grime or GREEN nasty stuff... then leave all the natural toning. I like original
 
That is nice...I'd have to agree with OE, I really wouldn't change the natural patina. Heck, some people go to extremes to get that "aged" look without the element of time involved...yours is a natural!
 
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