My friend inherited a large amount of knives from his father. He was planning on selling them for $10 each at a garage sale but I convinced him to let me take them and hopefully do better for him on eBay. I am just beginning to go through the knives but these two caught my attention. They are both Al Mar, both engraved and the larger one has signature VALADE. In my research I have learned that this is a buzzard knife. There is no date after the VALADE which i’m wondering if that is unusual. The smaller one has some kind of etching or Scrimshaw. I’m curious if that’s the way the knife came or if it was added on later. I’m having trouble finding what the image represents. I have found a little information on the buzzard knife but I cant seem to find too many like these for sale. Information as well as value would be greatly appreciated. I am a novice and all I can do is research and ask questions so I can do the best I can for my friend. Thank you in advance
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Hoping For Help ~ Info & Value
- Thread starter cinrad
- Start date
Glenn Goodlett
Gold Member
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2016
- Messages
- 1,397
The square and compass is a Freemasonry symbol.
Copied from Google-
The letter G appears inside the Square and Compasses and at the center of the Blazing Masonic star. Its symbolism in Freemasonry often differs from one jurisdiction to another.
Some Masons say it refers to ‘God’; the Supreme Being. Others articulate its meaning to ‘Geometry’; the study of the order of numbers in mathematics and sciences in general. Other lodges believe it stands for ‘Gnosis’; the understanding of spiritual mysteries which is a central part of the craft.
Some Masons link the meaning of the letter G to Hebrew. In ancient Hebrew, the letter G had a similar numeric value of 3. In history, number 3 was used severally when referring to God and his teachings.
Copied from Google-
The letter G appears inside the Square and Compasses and at the center of the Blazing Masonic star. Its symbolism in Freemasonry often differs from one jurisdiction to another.
Some Masons say it refers to ‘God’; the Supreme Being. Others articulate its meaning to ‘Geometry’; the study of the order of numbers in mathematics and sciences in general. Other lodges believe it stands for ‘Gnosis’; the understanding of spiritual mysteries which is a central part of the craft.
Some Masons link the meaning of the letter G to Hebrew. In ancient Hebrew, the letter G had a similar numeric value of 3. In history, number 3 was used severally when referring to God and his teachings.
hangmanshammer
Gold Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2014
- Messages
- 208
It looks to me like the Masonic emblem was done by hand, I don't know anything about the value for either of these knives, but I would bet that alone would lower the value
Welcome to Bladeforums cinrad.
In regards to the Al Mar Buzzard model 1006, Valade (Bob Valade) is the guy who did the engraving.
As far as prices, I see that two Buzzards with ivory micarta handles, without engraving, sold on a well-known consignment site in 2021 for $399 (less than excellent condition), and $575 (described as "excellent").
And I see a few with ivory micarta handles, without engraving, sold on a well-known auction site this year, one for $325, the other for $379.
I'd say the engraving increases the value. But I can't say what your friends knife is worth. But it's definitely worth more than $10.
And for a little trivia that maybe you, your friend, or anybody else might find interesting, "Luke Duke", of "The Dukes of Hazzard", carried an engraved Al Mar Buzzard. Here's a thread with pictures from the show- https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/id-luke-duke's-knife.1772864/
Good luck to you and your friend.
In regards to the Al Mar Buzzard model 1006, Valade (Bob Valade) is the guy who did the engraving.
As far as prices, I see that two Buzzards with ivory micarta handles, without engraving, sold on a well-known consignment site in 2021 for $399 (less than excellent condition), and $575 (described as "excellent").
And I see a few with ivory micarta handles, without engraving, sold on a well-known auction site this year, one for $325, the other for $379.
I'd say the engraving increases the value. But I can't say what your friends knife is worth. But it's definitely worth more than $10.
And for a little trivia that maybe you, your friend, or anybody else might find interesting, "Luke Duke", of "The Dukes of Hazzard", carried an engraved Al Mar Buzzard. Here's a thread with pictures from the show- https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/id-luke-duke's-knife.1772864/
Good luck to you and your friend.
polish avenger
Gold Member
- Joined
- May 28, 2002
- Messages
- 1,835
I guarantee that you'll do much better than $10....even with the amateurish scrim.
Locutus D'Borg
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2012
- Messages
- 5,214
Consider selling TO freemasons. Check on ebay, I bet there are Freemason collectibles for sale. There it might add to the value.
Or, there may be Masons here (in fact, I'm sure there are), so you could put that in your title so any Masons would see it right off. For non-Masons, it would detract from the value, but I have no idea how much.
Or, there may be Masons here (in fact, I'm sure there are), so you could put that in your title so any Masons would see it right off. For non-Masons, it would detract from the value, but I have no idea how much.
I think you'd wind up in the $500 range - fees when all is said and done. The little guy is a 1004 Vulture. It's a rare knife, shame about the scrimshaw.
Here's an article on Valade - https://chroniclesmagazine.org/web/american-artisan/ . He was one of the engravers for Colt, but he lived in Oregon, so it was easy for Al Mar to use him.
Here's an article on Valade - https://chroniclesmagazine.org/web/american-artisan/ . He was one of the engravers for Colt, but he lived in Oregon, so it was easy for Al Mar to use him.