I Know Nothing About Traditional Knives

[Jason Wolf]

https://ibb.co/xDxGvRW

 

[Old Biker]

 

[Just Tom.]

Thank you all for the knowledge! Ive been spending a lot of time reading on here to learn more. I went to an antique store today with my wife and her friend and found a couple of knives that I was interested in. I attached a photo but idk if it'll show up, never posted a photo here before! Imperial Barlow and imperial serpentine jack!

Wow, excellent finds. They were inexpensive when new, and I’m sure you have looked up their current values on the auction site, but really nice specimens in apparently great condition, and exactly what many of us here would tell you to keep an eye out for. I don’t know what advice the collectors on this site would have for you, but I personally would oil them, touch up the edges a little, and drop them straight into my right front pocket along with my keys, loose change, lint, and all the other horrors we’ve been told to keep our knives away from these days...

 

[CVamberbonehead]

Nice find, that barlow looks great.

 

[A.S.]

My local public library has several books on collectible pocket knives and price guides that I check out and study from time to time. A good and cheap way to educate yourself a bit.

Speaking of books, does anyone know of plans to revise and reprint this book? Secondary prices are really way out of my range.

Collecting Case Knives: Identification and Price Guide for Pocket Knives - Steve Pfeiffer

 

[Misplaced Hillbilly]

Thank you all for the knowledge! Ive been spending a lot of time reading on here to learn more. I went to an antique store today with my wife and her friend and found a couple of knives that I was interested in. I attached a photo but idk if it'll show up, never posted a photo here before! Imperial Barlow and imperial serpentine jack!

Nice finds, almost all of my collection is from antique shops and pawnshops. Sometimes you can find real gems for a nice bargain. Don't be afraid to ask at a antique shop if they "have anything behind the counter". Some sure do! A little while ago I was in a shop I visit pretty regular, regular enough that the old guy that runs it motions me over to show me the "good stuff". Well this day he was wanting to show me a sweet little Queen serpentine jack and a Case penknife, but another knife in a little box on a table behind him caught my eye. I asked to see it and he obliged, I didn't have the cash on me for it but he let me pay part and return later. Well I did that (and bought the Queen ) the next weekend I went back and picked up this sweet Ulster 1/2 congress.

And because I was looking in the right direction and noticed about 1/4 of those covers and a little bit of the curved bar shield peeking out from some other pocket knives in a little box! Not trying to brag at all, but to illustrate that sometimes people may not know what they have and you get a super deal, I paid $75 for it. I was told by another member here that he believes it predates WW1. Keep your eyes peeled and don't be afraid to ask!

Almost forgot to add, to load a pic using a hosting site copy the image url from the site, once here click the icon circled in this screenshot, paste then hit "insert"

 

[Wild Willie]

Those are definitely nice finds, I personally find that those old imperial Barlow's are excellent performers for what they cost. The thin stock allows for a near perfect slicing blade. I too once possessed modern super steeled folders, I now regret my deviance and mourn the years I spent with nothing but a thick wedge of nearly impossible to sharpen steel in my pocket. The folks here are always willing to share whatever knowledge they have. I'd definitely work those into my rotation for a test spin before committing fully to the slippery slope of traditional collecting. While plenty of stainless models are available, carbon steel is frequent. From what I've seen that's what turns off a few of the folks geared towards the modern stuff. Good luck and enjoy your time here.