Jack Knife Ben real or fake?

Joined
Oct 8, 2020
Messages
101
Not sure if this link will work or not. Bought this on EBay. Didn’t realize there was a possibility of it being fake, or I would’ve asked this question before I bought it. I paid $250 (BIN was $395). It was way over my budget but I really liked the look of it. Once it arrives I have the option to return if it don’t check out. What do y’all think? Is it real and did I overpay?

 
I looked at a few other Ben knives that were identified as fakes but they had different stamps than this one.
 
Not sure if this link will work or not. Bought this on EBay. Didn’t realize there was a possibility of it being fake, or I would’ve asked this question before I bought it. I paid $250 (BIN was $395). It was way over my budget but I really liked the look of it. Once it arrives I have the option to return if it don’t check out. What do y’all think? Is it real and did I overpay?

I don't know enough about the brand to comment on its authenticity but I am familiar with that dealer and I can assure you that he would not intentionally steer you wrong.
 
I don't know enough about the brand to comment on its authenticity but I am familiar with that dealer and I can assure you that he would not intentionally steer you wrong.
Thank you and no I did not think he was trying to mislead me. I just bought the knife and then I got to looking and there are a number of fakes online so it got me wondering. Thank you for sharing what you know about the seller though. I appreciate it.
 
I wish I could help, but I haven't seen enough of those to know what a real one should look like.

There is a forum on another site that allows links to active ebay listings, specifically to ask about and point out counterfeits. It makes for some interesting reading. For future reference:

 
T
I wish I could help, but I haven't seen enough of those to know what a real one should look like.

There is a forum on another site that allows links to active ebay listings, specifically to ask about and point out counterfeits. It makes for some interesting reading. For future reference:

Thank you. I should’ve done more research prior to buying. And just to be clear in case the seller reads this, I do not think he is intentionally selling a fake knife. I just want to do my homework albeit it after the fact. I actually tried to back out of the sell but I think it’s already shipped. It was an impulse buy but if the knife checks out I’ll prob just keep it. It’s not the sellers fault I made a quick decision.
 
I've got several of the Parker 'Jackknife Bens'. Your knife isn't one of those. I've got a real one, and it's stamped 'Jackknife Ben Chicago' and dates from the 20s or 30s. The 'Jackknife Store Chicago' is a bit newer. The original Jackknife Ben retired in the 30s some time, and his son continued on for a few years after that, maybe up to the early 40s. Your knife is from the son's era.

I can't say whether the knife was a good buy, I'd probably buy it for that price. I think it is the genuine article, at least from the later years. The son, forgive me but I don't know what his name was, was active on The Other Big Knife Website up until a few years ago, I don't know if he's still around.

It's a shame, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of interest in these knives these days.
 
I've got several of the Parker 'Jackknife Bens'. Your knife isn't one of those. I've got a real one, and it's stamped 'Jackknife Ben Chicago' and dates from the 20s or 30s. The 'Jackknife Store Chicago' is a bit newer. The original Jackknife Ben retired in the 30s some time, and his son continued on for a few years after that, maybe up to the early 40s. Your knife is from the son's era.

I can't say whether the knife was a good buy, I'd probably buy it for that price. I think it is the genuine article, at least from the later years. The son, forgive me but I don't know what his name was, was active on The Other Big Knife Website up until a few years ago, I don't know if he's still around.

It's a shame, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of interest in these knives these days.
Before buying I did read the story about Jack knife Ben and I knew it would be a later one if authentic. I based my offer on the fat that other cattle knives in user condition were going for $50-$150 in user condition. I felt like this one was in above average condition and I figured the Ben connection added value. So I figure if it was real that $250 was an ok buy. Maybe not great but ok. I don’t have many knives and I use the ones I do have. So this one will get sharpened and go in my front pocket I’m sure.
 
I’m returning the knife. It just felt really cheap. Light as a feather and stainless steel blades.
 
Back
Top