John Fraps MOP slipjoint

Ritt

Ritt

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It's a small one, right at 2" of cutting edge on the ATS-34 blade. 416 SS integral bolsters and liners. Very nice brown lip MOP scales, dovetailed into the bolsters. Some simple filework on the back of the liners where they meet the backspacer (sorry no pic). It's a very tight knife, especially for a small one, with excellent walk and talk. Firm backspring, but not so firm that it's tough to open. Comes with a very nice leather pocket sheath.

Here's the thing. The bolsters and the blade have very fine hairline "scratches" on them. You can see them when the light is right, but not feel them. They're very regular, don't look like carry wear. It almost looks like the knife wasn't fully polished. In fact, some polishing would likely get rid of them. I might try if it doesn't sell. It's the sort of thing that only one of us would notice, but we would notice it. I don't believe the knife has been carried or used, but I can't be absolutely certain.

My understanding is that a knife of this type retails for about $300, but I'm asking $150 because of the "scratches" noted above. That includes shipping and insurance. Paypal or USPS money order.

All inquiries are welcome, but the first one to say "I'll take it" gets it.

Feel free to e-mail or post questions. I'm always open to reasonable trade offers (no fixed blades).

Thanks for looking.
 
Ritt,
Infact, the fine scratches were intentional. It is a hand rubbed finish to which you allude by mentioning the "regularness" of the scratches.

It is a matter of personal preference and I like to do knives with a hand-rubbed finish to the blades and bolsters vs a mirror finish on using knives as the mirror finish will scratch as soon as you use the knife.

I took the bolsters and the blade to virtually a mirror finish, then using sanding paper, took the blade to a 1000 grit hand-rubbed finish.
The bolsters were taken to near a 1000 grit hand-rubbed finish.
That knife sold via a deck-of-cards auction at the Koval Greater Ohio Valley Show in Columbus, Ohio October, 2004.

With filework and pearl handles, that knife does retail in the area of $300.00 depending on the value of the pearl....top priced black lip pearl could make that model $375-$450, jigged bone handles and no filework could take the price down to the $250 range. A number of knives I have made of this model with various handle material and degrees of decoration/fileworking have been acquired by knife collectors, some of whom are regular customers.
So, given that the knife you are offering is in unused condition, you are offering someone a good value for their money.
 
Sorry for the long delay, Randy. Had a little snow this weekend. You can Paypal to the address in my profile. I'll ship as soon as the money hits. Thank you very much.

Mr. Fraps, I hope my ignorance did not come across as uncomplimentary of the knife. If it did you have my sincere apologies, I assure you that was not my intention. Thank you very much for the information/education. In retrospect, I should have known the finish was intentional, as it was so regular and every other aspect of the knife is so right. It really is a little jewel of a knife. This is the 3rd MOP slipjoint I've bought and sold because the MOP is so pretty I can't bring myself to carry/use it. Maybe one day.
 
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