Looking for Ek Knives Information

C

Codeman

Joined
May 13, 1999
Messages
575
I just came across a dealer who has 10-12 pieces of each of 7 models from Ek. I bought a PG-7 boot knife with green paracord wrappped-handle and a leather sheath.

I'd never heard of them before and I was impressed with the quality. The wrapping is the best I've ever seen. What really intriqued me was that both ends of the cord were underneath the wraps. I know you can do that and then cut the ends, but the wraps are so tight next to each other - it must have taken quite a while to do a wrap.

The dealer claims they are out of business and these will probably be collectors. If so, I'm tempted to make a big purchase of what he has. They are all NIB and the prices seem good. The PG-7 was $40 and the larger ones are $70.

Does anybody know anything about these? Is Ek out of business? Are these good prices and is it reasonable to expect them to have some collector's value?

I'd appreciate any info you have!

Ray

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Knowledge without understanding is knowledge wasted.
Understanding without knowledge is a rare gift - but not an impossibility.
For the impossible is always possible through faith. - Bathroom graffiti, gas station, Grey, TN, Dec, 1988

AKTI Member #A000831
 
EK (pronounced eck - peck without the P)

Is in fact no longer in business. They where a famous maker of military knives. The current offerings are what is left after the company sold out to another maker.

Gary EK probably still lives in the Miami area. I bought a Bay Of Pigs comemerative knife from him directly a few years back.

The knives you have are worth the money (40-70) but unless they where origianl EK knives I doubt they will go up in value.

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Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
www.wowinc.com

 
Just to add a little to what Mike said. John Ek originally made knives for military purchase during WWII. He continued to make knives after the war but the company was eventually sold to a company that produced several of the original designs on commercial basis. They were located in Richmond Virginia. I have one of their knives and the quality is very good. The company was bought by Blackjack sometime in the late eighties or early nineties and production was moved to Effingham Illinois. I believe Blackjack added several new hunting models in addition to the military ones. I have several Effingham Eks in different models and again the quality is quite good. I've heard that later production from Effingham near the time of Blackjack's demise was quite uneven in terms of quality but I have no complaints on mine. I think Mike is right about the lack of appreciation for these knives---there are a lot of them out there. The prices you quoted were fair but I wouldn't stock up hoping to pay your kids college tuition by selling them down the road.

phantom4

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who dares, wins


 
One way to help date the knives you are looking at is to look at the logo.

It should include where the knife was made and newer knives included the Persian Gulf in the list of Wars.

I have a couple of Ek Knives and I have been very pleased with the quality. I anticipate some mild increase in value over time but not enough to buy these as a pure investment.

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AKTI Member No. A000370
 
Thanks for all of the great info!

All of the ones I looked at are stamped from Effingham, I think. I saw some with the Persian Gulf in the war list, some that didn't have it. The PG-7 I bought has WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, with "Commando" at the bottom. Would I be guessing right that the fewer wars listed, the older and probably more valuable the knife is?

I'm going to go back soon and do a more thorough search and see if any are pre-Effingham. Is there anything else I could look for to date them?

I'll be sure to post what I find.

Ray

[This message has been edited by Codeman (edited 08 October 1999).]
 
You won't get rich off of'em as was stated earlier, but, they are Great using knives.
I have a couple with the black paracord wrap and I used the bowie a lot in the not too distant past. Get a couple and give some people in your life a unique gift.

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The individualist without strategy who takes opponents lightly will inevitably become the captive of others.


 
It would be a good guess but don't bet on it.

The next time I talk to the BlackJack boys I will ask them about it.

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Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
www.wowinc.com

 
Check with Bald1 here on the forums... he's the resident EK expert. He helped me out a time or too with some great info!
 
Excaliber,

Thanks for the comments
smile.gif
! But Phanton4 has the facts laid out quite well. The only Ek knives that have proven to have collector value so far are the original John Ek blades. As far as being users, I wholeheartedly agree, especially if one considers the M5 bowie (which incidentally was introduced by the Ek Commando Knife Company of Richmond VA). I have long lamented their continuing unavailability. The now defunct Blackjack Knife Company held the rights to the name and models. One of the former principles, is now involved with Marble knives. Beyond that I really don't know what, if any, plans exist for the dormant Ek line.

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-=[Bob Allman]=-

I did NOT escape from the institution! They gave me a day pass!

BFC member since the very beginning
AKTI membership pending
VHA and NRA member

 
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