New to me

R

ranchmanben

Joined
Jan 18, 2011
Messages
704
Got this from an old guy today. Even though it has pliers I feel like it belongs in the traditional forum instead of the multi-tool. This is my first really old knife. Even though I don't even know who made this, I'm really excited to own it. Hope y'all enjoy.
Ben
IMAG0093.jpg

IMAG0092.jpg
 
What a beauty! And a real work knife to boot. Looks like that old fella has had some serious lovin' over its lifetime. Gotta love the tool set.

Nice catch!

Robert
 
I love it. Does it have any markings to give you a hint as to who made it? Mr Levine may have some insght on this one.
 
On the inside of the plier handle it's marked J.G. Lewis Nov. 20, 1900. A Google search has shown me a couple of others but no useful info. If anyone can tell me anything about the knife or the maker, I would love to hear it.
Ben
IMAG0095.jpg
 
Last edited:
Thanks Jake. I knew I'd seen one somewhere but couldn't remember where. I now realize it was you avatar. Is it something I can pack around or should I stick it on my shelf to look at. Thanks again.
Ben
 
That is really cool. Now, if I can only find one for the advertised price.:D
 
Glad to help, Ben. I don't carry mine but the decision is one that only you can make. Sometime in the future, I may buy one to use though a modern multi-tool would probably be more practical. If your knife is completely original, I'd probably just look at it. Most of the knives are in poor condition and many have been rebladed or otherwise repaired. The scales on yours look original. The awl does too. The blade is reshaped from a spear. It may be repinned or rebladed but I can't tell from the photos. The tang should be marked O Barnett Tool Co Newark NJ... though that wouldn't be sufficient to determine if it was original. You could ask Levine to look it over. Levine has photos of a pristine example on his website: http://pweb.netcom.com/~brlevine/barnett.htm Unfortunately, he doesn't still have the knife (I asked ;) ). The knife in his photos is similar to yours but there were also a few subtle variations over the years. I found an old collector magazine (from the 70s if I recall correctly) that shows many of the variations but I need to go look for the magazine... I have it packed away in a box somewhere.
 
Here are a couple of photos of an original box... I wish 1-2 dozen plier knives had been in the box when I bought it. ;) The knife in the illustration on the box is an early variation.

plierknifebox-1.jpg

plierknifebox-2.jpg
 
Thanks again Jake. I don't know where you found a box but that's pretty neat. The blade on mine looks like it was broken and reshaped into what it is now. There is a very faint T on the center of the tang of the blade. Don't know if that help with originality. Still, I think I'm just going to put this up and enjoy looking at it.
 
The "T" at the top center sounds like it could be the "T" in "Barnett" or "Tool".

img537.jpg


The people that bought or received these knives as gifts --they were sometimes used as promotional items -- must have been hard workers since the plier knives are seldom in pristine condition. What has survived is certainly worth preserving. Enjoy the knife!
 
Last edited:
That sure looks like T on mine would be in the right spot. I tried to take a picture but couldn't get it show up. Do you know if they are worth anything? I will add that I don't want to sell it. I have never been this excited about a knife but it's still good to know a value.
Thanks
Ben
 
The Barnett Plier Knife is one of the more common plier knives and condition will be a major factor in determining its value since they are seldom in good condition. The going prices fluctuate around $100. Sometimes a lot less and sometimes a lot more. There's no telling how much the one from Levine's site would be worth -- a bidding war would likely ensue. If the knife is original and intact, it would be worth more... or at least it should be. Good auction photos that show the joints would be necessary.
 
Thanks again Jake. Like I said, I have no desire to sell this but I was curious about the value. I think I'll build a belt sheath for it and then leave it alone.
Have a good one,
Ben
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top