Question for the collectors -- When did spring knives start shipping boxed with papers?

[kamagong]

I have my 2nd Case knife on the way, hopefully to be delivered today. This knife comes with a Case box, suede zippered pouch, short informational paperwork, and wax paper. In contrast, my first Case, a 3-dot from 1977, came only as the knife itself. From what I gather, that's how they used to ship.

When did knife manufacturers start including all the extras?

 

[dsutton24]

I know that Buck shipped knives in individual packaging from the mid 60s on.

 

[BrotherJim]

There was a time when many brands were shipped to retailers in bulk and only separated in the box by individual paper wrappings ... and of course, knives on cards. But I think there have "always" been knives with "extras" ... whether it be high end knives, knives accompanied by a "gimmick" such as a penny and a card explaining that history and tradition, and special purpose or social segment targeted knives such as Boy Scouts. I guess I noticed most all the old ways going to the wayside about the same time big box stores came to prominence in the 70's and into the 80's.

 

[afishhunter]

There was a time when many brands were shipped to retailers in bulk and only separated in the box by individual paper wrappings ... and of course, knives on cards. But I think there have "always" been knives with "extras" ... whether it be high end knives, knives accompanied by a "gimmick" such as a penny and a card explaining that history and tradition, and special purpose or social segment targeted knives such as Boy Scouts. I guess I noticed most all the old ways going to the wayside about the same time big box stores came to prominence in the 70's and into the 80's.

This^^^

Some Pre-War 1 and pre-depression/War 2 high end knives, from New York Knife Company, Russell Green River, Robeson, some Schrade, among others, came individually boxed.

I believe Charlie waynorth has a collection of boxes from early last century. Maybe he'll chime in and show a few.

 

[Jack Black]

In the 19th century, Sheffield companies, such as Joseph Rodgers and George Wostenholm, housed some of their knives in the most beautiful, velvet-lined cases, which are in themselves very collectible. Even lesser knives often came with a leather knife purse. By the mid 20th century, knives were housed in small cardboard boxes, which often came with some paperwork. Some still had a small leather pouch included