Reese Bose Question

Thomason

Thomason

Joined
Nov 28, 2002
Messages
9,375
Well I took the big plunge and sold a custom in order to spring for a little Reese Bose slip-joint. One side of the tang is marked "R.Bose". The other side is marked " Wilfred Works D-2". D-2 I understand. Any of you guys know what the Wilfred Works means? Heat treat perhaps?
 
Is that what he and Tony call their knifemaking business? The brochure I have from them says "BoseKnives" and right below that "Wilfred Works". The individual pages say "BoseKnives" with "Wilfred, Ind." underneath but the Bose mailing address is Shelburn, Indiana.
 
You are probably correct, Sharp. I did a search here and found a couple of referrences to Wilford but it just was not clear what it was.
 
Tony lives in is Wilfred, Indiana and he has named the shop Wilfred Works. I have visited the shop several times. A neat place to visit. How about a picture of your new prized possession. We all would like to have a look see.
 
Nothing really fancy here, other than the workmanship of course. Shadow pattern, clip point, D2, 3 1/2 closed, 6 1/4 open, micarta. Destined to be used and carried in a little Arne Mason belt pouch. Thanks for the info on Wilfred, 2toes.

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NirreBosse said:
I love knives designed that way. Out of curiosety, what woyld a knife like that cost.
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Many consider the work of Reese Bose and Tony Bose as some of the best around so they are very desirable. I understand the delivery time if ordered directly from Reese is now up around two to three years. His knives can be found from internet dealer but they are not cheap. They go for several hundred dollars. I had to buy one because I am pretty much out of control when it comes to knives :D
 
Thomason, You have good taste when it comes to choosing a slip joint folder. Reese is at least 2 years out on orders and I believe Tony is at 5 or more.
 
Thanks for your answer. Waiting that way would be painful. I mean waiting 5 years for a desireable knife, I cant even think about it without feeling unpleasant within my mind. OH my god, I have to call my psykiatric right away.

Bosse
 
2toes said:
Thomason, You have good taste when it comes to choosing a slip joint folder. Reese is at least 2 years out on orders and I believe Tony is at 5 or more.
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I think Reese is closer to 3 years and Tony is closer to 6.
 
Not too long ago a knife like that direct from Reese was a 300 dollar knife. Tops. And you'd be waiting a while to get it. They raised their prices this year 50 bucks or so. The big time bose collectors figure 30% over makers price is a reasonable price on the aftermarket. More or less depending on condition and complexity. Two years ago at Blade, I saw an Ivory handled Tony Bose 5 blade 4 inch congress change hands within several hours of the Bose drawing. It went from roughly $1400 from Tony up to over $3000 before the day was over.

The black micarta shadow pattern trappers are some of my favorites. Tony says its a stronger knife that one with front bolsters. Tony used to make them without a metal liner, just the micarta handles to serve as a frame. I have them in almost every size and configuration they've made, including probably the only 3 inch single blade and 3.25 2 blade Reese has made. I had a couple 2 blade 3.5 versions by Reese in 440V and I kick myself for ever letting them go.

Maybe Jack Turner will chime in with a picture of his stag shadow swayback. Its a dandy.

Its a knife thats made to be used. I hope you are enjoying using it. Here's one that's really been used:

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Here is another really nice Reese Bose shadow pattern with bone scales. Reese dyed & jigged the bone. I recently purchased this piece from another collector. This is a EDC knife for sure.
 
Fasteddie:

Thanks for posting that pic. It is one my favorite pics I've seen on BFC. I think Thomason posted one of just the used knife before. it's great to see a knife really used, especially a SJ, and more especially a custom.
 
Dijos said:
Fasteddie:

Thanks for posting that pic. It is one my favorite pics I've seen on BFC. I think Thomason posted one of just the used knife before. it's great to see a knife really used, especially a SJ, and more especially a custom.
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Photo is by JpN, member here and big time Bose collector. I'm pretty sure that knife was purchased early in Tony's career, when his knives were pretty inexpensive... good users. That knife was probably not much more than 100 bucks I'm guessing.

Just to share a related story, when Tony went to his first Blade show, he didn't sell a single knife. He says he was about as depressed as he had ever been. A week or so later, someone who had seen his knives at Blade called him on the phone and bought every knife he had. Oh, to have been that collector.
 
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