Take me to knife auction school...

G

guy0783

Joined
Feb 23, 2016
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71
I'm kind of new to knife accumulating and don't really have favorite brands, patterns, sizes, or blades right now.

I've got an old Case trapper, Weidmannsheil Springer, Bulldog canoe, a few fixed blades, a Northwoods Broadway Jack on the way, and several other common pocket knives picked up through the years.

There's an auction nearby next Saturday that is supposed to have over 400 knives. Figured since I got a little bit of the bug, I'll go see what I can find.

So, any and all advice would be greatly appreciated and I'll let everyone know how it turns out!

Hopefully it isn't like buying guns at auction, it's awful rare that you get one of those priced right...
 
Sounds like fun to me. I don't know how much useful information you'll get to bring you up to speed as quickly as is needed. Like you, I'm just learning about traditionals. Assuming there is a pre-viewing, just look them over and see what feels good in the hand. Work the blades and make sure they aren't nailbreakers to open, and that the blades are tight, with no wiggle when extended. A knife auction, yeah, that sounds like fun.
 
I always keep an eye out for:
Schrade Walden
NYKCO (New York knife co.)
Hammer brand
Marbles
Kabar
Camillus
GEO Schrade
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Do yourself a favor and search for a photographic guide to tang stamps for each brand. You want one that shows the corresponding year (I will post the Hammer brand one I found underneath this post).

Since you won't have time to memorize them, Save the photos to your phone and use it as a reference tool.

Pre-war (pre 1941) are usually considered worth looking into. Bone, stag, nice jigging and fullish blade's are all nice to see.

Photo credits to allaboutpocketknives
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Condition is everything when it comes to how much a knife is worth. Even something desirable is not worth a lot if its beat up or worn down. (generally speaking) I'm afraid you are probably right about finding any great deals, but it is always possible. Have fun!!
 
I've never been to one but it sounds like it might be an estate sale. If the sale advertises 400 knives then there's a good chance that at least a few seasoned knife collectors might attend.

Like any type of auction, it all depends on who wants the items and how badly they want them.

My only advice is to get there early enough to spend plenty of time previewing the knives. Have a good idea what you want to bid on and how high you want to bid before the auction starts. Take a memo pad and jot down some notes if you think that might help. Maybe go there with the mindset that you will probably leave empty handed. That way if you do score something it will be like a little victory.

Most importantly, have a good time.
 
I just wanted to bump this, in case anyone has any other input. Just a few days left before the auction.

Thanks for the advice so far, I'm trying to prepare myself as much as possible.
 
Have not been to many auctions or estate sales , but the few that I have posted some pictures on the Auctioneers website prior to the sale . If they do for this one , look at the pictures , run copies , then search the net for vintage knives and see if you can match something up that you really like . The Auctioneers website may not tell you the names or anything else other than pictures. To have an idea of what they have before hand is an advantage I think. I drove 400 miles one way to an auction last year down home just for an old Case XX Barlow and a possible Marbles hunting knife. Was successful. Take a look at the ones that look to be in the worst shape . They could very well be some dirty jewels that may go very low.
Have fun at the auction .


Harry
 
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Don't get caught up in the hype and excitement of it. Set limits for yourself. If you don't have a particular focus for collecting yet, then just enjoy yourself. Generally, American, English, and German manufacturers of the older time period will offer the best quality. Try to avoid celluloid covers, unless that is your focus. Bone, stag, and wood are the sweet spot, as long as you don't overpay.

And of course, share your finds with us after!
 
Bundle if you can. You can usually get a better price on 5 or 6 knives than just one.--KV
 
Realize this will be a learning experience, so no matter what you end up spending (please keep to your limit, though!), it will be mostly for education.

Once you've been in the 'school of knives' by spending time here or online auction sites, or just piddling around at pawn shops and antique stores, you will find out what you like, and what is quality, and you will be better prepared to take advantage of the opportunity of an auction.

Have fun, and like others have said, show us what you end up with! :D
 
I haven't gotten to source a tang stamp book yet, but it's on my radar to do.

It sounds like there should be plenty quality old knives, I'll retype the description: 400+ knives military, folders and fixed blades, defense and custom, Schrade, Bear, Winchester, Kabar, Marbles, Remington, Colt, Gerber, Cammilus, Smith & Wesson, Queen, Ulster, Primble, Boker, Case, Buck.

I've been to plenty of auctions that have been a bust, so I won't have my hopes too high.

keep the advice coming, hopefully it'll help the next guy too!

Oh, and I'll make sure to share pics of any orphans I bring home.
 
One more little bit of advice. When I first got into traditionals, just recently, I was on the big auction site all the time looking at knives and drooling... and buying. Well, I ended up with a small collections of knives that I don't use. You will develop a taste for a certain size, number of blades, blade shape, handle material, blade material, and other variables. I'm lucky the nearest pawn shop is 60 miles away, or the bottom would be falling out of my drawer. With my limited budget, I've really narrowed it down to what I really "need".
Now, I really look forward to and lust after my next big purchase, but know it will be a keeper.
 
Didn't take the wife, got there early to look them over, had a plan and a limit.

At arrival I immediately realized the inevitable:

These auctioneers had attended the Pickens School of Misleading Advertising.

Military items- were from when I served (post 2000)
Guns- what wasn't Hi-Point was highly used and abused
Knives- mostly things that looked like rejects from mortal kombat...what wasn't ridiculous and unfit for letter opening was in very rough condition.

There were approximately 40 traditionals there, probably 10 in decent condition.

All that said I did pick up a couple play-prettys. I'll take a couple pics and throw them up here.
 
Glad you were able to make something of the trip.
Do you think you will continue to attend them?

Looking forward to your update.
 
2016-03-19 19.10.45.jpg

Case XX Sodbuster Jr. $15
Wood K frame grips $10
14k and enamel Masonic watch fob $20 (I've had the watch several years.)

The fob is really the deal here. Most of these are either gold filled, or 10k.

I now have an excuse to get a K frame Smith & Wesson :D

The sodbuster was kind of an 'I have to buy at least one knife." pick up. In nice shape, previously sharpened, but seems like a rite-of-passage knife.
 
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