Western S-531 folder

R

redshanks

Joined
May 8, 2005
Messages
711
Gentlemen, I have a NIB Western S-531, with an Elk etch on the blade. The etch is not showing up very well in this scan, but is complete and very legible. The tang is marked B, the box is marked S-531 W/S, which I assume means "with sheath."

Could you please give me an idea of its value? The prices of the recent examples I've seen on ebay are all over the place.

western531Small.jpg
 
Wow! That picture brings back memories! I have that very same knife (although it's in a storage box for the time being), and it was the first good knife my dad gave me when I was a kid. I, too, would love more info on that model. Handle material, steel type, and of course the value as well. Thanks for posting a picture!

Best wishes,
3Guardsmen
 
Western introduced the model #S-531 Lock-Blade knife in 1978. This knife features a 440 stainless steel blade, black Delrin handles and nickel silver bolsters.

If you look closely at the blade stamping you will see a single letter. This letter indicates the year of manufacture. Western started dating their knives in 1977: A=1977, B=1978, C=1979, etc. Your knife appears to be stamped with a "B" indicating 1978.

Tom Williams
 
I think this series was also known as the "Black Diamond" series, by many collectors. There were 3 or 4 different etches, IIRC. I had one that had a Ram on it...until someone borrowed it from me. I'm still steamed about it. :mad:

Bill
 
Thank you, CAMCO, for the excellent history/info on this piece!:cool: :thumbup:

Best wishes,
3G

CAMCO said:
Western introduced the model #S-531 Lock-Blade knife in 1978. This knife features a 440 stainless steel blade, black Delrin handles and nickel silver bolsters.

If you look closely at the blade stamping you will see a single letter. This letter indicates the year of manufacture. Western started dating their knives in 1977: A=1977, B=1978, C=1979, etc. Your knife appears to be stamped with a "B" indicating 1978.

Tom Williams
Click to expand...
 
I just happened to come across the January 2003 Knife World...with an article about Western's history. On page 32, there is a picture of the knife like redshanks posted, along with another model with a clip point sabre ground blade. Just as a little more information.

Bill
 
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