What's the oldest knife you own?

[WillB]

I don't mean the age of the knife but length of time owned. I was like 12 I think when I saw this Kabar in the hardware store and my father got it for me, so like mid 70s or there abouts. I thought it was the bestest knife ever and some how it made it through various moves etc. It just says "stainless" on the other side. What ever it is, it's pretty soft steal but i still like the lines and still use it as a general utility knife around the house and such.

 

[needler420]

I have a switchblade that goes two generations. From Grandpa to my dad to me. Been in the family since late 70s to early 80s.

My grandpa smuggled it in to new York from Italy during the time the switchblade act was enforced. So back then it was illegal and a rarity.

 

[WillB]

I have a switchblade that goes two generations. From Grandpa to my dad to me. Been in the family since late 70s to early 80s.

My grandpa smuggled it in to new York from Italy during the time the switchblade act was enforced. So back then it was illegal and a rarity.

That reminds me. I was sold one of those in the 70s by an old Italian man in Brooklyn. It was stolen at some point.

 

[craytab]

I have a switchblade that goes two generations. From Grandpa to my dad to me. Been in the family since late 70s to early 80s.

My grandpa smuggled it in to new York from Italy during the time the switchblade act was enforced. So back then it was illegal and a rarity.

So how long have you owned it. That was the question.

I've got this USA made schrade old timer that I've owned for about 22 years. It was my go to knife for a long time before I got into serious knife collecting. Unfortunately, all the knives from my youth are long gone. I sure wish I still had that first SAK.

I'll get a picture up later.

 

[katanas]

My official Cub Scout knife. It is beaten up from a typical 9 year old boy who just HAD to throw it into trees and dirt (mumblety-peg) but it's still somewhat functional 63 years later. My Boy Scout knife is just fine (I learned my lesson ) 61 years with me now.

 

[xraso]

My great grandfather's US military bayonet. He served as a marksman during and after the Spanish American war (this one is from 1902 - a few years after that war).
Next to my bayonet from Just before the Gulf War.

[edit]To answer the question about how long I have owned it: was willed to me from my grandfather who died 43 years ago.

 

[craytab]

 

[22-rimfire]

My oldest knife in terms of my ownership is probably about 50-52 years. It's a Case Barlow that I won't use anymore, but I still have it. Next oldest is another Case jack knife (trapper type) that is probably from the early 70's (or about 45 years or so).

 

[needler420]

So how long have you owned it. That was the question.

I've got this USA made schrade old timer that I've owned for about 22 years. It was my go to knife for a long time before I got into serious knife collecting. Unfortunately, all the knives from my youth are long gone. I sure wish I still had that first SAK.

I'll get a picture up later.

Approximately 8 years or so. I think it was passed to me the same month I joined this forum. My dad liquidated his knife collection and quit the hobby and this knife gifted from his dad got passed down to me.

 

[shortwinger]

I got a cheap saw back "survival knife" in 1984 when I joined the Marines. The same year or the beginning of 1995 I got a BuckMaster and still have both.

 

[microbe]

This Rosewood Laguiole Rossignol has been with me since 1988

 

[Ironbut]

The oldest that I've continually owned would be a Camillus Pilot's Survival knife that I got in 1967 while in VN. I can't find a pic of it at the moment.

A close second is this Uncle Henry that I bought in 1970.

My oldest would probably be this Case XX Barlow. It was made somewhere between 1940 & 1964, but I haven't owned for the entire time.

 

[TRfromMT]

Oldest I own is a small hunting knife I made in 8th grade shop class. Yes, we made knives. In shop class. In a public school.

Imagine that. Just for a moment. Remember those days?

That makes it several *decades* old.

 

[Owen K.]

Honestly most of my stuff is newer. Oldest one is probably from 2000.

 

[eisman]

I have a Case fixed blade I bought back in 70-71. Still sits in the safe; it's not going anywhere.

 

[Alberta Ed]

My Dad's fishing knife, circa 1950s.

 

[Reitwagen]

Ka-Bar pen knife I got from a drug store about 45 years ago. It has some history that I haven't thought about in a while. I think I'll drop it in my pocket tonight.

 

[scottyj]

I was 17 years old in 1986, and I bought a hollow handle survival knife from Hoffritz. I still have it. It is an Explorer Wilderness Survival Knife. It is 440 steel with a saw tooth spine. I put all kinds of survival shit in the handle...fishing line, and hooks, matches, needle and thread to sew up my arm. Stuff like that. Somehow I managed to lose the sheath, but the knife is still in the original box.

 

[Giant Mondo Bug]

Dad's USN Mark 1 and Dad's Old Timers. The 8OT and the 125OT are in near perfect condition and I frequently carry the stockman.

 

[GIRLYmann]

I don't mean the age of the knife but length of time owned....
View attachment 998820

The longest period for a knife kept must be that which once belonged
To an old aquiantance who had since passed.
He had a basic stack leather handle eye brand hunting knife
which he had bought for his scouting activites as a mere boy.
Interestingly enough is its tang markings - Carl Schlieper Alemania.
It seems that for a short period in post-war 1950's germany
Eye brand / carl schlieper had replaced "made in germany" with the name "Alemania".
The knife in question is not something i would use but
Nevertheless it is in my possession for sometime now for sentimental reasons.