Where do guys find these wonderful toys?

StuntDouble

StuntDouble

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Apr 26, 2004
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Every time I find a knife at a yard sale or a flea market, they are usually past the point of being worn out, and closer to being landfill salvage. Just yesterday I was at a market and found a table that had a bunch of slipjoints. It was disappointing to say the least. Most had blades that were so sharpened the tips were sticking above the scales. Several had springs with no snap, and a few had scales or frames that were broken. This seems to be the norm for the antique stores and flea markets around here. I guess the folks in this area used their knives hard.

It is interesting to note that most of the knives I find in these places are made by Imperial. I've seen one or two older Schrade Old Timers and Uncle Henrys, and a small handfull of Case knives, but other than that, all Imperial.

Where do you guys seem to have the most luck finding older, yet serviceable knives?
 
I've found some good ones, but were not the big boys of name brands. I've found some Remingtons, but from the 80's. Other than that, and those prices weren't remarkable, but were good, I have found pieces in varying degrees of quality. I found a Kutmaster stockman at a flea market knife vendor, and a Utica baby butterbean at a farmers market for a buck, with only one blade. The Kutmasters blades were very worn, the Utica blade was immaculate, until I started using it ;). I've found Vic Cadets, brand new, but no box, at gunstore closeouts.
 
Hi,

I think you have to sort through a lot of clunkers to find the good ones. Sooner or later you will find a good one. And then we'll all be jealous!

I think brands sometimes are kind of regional. I find a lot of broken Schrades where I live. Followed closely by Imperial that are often unsharpened and uncarried. But very few Camillus or Colonials in any shape and no Case.

dalee
 
Finding good old knives is alot like hunting for gold. For every sucsess, there's lots of several disappointed prospectors who never found a thing. In all the yard sales the better half dragged me to, I only found one good knife; the old Camillus scout knife I picked up that was just like the one I had as a kid. That's one knife out of I don't know how many old wore out Imperials. I felt like doing the Walter Houston jig.

They're out there, someplace.
 
I've struck out more often than not. Estate sales seem to do better than garage sales and the local flea market for me. Finally, you hit paydirt once in awhile.
 
All the good ones get taken by the retirees and other folks who have 7 days a week to go by all the little pawn and antique shops. There are legions of these people driving around weekend mornings looking for garage sales. We've put on a couple, and even when you say, "starts at 9", they're there at 7:30am, wanting to "just look at a few things".

Same with gun shows. I know those old farmer's guns and knives around out there, but darned if I can find 'em.

(Yes, this is meant mostly in jest. Please don't be offended.)

-- Sam
 
I am lucky I guess.;)

One Antique shop in my area has quite a few decent knives. Thanks to a case rented by an area gentleman who is slowly disposing of a modest collection.

Some are great deals, others are reasonable, some are overpriced beat and buffed.

I've scored some nice vintage stuff from Case,Schrade,Ulster,Robeson,etc.

In fact that is where SHEBOP's new barlow came from.;)

It helps that the shop owner is a knifenut (modern custom knives) and that I know the other gentlemans delivery schedule. I get first pickings that way .:D:thumbup:;)
 
Yeah, the early bird catches the worm it really does seem. Those lucky retiree scavengers get the rich pickings-and good luck to 'em!

All I find is rusted up junk that is en route to the re-cycling bin...

But, looking is fun and not every oyster has its pearl,and what was that thing about kissing toads before you find the princess???
 
willgoy said:
But, looking is fun and not every oyster has its pearl,and what was that thing about kissing toads before you find the princess???
Click to expand...

hey, shuck enough oysters, and even if ya don't find a pearl, you'll have a nice dinner!:thumbup:
 
Big pawnshop...one that has enough cash on hand to buy big estates. That is where I have had most of my luck as well as on E-bay I have found a gem or two that everyone else seemed to ignore.
 
Todd A said:
I am lucky I guess.;)

One Antique shop in my area has quite a few decent knives. Thanks to a case rented by an area gentleman who is slowly disposing of a modest collection.

Some are great deals, others are reasonable, some are overpriced beat and buffed.

I've scored some nice vintage stuff from Case,Schrade,Ulster,Robeson,etc.

In fact that is where SHEBOP's new barlow came from.;)

It helps that the shop owner is a knifenut (modern custom knives) and that I know the other gentlemans delivery schedule. I get first pickings that way .:D:thumbup:;)
Click to expand...

Care to share the name of the shop, or is it more like a secret fishing hole?;)
 
Of the hundreds (maybe over 1000 by now) and the years. I have found 3. Just keep plugging.

These came from a garage sale - pure luck.

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I also managed to find a decent Robeson Dr knife in a pawn shop for a little more than 10 bucks, but it is not as nice as those XX era Cases above.
 
chris the good one's are there in a single weekend at the same f/m i bought 2 buck 110's one a 87 and the other a early 2 dot paib 10 buck for the 87 and 20 bucks for the 2 dot they are there
 
ASK. Which I almost always forget to do, until I'm driving home. :grumpy:

I'm amazed at how many times I mention I like knives and someone (at a flea market, antique shop, garage sale, etc.) will say something like, "You know, I didn't think anyone would want these...they're kinda old & beat up..." and, like Bastid's case, there's a Case XX beauty, or an old battle-worn Kabar with a USMC unit # (Pacific theater) scratched on the sheath, or a Civil war saber (broken tip, used as a machete - aaaaargh!) or an old USAF Pilot's knife, or...the list is endless. I found the Pilot's knife years ago, my friends found the others over a long period of time.

And like Absintheur, I'll occasionally hit a good lot on ebay, that for some reason no one else seems to notice.

thx - cpr
 
I acquire at pawn shops, army surplus (ask if they have some new old stocks in the drawer in the back), and show them an example of what you like to buy. This got me a Case Bull Dog Clasp knife new in box for $65 It was a glorious day!~ If I did not ask, it would not have happened. I also ask pawn shops if they have any pocket knives in the back not on display. Once you come back a second time, they start to respect your efforts. Oh, yeah also fishin in the bay. Have got some good ones there too. At an Estate Sale (stay in good neighborhoods only) got one Queen City Jack circa 1930s in a tool box (Beverly Hills) I bought with tools for $20.00 It was another lucky score. It took a lot of rubbing to get the rust off, but worth it.
 
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