The unknown can hurt. How to correct? Ask an expert

[knifecpl]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :IT&ih=024

This knife is clearly listed under modern, and clearly is stated as as SF 86. The seller is not in any way being questioned.
For the masters of cutlery lore, my questions are:
Kabar Union Cutlery evidently make knives with the old Union Razor Company stamp, correct? So for us "know less than we need to" knife collectors, how can we know if the guide books don't mention it? I know if I ran across this in a knife auction or show, and it was represented as an oldy, I would probably be braking my wrist pulling my billfold out of my pocket, thinking "Union Razor/vintage/early 1900s/became Union Cutlery/pre-KABAR/BUY BUY BUY". I know, minty 100 year old knife....riiiight. It occasionally happens, so don't beat me up over it.

EDIT: Fix url.............Hukk

[justacowboy]

He forgot to us the url tag. if you copy and paste it in the browser it works.

[jonet143]

welcome to the site. here is link.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :middle:us

this knife was one of the ka-bar collector club knives for 1986. there was also a set with this knife and one with black bone.

[Hukk]

I fixed the url....................... tags were used.

[philco]

I am far, far from being an expert, and I don't think I even own a Kabar knife. If I saw the serial number on the knife I would certainly not be thinking early 1900s vintage. I don't know of any knife makers who put serial numbers on their knives during the early part of the last century.
If I'm wrong, please till me.

Phil

[ratlesnake75]

Hello, serial numbers can be confusing to me, I usally call them pattern#'s . I recommend to the new collector to buy and read knife books and buy junk knives to get a real good feeling on what the real stampings, handle materials, and what the steel looked liked. Just remember these three words Quality, fit, and finish. Antique knife collecting is lotta fun and expensive hobby. Good luck in your quest for the best

[jonet143]

I am far, far from being an expert, and I don't think I even own a Kabar knife. If I saw the serial number on the knife I would certainly not be thinking early 1900s vintage. I don't know of any knife makers who put serial numbers on their knives during the early part of the last century.
If I'm wrong, please till me.

Phil

correct phil, the serialized knives are part of the collector era. pattern numbers were used by a lot of knife makers.

[ea42]

Knifecpl, welcome! You've got to first do some research on the old Union knives before you get burned. The pins on this one are WAY too big for that era, and the bone jigging is too crude as well. The old Union had only two thin peened handle pins, and one slightly larger pivot pin. The bone was a dark honey brown, and the wormgroves were more subtle. The blades never had serials on the back, rather the master and the secondary were stamped "TIDIOUTE".

Happy collecting!
Eric

[PA Knives]

Might I suggest a good book on the subject

Sorry, could resist this one