I'm gonna risk having to eat a little crow if I'm wrong about this one but it's worth it for the cause. It looks for all sakes and purposes to be a Tested XX era single blade 095 pattern toothpick. The single blade 095 compared to the 093 pattern was an eigth of an inch shorter, slightly thinner all around, with a slender high pull blade. These subtle differences are often obscured by photos--especially blury ones like these!
I'll refrain from commenting on the Tang Stamp, hopefully someone with more experience with these can chime in.
I guess my concern is that the Tested era toothpicks I own-- as well as the many I've observed-- with composition or celluloid handles don't have shields embedded in them; plus the shield on this one looks off-center (too high vertically). Also the pins securing the covers seem to be of a wider gauge. The texture of the handles also bother me: they seem a little too opaque for the era. All this indicates that this knife might have been re-covered. Does this make it a counterfeit? No. But potential buyers should be aware that re-handled knives significantly lower the collector's value.
The first photo is of the knife in question, the second is of two Tested Era Toothpicks: the top is the burlier 093 and the bottom is the slender 095. You can use these for comparison. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-CASE-T ... SwNTNcDaW-
Something Fishy About This Tested XX
Re: Something Fishy About This Tested XX
I don’t like the opaque handles or the shield. Looks rehandled to me. No need to scrutinize any further.
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Wayne
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Wayne
Please visit My AAPK store https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/catalog/btrwtr
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Re: Something Fishy About This Tested XX
Before I read your post my first impression was that the handle had been replaced. It does look off.Robo wrote:I'm gonna risk having to eat a little crow if I'm wrong about this one but it's worth it for the cause. It looks for all sakes and purposes to be a Tested XX era single blade 095 pattern toothpick. The single blade 095 compared to the 093 pattern was an eigth of an inch shorter, slightly thinner all around, with a slender high pull blade. These subtle differences are often obscured by photos--especially blury ones like these!
I'll refrain from commenting on the Tang Stamp, hopefully someone with more experience with these can chime in.
I guess my concern is that the Tested era toothpicks I own-- as well as the many I've observed-- with composition or celluloid handles don't have shields embedded in them; plus the shield on this one looks off-center (too high vertically). Also the pins securing the covers seem to be of a wider gauge. The texture of the handles also bother me: they seem a little too opaque for the era. All this indicates that this knife might have been re-covered. Does this make it a counterfeit? No. But potential buyers should be aware that re-handled knives significantly lower the collector's value.
The first photo is of the knife in question, the second is of two Tested Era Toothpicks: the top is the burlier 093 and the bottom is the slender 095. You can use these for comparison. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-CASE-T ... SwNTNcDaW-
SSk
SSk Mark “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” Ronald Reagan