To Clean Up/Restore, or Not - will it effect the value?

[JustLisa]

Hi guys,

I have about 9 old pocket knives, several of them in full operating condition, and most date from the 20's to the 40's as far as I can tell. I would like to sell them (they're doing me no good) but wanted to know if it's best to clean them up a bit before listing them on ebay (or maybe even here).

If cleaning them up is best, then how should I proceed? I don't want to spend a lot on them, and will be turning over any funds I makre from their sale to my grandfather, who was the original owner and could use some extra income. I see some suggestions for cleaning like soaking them in 50% transmission fluid/50% brake fluid, or buffing them out with a rouge cloth...is that a good idea, or will it devalue the knives at all? Any feedback you can provide is really appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Lisa

[Iron Hoarder]

Best to leave than as they are unless you are an experienced restorer. Could you post pictures or send them by e-mail?

[Ramrod]

Howdy Lisa,
I would definately NOT use brake fluid or tranny fluid!!
I second what Iron hoarder said.
It kinda depends what they are, and how rusty they are, as to cleaning them at all. Can you post some pics of them?
Mark

[TripleF]

If you have them clean and shiny you can definitely sell them for more on ebay.

On the other hand, if the equipment, knowledge and experience to make them shiny is not in your realm, then you are better off selling them as is.

I know, because I've tried numerous times and failed, and wore my arm out trying.......

[tjmurphy]

Hey Lisa, welcome to AAPK

[wlf]

Welcome Lisa.

If they are very desirable knives and unused they will fetch a good price as is. Trying anything will do more harm than good.

We like pictures here.

[Cutty]

Lisa

As others have said, Pictures would be the only real way to estimate value and wether or not cleaning them will make a difference in value either way. If you can't post pictures then I would err on the side of not cleaning them or only cleaning them lightly. There is a technique involved in cleaning without harming the knives. The techniques vary depending on the knife as well as who's doing it and for what purpose.

[JustLisa]

Thanks so much for the feedback - I'll post some pictures this evening. All have been lovingly used, and about half have damage (small chips in a blade or park of the bone handle cracked or missing) but the rest are in good order - some of these blades are so damned sharp it's not even funny!

Lisa

[JustLisa]

Okay, turns out there are 10 total. As close as I can tell:

3 each Boker USA brand knives - one 2 blade, in rough shape, one 3 blade marked "Scout" in script on the plate mid body, one with nothing other than the logo, two blade - VERY sharp and in great shape.

1 Imperial brand 2 blade, all metal, two blade in good condition...numbers on blade read 2107887 2281782 (I think)

1 I.K. Co. all metal single blade in very good condition - super sharp with metal loop

1 small Schrade Cut Co. marked "U.S. Pat. Dec 21, 1909 Sept. 13, 1910 with cellulose handle, 2 blades (one is a file actually) and a little button you push to release blade for closure. This is my favorite - I may even keep it.

1 Hammer brand single blade

1 super sharp, very good condition single blade, but unmarked

1 Winchester, Kent, or similar brand (they all have this shield, but I haven't seen any with the lines drawn IN the shield logo) Super sharp single blade knife with cellulose handle.

I missed one on the description, but don't have time to go back right now and figure it out...please take a peek and tell me what you guys think. I'll try to review any marks and repost tonight. If you want/need close up, let me know and I can take additional pics to post.

THANKS!

Lisa

[reddirtknives]

Hi Lisa, Welcome to AAPK the best Pocketknife forum on the internet IMO... I bet you are busy right about now lol... I don't think you should clean them and I don't think you should get in ANY hurry to sell them........... You have a few that are desirable but need work ONE IN PARTICULAR... If you decide to keep the one that you were thinking about keeping (hint hint) then you should not expect to get very much $$$ but if you decide to NOT keep the one then your $$$ will go up quite a bit IMHO but hey, I'm wrong all of the time so anything that I say should be taken with a grain of salt............. DJ ...............

[remington collector]

I want the Schrade push button knife. Thanks.

[reddirtknives]

[glennbad]

That's a nice bunch of knives there. If I can make suggestion, it looks like the knife with the Streamline etch is outgassing. I think every one of these I have seen has outgassed. The outgassing, which is a chemical breakdown of the celluloid handle material, is evident by the corrosion showing on the metal parts. That knife should not be stored with the others, as the gassing can damage other knives.

[JustLisa]

Thanks so much for the pointer on the outgassing...as well as my favorite little knife. We had to put pops in a rest home last fall and it's been expensive. He and my grandmother (who passed several years ago) had tons of pretty cool stuff stashed in desk drawers and out in the barn...these knives were all in a little tin can and my brother nearly tossed them. I'll separate the Streamline as per your suggestion.

With regard to the little push button knife - it's such a cool little piece...all spring loaded action so the blades pop out when you push the button, and you can even lock them into place with the slides. What's the deal with this knife.... I'd rather sell it to someone who appreciates it and help grandpops out a little financially with the proceeds...value?

Lisa

[glennbad]

Someone else should be along who can help with value. It's a nice piece, I could see it going for $100 anyway...but it's not my area of collecting...

[orvet]

Someone else should be along who can help with value. It's a nice piece, I could see it going for $100 anyway...but it's not my area of collecting...

It is not my area of expertise either, but it a quick check to LT's book on switchblades and I think the Schrade Cut Co could bring closer to $150-$200, though it is hard to tell condition from the pictures.

Glenn gave you good counsel on the Streamline knife with celluloid handles that is off gassing.
Do keep it separate and keep in in the open air, but out of direct sunlight.

That being said, when you get ready to sell them, I would like to buy the Streamline knife.
I restore old knives and that one would be a beauty with a few days work on it!

[JustLisa]

Perhaps a silly question, but I think I should ask as I don't want to "color outside the lines"...while trying to research for history on another forum, I see they do not allow folks to ask outright the value of a knife; it's a TOS violation (not sure why, but it looks to be a play to get you to pay for a "Gold Membership"). I'm not out of compliance on this forum by asking for this info, am I? If so, it wasn't my intent.

Would it be advisable to place these pieces on your weekly auction here?

Can't tell you folks how much I appreciate all your input...Lisa

[AREMINGTONSEDGE]

Hi Lisa, This is the best knife forum on the net. Glad your here, stay awhile, put your feet up and enjoy the ride! Rocky

[orvet]

Perhaps a silly question, but I think I should ask as I don't want to "color outside the lines"...while trying to research for history on another forum, I see they do not allow folks to ask outright the value of a knife; it's a TOS violation (not sure why, but it looks to be a play to get you to pay for a "Gold Membership"). I'm not out of compliance on this forum by asking for this info, am I? If so, it wasn't my intent.

Would it be advisable to place these pieces on your weekly auction here?

Can't tell you folks how much I appreciate all your input...Lisa

Well Lisa, as an Administrator here on AAPK I can tell you that you are not out of compliance on AAPK.

There are a number of different ways to sell knives on AAPK other than the Thursday Auction in the Chat Room. That is a fast one shot auction with a limited audience, but that is one way to get them sold all at one time and get it over with quickly.

Other methods are listed below:


1- You may just list the knives in the Advertising forum:
http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... m.php?f=31
There you can sell them outright there at a price you set.

2- You may use the Knife Auctions portion of AAPK ( http://www.knife-auction.com/

3- You can open your own AAPK store http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... _guide.php

4- You can consign your knives through Bryan (the owner of AAPK) and Bryan will put them on eBay, http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/con ... /index.php

5- Selling may also be done between members in the PM (Private Message) system.
You can PM any member by clicking on the PM bar beneath their name wherever they have posted.

6- Is of course the Thursday auction in the chat room.
http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... shchat.php#


The link are there so you can check them out and see which ones appeal the most to you and which one best serves your needs.

Welcome to AAPK, the friendliest knife forum on the web!

[JustLisa]

Thanks Dale (wow, that's Grandpops name too), appreciate the info. I sure as heck didn't want to upset the apple cart. You folks have been so nice and pretty informative. I've learned more about knives in the last day than I could imagine, and I'm sure that's so limited to what you guys know, it's not even funny. Fascinating stuff, and amazing that something this old could still be in such great shape. Makes my kitchen knives seem like butter knives - cannot believe how sharp some of these little buggers are!

What I will most likely do is place them for auction on eBay myself. I had been told push button knives were against the law to sell there, but I researched it further last night and found the law specifically states that's for blades 2" and longer. The little push button Schrade knife's largest blade is just shy of that, so eBay approved it's listing. If I decide to go that route, it's okay if I post the auction link in these forums so anyone interested could participate if they wanted?

Lisa

[MrBlister]

Sure you can post links here...

[orvet]

What I will most likely do is place them for auction on eBay myself. I had been told push button knives were against the law to sell there, but I researched it further last night and found the law specifically states that's for blades 2" and longer. The little push button Schrade knife's largest blade is just shy of that, so eBay approved it's listing. If I decide to go that route, it's okay if I post the auction link in these forums so anyone interested could participate if they wanted?

Lisa

Yes Lisa, please do post a link to your auctions!
I would like to bid on one or two of them!

Thank you, and just because you sell your knives doesn't mean you can't still visit AAPK!

[JustLisa]

For sure! I even sent my mom a link to the site as she loves to haunt estate sales and such and I thought it might be a good way for her to learn what to look for in case she stumbles across any gems.

I'm still looking for specific history on the little Schrade push button knife. I think a trip to the library to see if they have the pricing and history guide some folks have told me about is in order... since I can't get you guys to cut loose with it...lol Talk about Poker Face! Ah well, it's understandable - if it is a very rare little knife, then I don't blame interested buyers for wanting to score the best deal possible. I just want to get a fair price for it; I'd love to be able to hand grandpops a little unexpected rainy day fund from the sale of his knives.

Would it help if I posted a short video so you can see what kind of operating order it's in?

Lisa

[IMBand]

Here is one that sold on eBay.....http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Schrade ... 7675.l2557

Yours has a more desireable file blade and the handles are in a little better shape. Your knife would be worth more if the main blade was full and the file was not so corroded/rusted. You have a nice knife there, but they do come up every so often and I think Glenn is closer on the value than Dale.

IM

[orvet]

Lisa, You might wish to consult "The Collector's Guide to Switchblade Knives" by Richard Langston, who also happens to be a member of AAPK. It was from his book that I got the price.
Value of knives depends on rarity, condition, condition and lastly condition.
It is impossible to determine accurately the condition of a knife from pictures alone.
But the knife Mr. Langston shows on page 63 is closest to your knife, from what I can tell.
The mint price on that knife, with a file blade is $350, in perfect condition.
His knife which is in better condition than yours, he lists at $250-$325.

Allowing for the lesser condition of your knife and the rarity of the pattern I still think you would get well over $100 on eBay.
We will all know when you auction it off!