Help! Brand new to collecting

[Jdk426]

Hey glad to be here. I’m brand new to collecting knives. I particularly like the bulldog knives because my father raised bulldogs my entire life that he was alive.

I just purchased these(they are my first bulldog knives) , and I claim to know nothing about knives although I am beginning to learn. Any help on these knives authenticity, value, or rarity would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Jerry

[Steve Warden]

Welcome!
I know nothing about Bulldog knives, but I do know those are a couple o' lookers! Sweet!

Stick around. No doubt resident experts will be along soon.

[TPK]

Hello Jerry and Welcome to the AAPK! I'm still kind of new myself so I'll not be of much help but there are many great guys here with a lot of wisdome so I'm sure one of them will come along soon. There should also be an extra thread for those knives, maybe check it out, that's were you'll find the people who know a lot about that brand. Hope this helps a bit.

Take care,
Tom

[Steve Warden]

Tom, this is the correct thread for Bulldog knives and questions.

[Quick Steel]

Welcome aboard Jerry. You have picked a very good quality knife brand to collect, i.e. Bulldog. The stag handled 2 bladed Trapper knives are legitimate and by the way have some very nice stag covers. Any real Bulldog will have the word Solingen stamped on the tang. This is the German city where the knives were manufactured in the famous Olbertz factory.

Sometimes a large single bladed clasp knife will be called a bulldog. This refers to the pattern not to the brand. For example Case makes bulldog pattern clasp knives which are fairly expensive. If you look closely at your large clasp knife you will see that it is made in Pakistan. Most, I do not say all, Pakistan made knives are considered inferior to knives from many other countries. But you must always feel free to collect what you like. If you like inexpensive Pakistani knives help yourself. They will have little if any resale value.

The quality German Bulldog brand knives were manufactured from 1978 to about 2010 (2009?). Interestingly, as their great run came to an end a few were manufactured in the U.S. by Great Eastern Cutlery which many consider our best knife manufacturer of traditional pattern knives.

Prices or value of knives varies depending on a variety of factors. I suggest you go to near the top left of this page and click o the box marked brand. Type in Bulldog. This will bring you to all the Bulldog knives being sold by our members. There you can get a feel for what current prices are. Also you can look at prices on eBay. Be aware that the Bulldog brand is now being made in China. These are cheap and are not in the same league as the German made knives. They would be like comparing a Ford Pinto (Remember those or are you too young?) to a Porshe.

The German Bulldogs are divided into generations by collectors. For example, knives made from 1978 to 1987 are considered 1st generation. Generally you can expect to pay a few dollars more for a 1st generation knife.

Be sure to read and learn about knives before spending a lot of money. Reading here in the AAPK you will gradually pick up a lot of information and knowledge. You are beginning a great hobby. Enjoy!

[TPK]

Tom, this is the correct thread for Bulldog knives and questions.

Sorry! I'll be outside.

[Steve Warden]

Tom, this is the correct thread for Bulldog knives and questions.

Sorry! I'll be outside.

Don't be out there too long, unless you're taking the cake with you.
Happy Birthday!

[doglegg]

Jdk, welcome and some very good advice from Quick Steel. You will find a great variety to choose from. Be careful of the made in China ones. I have several myself and have not got a bad one. And yes that is beautiful stag covers. Good hunting.

[Modern Slip Joints]

Jdk426, the new member who started this thread, might be sharper than you think. He opened a thread about knives from two different makers in general knife discussion which is arguably where it belongs.

However, since we're here in the Bulldog brand area I'd like to read the definition of 2nd and 3rd generation bulldogs. Quick Steel already wrote 1st generation is Bulldogs made from 1978 to 1987.

Jdk426's German Bulldogs do have beautiful stag.

[Quick Steel]

After 87, 3 years passed then production resumed.

2nd gen:1991-1993
3rd gen: 1993-1995
4th gen: 1996-2000
5th gen: 2000...........

[Jdk426]

You guys are fantastic. Thank you for the information. I am new but plan to stick around and learn, and hope my collection grows thanks again guys and I’m glad to be here