James Parker.

[Sanders Knives]

I considered Jim Parker a friend from 1970 until he died. I have the greatest respect for him. I would just like to say that credit for many of the "shady things" that are heaped on Jim are misplaced and belong to others. As to the Marbles thing are are two sides to every story--Jim is no longer here to give his side. He did more for the hobby of knife collecting than anybody. I miss him, Steve Sanders

[jerryd6818]

Wow, Monk. It may say Case on that knife but it sure has a Frost Cutlery, Flying Falcon look.

It amazes me. This thread is only three years old and even though those names appear to be the active posters in 2007, I never see their names on posts in 2010. They all seemed very knowledgeable. Where did they go?

"The times they are a changin'."

Edit: Okay, another duh on me. Went back and checked the profiles. About half and half, still posting and not posting.

[robinetn]

Well, someone has to do it here, so it might as well be me.

If we are going to discuss Jim Parker, we have to admit he had his share of detractors as well as admirers. I think he did a great job of polluting the knife collecting market with dozens of classic old knife brands that he 'revived'. Beginning collectors get fooled by them all the time. There was the issue of the Marbles name that he had for a while, until the courts gave it back to the rightful owners.

Here's a knife I think says much about Jim Parker: A Nazi whittler that someone else created as a fake, that Parker copied and sold many of.
Anything for a buck.

I know that this is going back a while , but I think one should give credit where credit is due (see pic) . I never asked Jim a question that I didn't get what I thought was an honest answer . I would like to second Steves opinion and add that many of us wouldn't have any reason to be participating in this forum if not for Jim's efforts . The knives which he had produced with the old tang stamps (which he had legally registered) were stamped "Germany" on the back of the blade . Some unscrupulous "dealers" removed this stamp in order pass them off as old originals .

Bob R, (RIDGEWOOD CUTLERY)

[Knife Nut]

Back in the 80's I would see and talk with Jim at various shows.
The knives I bought from his mail order lists were always described accurately, and his prices fair.
To me, Jim Parker was a straight up person.

Paul

[Aimus Moses]

There's an old saying that says that there shouldn't be any speaking ill of the departed so, with that in mind I'll just agree with Gr8Scout and say he was a Character.

Aimus

[edgy46]

We all have our opinions and like noses they are all different. Lets remember all the man did for our hobby.

[onehikes]

good advice.

[CluelessNick]

Found this OLD thread about Mr. Parker. Very interesting to me as I am searching for info on the knives that he had created over the years. Some of the older guys here who actually knew him seem to have high opinions of him. Others not so much. Anyone like or collect Parker knives? Anyone still active here ever have any dealings with Mr. Parker?

[Ripster]

Found this OLD thread about Mr. Parker. Very interesting to me as I am searching for info on the knives that he had created over the years. Some of the older guys here who actually knew him seem to have high opinions of him. Others not so much. Anyone like or collect Parker knives? Anyone still active here ever have any dealings with Mr. Parker?

Hey Nick ,can’t help much. Have seen some of the Parkers go for more than they did a few years ago. So I believe there’s a number of people buying them in the last year or 2 . I don’t have any of the Parkers ,but am curious now and will look when at shows .

[CluelessNick]

Found this OLD thread about Mr. Parker. Very interesting to me as I am searching for info on the knives that he had created over the years. Some of the older guys here who actually knew him seem to have high opinions of him. Others not so much. Anyone like or collect Parker knives? Anyone still active here ever have any dealings with Mr. Parker?

Hey Nick ,can’t help much. Have seen some of the Parkers go for more than they did a few years ago. So I believe there’s a number of people buying them in the last year or 2 . I don’t have any of the Parkers ,but am curious now and will look when at shows .

Been reading up on him some. He was an interesting guy.

[Fingers]

Sometimes you acquire the knives and then want to know their history versus actually knowing what you’re looking for. That’s my case. I bought these two stags not knowing when or who made them. I suspected they were made by Hubertus since they looked identical but wasn’t sure. Turns out the two Parker Frost stags were made in 1976-1976 by Hubertus. Each one is special in its own way.

[Lansky1]

I can give several timelines for Parker knives, dates are aproximate.
Parker-Frost 1976-1978 Frost Cutlery still in business and make knives in China. http://www.frostcutlery.com You can see many brands he carries on this website. He carries a lot of brands, many Chinese made.
1979-1983 Parker Eagle brand with the wildlife series.
1984-1986 Parker Imai Some pearl and commemorative knives made. Many sold through Sears and Walmart.
1986-1989 Parker-Edwards
No Parker Eagle Brand knives manufactured after 1989, except some 35th anniversary knives made by Bulldog Brand or the same factory where Bulldog Brand is made.

I'm a Parker Cut. Co. fan ... and these are different than the Parker Imai Japanese knives. Anyone know the time frame the Parker Cut. Co. MIJ knives were made ? Thanks

[Quick Steel]

Never met the man, but I am grateful for his promotion of the Bulldog brand.

[Gtrclktr-351]

I never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Parker. That being said, love him or hate him, there is no denying that he did as much, maybe more, to promote the knife collecting hobby as anyone else. For that, all knife collectors owe him, at least, a modicum of respect and gratitude.

[Dinadan]

It is interesting to see this old thread brought back to life. I never knew anything about James Parker. I have a few knives with Parker on the stamp: Parker-Brothers, Parker-Frost, Parker Cut Co. I did not realize that Parker had a role in the Bulldog Brand knives out of Germany.

[Gunsil]

To me, the man was a thief. Somehow he got my address and sent me catalogs often. The catalogs had black and white photos and I ordered a couple of Schrade pen knives which the catalog stated had jigged bone handles and were in mint condition. When they arrived they were mint but the handles were rough black not bone. I called him up and was told they were "black bone" which was BS, they were Schrade's jigged looking rough black plastic. He would not issue a refund or take the knives back. Thief.

A friend also received his catalogs and thought his deals on Case Classics were too good to pass up. He gave huge discounts on them if you bought multiples and he guaranteed that if you wished to sell them back after five years he would pay you twice what you paid for them. My friend tried to sell them back after the five years and Ole Jim refused to buy them back for any price. Thief.

He may have been a big proponent of knife collecting but he was dishonest in many of his dealings.