Questoins About Case 6254 Stag Handle Trapper

[ppealock]

I need to identify the specifics of this 2 dot, Case 6254 stag handle trapper. What is the technical term for the type blade and back spring with grooves and notches all the way around? Also the blades are not polished. What is the value? My Dad passed away a few years ago and was an avid knife collector and just trying to sort through everything. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[knifeswapper]

They are called "worked". Don't want to speak to value, but the knife is not original at all. It has had bone handles taken off and stag put on it; probably when they were doing the filing. A stag would be "5254" and the shield looks to have been put back fairly crooked.

Nice knife though.

[ddixon]

Welcome ppealock!

I agree with Mike, nice looking knife! I believe that filework pattern is called a double-cut, with alternating round and triangle notches. An original 1988 6254 (bone) has a book value of around $50--an original stag maybe twice that. Of course since yours is customized, all that's out the window.

[ppealock]

Thanks Guys for the helpful info. That's what I'm trying to find out. Is there a particular place you can go for reference on pricing? I have the Official Price Guide To Collector Knives 15th Edition and it's geard more toward pre '85. Most of my Dad's knives would be mid '80's through mid '90's.

[Iron Hoarder]

It helps if you know who did the custom work and if they have a following.

[Luckypaul777]

I have to agree with Dan; whatever the value of this knife was; is gone. I am a big fan of customized knives and have had around twenty. The only value they have is to me; I like the way they look. It would be a rare instance; to ever recoup the investment; I have doubled my money once. It's easy to put $300 to $400 in embellishing a $100-$150 knife; knowing if you ever sell it will be at a large loss.


Paul