zp4ja wrote:bworld,
you bring up some great points. Problem is that many collecters or buyers dont' have the genuine article to compare to. As far as what I stated, I stand behind it. What happenened to the knife I mentioned could not be reversed. Obviously you have a good eye on what to look for on artiifcial aging, but others may not. Alot of buyers don't have the luxury of knife in hand when they buy, that is thier risk, significant in my opinion, but nonetheless, it is what it is.
You obviuosly know your stuff as ~90% of your posts are related to Counterfiet Knives.
Jerry
Yeah, Jerry, I know what you're saying also. And you make good points as well.
The thing is: I don't understand why guys are out there buying expensive vintage knives off the internet having not seen or had much experience with them in person.
In my heydays of knife collecting, there was no email. A few guys around the country had mail lists that would sometimes include photocopies of the knives described in the lists. By the way, most of these lists were typewriter-composed, but that's beside the point.
The main way that I sourced knives back in those days was the flea markets, antique and gun shows, and yard sales and second hand shops. Sometimes you would find a good slip joint or two laying in the case of the local pistol dealer. But the gun guys always knew (or thought they knew) what they had, and they were usually priced right, or way-over-right.
As it has been said my many, many other, and in many many other lines other than knives: get to know the genuine and the false will stand out like a sore thumb (usually). Sometimes, these fakers are pretty good. I have to admit that there have been a few pieces that have stumped me, but never that ripped me off. I think one reason for that is that I never really went after (nor could I afford to go after) the big mint Case and Remington knives from the so-called "golden era". Even back in the 80's and 90's those things were expensive. Today, forget about it. I was always interested in IXL and other English makers, snagging the occaisional Double X or Tested junker along the way from the flea markets and yard sales. I still by old junk Case Tested knives when I can find them, just so I can get a feel for what those knives "feel" like. For instance, I recently bought an old greenbone serpentine Tested pen knife off ebay. The blades were worn completely down, but the master still had a strong, deep stamp. The frame looks like someone used it good, but it is free from wanton neglect and abuse. The bone is real nice. As a knife, it's useless (unless I find another one with good blades and bad handles) - but for $4.99 it was worth it just to get a chance to examine the knife. I do this probably 1-3 times per year; buy an old junker and then get the parts or just trade it away on something else. I am not suggesting that everyone needs to do this. But, if someone isn't willing to really get their hands on some vintage pieces (mint condition or not) and do some personal investigating, they WILL get burned when they run into the slick salesmen, with the buffed up "cleaned to mint" Case Tested whittler or Remington Bullet pattern or some other such "gem" pattern looking to make a buck off someone who isn't knowledgeable.
I think this forum is excellent, and I wish it was around when I was younger. I would have benefited from everyone's wisdom. I did have a few good teachers along the way, and learned as I went. I know feel very confident about my ability to assess a knife, but of course, I am human and def. can make mistakes if not careful, just like everyone else.
Yes, there are good patina-fakers out there, you are right, Jerry. But my post was mainly to encourage other readers that there IS a way to learn how to separate the wheat from the chaff as it were, when it comes to vintage knives.
In the long run, it takes some time with some real knives, and the ability to not let a deal to good to be true go to your head, to overcome the snares of the forgers.
I'm sure there will be a few more answers here soooooon 
