New York Knife Co Walden Large pocket knife

[Polaris]

Hello all,

I have inherited a rather large novelty pocket knife that has been in my family for several years and was wondering if any one could help me further identify the history worth of this pocket knife. Much appreciated!

[Miller Bro's]

It was a display knife that stores would hang in their window to attract customers.

N.Y. Knife Co. went out of business in 1931, so it was made sometime before then.

There should be 2 bails that go on the bolsters that would be used to hang the knife up from, they are missing on your knife

[TripleF]

According to The Official Guide to Collector Knives, 15th edition, these knives were made between 1856 - 1931.

Knice knife......I'd certainly treasure it and pass it on to the next generation when it's time.

[junebug]

that THANG is AWESOME!!!!!!!!! GREAT FIND!

[1967redrider]

Sweet knife! And welcome to AAPK!

[reddirtknives]

WOWIE! Do you have any Idea how many guys are Chomping at the bit wanting that knife??? That is a great family heirloom and whatever you do DON'T offer to sell it to me I REPEAT! DON'T offer to sell it to me... Well O'kay you can offer but I would never try to buy it ... What an awesome heirloom and piece of pocketknife history...

[orvet]

Welcome to AAPK. Nice knife!
What a way to make a splash on your first post!

Hopefully Rich (lt632ret), will be along soon and tell you about it.
I don't remember precisely, but I think he once told me he had a knife like that.
If not, he should at least have a ballpark dollar value for the knife.

[PigSticker]

That is Bad Asss!!

[Cutty]

Wow

[lt632ret]

NYK had two styles of these knives this one is the larger and more sought after and less rare. You could buy this knife brand new from the company in or around 1920. Yours is is fair condition. I am attaching some pics of two of these that I own the one on chains hanging up is in good condition. I bought it a number of years ago and it is a decent example. However the other one was bought about a year ago and is amazing in that is as close to mint as i have seen. Actually an elderly man passed away and while his wife was going through his room this was found under his bed closed in a long sock where he had put it 70 years ago. it has the electro etch Hammer logo which my pic does not do justice but the blade is so shiny it is difficult to get right. None the less it should give you some idea. These knives were given to hardware stores as display knives hung up as is the example in my pics. That being said these were also sold retail through a catalogue for 20 dollars. I know this for sure because the same ad offered two display cases which are highly desired by collectors tin litho and one with a Buffalo Bill electric knife on the front. I bought the ad ( one sheet from a catalogue ) because I had found one of the display cases and figured to buy it. In the end I was out bid. I got so pissed off that i put the ad which was to be part of the display away somewhere and cannot now find it which is why I have not included it with this posting. In any event here are a couple of the display knives as you can see the second one is unused new old stock. Value on these varys In the good days a few years back I have seem then go in the condition of my wall version for close to 2000 they are now not bringing anywhere near that. more like 650 to 1000 I would not sell mine for less than the upper end of this if I were going to sell. My other one is unique because of condition so that would be whatever the traffic would bear. In the case of yours remember condition is everything. Again the quotes i am offering are retail.

[orvet]

Awesome examples LT!
Thanks for the history, I knew you would know anout them.
Now that you mention it, I do remember you telling me about the one you bought from the widow that has been stored in a large sock for 70 years. Great story and excellent history!
Thanks!

[Knife Nut]

Great information, Lt. Always great to hear your historical accounts.
There you go Polaris, an answer straight from the expert.

Paul

[Polaris]

Thanks guys for all the awesome information and help! I inherited several knives… some in pretty bad condition and some in OK condition. I I will post a pic of those when I get a moment. Unfortunately I have no one to pass them it down to, so I would probably entertain a reasonable offer. Don’t get me wrong I certainly appreciate knifes for sure and I have several that I will keep  I have other expensive habits like cars hah!

[knifetime]

Supper neat knife,and great find.

[lt632ret]

I am always interested in knives once in a while someone has inherited something rare usually not I am attaching a pic of my card should you wish to contact me on value. Regards LT

[lt632ret]

Still trying to attach card

[ea42]

Hey Polaris, that's a very nice piece of NY Knife Co. history you have there!

Rich, your example is mind boggling as usual, I just don't know how you do it! I think the ad below is similar the one you were referring to, circa 1925 from an old Marshall-Wells catalog:

Eric

[lt632ret]

Yes pretty much my ad was $20 and was a full page with the other items I spoke of. Now for any one who feels that present prices are a bit much ( Even though due to the economy they are lower than a few years ago ) Here is the rest of the story so that you may have a true understanding of what insanity is. Remember I said that I bought the ad 20 dollars ( already nuts by itself ) but I have looked for the Buffalo Bill display NYK case for a long time. I vowed to have it ( I believe it also sold for 20 at the time. ) It was painted TIN just tin Believe me there are other parts to this particular knifea history it was the first endorsed by a celebrity I have several and a letter from Buffalo Bill and , well anyway. I was pretty determined ty get this little tin display case. So I used all my wily auction tricks. Pre auction I was at around a thousand and then ( by the way this was an on line auction) when the auction went off I went to 2000 yup 2 grand ( I guess now you know why I am not still married). Long story short I atopped at 2000 which was exactly one half of the final price. So you see someone outthere is twice as crazy as me. Regards LT. PS I am on my way to a casino VIVA VIVA LOST WAGES> (sung to the tune Viva Las Vegas by Elvis ).

[HiPower]

what a delightful find--you can certainly see these revelations ever now & then : thankfully we have such informed members to shed light on these treasures.--HiPower

[RobesonsRme.com]

Similar to this counter top board?

Charlie Noyes

[ea42]

Very cool Charlie! That was actually one piece of a window display set (or countertop). Where'd you ever find that? Been looking for a few of those pieces for quite some time. The tin cabinet is the large one in the center, it had a motor on back that made the blade of the scout knife open and close and also made the arm go up and down:

Eric

[junebug]

WOW.............................just, WOW!







AWESOME GUYS,ALL OF THEM!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jody744]

Got a pic of the sock???

Really cool pics, btw

[RandyFew]

The 11th Comandment.
"thou shall not covet another man's knife stuff."



Man, it looks like I'm in trouble!

[RobesonsRme.com]

Here's another.

Charlie Noyes