My official newbie "Please Tell Me What I Have Here" thread

[Gunsablazin]

My father passed about 17 years ago and at that point was a real passionate beginner knife collector. Not that he bought tons but he was always looking for quality Case Knives. My mom recently handed his small collection over to me and (although I've done a little research on my own), I really don't know much about them. Not sure what I should be passing down to my son, what to sell, and what is junk. Some of the stuff he later bought overseas, a majority replicas or just stuff he thought unique enough to be worth the three rupees etc. Any help or insight into any of these would be helpful. Will post a bunch of the Case knives first as time allows. I don't think protocol is to start thirty or forty threads here so will try to keep it contained in this one. If there's a problem with that someone let me know.

This is a NKCA Museum Dedication set from 1981. I can't find this as a set on the web, saw the single congress? knife for sale..

[Gunsablazin]

Here are some Case XX "Gator knives". There's no dots so not sure of year exactly. The case is crap on this set and the darker knife has a touch of "not looking mint", but they've never been sharpened (none of the ones I'm posting have been"

[Mumbleypeg]

Nice knives! Not sure exactly what kind of response you're looking for so this is pretty general. What you collect is pretty much in the eye of the beholder. Collect what you like, and can afford. What I like may or may not appeal to you, and that's okay! Your "junk" may be my holy grail, and visa versa. Spend some time educating yourself about the knives you have. Include your son in the process of discovery, as soon as he's old enough to participate. It can be a great, fun way to develop a common interest, both of you learning and sharing info with each other. If you haven't already done so invest in a few good resource books on knives, especially those kinds you like. Take your son to knife shows, look at as many knives as you can. You'll meet some really nice folks and most will be glad to talk knives with you. (Respect that the dealers are there to sell knives so don't dominate their time if they have customers in front of their tables). My sons, now adults, both like and appreciate knives and know all about my collection and the knives in it. Some day it will be theirs. But they like other kinds of knives, not necessarily what I like. The good news is we all like knives and they still get excited to show ol' dad their latest acquisitions.

Ken

Edit: as you post pics of your knives, try to ask specific questions regarding what you want to know. You'll probably get better answers than what I posted here.

[Gunsablazin]

No, don't get me wrong, I am an absolute newbie, so the whole "knives are sharp" thing probably isn't too elementary. Someone could've told me that Tuesday, dang it!

I'm basically looking for ages, availability, value. Why isn't more info online? There's a bunch for sale on eBay but I'm not sure that's the best info guide, lol. I've found an aging chart but Does the Case XX with no dots mean 1980? I guess. I think I have some 1970's too, will post them later. Also, does cleaning them destroy value like other collectibles? Some have some corrosion or other crap on them.

I can see what you're saying about what's relative to owner and people that want it. However, I am more of a gun collector. And I can tell you within a few dollars what it's worth (on modern guns, not the old collectors) or look it up in minutes. Guess I don't know much about it, but am desiring to learn. Thanks for your input.

[jerryd6818]

At the top of this page, you'll find a dark blue/gray bar with a link to "Research". Choose Case and one of the places it will take you is here. -- http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/con ... ification/

Scroll down and match your tang stamp to the chart. Case XX over Stainless over U.S.A. with no dots tells us it was made in 1965-1969. With dots it was made in the 1970s.

[Jethro Bodine]

Have you been here?

http://www.wrcase.com/case_college/

[Gunsablazin]

Those are great resources, Thanks! We'll see how long of a reprieve I can get from the wife and kids to actually read it, lol.

[robinetn]

Your gator knives do have dots . They are hidden under the bolsters beneath the U.S.A. . Those knives have 2 dots (made in 1978) . The last set that I had sold for $150 . I sold my last museum set for $225 .
Bob

[Gunsablazin]

Your gator knives do have dots . They are hidden under the bolsters beneath the U.S.A. . Those knives have 2 dots (made in 1978) . The last set that I had sold for $150 . I sold my last museum set for $225 .
Bob

Thanks! I'll check on the dots later. I'm assuming you're right though, lol. The blades look good on those knives but I'm wondering if there's is any way to clean up those handles. Or if I even should.

[Mumbleypeg]

The blades look good on those knives but I'm wondering if there's is any way to clean up those handles. Or if I even should.

A lot depends on how dirty they are. If they haven't been carried I wouldn't expect a lot of dirt. Mineral oil will help restore bone and stag and replenish them if they're dry. Be sure to wipe it off good or it will tend to attract dust. For that reason, and others, I use Tuf-Glide lubricant on my knives (all parts including handles). It doesn't attract lint or dust. http://Www.survivalcache.com/survival-g ... tuf-glide/. Others use mineral oil and swear by it. There's a thread here called "cleaning your knife" that has useful info. Use the search feature above this thread to find it.

Ken

[Gunsablazin]

The blades look good on those knives but I'm wondering if there's is any way to clean up those handles. Or if I even should.

A lot depends on how dirty they are. If they haven't been carried I wouldn't expect a lot of dirt. Mineral oil will help restore bone and stag and replenish them if they're dry. Be sure to wipe it off good or it will tend to attract dust. For that reason, and others, I use Tuf-Glide lubricant on my knives (all parts including handles). It doesn't attract lint or dust. Others use mineral oil and swear by it. There's a thread here called "cleaning your knife" that has useful info. Use the search feature above this thread to find it.

Ken

Will search for it now. I didn't know if it was a big no no for resale value or if it can actually help, I don't know if you can see it or not but there's a bit of I don't know what on the case plate on the side and the pins holding it together look a little corroded. Some of the Parker knives I have need the brass polished, if OK, will search the thread now. Thanks again!

[Mumbleypeg]

You should also look at a thread called Knife Cleaning - for Better or Worse. Some good basic cleaning tips there as well.

Ken

[Elvis]

Doing an "Advanced Search" on ebay and specifying completed listings wil show what certain knives have sold for. It's a good way to get a feel for what the market will bear. Also, I'm interested in the smooth bone NKCA 6380 you posted a picture of. Once you get a feel for what you might want for it, please contact me to see if we can work something out. Thanks!

[Gunsablazin]

Doing an "Advanced Search" on ebay and specifying completed listings wil show what certain knives have sold for. It's a good way to get a feel for what the market will bear. Also, I'm interested in the smooth bone NKCA 6380 you posted a picture of. Once you get a feel for what you might want for it, please contact me to see if we can work something out. Thanks!

We shall see. If I sell it I don't think I'd really want to break up the set.

[jerryd6818]

My father passed about 17 years ago..

Sounds like about the same time my dad passed. 1998?

[Gunsablazin]

My father passed about 17 years ago..

Sounds like about the same time my dad passed. 1998?

Sounds right. Was a very rough time. Was unexpected and in Warsaw of all places. He was young too. 55 I think. I was in my early twenties and had looked very forward to when he and my mom would retire and move back to the good ol USA. My condolences for your father as well. I know it is rough on most.

[Gunsablazin]

Any idea what brand this is? It has a nice thick stag handle. MSKCA I'm assuming is Mississippi.

[Gunsablazin]

Here's a couple more from this as

[jerryd6818]

The first one is a Queen made in 1978. I like that Case Barlow in the middle. It's the bolsters. Never saw those bolsters before the past month and since Charlie posted his they seem to be popping quite a bit lately.

[Gunsablazin]

The first one is a Queen made in 1978. I like that Case Barlow in the middle. It's the bolsters. Never saw those bolsters before the past month and since Charlie posted his they seem to be popping quite a bit lately.

See, learning something everyday. Is there oil at walmart that i can use to polish it up along with the stag handle?

[jerryd6818]

Everybody has their own way of doing things. If I were doing it, I would oil the hinges with any household oil such as Mill-Rose or 3-in-one oil. To polish the bolsters and blades (and it won't hurt the stag either) I use Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish. As far as oiling the Stag, I've never used it but many of the guys recommend mineral oil - rub it on, let it sit and soak in then rub off the excess.

But as I said, that's just the way I do it.

[royal0014]

See, learning something everyday. Is there oil at walmart that i can use to polish it up along with the stag handle?

Don't polish the blade on the Queen... you will remove the etching
Mineral oil USP for the stag. I prefer Tuf Glide for the joints
(available in the AAPK stores) or RemOil can be found at wallyworld .. .. ...

rem oil.jpg (5.51 KiB) Viewed 2135 times

And don't you dare touch those Case knives, they are perfect
[/color]

[Gunsablazin]

See, learning something everyday. Is there oil at walmart that i can use to polish it up along with the stag handle?

Don't polish the blade on the Queen... you will remove the etching
Mineral oil USP for the stag. I prefer Tuf Glide for the joints
(available in the AAPK stores) or RemOil can be found at wallyworld .. .. ...

rem oil.jpg

And don't you dare touch those Case knives, they are perfect
[/color]

Haha, Good thing you told me, I was about to try a belt sander. Good thing I have some RemOil laying around. I hate Wally World this time of day.

[jerryd6818]

Haha, Good thing you told me, I was about to try a belt sander.

[Mumbleypeg]

Your Case Barlow looks like a 6205 RAZ, with jigged delrin handles. The RAZ is for razor, due to the shape of the master blade. This is also commonly known as the "one armed man" blade due to the fact that it can be easily opened (with a little practice ) with one hand by catching the "hook" on the end of the blade on the seam of your pants leg, or some other object. The other Case is a 6111-1/2 L swing guard - the L meaning lockback. It's also known commonly among Case collectors as a "Cheetah".

Nice knives. I'd be proud to own them!

Ken