"65" hunters, Undervalued or less desired?
- XxTestedxX
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"65" hunters, Undervalued or less desired?
I purchased my First 65 hunter the other day, after the fact I looked up some book values, and noticed them seemed rather undervalued "book" value wise in comparison with some similar sized folders.
Still stubborn to think the bigger the knife the bigger the money, maybe not the case for the hunter.
does anyone else have a pattern that comes to mind that very undervalued?
I also think the 99 is undervalued book wise, such a tank of a knife.
Any opinions?
BTW, my personal experience was purchasing a rough black XX 6265, the knife is near mint and the first I have seen, ended up jumping on the first $$ amount I got, which later turned out to be near book value ($400). I was very surprised, after the last several months of hunting down many of the scarce rough black patterns, I learned quickly they were rare and often very expensive. I guess you can say I was surprised the rough black 65 didn't book for much more, I figured 600-800. After all said and done, im happy with the purchase, and would buy it again with before hand knowledge.
Still stubborn to think the bigger the knife the bigger the money, maybe not the case for the hunter.
does anyone else have a pattern that comes to mind that very undervalued?
I also think the 99 is undervalued book wise, such a tank of a knife.
Any opinions?
BTW, my personal experience was purchasing a rough black XX 6265, the knife is near mint and the first I have seen, ended up jumping on the first $$ amount I got, which later turned out to be near book value ($400). I was very surprised, after the last several months of hunting down many of the scarce rough black patterns, I learned quickly they were rare and often very expensive. I guess you can say I was surprised the rough black 65 didn't book for much more, I figured 600-800. After all said and done, im happy with the purchase, and would buy it again with before hand knowledge.
- RalphAlsip
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Re: "65" hunters, Undervalued or less desired?
I have collected a few of the single blade 65's and feel like the pattern is under-appreciated. The 2 blade 65 was/is a very popular pattern and was produced in large numbers.
I think the large frame shows off the great handle materials Case used on their older knives. The high pull, flat ground clip blade looks good in this pattern (IMO).
Here are pictures of a Tested XX 6165 and XX 6165 both with the high pull flat ground clip in second cut grooved green bone handles. Normally, I would pick Tested XX green bone over XX green bone, but I prefer the XX green bone of these two. The XX knife does not have a pattern number stamped so it's likely from the early 40's so maybe it's Tested bone with a XX blade marking
Another observation is that the XX clip blade in the 65 is larger than the Tested XX clip blade in the flat ground rendition.
I think the large frame shows off the great handle materials Case used on their older knives. The high pull, flat ground clip blade looks good in this pattern (IMO).
Here are pictures of a Tested XX 6165 and XX 6165 both with the high pull flat ground clip in second cut grooved green bone handles. Normally, I would pick Tested XX green bone over XX green bone, but I prefer the XX green bone of these two. The XX knife does not have a pattern number stamped so it's likely from the early 40's so maybe it's Tested bone with a XX blade marking

Re: "65" hunters, Undervalued or less desired?
NO idea of whot the market value of this n is..
but . . . .
da book value is UP there . .
ole rag of a winterbottom TESTED 65
enjoy and HET
but . . . .
da book value is UP there . .
ole rag of a winterbottom TESTED 65
enjoy and HET
- RalphAlsip
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Re: "65" hunters, Undervalued or less desired?
Dave, beautiful Winterbottom 6265
You probably know this already, but there is a color picture of a Winterbottom 6265 on page 266 of the 7th edition of Sargent's Guide to Knives & Razors. It's a very rare knife. 



- XxTestedxX
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Re: "65" hunters, Undervalued or less desired?
I figure winterbottom in just about any pattern is up there lol.
Thanks for the input guys.
Thanks for the input guys.
Re: "65" hunters, Undervalued or less desired?
I think the issue with pricing on XX and older Case 65 patterns is one of supply and demand. I have no idea what Case production numbers were for these knives but you can tell form the number of survivors that are regularly for sale on eBay and at shows that Case's production of these knives was prolific. Being large heavy knives the survival rate is pretty good. If Case had produced but a few of these knives or even discontinued the pattern the prices would not be as low as they are. I love the old high pull 65's and as Ken said the large frame show off the beautiful bone handles in style. The variation in frames, blades, and handle materials can make for a beautiful collection. The variety of bone jigging and colors can then take it to another level.
The 99's are another subject. The largest jacks Case made before getting into the folding hunter realm and production numbers and survivors certainly weren't what we see in the 65 patterns. I do think these knives are undervalued and underappreciated by collectors.
The 99's are another subject. The largest jacks Case made before getting into the folding hunter realm and production numbers and survivors certainly weren't what we see in the 65 patterns. I do think these knives are undervalued and underappreciated by collectors.
If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.
Wayne
Please visit My AAPK store https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/catalog/btrwtr
Wayne
Please visit My AAPK store https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/catalog/btrwtr
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- Gold Tier
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Re: "65" hunters, Undervalued or less desired?
I had an article by Bruce Voyles about Case, written in 1978, where he stated that at that time the 6265 SAB was Case's #1 selling pattern, made in a quantity of about 200,000 per year. Case's total pocket knife production at that time was about two million pocket knives per year, and they made about 105 to 110 different pocket knives.
Steve Pfeiffer, author of Collecting Case Knives: Identification and Price Guide published by Krause Publications.
Re: "65" hunters, Undervalued or less desired?
Nice bunch of 65's Wayne.
Harold
Harold
Re: "65" hunters, Undervalued or less desired?
Very nice group of hunters Wayne.