New to me knives

[wackyd]

Folks,


I've spent a few months searching about a collection of knives I inherited from my grandfather last year when he passed away and I do feel like I have learned some things, but I really have little clue as to whether these knives are modern or old. I think they are older than me (born in 1980), but how much, who knows.

Thought I would show a few to see if I am in the right category at all!


Thanks for your patience.

I resized the pictures, and will post by group - for a few groups if you have the time!


Daniel

[wackyd]

Here's a pair from Germany

[wackyd]

Back to England

[wackyd]

Still in England (for a while!)

[wackyd]

Still in England

[wackyd]

Still England (the last is quite frustrating as the spring let go while I was taking the picture!)

[wackyd]

Jumped shops, but still in Sheffield

[wackyd]

Last bit in England

[wackyd]

Back to the States, and I mislabeled Schrade!

[peanut740]

Nice bunch wackyd.You may want to consider popping the outgassing celluloid handles off that IXL premium stockman.It`s already done a number on it and will effect your other knives if they`re stored together.

[Miller Bro's]

Wow! What a haul!

You got a couple in there that are outgassing, you will need to remove the handles. Also put a drop of oil on the joint before you open them and never open multiple blade's at the same time, that is why the back spring broke!

[peanut740]

And by the way to AAPK.We like seeing pictures of knives.

[wackyd]

Nice bunch wackyd.You may want to consider popping the outgassing celluloid handles off that IXL premium stockman.It`s already done a number on it and will effect your other knives if they`re stored together.

Thanks!

I've been staring at it and trying to figure out how it was not like the others...there is another IXL with like handles and the eye witness looks to be as well and they are the rusty ones. I had not yet run into the celluloid info.

Thanks again!

[wackyd]

Wow! What a haul!

You got a couple in there that are outgassing, you will need to remove the handles. Also put a drop of oil on the joint before you open them and never open multiple blade's at the same time, that is why the back spring broke!

And learned something obvious with that - one tool at a time is simple and true. That ping hurt as I was excited about that knife. I suppose it could be rebuilt.

Thanks for the welcome.

[wackyd]

I had noted the love of pictures, so I decided to go pretty much all in.


Do I have a wide range of years here or do they seem to cluster?

[Miller Bro's]

As to the age question, everything you have shown so far is post WWII, 1950's - 1970's.

[wackyd]

As to the age question, everything you have shown so far is post WWII, 1950's - 1970's.

Thanks.


Is there anything that jumps out as special?

I have considered gifting one to each of my grandfather's great grandchildren and also pondered having his initials engraved on them. I recognize the engraving would harm collectible value a hundred years from now for some, but it seems like a way to have a connection.

But if there is something that would be special to a collector or to the collective college fund, it would be nice to weigh that in against trying to create a sentimental keepsake.


So far, I have committed to keeping up his military fixed blade knife collection, but am still sorting pocket knives. I have some late 70's US lockbacks to review next.

I very much appreciate all of your feedback and experience!

Daniel

[Miller Bro's]

They are all special, all the English knives appear unused and that in itself is special but seeing they belonged to your grandfather makes them priceless.

Any engraving would diminish the value to a collector, however if you plan to pass some of them down in the family that would be for you to decide.

Value is subjective so it is hard to price each and every one of them, the big online flea market known as eBay can be used as a pretty good price guide if you search completed listings

[wackyd]

Prepare the coals, as I did pull the majority out of the original box and wax paper to display them (the I*XL group). I knew as I did it that I could regret it later, but I think we have stuff to love using it, not just love having it.


But, I failed to organize the packaging at match it to the knife. So, I can offer boxes, but would need to do my homework on matching them. Though the boxes have hand written model info I think. And what could be the date of printing the box, not sure.

[wackyd]

I hold close the Case Sodbusters from the drawer by his chair that he spent lots of time sharpening. Still sorting through a foot locker of put away knives that don't have as much of a personal touch. I do wish I would have had time to pick up some stories on the various knives, if stories were to be had.

[Miller Bro's]

Original boxes and packaging is a good thing, please save it

Did your grandfather own a hardware store?

[wackyd]

Original boxes and packaging is a good thing, please save it

Did your grandfather own a hardware store?

No, but he could have stocked one with his accumulated collection of stuff. So much new in box stuff, not just knives.

[treefarmer]

Daniel,
Those are some great knives! I have to agree with Miller Bros and peanut740, there is something going on with a couple of them that really needs some attention. Celluloid outgassing is addressed here on the forum.
Treefarmer

[RobesonsRme.com]

Agree with all of the above.

I think that Eye Witness in your first pics has horn handles. Might be celluloid, but I'm seeing horn. Don't pop those off until you know.

We have men here that can replace the bad celluloid handles and probably replace that broken backspring.

Your grandfather had good taste in knives and did not buy junk.

Charlie Noyes

[kootenay joe]

My turn to chime in !
Cannot state it too strongly: identify and remove all knives with celluloid handles. Place them far away from the other knives, in another room. If you are unsure if certain ones are cell or not, take a picture and ask.
None of these knives are of high monetary value; e.g. a few of the Sheffield ones might fetch up to $75, on a good day. The rest have lower values.
You could select out a few that most appeal to you and clean them up & oil the 'joints' & store them in wax paper wrap and these can be for the other family members to be gifted whenever you want to.
There is a sub-forum here that has lots of info on how & HOW MUCH to clean. Be sure you understand these basic principles before working on your knives.
Feel free to post more questions or pics of your cleaning results. We like pictures and answering questions. And who knows, you might become a dedicated knife collector. If you like knives it is a lot of fun learning about them and hunting for good examples.
kj