New Member - Trying to Determine My Knife

[mattstoc]

All,

I am new to the site. My long term goal is to learn how to rebuild/remake pocket knives. I want to buy junk knives at garage sales, pawn shops, etc. clean them up, fix them, put new handle materials on that I like etc. I have a knife that I picked up years ago. I was thinking of using it as a trainer (learn how it is constructed, how to get apart, etc); I will likely destroy my first attempt (probably first few attempts). So I thought about it and figured if I should check to see if it is worth anything.

I wound up on this site and was using it to determine what I have, then what it is worth. I think it is is a 65-69 Case stockman. Just looking for some verification. Then perhaps an estimate of value based on condition.

I have attached pictures and have more if needed.

Thanks in advance.

[Steve Warden]

Hi and welcome!
That's a 1978 stockman. The PE indicates it has the sPay and pEn blade configuration.
Nice knife! I'm a big fan of the Case stockmans.

https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/co ... ification/

[Mumbleypeg]

That’s not a knife I would take on as a first (learning) project. It appears to be in good usable condition - some would be happy to have it in a collection. Not a real high dollar knife but maybe worth $30-40. Instead why not get a junker to start on? One with some obvious problems like excessive blade loss, broken blade or handle cover? You can learn just as much about the construction, and fix something that’s actually broken. And you won’t be risking ruining a good knife. JMO

And welcome to AAPK.

Ken

Edit: just noticed your knife has Delrin handles which will reduce its value some. Would still not recommend it as a “learner”.

[thefarside]

Matt,
Check your PM's

[treefarmer]

mattstoc to AAPK.
As Steve stated, your knife was made in 1978 and it appears to be in pretty good shape! The tang stamp is identical to the "65-'69 era except for the 2 dots shown just above the bolster that indicates 1978 mfg. Like Ken, I would suggest keeping that knife whole and finding a knife of lesser value to disassemble to begin with unless there is something really messed up on it.
I can't tell from the opening picture for sure if the handle material is bone or "smooth black"? If it is bone the knife would be identified as a 63087, if "smooth black" it is a 23087. Almost all this info can be found here on the forum and there are always folks who know or can suggest where to find the needed information.
When it comes to value, it seems like the consensus here on AAPK is to search ebay for recent sales of comparable knives and then maybe average the reasonable prices.
Treefarmer

[mattstoc]

First, Thanks to all.

Second, "the too nice to learn on" comment is what I was trying to get to. If it is just a dingy 10 year old knife worth $5, I was going to go for it. But since it has value (both monetary and respect (i.e. it is old enough to give some respect to)), I will find another victim to train on.

In fact in anticipation of that answer, I went to the local pawn shop on the way home last night and found two knives (1 had broken blade the other cracked and broken handle). Got them for $10 total. So I will start learning on those.

New Guy and impatient guy humor - I saw the two dots on my knife and I saw the age chart page on this website. I did not however READ the age chart text associated with 70s knives that discussed the decreasing dots. I just saw a picture and thought "Nope, not mine, I don't have a row of dots". I guess I am not always a methodical as I would like to think I am.

Thanks again everyone. I will post my first reasonable attempt at rebuilding/refurbishing - it will be a bit.

[jerryd6818]

AAPK Welcome Sign - Latest 2-25-19.jpg (59.83 KiB) Viewed 2894 times

Good luck with your project knives. Patience grasshopper. Take your time and read some of the threads in the Knife Creation, Modification, And Restoration Forums. ---► viewforum.php?f=48

[steve99f]

mattstoc

Welcome to AAPK!

Another source for very inexpensive knives could be your local gunshop. I know of some that keep a $1 box o' crap knives they get from who knows where. Worth checking on if it doesn't take you out of the way. Gunshows are another source, there are usually knife guys at these too and many have the same box o crap to paw through.

[Colonel26]

Welcome aboard! That’s a nice old CASE you have there from the good old days, so I’ll second what the others have said about tinkering with it.

[rwb1786]

I picked this up at an antique shop last weekend. Half-price sale for $7. Was in a box with a bunch of cheap brands. Right place, right time.

[treefarmer]

rwb1786, that appears to be a might fine deal! Love to look in the junk boxes. I had to look up the advertising logo, Prowler Proof Project, seems like it might have been for a company in Australia?
Treefarmer

[Mumbleypeg]

It’s a little out of focus but I think it says “PIONEER PROOF PROJECT”. Which is probably something to do with Pioneer Seed Company, likely a seed test of some kind where they got farmers to plant test plots of various seed varieties to determine which yielded best. Just a guess. Knife was possibly given as an incentive.

Ken

[rwb1786]

Sorry about the pic. Yes it is pioneer proof project