Is anyone familar with this knife?

cutacroshorty · Post by **cutacroshorty** » Tue May 09, 2006 9:31 pm

This is a Parker Eagle Brand SandBar Handle #1914.

I've had it for about 18 years.

El Lobo · Post by **El Lobo** » Wed May 10, 2006 1:25 pm

I don't know anything about this knife in particular...except that it is an Americanized Tanto blade style, and an unusual piece. However, your post reminded me of a question I've had about the late Mr. Parker and his Knife Guide.
I do think Mr. Parker was very knowledgeable about knives, a great marketer and quite cagey about his marketing.

That said...what are Sandbar handles/scales?

Oh...yeah.....the quite desireable handle material that we all know and love is harvested from...
http://www.wildlywise.com/sambar_deer.htm
...which, in it's most favored examples, displays density, toughness, natural ridges, and a "Popcorn" kind of effect. (Picture below).

So, am I to assume that the knowledgeable folks doing the books made the same typographical error many, many times over? Or is this stag that isn't from the Sambar deer, but is marketed to sound similar? Or, is it something altogether different?

Anybody???

Bill

P. S.
Not intended to hijack this thread...just thought it might be interesting.

cutacroshorty · Post by **cutacroshorty** » Wed May 10, 2006 1:33 pm

I appreciate your input. Any information will be helpful because I have not been able to find this particular knife in any books or on the internet.

The knife is in mint condition with the box and wrap. I haven't even seen a Parker box like this.

The knife itself may end up not being of any significant but it is an unusual piece.

Thanks,

El Lobo · Post by **El Lobo** » Wed May 10, 2006 1:55 pm

Have you tried contacting young James Parker? The phone number is at the top of this web page...
http://bulldogbrandknives.com/

Or maybe Jay Parker at Smoky Mountain Knife Works? I think if you go through Collector's Choice on the website you may get to him.

Just a thought.

Bill

Gr8Scout · Post by **Gr8Scout** » Thu May 11, 2006 10:19 am

I've combed my only Jim Parker 'pocket knife traders price guide' (vol 6) but can't find this one listed anywhere. The man did produce some awesome numbers of unusual patterns. Maybe in another volumn of the 'guide'? Not being a knife collecting 'elitist', there are a few Parkers I really like, mainly the various folding daggers and dirks. El Lobo, does sheathmaker visit this forum? I had him make me a couple of sheaths for these, one to carry the folding dagger closed, another to carry it open.

The near-mythical 'Sandbar Stag' at one time roamed the Tennessee hills in great numbers between Pigeon Forge and Freebird Mountain. Starting in 1978, the Parker clan, aided and abetted by Jim Frost, rounded these critters up cowboy-style and shipped their butts to Japan. This action was commemorated in the Parker-Frost set of three knives called 'The Rustlers'. According to Parker's Price guides, these knives are valued at approximately double what your average original Remington Bullet Knife is. 'Surgical steel' blades, of course.

Seriously, having examined the 'sandbar stag' handles, I judge them to be carved bone. And Bill is probably right, the name was meant to invoke the thought of real Indian Sambar stag.

Phil

El Lobo · Post by **El Lobo** » Thu May 11, 2006 5:39 pm

Phil,
I've not seen Paul (sheathmaker) here in quite awhile.

cutacroshorty,
I also went through my two copies of Parker's book...with no joy.
Please let us know if you find anything out about your knife, from either of the Parkers.

Bill

cutacroshorty · Post by **cutacroshorty** » Thu May 11, 2006 8:25 pm

Thanks for the input Phil.

I don't know about the carved bone but the box has "GENUINE SANDBAR STAG" printed on it.

Is it possible they would make it out of carved bone and call it Genuine Sandbar?

El Lobo · Post by **El Lobo** » Thu May 11, 2006 8:53 pm

cutacroshorty,

I think that is what we are trying to determine.
EDIT:
As far as I know, there is NO such thing as "Sandbar" stag. It is SAMbar stag...from the Sambar deer, primarily found in India, and often under embargo, to keep the price high. I've seen a few others use the term, but I believe incorrectly. That was my question originally. I don't believe the Parker's made that kind of error, as they were/are expert marketers. I think it is a term the late Mr. Parker made up.

I think it looks like European deer, and POSSIBLY refers to the way it is finished. I see some bark (or jigging, if it is 'stagged' bone) in the center...then tapering off sharply at both ends...leaving kind of a "Sandbar of stag"...if you will.

So, it could be genuine Sandbar stag, whatever that is, I guess.
But it doesn't look like the more desireable and expensive Sambar stag, and the name appears to be trying to creatively fool people, or perhaps just be clever.

As always, JMO.

Bill

P. S.
There most likely was a "SANDBAR Bowie" knife.....but that is a whole 'nother story.

Gr8Scout · Post by **Gr8Scout** » Fri May 12, 2006 9:17 am

I stand by my opinion of carved bone, but am willing to listen to any other opinions of 'sandbar stag'. I think Bill is quite correct, the Parkers were awfully good at marketing.

Reading more in the Parker price guide, I see that most of his knives have 'names', and that is how they are listed in the book. Parker does have some numbered knives, like our one in question, but he states this was because large retailers, like Sears, wanted it that way.

Is there a name on the box or etched on the blade?

Phil

sheathmaker · Post by **sheathmaker** » Sat May 13, 2006 4:36 am

Speaking of Paul (sheathmaker)...well here he is! I'll vote for bone on the "Sandbar" Stag knife. I actually thought the Sandbar Stag was extinct except in the far corner of Japan. It went extinct about the same time the Micarta Tree did. Any way El Lob and Gr8scout, here I am.

Paul

cutacroshorty · Post by **cutacroshorty** » Sat May 13, 2006 12:04 pm

The blade has an Eagle caring a banner that says Eagle Brand Cutlery. The tang has "PARKER CUT.CO." with and Eagle.

bigben · Post by **bigben** » Sun May 14, 2006 1:02 pm

Well I knew Jim Parker personally for about 15 years or more and think he was a great man, but that's jsut me. As for the Sambar Stag, Parkers version has always been some what different than others. For instance the New Case Genuine India Sambar Stag knives that were just released. It's totally different looking from the Parker version? It is some what confusing, but I'm sure there's an explanation for this also.

cutacroshorty · Post by **cutacroshorty** » Sat May 20, 2006 1:07 am

I finally found something on a PArker knife that is simular to mine.

Parker
Stamped Wostenholm. 5 inch closed, heavy (8 ozs) Tanto from the American Blade Collectors Show in 1985. 600 mmfg. This serial # L851. Genuine white bone w/ scrimshaw of stylized eagle.

http://www.bobticeknives.com/4-17-parker.jpg

Hukk · Post by **Hukk** » Wed May 31, 2006 7:54 pm

That Sandbar Stag sure looks like Elk. Dark exterior with a creamy white interior. I have had a few Parker knives with this same handle and wondered what it was, exactly. Elk is the only one that I can think of that has that nice white interior and dark "bark". I just realized that after reading Jeff's thread, "Anyone Like Elk."

I do remember the box, but it seems to me that I saw those for the Parker-Edwards knives.