Need Help With Knife Value Question

[Working Edge]

Is there a specific forum here, to ask questions about knife values?
I have one I'd like to ask about, but totally not sure where to post the question.
Many thanks in advance,
Mark

[Mumbleypeg]

As far as I know there is no specific forum for asking about knife values. Depending on the brand, there is a “price guide” accessible by clicking on it (upper right corner of this page). However like all published price guides it’s out of date - I have no idea if, when, or how it is updated.

It’s been posted many times that the best source of current values is an advanced search for sold listings of the same or similar knives on eBay. I agree with that. It’s quick and I easy, and if you can’t find it there you’ve probably got an item for which it’s very difficult to impossible to find comparable sales from which to derive a current value. Sold items in the AAPK stores is another good resource.

If all else fails just make a post with pictures of the knife and ask for opinions. Some forums won’t allow that or frown on it. No one here will, but some are reluctant to give an opinion. In some ways it could be considered like walking up to a dealer’s table at a show while the dealer is showing an item to a potential customer, and volunteering an opinion about the item’s value.

Ken

[Working Edge]

Ken,

Great tip, re: research on ebay...!

Found the exact same knife, in much better condition had sold for $78.00.

Mine is in not nearly as good shape, but methinks I did okay for the five bucks I spent..!

Now my only question is, how might I determine how old my Barlow might be?

Thanks again,
Mark

[Dan In MI]

Now my only question is, how might I determine how old my Barlow might be?

Post pictures of it in the relevant area here. Someone is bound to know!

It's funny that eBay is standing in for printed price guides. Those, unless updated on a daily basis, become outdated very quickly. There are at least a few variables in play when trying to determine value, which is why I tend to prefer to know the supply:demand ratio.

[Working Edge]

Thanks, Dan,

I will try that..!

Blessings,

Mark

[Mumbleypeg]

Ken,

Great tip, re: research on ebay...!

Found the exact same knife, in much better condition had sold for $78.00.

Mine is in not nearly as good shape, but methinks I did okay for the five bucks I spent..!

Now my only question is, how might I determine how old my Barlow might be?

Thanks again,
Mark

Looks like you’ve got the concept. Look for the exact same item but if you don’t find it you’ll likely find something in better or worse condition from which you can judge yours and adjust accordingly. On newer knives that are date coded to the exact year, typically a difference of about +/- 4 or 5 years doesn’t affect value. There are exceptions of course, part of the fun of collecting is learning what those are.

I “watch” a lot of eBay auctions with no intention of actually buying the item. Might be items I’m just curious about, or already own. I just want to keep up with what they’re selling for. The item’s auction closes but I don’t care, every few days I go to my “ended” watch list, see what items sold for and make a mental note. Then I delete them from my watch list, and add some new items to watch. I’m sure others do something similar.

Determining how old a knife is requires some research. You can use the “Research” section accessible in the header at the too if this page. The tang stamps thread in the Knife Q&A forum is another helpful resource. https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... =4&t=39799 Just open the thread and type the maker’s name in the search box, then submit it which will take you to posts about tangbstamps for that maker. There are also many brand-specific reference books. Most serious collectors have several.

Ken

[Working Edge]

Ken,
Looks like you guided me to the jackpot....

Found my Barlow model in this chart:

https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/co ... er-knives/

Mine is the Schrade Ulster Old Timer Barlow #10OT, which according to the chart, was made between 1964 and 1970.
Pretty exciting...!!
Thanks again, Ken, your posts were very helpful..!

Mark

[Paladin]

If my old brain is perkin' correctly, I believe the Ulster part of that stamp identifies the knife as one that was offered as a premium from Prince Albert tobacco. You gather coupons from a Prince Albert can or cans and send them in with a small amount of cash and they mail you the knife.
I suspect you can do a search here and find some photos and posts.

Ray

[Working Edge]

If my old brain is perkin' correctly, I believe the Ulster part of that stamp identifies the knife as one that was offered as a premium from Prince Albert tobacco. You gather coupons from a Prince Albert can or cans and send them in with a small amount of cash and they mail you the knife.
I suspect you can do a search here and find some photos and posts.

Ray

Ray,

That's consistent with the listing for my Barlow on the Schrade chart here on AAPK.
Thanks for the research,
Mark