All About Pocket Knives

We have a 1969 Case Knife countertop wooden display for store sales. It has a hinged back with a lock and key, a glass front and the dated original display record document from Case. There is storage behind the display front for boxes of knives and there are 15 empty knife boxes in it.

The display holds 18 knives that have never been removed. Most shipped with the original display, but it looks as if a few of them were replaced in the early 1970s.

Most of the knives are somewhat faded on the side facing the glass, especially the ones that are yellow composite. A couple of the yellow composite knives are also cracked on the front.

As a total knife novice, I've done some research on the individual knives, but can anyone help me determine a value for the whole thing - display case, knives, record, empty boxes, etc.? Thanks.

if you could post pictures, list pattern numbers we could steer you in the right direction. we have excellent tutorals for case knives as well as some general selling prices based on ebay sales. some body here can help you.

Thanks. Here are some photos of the case. I apologize for the glare from the glass.

The 18 knives are as follows. I have included the dates that I have been able to determine.

#1 06244 - 1970
#2 06263 SS P (1960s)
#3 6233 - 1970
#4 3233 (1960s)
#5 2138 1976 sodbuster (seems to have been a replacement)
#6 6333 (1960s)
#7 63087 (1960s)
#8 6344 (1970s - can't tell how many dots)
#9 62009 1/2 (1960s)
#10 6244 (1974?)
#11 3318 SH PEN (1960s)
#12 6318 SH SP (1971)
#13 3347 SH SP (1960s)
#14 6347 SH SP
#15 6392 (1960s)
#16 32048 SP (This is a XX - so 1964 or before)
#17 6375 (1960s)
#18 3254 (1960s)

C4E I noticed the knives were in the display in different positions of open, I personaly don't like to keep my knives stored this way. If they have half stops it is OK or if they are completely open it is OK. I think it is bad on the back springs. Maybe the others will replay to this. Your knives and display are really nice. Good luck
Stockman

Hi;

Could you post sharper or more detailed pics of the front of the display and the display record paper? I downloaded the ones that you posted but they are quite fuzzy. I would need some detail to give value guidance.

I agree with stockman about the storage issue, but I would not take the knives off of the board if you are going to sell the whole thing. A lot of collectors like to have an intact display and will pay a premium for the whole thing intact with the knives still wired in their original positions.

a lot will depend on handle material and condition, ie. bone or delrin on the dark knives. the yellow are composition. more exact dating or photos of the tang stamps. remember the est. value might not be what you end up selling them for.

Here are bigger photos of the display and the record paper. I'll try to post some closeups of the knives tomorrow. Thanks for your replies.

Those yellow cell knives are as shrunk / faded as bad as any I have ever seen in a display. Which would lead me to believe that the bones are probably heavily bleached on the front as well. Not to mention when the yellow gets in such bad shape that you see green on the exposed brass, your other CV knives probably have some spots on them (especially on the rear)....

Had everything been in pristine mint condition and early 70's production (I don't think there are very many USA era knives and only one XX), I would say a book value of $2000. Book is about 40% over-rated, which leaves you at $1200. In the current condition, the yellows have no collector value and you can buy a brand new one for $25. Thus I would say if the rest were in near mint condition, you could get $600 as a lot and $750 broke up and sold individually. About 1/2 of that is in the three nice red bone stockman patterns; and if they are as bleached as one might assume, you could cut that in half and make the total $575 total. The display may be worth $50-75 to someone who could recondition it a little.

My experience only. Hope this helps.

Thanks for your help.