All About Pocket Knives

I have 3 knives all of them look abalone, but they have bone (case) numbers (6) -- One has a circle in the shield, so I'm sure it is abalone. My question is the other two don't have the circle; if there a faux abalone? I've been told these must have been customized some way. The shield and bolsters are brass-- Thank you in advance I hope this question makes sense.

can you post pics?

sure johnnie thanks for asking- well this is one pic it's a horrible pic-- but they all look like this -- but this is the only one that has the circle around the word case--
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a210/ ... C02374.jpg

this one has 2 dots case xx usa

did you say the bolsters are brass? not the way case finishes bolster pins. reworked. could be gen. abalone.

definately reworked, the scale pins look like brass nails? Not the way case does the bolster pins, and brass bolsters on a slippie does not sound right for a case.

It would be too much work to make new bolsters; so I suspect it is just a re-handle job. They may have colored the nickel silver somehow.

No backspring pin; proud bolster pins; sounds like a weekend project in somebody's shop.

thanks guys! muskrat man what is a slippie? well someone offered to buy it so i took the offer -- i really don't think my granddad had the skill to do it-- he probably bought them that way from someone- they sure look pretty -- a nice member here told me that abalone was really cheap back then and now is scarce- so maybe it was like you said mike a fun project wish i knew the whole story-- why is abalone not listed under a handle number? i can't even find it in older books at all -- what's the history on it? is there another name for it? you guys are great thanks so much learning as i go here

hey mike it has a center pin, just hard to see. i don't think case made a lot of abalone knives after they started pattern numbers. maybe it would have been 8, like pearl? the bolsters could be plated. they used crowned bolster pins.

I feel like a goof-- i went out to pack the knife today, and it is not brass. I guess I was judging by the pictures and not the knife. The bolsters and pins/shield look silver I guess- Still though it sounds like it was still rehandled- thanks again for your help

Don't feel like a goof...it's hard to tell the difference in a picture, very common mistake. The knife has been customized though, it's been rehandled (appears to be celluloid, doesn't look like real abalone), and the bolsters have been re-pinned as Mike pointed out. Still a cool looking Little Copperhead though.
Perry

thanks knife kid- i wish i knew about the handle; the other two look different- this one has almost circles in it -- the other two knives i have look fake celluloid etc- i could be wrong- i think i need to get more pics- this pic is horrible - it actually looks white in person and has the silver bolsters- i need to brush up on my photo skills lol someone offered 90.00 for it, so i took it-- i think i'm going to say he can send it back, since i'm very uncertain.

a slippie is slang for slipjoint type pocket knife

I think the handle is red abalone. And looks like it could have been done by Mr. Thomas at http://www.oneofkindknives.com

If the handle is red abalone, the handle material it's self would be worth over $100.00

Just my observation.
Jeff

hi jeff thanks so much! it's funny because today i found this pearl guide in my grandfather's collection like a pamphlet of some kind, and i was thinking they might be peacock abalone from the description? at least the other two i think are have lots of turquoise etc in them-- how can you tell faux abalone from real?-- do you think the shields are any indication at all? Would a custom maker such as this person make sure to put the appropriate shield on? Someone a dear ebay friend told me real pearl won't slide over your teeth and fake will lol? the red abalone does look like the one i just showed you guys! thanks so much jeff you're always so helpful all of you are many thanks for these insights! i hope the customer is happy sounds like he got a good deal then (sigh of relief)

not trying to bash the guys work or anything, becuase his handle jobs looks real good, but the pin fit on the bolsters leaves much to be desired in my book. JMHO

Here is some imitation abalone...

It lacks the depth of the two posted pictures because...well, because it's fake...

Bill

P.S.
I'm going with Jeff...because he is good at this stuff.

lol! -- that really does help, because the one that i showed you guys had those circles that jeff showed (depth) the other two don't but have lots of color- they are probably fake!- that's probably why they don't have a shield with a circle- one is 25 1/2 ( on the blade)-- i'll post pics of the other tonight if anyone wants to see lol

I'm with you MM I would rather not see the pins, but this guy has sold a 100 times as many knives as I have, so what do I know.

One way to tell if the pearl is real would be to scratch it with a sharp blade and see what comes off. The Abalone should make powder or small chips and the plastic should make a little curley cue. Not that I would scratch that knife for any reason.

becko wrote:sure johnnie thanks for asking- well this is one pic it's a horrible pic-- but they all look like this -- but this is the only one that has the circle around the word case--
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a210/ ... C02374.jpg

this one has 2 dots case xx usa

The coloring in the photo looks off but the pattern of abalone shell looks as if it came from the lip area (edge) of the shell rather than the heart abalone (center).

you guys are going to make me unpack this aren't you and take a pic? lol-- i kwym this one did have the circles like jeff's first pic- It didn't show up in the picture at all my picture was awful-- the other two i have look like the celluloid pic -- i promise to post a pic of the other two i'm sure they are faux though-- i'm feeling really positive the other was abalone it looks exactly like that picture with that pattern i don't think i'll try the scratch test ha ha but good to know!

agteacher2 wrote:I'm with you MM I would rather not see the pins, but this guy has sold a 100 times as many knives as I have, so what do I know.

One way to tell if the pearl is real would be to scratch it with a sharp blade and see what comes off. The Abalone should make powder or small chips and the plastic should make a little curley cue. Not that I would scratch that knife for any reason.

Hey Jeff, you know the guy? I wonder just how many he has sold, if he does clients knives, what he charges, does he have a good rep from satisfied customers? Maybe I'm just a curious little muskrat? Ever since getting into this knife customizing game I have become extra curious about other embellishers.

Muskrat,

I just know him by reputation, A friend of mine has gotten Case shields from him at the blade show "A sack full of them" he said. He also said that he has been in the buisness for a long time and has made his living from it. I believe his name is Dave Thomas, (I can't remember for sure. I know that was the Wendys guy)

Jeff

The name was correct. This knife belongs to a certain Mr. Parker.

David Thomas Knife

i kinda like the crowned bolster pins. that's a nice knife jeff, good luck on winning it.

ahh i'm guessing jim parker-- well here are the other two knives not the one that i sold

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a210/ ... C02402.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a210/ ... C02403.jpg