All About Pocket Knives

As I'm just learning about knives (especially CASE knives) I am wondering . . . What ARE rough black handles? Are they bone? Wood? What? thanks. How can I tell?

I have a CASE Tested 6235 (I believe) with no left bolster. 3 1/4" closed. Clip blade. Looking through the price guide here on this site, I see a 6235 with rough black handles (1920- c1940). I don't know if that's my knife or not. I think mine would be a 6235 1/2 because it has a clip blade but there's no model #.

Thoughts?

rough black is a jigged synthetic used by case. they also had smooth black. with a clip blade it would be a 6235 1/2. tested knives did not always have pattern nos. stamped. post some pics of your knife including tang stamp. we would like to see it.

that is bone, very nice. i think it's a 62031 1/2.

I still think it's a 6235 1/2 because it's 3 1/4" closed. The 6231 1/2 is 3 3/4" closed.

Any ideas on the value of this knife?

ok, length is wrong. i thought the 35 had rear bolsters. maybe one of our case experts will jump in.

Well...I don't know many experts but, I'd say it's a 6216 1/2, the 35 pattern does have a rear bolster. It is also Green Bone.
Perry

If this is indeed a 6216 1/2, is there any possible way to determine what year it was actually produced? Also, is there any way to determine value? I'm going to buy a knife guide book today - any recommendations (specifically for valuing CASE knives). Thanks.

Hi Stupidhead. Welcome to the site . Have you tried the research and price guide resources available on the site? These will help with your questions. s-k

Hey, thanks. Yes, I've checked out this entire site. I've already used it a lot for pricing out the collection I just came across. However, some of the knives I have are not listed in the price guide. But I've read the handle material guide, I've gone through all the patterns (numbers and names) and I've been going through this forum as well. Unfortunately, this particular knife does not have a value here on this site.

Current book price for the 6216 1/2 is 350.00 in mint condition. Your knife looks to be excellent+ so I'd say it would bring about 175.00 to 200.00 retail...this is just MHO.

There isn't a precise method of telling exactly when it was made.

Perry

you're too modest perry. i overlooked the 16 1/2. you have me convinced.

Thanks for all the help on this knife. I have a few others I may post questions about soon. Is there a concensus on which book is best for valuing CASE knives? I plan on buying one this afternoon.

There are several books I would suggest pertaining to Case knives.

American Premium Guide to Knives and Razors 6th edition by Jim Sargent. It has the best photos for identifing patterns and tons of general information. Plus there's a picture of a real good looking guy on page 7

Official Price Guide to Collector Knives 13th edition by C. Houston Price. Prices are behind the times but there's a lot of information about all kinds of knives.

Pocket Knife Trader's Price Guide Vol. 7 by Jim Parker. Prices are a bit on the high side but, it covers Case knives very well. We're currently working on vol. 8 which is due out in April and you will see quite a few changes.

There are many more great knife books out there but, these three covers Case very well.

Perry

Thanks for the help. I ordered Sargent's guide today from Amazon. I'm really looking forward to getting it. Then I can quit bugging you guys. I have a few other knives I might post up here for identification sometime but this site has proven VERY helpful. What an awesome website - especially for valuing and researching CASE knives (which is what I have mostly).

Thanks again everyone - and I'd have to agree about Perry being an expert.