All About Pocket Knives

Bought this lightly used SHARP brand 3" teardrop jack in a pawnshop a couple of days ago. The back of the tang is marked with the model number and country of origin - 280 Japan. It appears to be an inexpensive knife similar to the Japanese Explorer brand, but I can find nothing about them here at AAPK, in my one knife book (15th by Houston Price) or on e-bay. The few SHARP brands I found on e-bay were modernist looking lock-backs going for low prices. What have I got here - a K-Mart special?? Thanks, OH

Ps The blades have a nice, sharp factory edge, the knife opens sort of mushy (due to having half stops but with a slightly rounded tang end), but snaps hard when closed and the construction seems decent/adequate with brass liners and solid bolster construction.

I've only owned one Sharp Brand, but found it to be a pretty solid knife and it took a really great edge and held it well.

I've had several....they're decent knives.

I have two knives by sharp;a folder I acquired recently but probably made in the late 70's and a fixed blade I bought new in the 70's.Both seem to be very good quality knives. The folder is the center knife in the 1st pic and the fixed blade is second from the top in the second pic.

Both have some nice wooden handles.

Guys, thanks for all the information - this knife is still a bit of a mystery, but at least I know it is as solid as it feels - should be a good user for me. OH

Hi,

I have the same Sharp fixed blade. Did you ever find more info on it?

James

Welcome to AAPK James. The only additional information I found out was that Sharp brand pocketknives and lock-back knives were indeed sold in K-Mart stores in the late 1970's and 1980's (perhaps other stores as well - don't know about that). They were a decent brand (a standard brand if you will) - not deluxe and not junk. I still have the one pictured above and will drop it in my pocket on rare occasions - the only reason I don't use it more is that it measures 3" and I really prefer pocketknives that start at about 3-3/8" and go up to no more than 4". OH