All About Pocket Knives

I have a knife that got passed down to me from my grandfather, I believe it is from the 1930's, Pyremite Handle. Here is what i know about the knife... It is a Remington - UMC. It has a code on the back of one of the blades "R3115" and it is a two blade folder. I have been trying to find some details about the knife, curious about how old it may be, and if it has any value. (Should I be using it or just holding on to it)

I have posted detailed photos of the knife here:

http://web.mac.com/flea9/iWeb/Site/KNIFE.html

If anyone has any information on this knife, PLEASE let me know.... Thanks In Advance.

nice old knife from your grandfather. blades have considerable wear. mint would be several hundred dollars, but......value now? only a buyer can determine.

The tang stamp dates the knife from 1924 to 1933. Production slowed in the early 30's, so its very possible the knife was made in the late 20's. The R3115 is a moose pattern that is somewhat rare and made in less numbers than say a stockman or serpentine. Had the knife not been used it would bring $350-$400. This knife sold new for $1.00 in the late 20's and the priced jumped to $1.25 in the early 30's. Yours has the match striker long pull on the main blade. Since it was your grandfathers, I would put it away to pass on to future generations. The quality of your knife equals or exceeds most currently made factory folders. If you were to sell it I would expect it to sell in the $40-$50 range.

I tend to view these pieces (heirlooms) as priceless. Consider the stories and life that this knife participated in.

Think about this - your Grandfather might have:

cut plug tobacco, pried open bottles, sliced apples for Grandma on their Friday night dates, skinned a deer, cleaned some fish, cut some string on a Christmas present wrapped for little grandson, cleaned his fingernails after a hard days work, lost the knife and miraculously found it again in a snow bank after hauling wood for the fireplace, or trimming some pussy willows for the spring table, used it to cut a switch to teach a child a lesson in life, carried it in his pocket when he cried at a friend's funeral or perhaps at the birth of his first child, harvested pumpkins, trimmed the busted leather off his work boots, used it to help him work faster and safer and make more money to support the family....and get home safe at the end of the day to hug his children.

....even if it just sat in his coin drawer - it's a piece of your family history.

my two cents,
J

Diligence wrote:I tend to view these pieces (heirlooms) as priceless. Consider the stories and life that this knife participated in.

Think about this - your Grandfather might have:

....even if it just sat in his coin drawer - it's a piece of your family history.
J

Yes sir indeed!! Spoken like poetry. Now that's what I call being in touch with what's right in this world.

I do not know you but we are brothers in thought.

Buzzard

Diligence,

You just about put a tear in my eye. Very well said!

Bryan

WOW! Thank you all for your quick responses to my inquiry. Let me please just make sure I clarify the fact that I would Definitely NEVER sell the knife, I just wanted to decide weather it is something I should definitely never even use because it was THAT RARE, or could occasionally have it in my pocket on those days i feel a bit more nostalgic.

It is for sure a piece of history, without a doubt. I remember certain moments with my grandfather, especially the life lessons he taught me like "don't ever be afraid to question authority" and "take care of your teeth"....while I sat with him on the porch. I am now 28 years old...and to think this knife is 50 YEARS older than me is crazy.

A few nights after buying my first house, moving in, unpacking, etc... I find this knife in my old guitar case which I haven't used in years, and I remembered all those moments on the porch when he was actually teaching me how to grow the hell up.

And I also remember my father telling me NOT TO LOSE THIS DAMN KNIFE.... and I didn't!!!!!

Thanks for commenting on my post. I realize even more now, exactly how much more valuable that knife really is, AND how much more than knives this forum is about...you guys are great!

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Thanks guys.

I lost my father this past August, just 2 months before my first child (son) was born. I hope that he will feel the same way that I do about my Dad's heirlooms when he gets old enough to understand.

Fleanine

Some of my Dad's tools are just hanging in my shop 'guarding' me while I work and putter around. (and I've wired them in place so nobody gets any bright ideas). Others, I commonly use in my day to day life because that's what he would have done - I'm just darn sure not to abuse them.

So - I think you should carry that pocket knife for Christmas dinners, your children's weddings and other important events like funerals, just make sure NOT TO LOSE THAT DAMN KNIFE...Dad's are often right.

Very well put you guys!! If those old knives could talk, the stories they could tell. Don't lose that treasure Ken