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PLEASE HELP IDENTIFY THIS KNIFE

Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2005 10:58 pm
by IGAF MO
I got this knife from a old man last week.The blades have been grinded on pretty much ruining the knife,although the handles are ok,Its got me stumped trying to ID this knife,IT is pretty old and at one time it was a great knife probably worth a bit of money.The leather punch has #163 on the tang other than that all other markings have been ground off any help would be appreicated.THE handels are candy stirpe.

Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2005 12:29 pm
by PA Knives
Not to avoid the subject but this is an opprotunity to explain something that I am always learning. Mr. Levine has drilled into my head "and thousands of others" to READ THE KNIFE. Do not get caught up in the tang stamp only game. There is more to an old knife than just the stamp. Look at it closely. Types of blades, what they are made of, same with the handles and bolsters. What is the design, How is it made, Then you must apply what you know is fact on knife construction. This harder without the ability to see the knife in person, but I bet Mr. Levine could do this is a moments notice. Of course the reason is, becuase he looks at and STUDIES hundreds of knives and knows particular things about the manufacturing and construction of them. That is why he is an expert. I hope to someday do an article on this subject and list some of the little known facts that will help those up and coming in this hobby to better identify and understand knives in general. One that has slapped me in the face is that stainless steel springs were not used until after 1930. If you see a pocket knife with stainless springs you can be sure that it is no older than that. This will come in handy someday. Just my lecture for the day. :D