All About Pocket Knives

All I can say is I hope he gets what he’s asking. Rare knife. Looks like a nice one too. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Cases-Tested-6 ... Sw30FfJqVI

Ken

Let me pull out the change jar.....

Hey folks, is this knife really worth that kind of money? And do any of you know about how many were made. Have seen them before but never held one, seems like it would take some getting used to to open and close . Thanks

Is this an original Case design ? Or are there other other brands 'out there' of the same design, possibly German ?
When open the blade would be held rigid like a fixed blade. The handle blocks the blade from folding on to your hand.
Would be interesting to learn the history of this pattern. Maybe Case encouraged some German cutlers to immigrate to America and this is a design they brought with them ? Or Case had a 'local' guy working for them who was rather inventive ?
As there are no patent numbers likely it is not a Case 'invention'.
Maybe those who collect Tested era Case knives know the origin of this unique design ?
kj

It is very similar to a Neft Safety Knife, the Neft has a patent date in 1920.

Here’s a reference point. viewtopic.php?f=66&t=47549 I have no idea the origin of the pattern. My reasons for hoping Sporty gets his price are purely selfish. The one I have is stamped Case Bradford, which puts it about 1914-1919. Handles are Rogers bone. It is stamped Case’s Tested on the opposite side from the Case Bradford stamp. The 6001 was made with both Rogers Bone and greenbone. Sargent’s 7th edition lists value as $1500, mint. This is only the third one I’ve ever seen listed on eBay. The other being the one I have, which I got years ago for a bargain.

I think the Neft safety knife is a slightly different design. Someone here probably knows for sure. I have seen a Ka-bar version made the same as the Case, IIRC it had black composition covers and the spine was notched as a fish scaler. Those come up on eBay occasionally. From 1993-1998 Case offered the same basic design but with a one piece frame and handles made from Zytel. I have one of those too.

I’ve read that Case employed a number of English immigrant cutlers in their early days, including of course Harvey N. Platts. I’ve never seen anything about any Germans being involved at Case in the early years.

Here are some pictures of mine.

Ken

Neft is a way different design and operates differently. I believe these were made on contract for Case by Union Cut Co who made lots of these, some marked Union, some marked KA-BAR. Never did understand why one made for Case by KA-BAR is worth so much more than one marked Union or KA-BAR. Sporty's looks well cleaned. Marbles also made a "trifold" knife but with a different handle and blade pattern.

Big storm here today, losing power for a few minutes every 15 minutes, can post Marbles and KA-BAR photos later or tomorrow when storm passes.

Thanks Gene, I was hoping you had some info. Here’s a picture of a Ka-bar version I found on-line.

Ken

Storm abated but poor light for photos. Here are three Union/KA-BARs and two Marbles. The Marbles with the blade etch is very early. These are almost more like a folding fixed blade since when opened with the handle closed there is no way one can have the blade fold on their hand, stronger than any liner lock or lockback. One bone (Union Cut), one rough black, one cell (KA-BAR). I think the one Ken shows is later with the little catch to keep it closed. Some guys have told me the catch was earlier but it doesn't appear on the Union only marked ones.

Here is a Neft. On these you slide the shield towards the back of the knife and it opens like a clam shell. Handle is spring loaded to open. Then you fold the blade out and close the handle. Very cool mechanism and only made for a few years. A buddy of mine dropped it and we never found the piece that chipped out. They must have been very expensive to manufacture.

t
My Neft Safety Knife.
I believe made by Valley Forge 1921-1922.