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Value of Case knives
Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2022 7:55 pm
by DeDe
Hello! I just joined this forum hoping I can get some help determining the value of some Case knives I inherited from my father. When running errands around town last weekend, I figured I'd stop by the Zippo / Case museum and find out if they could help. While they are not permitted to provide values, they did tell me the type and year of manufacture for each. I'm attaching a picture and providing the information I have for each, starting from the top down:
1. Bone Handled Trapper, stainless steel, 1940-1964
2. Stockman, stainless steel, 1965-1969
3. Yellow synthetic fishing knife, stainless steel, 1965-1969
4. Bone Handled Penknife, stainless steel, 1965-1969 (based on USA stamp placement)
All have been cleaned and sharpened and are in excellent to good condition. Can anyone give me some ideas as to the value of each?
Thanks!
Re: Value of Case knives
Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2022 8:35 pm
by kris_kross
There are a lot of variables when trying to determine value. I would need more photos, especially of the condition of the blades before I would even try to estimate value. Obviously unused/unsharpened knives would have more value than used knives but there's a lot of range there so it's hard to say without seeing more pics.
Re: Value of Case knives
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2022 4:03 am
by OLDE CUTLER
Probably not a good idea to clean and sharpen them. That is best left to the buyer as a general rule.
Re: Value of Case knives
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2022 4:20 am
by Mumbleypeg
Welcome to AAPK. Case pocket knives made from 1940-1964 are known as Case XX, which is what is stamped on the tang, Knives from 1965-1969 are known as Case XX U.S.A., again as stamped on the tang. I tell you this because the best way to determine current values is an advanced search in eBay for sold listings of the same or similar items. With the pattern numbers from the knives, descriptions you were given plus the added info I gave you, you can find the value of those knives in the sold listings on eBay. Be sure to limit your search to “sold” listings, as that will only show you what buyers actually paid, not what sellers are asking.
After you find sales of the item, look at the condition of the sold knife, compare it it yours and adjust as necessary for condition. If yours is better it will be worth more, if worse it will be worth less. I hope you don’t want to sell them. I have a couple of knives inherited from relatives that are treasured family keepsakes.
Ken
Re: Value of Case knives
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2022 8:16 pm
by DeDe
kris_kross wrote: ↑Wed Jan 12, 2022 8:35 pm
There are a lot of variables when trying to determine value. I would need more photos, especially of the condition of the blades before I would even try to estimate value. Obviously unused/unsharpened knives would have more value than used knives but there's a lot of range there so it's hard to say without seeing more pics.
Here are additional pictures.
Re: Value of Case knives
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2022 8:18 pm
by DeDe
OLDE CUTLER wrote: ↑Thu Jan 13, 2022 4:03 am
Probably not a good idea to clean and sharpen them. That is best left to the buyer as a general rule.
I actually had them cleaned and sharpened a few years ago, shortly after my dad passed. They were in dire need of both and I didn't plan on selling them at that time.
Re: Value of Case knives
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2022 8:22 pm
by DeDe
Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Thu Jan 13, 2022 4:20 am
Welcome to AAPK. Case pocket knives made from 1940-1964 are known as Case XX, which is what is stamped on the tang, Knives from 1965-1969 are known as Case XX U.S.A., again as stamped on the tang. I tell you this because the best way to determine current values is an advanced search in eBay for sold listings of the same or similar items. With the pattern numbers from the knives, descriptions you were given plus the added info I gave you, you can find the value of those knives in the sold listings on eBay. Be sure to limit your search to “sold” listings, as that will only show you what buyers actually paid, not what sellers are asking.
After you find sales of the item, look at the condition of the sold knife, compare it it yours and adjust as necessary for condition. If yours is better it will be worth more, if worse it will be worth less. I hope you don’t want to sell them. I have a couple of knives inherited from relatives that are treasured family keepsakes.
Ken
Thank you for the additional information re the knives, Ken, and the tip to look on eBay for values.
I've had the knives for a few years now and will most likely keep the penknife (nice to have in my purse). I just don't use the other three and my sisters don't want them and we have nobody to pass them on to. My plan is to sell the three I don't use / want and buy a new (larger) knife at the store (where I can also get a friend's discount
).
Re: Value of Case knives
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2022 1:34 am
by 1967redrider
The little pen knife is part of a Blue Scroll Set Case put out in 1977 (attaching a picture of the set). The stag(?) XX Trapper could fetch a few to several hundred dollars, it just depends on where you're thinking about selling them. You can do "Completed Listings" searches on eBay to see what similar knives have sold for.
Hope this helps,
to AAPK.
Re: Value of Case knives
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2022 3:38 am
by DeDe
1967redrider wrote: ↑Fri Jan 14, 2022 1:34 am
The little pen knife is part of a Blue Scroll Set Case put out in 1977 (attaching a picture of the set). The stag(?) XX Trapper could fetch a few to several hundred dollars, it just depends on where you're thinking about selling them. You can do "Completed Listings" searches on eBay to see what similar knives have sold for.
Hope this helps,
to AAPK.
Oh, I wish I had the entire set! I love the scroll on the blade.
Looks like I need to get myself to eBay and check out the listings to get an idea of what I can get for the other knives.
Thank you all for the assistance and warm welcome! If you ever need someone to go to the Zippo / Case Visitors Center and do some personal shopping for you, let me know.
