All About Pocket Knives

So I bought this dagger and bunch of other old stuff from long time collector's collection who died and his knives were on local knife store for sale, lot of cool stuff, I bet he'd been collecting stuff his whole life. I liked how there was same lanyard knot on almost everyone I wont remove one on my Camillus Becker BK77 Extreme which I found. I believe it's pretty rare knife or am I wrong ? I paid 60 euros for it and seen it going for way more on ebay. I will hold on to it though. Such a great big knife.

But to the the point. Google Lens gives nothing about this damascus dagger but after couple days of looking I found cuttingedge.com which has sold 4 used ones of these, the maker there is unknown and it's weird there is no logos anywhere, nothing about the maker. The handle seems to be Cocobolo wood (or Rosewood but its so dark brown with black stripes I'd think Cocobolo), hilt and butt are Nickel Silver, the hilt has oxidized from some points so I wonder how long it takes for it to oxidize if that could tell anything about it's age,also possibly if anyone knows where these are made would be nice. I just assumed these are made in USA because all other ones I found were sold there expect this one which I found in Finland so who knows. There seems to be 2 versions, 9 1/2" and 11 1/8" overall length ones. I quess the sheath has been changed since all the ones I found had different one like this. That must have been a while ago since the sheaths clip has fully oxidized from the inside but it's been kept shine on outside. Also the damascus on the blade has a clear line where it starts to fade a bit under the hilt, I wonder if that is because the wrong sheath and over time pulling it out has made it ? I tried to take some good photos but it was hard but still I hope someone knows something.

Also I'm new on the forum been just lurking before so I hope I made the post on the right subforum.

Welcome to AAPK. I can’t tell you anything specific about the dagger but as a long time collector I can give some general observations/opinions. As a general rule a knife having no maker’s stamp is not of high value. There are a few exceptions.

The clip on the sheath is typical of those used for boot knives, and made to be clipped to the top of a boot. An 11 inch knife seems a little longer than a typical boot dagger, but it could be used as such.

The greenish oxidation you see on the hilt is called verdigris, and was created by the reaction of the copper content in nickel silver alloy with residual chemicals in the leather strap of the sheath. This reaction is commonly found on knives having been stored in their leather sheaths - not a recommended practice! Light verdigris typically can be readily removed by rubbing with a soft cotton cloth. If not, try some mild polishing compound like Flitz, Semichrome or similar. Given a long enough time, verdigris will eventually develop into pitting and damage not easily removed.

Ken

Welcome to AAPK!

I can't tell for sure but it looks like there may be a soldered joint between the blade and the guard. Not something you would see on a factory made knife. Can you tell if the joint is soldered?

btrwtr wrote: ↑Thu Feb 03, 2022 6:16 pm Welcome to AAPK!

I can't tell for sure but it looks like there may be a soldered joint between the blade and the guard. Not something you would see on a factory made knife. Can you tell if the joint is soldered?

I think it does look like, I though it was some dirt and oxidation but there goes Id say white/grey line around the joint.

Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Thu Feb 03, 2022 5:53 pm Welcome to AAPK. I can’t tell you anything specific about the dagger but as a long time collector I can give some general observations/opinions. As a general rule a knife having no maker’s stamp is not of high value. There are a few exceptions.

The clip on the sheath is typical of those used for boot knives, and made to be clipped to the top of a boot. An 11 inch knife seems a little longer than a typical boot dagger, but it could be used as such.

The greenish oxidation you see on the hilt is called verdigris, and was created by the reaction of the copper content in nickel silver alloy with residual chemicals in the leather strap of the sheath. This reaction is commonly found on knives having been stored in their leather sheaths - not a recommended practice! Light verdigris typically can be readily removed by rubbing with a soft cotton cloth. If not, try some mild polishing compound like Flitz, Semichrome or similar. Given a long enough time, verdigris will eventually develop into pitting and damage not easily removed.

Ken

Thanks a lot, I learnt so much from your post, I have Flitz maybe I try, or let it be lets see. I paid 95 euros for it which is abit over 100 usd, maybe little overprice but its cool I found that Camillus BK77 extreme so cheap from there so I quess that makes up for it. Do you mean old knives and those with oxidizing materials shouldnt be kept, is it okey for new metals they make blades of for example 7Cr17MoV or 420 J2? those are only ones I have in leather. I also think I read that Damascus steel should be kept out of the sheath when not carrying.

It's not the blades that have the problem. It's the brass and nickel silver parts of a knife that develop verdigris when left in contact with leather. My advice is to store all knives separately from leather when not carrying them. Then you don't have any problems.

By the way, "stainless" steels will rust and tarnish under the right conditions. (Or maybe should say the wrong conditions). It just takes longer than carbon steel.

Ken

damigg wrote: ↑Thu Feb 03, 2022 7:23 pm

btrwtr wrote: ↑Thu Feb 03, 2022 6:16 pm Welcome to AAPK!

I can't tell for sure but it looks like there may be a soldered joint between the blade and the guard. Not something you would see on a factory made knife. Can you tell if the joint is soldered?

I think it does look like, I though it was some dirt and oxidation but there goes Id say white/grey line around the joint.

I am not familiar with this particular knife but from what you describe it does have a soldered joint at the blade and guard. GIven that, I would say that this is not a factory made knife but rather a custom made knife. It may be unmarked because double edged knives are considered illegal in some places. Could be the maker did not mark it to protect himself or herself from any legal issues. Maybe someone else here will know more about it. I does look to be very well made.

btrwtr wrote: ↑Thu Feb 03, 2022 8:41 pm

damigg wrote: ↑Thu Feb 03, 2022 7:23 pm

btrwtr wrote: ↑Thu Feb 03, 2022 6:16 pm Welcome to AAPK!

I can't tell for sure but it looks like there may be a soldered joint between the blade and the guard. Not something you would see on a factory made knife. Can you tell if the joint is soldered?

I think it does look like, I though it was some dirt and oxidation but there goes Id say white/grey line around the joint.

I am not familiar with this particular knife but from what you describe it does have a soldered joint at the blade and guard. GIven that, I would say that this is not a factory made knife but rather a custom made knife. It may be unmarked because double edged knives are considered illegal in some places. Could be the maker did not mark it to protect himself or herself from any legal issues. Maybe someone else here will know more about it. I does look to be very well made.

That's interesting thought, that maker is protecting himself by not marking these, Yeah that thing is sharp as hell on both sides and very well made. We have stilettos illegal and all length of knives arent allowed on public places, I think you cant carry even a 0,5 cm blade in your pocket. But you are allowed to have them in private property. Cant even sell stilettos though..

It’s a good looking knife. I like it.
Froe

Very cool looking knife and great pattern in that damascus. I assume that you looked very, very closely for a maker's mark. Sometimes it is hard to see something stamped in damascus steel.

Welcome to AAPK cool looking knife I dont know any thing about daggers but welcome

gordonjohn wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 3:14 am Welcome to AAPK cool looking knife I dont know any thing about daggers but welcome

Thanks you and no worries, i started collecting with only buying pocket knives so I have a bunch. But those are new ones, lot of cold steels, benchmade and couple spyderco. Actually I also bought 3 pocket knives from dead guys collectin which 2 I dont know much off. 3rd I know is made by EKA in Sweden. Maybe I have to ask here later.

Bought one of these through Blue Ridge Knives, probably 15+ years ago. No sheath, cost less than $20.

damigg I would like to see pics of your pocket knives , I still say that is a good looking dagger Gordy

gordonjohn wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 8:26 pm damigg I would like to see pics of your pocket knives , I still say that is a good looking dagger Gordy

I will slowly, english isn't my first language so it takes some time to show even one knife and get a interesting text for it. Also most of my knives are new ones which is kinda boring, there is some old finds though.

Hi damigg I have friends in Pori they worked for Outokumpo and my heart doctor is from Finland ,