















Thanks Ken and all, I guess that got the ball rolling for me.Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Tue Jan 24, 2023 3:32 amWelcome to AAPK. Lifelong Scouter here myself so I like your interesting collecting focus!
I doubt the knife pre-dates Boker’s involvement with Valley Forge though. Some history research: Boker USA owned a controlling interest in Valley Forge by 1902, according to Goins’ Encyclopedia. The knife has a Prest-o-Light wrench. Prest-o-Light acetylene lights were invented in ~1904. Goins’ says the straight line Valley Forge stamp was used 1916-1950 (long after Boker ownership began). Prest-o-Light lights on cars and motorcycles were replaced by electric lights by early 1920s, so using the process of deductive elimination I’d guess your knife dates around 1916 to early 1920s.
There are some Böker experts that are members here, and also some scout knife experts - they will have more info and may correct my reasoning!![]()
Thanks for showing your knives.
Ken
The little Trapper, I was wondering if someone would call that one out. It was a gift from a friend on a camping trip long ago, it must weigh 5 lbs and gets so many laughs.1967redrider wrote: ↑Tue Jan 24, 2023 2:38 pmAwesome collection of Valley Forge folders and Scouts,to AAPK.
What is that big display knife? I'd love to see some pictures of it in particular.
John
SwedgeHead wrote: ↑Tue Jan 24, 2023 6:16 pmThe little Trapper, I was wondering if someone would call that one out. It was a gift from a friend on a camping trip long ago, it must weigh 5 lbs and gets so many laughs.1967redrider wrote: ↑Tue Jan 24, 2023 2:38 pmAwesome collection of Valley Forge folders and Scouts,to AAPK.
What is that big display knife? I'd love to see some pictures of it in particular.
John
Here ya go.
I agree the “sticky details and knowledge” is half the fun - at least! That and “the hunt” is why old knives are so interesting. Nothing wrong with newer knives but they don’t have the “mystery”.SwedgeHead wrote: ↑Tue Jan 24, 2023 6:06 pm
Thanks Ken and all, I guess that got the ball rolling for me.
I admit the straight line stamp has thrown me and I am curious if there are pre-1916 examples of that.
And yes you got me on the boker early involvement, although that seems speculative still - i was more referring to the Boker USA transition in 1916 (or 21 depending on your school). And by that time I beleive they would have used the circled VF stamp as well, which 3 of these knifes don't have (maybe thats not a hard fast rule?) The early 1911 patent I haven't seen yet on other examples. Coming from vintage pocket WATCHES, I know though that there are always oddballs and transitional period items, so i'm open minded and looking forward to and appreciate all the sticky details and knowledge, thats half the fun.