De facto method for grading pocket knives?

[John Carter]

What is the standard when it comes to grading the condition of a vintage/antique pocket knives?

[Mumbleypeg]

Click on Research in the header at the top of this page. https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/ca ... t/research When it opens scroll down to where you will find the section on Grading a Pocket Knife. That’s a modified version of the method developed by the NKCA. It's as good as any, and probably the most well accepted. There are others, such as this one you can see on YouTube

Unfortunately I’m not aware of a “de facto” method universally accepted and agreed on by all. Nature of the beast, I suppose.

Ken

[dsutton24]

I don't like anything with a quality code because quality is so subjective. For example, the great internet obsession over blade centering is way down the list for me. Does a well fitted bone scale rate higher than a poorly fitted stag scale? Stag is a premium material is it automatically higher quality? Is GEC going to rate higher than a nice old Camillus just because of its snooty price? And what about Case? Case quality control is always a debate starter.

I just use Levine's and NKCA when I'm thinking about such things.