All About Pocket Knives

Considering buying this knife. But would like to be sure if there is something about it that is not as it should be. I think the blade and the stamps look too clean compared to other old Saynor pruning knives I have seen. It almost looks like it has been sandblasted. What are your thoughts on it? I found it on an online auction and right now it's only bid for $11 so it's possible I could end up getting it very cheap.

I think the knife is authentic, but has been buffed to remove rust and patina. Unfortunately in the process the crisp lines and “character” of an “honest old knife” was also removed.

Ken

I agree with Ken. If you can get it cheap, it will probably be a nice knife to own. I would try for it, personally. It has been devalued by cleaning, but not ruined.
Basically, my theory is that if you like a knife and are happy with the price, there is no reason not to (excepting counterfeits. Those make me angry!).
This knife is old and in decent shape, if cleaned and polished. As long as you are okay with that, then get the knife.
If you are looking for an investment, just know that knives can be a very poor investment indeed!

This knife was mostly intended as an investment. The thing is that I recently lost everything I owned in a fire and I wasn't insured, so my finances are pretty tight.
Things are just things and I choose to see losing everything as a good opportunity to start all over again, and try to be positive about it.
I really want to have a nice and exclusive collection one day, and right now that means I have to find some good cheap investments that I can make some money on, so that I can get a little closer to buying the knives I really want have in my collection.

There are a lot better investments than knives. Knives are fun if you like them, but buy only because you enjoy them. Not to make money! If they happen to increase in value, that’s great, but don’t plan on the over all value of a collection increasing more than inflation, if that. You may get lucky on one or two, but which ones those are will likely be more luck than skill.

Just my advice from fifty+ years experience as a knife collector.

Ken

to AAPK. I am sorry to hear of your loss and current financial condition. It must've a devasting blow. I pray you find a road to recovery soon.

I've been involved with knife collecting for about 50 years, and my collection has probably depreciated rather increased in value. I buy what I like and can afford not really expecting a ROI. Thís is a nice old knife, and the consensus seems to be it is original, but cleaned. If you like it and can afford it, I'd say buy it.

IMHO, if you're looking for an "investment knife", it will cost a lot more than this knife, and as already stated there are better investments than pocketknives. There are the rare "unicorn" knives that will increase in value quickly, but most of those are major label antiques, major label very limited editions and custom-made knives.

Knife collecting is a fun hobby, and if you stick around AAPK you'll encounter a lot of great people and learn volumes about pocketknives.

Agreeing with what's been said about value of knife and authenticity

Buying as an investment seems to only be feasible if you can add significantly to the value of the knife, after and over what you bought it for. If for example you can rehandle gassed out celluloid knives, there's an avenue for profitability. The owner of this knife may have realized the same and sought to enhance to value by "cleaning up" an ol rust bucket they find. They did the opposite. Knowing the difference and when to do what is what comes with experience.

Prices now compared to pre-Covid are astounding. It's definitely a seller's market. Sometimes I wish I didn't like the knives I have, but I know that if I sold some of them I couldn't afford to replace them.

1967redrider wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 7:30 pm Prices now compared to pre-Covid are astounding. It's definitely a seller's market. Sometimes I wish I didn't like the knives I have, but I know that if I sold some of them I couldn't afford to replace them.

DITTO!!!

Late to the game here. I agree, there's no "investment" value here. Here's one like it. I wouldn't give more than $75 for it in this condition, and that only because I'm a pruner collector. This one is 4-5/8" closed and has "integral bolsters" like yours, (Bolsters and liners all of one piece). That makes it a bit more desirable but the condition holds it back. A perfect one might fetch a good bit more. Good luck with it. J.O'.