All About Pocket Knives

Some sites don’t want you asking for values. I wanted some information about my father’s knife set. I am interested and/or also want a guess if it is valuable or not really.

My father died and my mother was selling some his knives and also giving some to me and my brother.

I Google searched this knife set and only found on from an auction with no information.

It is a MA 516 three piece set, new in a leather sheath. It contains a small hatchet, a large Bowie knife, and a small fixed blade knife, all in one sheath. I believe the handles are stag. It is stainless steel made in Pakistan which makes me think it may have more sentimental value than monetary.

Thanks for any info.

eglass223 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 06, 2025 5:24 pm......which makes me think it may have more sentimental value than monetary.

Sorry for the loss of your dad....your thoughts are spot on about sentimental value being greater than monetary value with the piece shown. While many third world countries produce some very cutlery, Pakistan is not amongst them. I'd tuck it away and take it out from time-to-time to inspect and keep clean from rust but selling it, in my opinion, would be a zero sum game.

Welcome to AAPK - we're glad you're here. I too am sorry for your loss.

In principle I concur with bestgear regarding the value of Pakistan knives. MA516 and MA516D (D for Damascus) are Marbles brand model numbers for the same set. There are many "similar" knives coming out of Pakistan that mimick other well known brands, such as SOG, Loveless, Marbles, Cold Steel, and more. I hestate using the the phrase "knock-off", as that is accusatory, but it boils down to the same thing.

While I may share in the opinion of the value, I own some Pakistan-made knives that are fantastic in quality. Unfortunately, the sheer volume of poor quality and questionable steel undermines the value of all knive from there, regardless of its individual quality. When it comes to knives from there, not all are created equal, and most are not worth the risk.

With all that said, you can clean them and tuck them away as bestgear suggested for the sentimental value. Or, you can use them, in memory of. Would I take this set out camping as it is intended? Probably not. But since I have a set like this too (from Pakistan!), I use mine for my BBQ and Smoking prep. They make for a great converstaion when serving guests, are fun to use, and retain a personal value that can't be replaced. You may not realize the monetary value hoped for, but the intrinsic value is through the roof!

I hope this helps in your quest to get some answers.