All About Pocket Knives

The family of Brian Sorensen (Ivoryman) has asked me to help distribute I-Man's eclectic knife collection to good homes that might want a knife or two with a heartfelt connection to Brian. I am honored to be asked to support the wishes of Brian's widow Cindy and did so without any hesitation or reserve. All proceeds from this sale will go to Brian's family who have already selected the most sentimental pieces from his collection for themselves and other family members. The collection that remains and is available for sale is approximately 120 folding knives and a half-dozen straight fixed-blade knives. These knives will be made available for purchase through two formats:

• Buy-It-Now listings in my AAPK store, and

• Weekly AAPK forum-based auctions

both starting after a 10-day preview period. All of the knives that will be available for purchase are now displayed in my AAPK store which can be found here: https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/ca ... &path=4309. The value for each knife was set according to Brian's philosophy of fair trade and honest dealings and all attempts were made to reflect the present market value of each knife. Brian had no love for those in our hobby with purely financial gain motives (flippers) and I have tried to price each knife in a manner that would discourage that kind of behavior.

Starting today you may request a copy of the 32-page PDF catalog that contains the AAPK item number in my store, the price, how and when you can purchase a knife, a brief description of each knife and mark and pile side images of each knife; page 1 of the catalog is attached below. Everyone will have ten days (10) to preview the catalog and ask questions ahead of the sale. NO KNIVES WILL BE SOLD BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1st. Requests for the PDF catalog can be made to me via email using the link in my profile until the knives are sold out. I will send you a reply email with the PDF catalog attached within 24-hours. Please use the PDF catalog as a quick reference and the AAPK store item for greater detail including terms and conditions of the sale.

Then on Monday September 1, 2025, beginning at 8:00AM Eastern, the buy-it-now knives will have their quantity updated and they will become available for purchase through my AAPK store on a first-come, first-served basis AND the first ten (10) forum auctions will be posted as new topics in this forum: https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... 5f797a377d
with each posting auctioning off one (1) knife. The link below will give you a good example to see how this works where Philco auctioned a knife in 2012 for the benefit of Tank Meeks: https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... hp?t=34029

Each forum auction will have a minimum starting price that can be increased by at least $10 increments simply by posting your best bid directly in the forum topic. Each forum auction will run for 1 week after which the highest bidder will win the auction. If nobody bids on a forum auction knife, the knife will be offered in my AAPK store on a first-come, first-served basis. The winners of knives that were sold through a forum auction will be contacted each Monday to complete the transaction. Every Monday beginning around 8:00AM Eastern, ten (10) new forum auctions will be launched until all of Brian's knives have been across the auction block.

Thank you for your kind consideration in supporting this sale not only for the proceeds that it will yield to the Sorensen’s but also for providing a good home for a knife or two with a heartfelt connection to Brian. It’s not often that we get to hear what a knife has to say but here’s your chance to hear Brian in the distance whispering “that knife is phenoooooooooooomenal”. Peace!

bestgear wrote: ↑Fri Aug 22, 2025 3:05 am Thank you for your kind consideration in supporting this sale not only for the proceeds that it will yield to the Sorensen’s but also for providing a good home for a knife or two with a heartfelt connection to Brian. It’s not often that we get to hear what a knife has to say but here’s your chance to hear Brian in the distance whispering “that knife is phenoooooooooooomenal”. Peace!

Great Job, Tom! It's obvious you put your heart and soul into this endeavor, and you did a fantastic job.

knifeaddict1965 wrote: ↑Fri Aug 22, 2025 3:33 am….. obvious you put your heart and soul into this endeavor

thanks Kevin I appreciate the kind words

Tom, I appreciate your kindness in helping out Brian's family. Thank you.

doglegg wrote: ↑Fri Aug 22, 2025 11:31 am Tom, I appreciate your kindness in helping out Brian's family. Thank you.

thank you Floyd, it’s truly my honor to help the family of a fallen knife brother.

My calendar is marked, alarm is set.

What an honor to even browse his collection. Some absolute bangers in there.

ThatWeirdKnifeGuy wrote: ↑Fri Aug 22, 2025 2:09 pm My calendar is marked, alarm is set.

That's the response Brian's family is hoping for - thank you for the supportive spirit!

Wow....all I can say is Wow. Thanks Tom for pulling all this together and managing it for the family. What a legacy for all parties involved. I have no doubt that Brian's taste in his collection will help support his family.
I'm at the ready -

Lars0729 wrote: ↑Fri Aug 22, 2025 5:22 pmI'm at the ready

Shoot me an email if you'd like a catalog which states the date that each knife is going to be auctioned off.

If you scroll down in this link https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... start=1800 and find Ivoryman's post from Thursday November 16, 2023 @ 1:37 pm you'll find knife CW which is a GEC Northfield Viper #470116 in mammoth tusk ivory covers and knife FQ which is a GEC Tidioute Viper #470123 in stone wash natural blue bone covers. Each of these knives will be available for purchase in an upcoming forum auction!

I popped in on the store yesterday but saw all of the listings marked SOLD, but I see you already resolved that - nice job.

Great story, write up and support of your colleague, friend and collector. Look forward to browsing them all now.

First of all, what a well written post. Secondly, much respect for taking
your time out to help distribute this fine collection and help the
family of a fallen collector.

The knife community certainly is very special.

Bob

Thanks guy, my early Scout training taught me the value of service to others and that A Scout Is Helpful, I’m just being true to the oath I’ve taken my entire life.

Email sent thank you Tom for all your work. The prices seem very fair. I look forward to having something to remember Brian and the way this community is coming together to help his family.

Seeing the pics reminded me Brian was always experimenting with patinas. He obviously got pretty good at it and convinced me to try as well.

One of the reasons I requested the catalog was to hopefully get some of the fantastic pictures that Brian took of these knives when he had them. His posts in the photography thread always inspired me buy more knives.

RedRaiderRick wrote: ↑Sat Aug 23, 2025 12:13 amOne of the reasons I requested the catalog was to hopefully get some of the fantastic pictures that Brian took of these knives when he had them

Thanks Rick. The catalog images pale in comparison to Brian’s but they serve to illustrate his complete collection and in a singular format. If you find an old post with one of Brian’s knives that’s for sale, feel free to post it here!

Sorry to hear this, my prayers go out to his family.

It didn't take me long to search Ivoryman's forum posts to find these 2 beauties that are coming to the auction block very soon: https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... 13#p959222

If you want one of the finest pieces available from Brian's collection, these would be at the top of the list

galvanic1882 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 24, 2025 12:44 pm Sorry to hear this, my prayers go out to his family.

Thank you Mike!

bestgear wrote: ↑Mon Aug 25, 2025 12:59 pm It didn't take me long to search Ivoryman's forum posts to find these 2 beauties that are coming to the auction block very soon:
If you want one of the finest pieces available from Brian's collection, these would be at the top of the list

Foliage not included; you will be expected to take and post your own pics after winning these classic Ivoryman knives

bestgear wrote: ↑Mon Aug 25, 2025 12:59 pm It didn't take me long to search Ivoryman's forum posts to find these 2 beauties that are coming to the auction block very soon: https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... 13#p959222

If you want one of the finest pieces available from Brian's collection, these would be at the top of the list

Iman even called that EZO one of his all time favorites. That's quite an accolade. The bidding action on that one will be hot and fast like lightning

A few examples of the Beautiful Bones from Ivoryman's legendary collection that will be available next week; as posted by the Master Photographer himself. Better be ready Monday morning - Northwoods drops will pale in camparison to this much anticipated Bestgear Bonebardment.

knifeaddict1965 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 25, 2025 9:19 pm A few examples of the Beautiful Bones from Ivoryman's legendary collection that will be available next week; as posted by the Master Photographer himself.

somebody’s been busy using the search function and the catalog - well played by one of the Senators from Indiana

ThatWeirdKnifeGuy wrote: ↑Mon Aug 25, 2025 3:40 pm Iman even called that EZO one of his all time favorites.

A little history on that knife: I bought it new from AAPK member IM Band (Alaska). When I showed it to Ivoryman, he fell head over heels in love with it so I sold it to him. Anyone who's been paying attention will recognize it as the first knife Brian started experimenting on with forcing a patina. His goal, which he eventually achieved, was a blue-toned patina (check the pics in the catalog to confirm).

Here's his pics from one of his posts shortly before he discovered the secret to the mystical elusive blue patina:

Amazing gesture by Tom to organize this. Just another reason this is the best forum on the internet. And ~Q~ that is a fantastic idea to post a picture of every knife purchased from Iman's wonderful collection. He would be very proud..

Yes, all credit for this project goes to Tom "bestgear" who has done all the heavy lifting in the extensive planning and preparation and will handle all the selling and shipping. But I believe it was Kevin's "knifeaddict1965" idea to dig up Ivoryman's photos from his posts to show the ones being sold. Both of these fine gentleman have freely volunteered their time and expertise and provided much appreciated support. And yes, I agree, Brian would be proud

Appreciate the props, Q... Tom has done an amazing job organizing and getting this project to the finish line, and your help and knowledge has also been key to the success of this great campaign.

I think TMK was referring to your post about the winners posting pictures of the beautiful knives they acquire from Brian's great collection, which I agree is a great idea.