What is this knife ?

[Maiku1]

Hi guy have me this knife for 40$. I'm wanting to know what it is,how old it is and what it's worth ? It says Sweden on one of the blades and it has a star on another with some words I can't make out. He got it from his grandpa. So it has to be old. Thanks.

[Mumbleypeg]

Pictures of the entire knife and all of its markings would be helpful. Goins’ Encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings lists “Emil Olsen Esklistuna Sweden” (different spelling), but has no other information. Typically that means the author had seen and documented the stamp but was unable to find anything about it. BTW Eskilstuna is an area in Sweden that is home to many knife makers (similar to Sheffield England and Solingen Germany).

Welcome to AAPK.

Ken

[Maiku1]

Guess I had to do the files one at a time I thought they all loaded the first time but guess not. Also I think another blade is missing cause two pina are gone.

[Mumbleypeg]

Your knife’s construction is commonly called a “lobster” pattern. When two blades are opened at the same end it somewhat resembles the claws of a lobster. The springs are internal to the frame, instead of the more common back spring. My guess is it has been re-pinned - the shiny brass pins being newer than the others.

It’s difficult to put a value on a knife like this because its uniqueness means finding a comparable sale from which to establish value is not likely. The number of folks that collect similar knives is small so there’s not a high demand. Value is a function of supply and demand. The other negative is its condition - as you point out it appears to be missing a couple of blades and has been repaired. The plus is, it’s likely old. At $40 you probably did okay. I wouldn’t count on making anything if you sell it. The main thing is whether YOU like it.

Ken

[Maiku1]

It is pretty cool I've never seen it before.

[SwedgeHead]

Just googling Emil Olsson you get a few hits and links to different knives. One had this to say:

Fredrick Emil Olsson founded his firm in 1896 in Eskilstuna, Sweden (the cutlery capital of Scandinavia).
His was one of over 100 cutlery companies in Eskilstuna at the turn of the century.
The firm produced hundreds of thousands of knives until it closed it's doors in 1967.
One of it's specialties was deep etching, and this new old stock pocket knife is a nice example.

And that's a tough name to make out, but referencing others with similar engraving and style, it does seem to be a personalized name.
Quite a few listings and posting of his out there actually, I had to stop

[Maiku1]

It's interesting that for sure. Cool design.