All About Pocket Knives

What is your opinion of pricing of "Mystery Knives" on Ebay where the maker is been rubbed of over time? I have been looking at Challenge knives and has several of these types of knives listed. Now granted, these are all very well built older knives, but they are asking a relatively high price for them. My question to this very seasoned group is would you pay $150 for an unmarked Stockman style knife with rigged bone handles. Here’s the link https://ebay.us/m/uurlb1. Now this particular one is not a perfect example because you can just barely see something and USA but I think you get my question. All if the knives in question were most likely made by a reputable makes but without the name are any of you or would you pay that much?
Thanks,
Richars

Very nice, old, USA made knife. That being said, $129.99? That's a hard pass for me.

I do not know much about folders, but all things being equal if this were a fixed blade - it looks like the pricing is based off the era assumption - his stated "early 1900's".

If this were my chase, I would be looking up as many blade stamps as I could between 1890-1950 that ended "...Cutlery Co. USA". There's enough material out there regarding blade stamps to eliminate many of the larger players. I think eliminating potential makers would be quicker than chasing down Challenge Cutlery, Baldwin, or PAL...but that's an assumption on my part.

I agree with you in that the price is a little high for a mystry knife. However, [putting myself in your shoes in my fixed blade world], if this were a pattern that I concentrated on, I've been known to rationalize the purchase price in the hopes that I would be able to confirm it's provenance later.
A good deal on your decision would also depend on your own knowledge and expertise on the subject matter. There are many collections that include the right pattern, but maker or age is unknown. Such pieces as diversity to the collection, but by itself does not necessarily increase in value.

I won't put words in anyone's mouth, but I suspoect most would say save your money for a better opportunity unless you can confirm what it is. Otherwise, you'll have a $129.00 mystry knife.

This is, of course, just my opinion based on how I approch such dilemas. You obviously like the piece a lot or you wouldn't ask about it here....maybe, just maybe someone here can confirm for you who made it and when. That would be a great day, no?

I hope this helps...

IMO the tang stamp is an important part of a collectable knife, without it, the knife is essentially a user. Could be a well-made user, but it's still just a user of unknown pedigree. I won't pay collectable knife prices for an old user regardless of the maker YMMV

BTW--No snap on the blades pretty much disqualifies this mystery knife as even a user in my book. So, I'm with Bill...hard pass.

Agree with Q . It’s not worth even a good user . The blades have no snap according to sellers description .

Well Bladeguy - looks like most of the experts are saying to pass on this one for the price. However, for the identity - I found this thread on knives with punch blades: https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... hp?t=50305

Page 1, scroll down a couple of pics and you'll see a Wards knife made by Challenge Cutlery...looks pretty close and convincing that the seller may be on to something with the maker. Not proof conclusive, but very supporting.

Still - it's about the quality of the knife for the money - and this thread seems to think this piece is a no go.

I can't thank you all enough for your valuable input! Truth be told, I was only using the attached knife as an example because the seller has a fair amount of these types of knives for sale, so I had to ask the question of my very scholared friends. I have been a pretty serious collector for over 20 years but I am not of the caliber that I can recognize who made a knife by its characteristics. I also don't want to make the mistake of buying a Frankenknife like I did on a supposed NY/Hammer knife with newer Stag handles. I was able to snag a nice Challenge knife, https://ebay.us/m/meaeDL. Thank you for your input!

Richard

I'd also consider why this seller has a "fair amount of these types of knives." It looks like your example knife lost most of its tang stamp to agressive rust removal that did not go deep enough to get rid of the pitting. It does not take a century for a carbon steel knife to get heavilly rusted. The seller has nothing to back up his speculation on its age. He only wants you to hope that it is very old so you'll think it is worth more. Most of us agree that its value is only as a user. I'd rather use a run of the mill Victorinox. They all have great snap and can be had for $25 -$35. Slip joints that the US Camillus company made are readily available. Nearly all of them are worth more to me than that pitted turkey. Hold on a minute - ey Co.? Maybe we've figured it out?

Modern Slip Joints wrote: ↑Mon Nov 17, 2025 2:40 am I'd also consider why this seller has a "fair amount of these types of knives." It looks like your example knife lost most of its tang stamp to agressive rust removal that did not go deep enough to get rid of the pitting. It does not take a century for a carbon stell knife to get heavilly rusted. The seller has nothing to back up his speculation on its age. He only wants you to hope that it is very old so you'll think it is worth more. Most of us agree that its value is only as a user. I'd rather use a run of the mill victorinox. They all have great snap and can be had for $25 -$35. Slip joints that the US Camillus company made are readily available. Nearly all of them are worth more to me than that pitted turkey. Hold on a minute - ey Co.? Maybe we've figured it out?

This group is the best!

Richard

It has no collector value, and with no walk-and-talk it’s not a useful EDC either. I’d call it a parts knife. No telling how long you’d have it before finding another knife like it to use the parts. $5 knife. (That’s not an offer!)

Ken

To me the OP knife looks like a 1950's era Kutmaster.

I agree with Steve.It appears to be a Kutmaster or Utica,definitely not a Challenge.Even if it was a Challenge in that condition, wouldn't be would a faction of the price.

peanut740 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 17, 2025 2:07 pm I agree with Steve.It appears to be a Kutmaster or Utica,definitely not a Challenge.Even if it was a Challenge in that condition, wouldn't be would a faction of the price.

Richard

bladeguy58 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 17, 2025 6:35 pm

peanut740 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 17, 2025 2:07 pm I agree with Steve.It appears to be a Kutmaster or Utica,definitely not a Challenge.Even if it was a Challenge in that condition, wouldn't be would a faction of the price.

Richard

Looking at what is left of the tang stamp, it may be a Pal Cutlery. Still, in that condition, may be a nice eDC but not high $$.

Well from almost everyone's feedback, we would all rather have a knife with a little wear or damage rather than buying a knife with no name....sounds like the making of a song! I used that knife to make a very thought-provoking post and I love the replies. When in doubt, go to your AAPK friends!
Thank you!

Pretty sure the OP knife is a PAL Blade Co. product. If that is correct then the only mystery left is why would anyone pay such a ridiculous price for so little knife. Many more examples of like knives and prices can be seen on eBay. I've paid some pretty high prices for knives that had no makers name ever stamped on any blade but there has to be a lot more knife there to justify such an asking price.