Why is this knife worth $2500

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on September 20, 2011 at 19:21

I'm with you Ira.  All I can say, it is worth that much because some one bought it for that much.  The description is very poor.  Maybe someone else can help out.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on September 20, 2011 at 20:12

Well,

without the tang I could be incorrect but it truley appears to be a 40s to 60s whittler.  Those are the most saught after case whittlers ever made.  It is not in poor shape it is in decent shape.  There is an old dealer named charlie Mattox and this was his field of expertise.  If you can locate mattox knives online, Charlie is always willing help impart information.  I have seen his site have 2000 and 4000 case whittlers from that era

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on September 20, 2011 at 21:51

From Fletch over in Sharpfans. 

Toby, JP -  Must be pretty awful scarce LOL -  for what it is worth -  on page 88  of Parkers Guide - The price for a 1920 - 1940 stag pattern 88 Congress knife is  $12,000 in mint condition.       

James Parker, Ed Henley, and Tony Foster. 2010.  Pocket knife traders guide, volume 9.  2010 Parkers' Knife Collectors Service, Inc., Chattanooga, TN.  355 pp.  >>

Permalink Reply by Bill Fletcher on September 20, 2011 at 22:30

Whoops! :-)  I've got 88 on the mind ...Dale Jr, Congress Pattern 88 etc.  The actual page sited should be page 55.  Thanks, Bill

Tobias Gibson said:

From Fletch over in Sharpfans. 

Toby, JP -  Must be pretty awful scarce LOL -  for what it is worth -  on page 88  of Parkers Guide - The price for a 1920 - 1940 stag pattern 88 Congress knife is  $12,000 in mint condition.       

James Parker, Ed Henley, and Tony Foster. 2010.  Pocket knife traders guide, volume 9.  2010 Parkers' Knife Collectors Service, Inc., Chattanooga, TN.  355 pp.  >>

Permalink Reply by Ivars Duntavs on September 21, 2011 at 1:18

Ira this isn't the worth’s item on ebay for this money! Last month I saw that one sells sunfish knife, I think it was Case! And this knife was only a handle with one and a half rust peaces where blades must be and price for this … knife was approx. 100$ + shipping.

Today I search this knife, and you know what! I don’t find it, it means that somebody buy this piece of rust with Case shield for 100$ !

Where is the point? If this buyer will try to clean the rust of he will get only a handle which was pretty bad looking with rust on bolsters!

Where is this hidden value? In Case shield? In antique grips? In rust on bolsters?

 

Maybe I am a crazy knife collector, but not so mutch, to buy a piece of rust for 100.. $! :D

Permalink Reply by KENT GABLE on September 22, 2011 at 23:35

This really amazes me? It's value must lie in it's vintage, probably from the early forties - maybe even a bit earlier, judging from the way the handles are worn. Second point is that it is a Case brand & not that many survived from the '50's & '60's even, because they were considered to be a relativily inexpensive working man's tool. They were readily available and pampered quick- (took lots of abuse).

Case has it's own cult that will pay considerable sums for any true antique knife. Common Stockman or jack knives  from the early 60's with the inexpensive green- brown jig bone handles (compared to stag) often go for around $425 - $450 provided it's in near mint condition. It's surprising. Case has built quite a collector's clique which is the result of smart marketing.

As for me spending that kinda bread for that particular knife, well let's just say "I don't hear it calling my name?" Perhaps a bidding war?  I love Case XX knives too and am a club member but I like to purchase vintage knives from the 60's & up because knives from the 20's to 40's era in really mint condition are unaffordable for me. Of course I HAVE TO LIKE IT! To me, that's the most important thing. Not how much I'm gonna make on it in 5 or 10 years. I have to like it and that's all that matters. Not someone's opinion of "what's hot & what's not".

Bottom line: Art is all in the eye of the beholder. If you really admire something, for whatever reason, no price is too much. Are we sick or what?  

Permalink Reply by Ira Landsman on September 23, 2011 at 6:51

Thank-you all for your thoughtful replies. Although I am new to collecting knives I collect zippos - and realize price does not equal actual value. Knives are more complicated to price and date than zippos. Knives I see are a real challenge. I am going to an auction on Saturday with a" lot "of Marbles up for auction. It may be my first real opportunity to purchase a vintage knife.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on September 26, 2011 at 19:53

The pocket knife trader would be a good book to pick up and take with you

Permalink Reply by Mel Jones on January 2, 2012 at 14:37

My guess is that it is a rare color, not made any longer, and desireable by the market. Probably not any around in that condition.