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Elephant Toenail Collector Club
Information
For any collector who likes toenails/sunfish knives.
Website: http://www.elephanttoenails.com
Members: 40
Latest Activity: 1 day ago
Club House
Come on in. Membership is open and free. Here at the ETCC we all share our appreciation for this handful of a knife.
Purpose
The ETCC purpose is to celebrate this wonderful old knife pattern. Toenails collectors range from folks that are crazy about the old ones, like me, up to collectors of modern day productions.
Very Brief Toenail History
Toenails were first made around the turn of the twentieth century as hard-core working knives. Evidently the pattern was a popular knife because dozens of firms began production shortly after that. Interestingly, the knife took on different names as each maker attempted to differentiate their toenails from the others made during that era. Some of the nicknames includes, Vest Pocket Axe, Rope Knife, The Jumbo and many others. Today, they are primarily known as toenails, and elephant toes, elephant toenails and, probably the most popular- Sunfish knives.
In my research and interviews of the Old Timers of our era, all agree ET's are a highly popular pattern. While their reasons differ, each agrees their unique design has immediate appeal.
Collecting Toenails-
The approaches used by toenail collectors range widely also. Some tend to collect based on the era the knife was made in, for example those who are primarily into the timeframe of the Granddaddies of cutlery history productions (Platts, WR Case, Case Brothers, Napanoch, New York Knife Co., Cattaraugus, etc); others limit their collection to a single brand, others still, go after toenails made around a specific geo location of the cutlery company, and then others like particular handle materials. There are even others, but you get the idea.
If you aren't into the history of the knife, that's cool too, cause they are still being made today by many firms, and even custom makers too.
Share with us why you like toenails, your latest find, or even if you have one for sale :)
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A few years ago we organized the first and only collector club dedicated to the passion of collecting this grand old pattern.
Meet Ken Mundhenk- Secretary/Treasurer & Roger Cunningham- Vice President of the ETCC.
Roger presents yours truly with presentation gavel at our first (non-virtual) club meeting. We celebrated our inaugural meeting in board room of W R Case factory in Bradford, Pa.
Discussion Forum
Like toenails and auctions? Check this out 4 Replies
Started by Scott King. Last reply by Scott King Jul 30.
Got a toenail for sale or trade? 5 Replies
Started by Scott King. Last reply by Doug Scearce Jun 24.
Your latest toenail purchase 5 Replies
Started by Scott King. Last reply by Scott King Feb 20.
Counterfeit Watch- Lookout for these toenails 1 Reply
Started by Scott King. Last reply by Scott King Jan 28.
Got a particular toenail you are looking for? 3 Replies
Started by Scott King. Last reply by Doug Scearce Jan 18.
If you could "modernize" a toenail, what would you like? 18 Replies
Started by Scott King. Last reply by Jesse Kinman Jan 18.
Would you like to see a "new" Jumbo made today and what affect would it have on the old ones? 5 Replies
Started by Scott King. Last reply by Jack Crook Dec. 18, 2009.
What got you started? 3 Replies
Started by Scott King. Last reply by Scott King Nov. 17, 2009.
Anybody ever seen this four blade W R Case "lunch box" special toenail? 1 Reply
Started by Scott King. Last reply by Barry Stephenson Nov. 16, 2009.
Toenails can talk- what did the very first toenail you ever saw say? 2 Replies
Started by Scott King. Last reply by Scott King Nov. 13, 2009.
Just how cheap can a toenail be made today? 1 Reply
Started by Scott King. Last reply by Roger Cunningham Nov. 10, 2009.
Ideas for recruiting non-iKC toenail lovers
Started by Scott King Sep. 5, 2009.
Rehandles can be Works of Art.... 4 Replies
Started by Jack Crook. Last reply by Scott King Jul. 28, 2009.
Favorite Toenail- which is it? 8 Replies
Started by Scott King. Last reply by Scott King Jun. 29, 2009.
Toenail References from the Past 18 Replies
Started by Scott King. Last reply by Scott King Jun. 27, 2009.
How did these knives originate ?? 4 Replies
Started by Andy Voelkle "AxeMan". Last reply by Scott King May. 19, 2009.
Ramblings of an old toenail collector
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Comment Wall
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Comment by Scott King on August 29, 2010 at 2:24pm - The 10 dot went for a song in Mint condition- $102. Don't know if everyone just has one now or the economy caused it to sell for this...it was selling for a solid $150 and up back a couple of years ago.
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Comment by Scott King on August 27, 2010 at 5:09pm
- Some decent toes on ebay right now. Case Brothers Ebony, Camillus, 10 dot Case, Union Cut Co & NYKC. Check them out. Will be interesting watching these go off, particularly the Camillus- it's in unsharpened condition :)
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Comment by Scott King on August 11, 2010 at 8:59am
- Welcome Gary...it took me long enough to convert you :)
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Comment by Roger Cunningham on August 3, 2010 at 7:33am - Keep them coming!
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Comment by Scott King on August 2, 2010 at 12:19pm
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Here's you a rare one- Honk Falls- founded by the original founders of Napanoch back around 1921.
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Comment by Scott King on August 2, 2010 at 12:16pm
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Couple more of my latest to load into The List.
The first is a Standard Knife Co. standard swellcenter made by Robeson on contract. Standard was formed by Elliot and Dean Case leave Case Brothers to form Standard Knife Co., Little Valley, New York in 1901.
The second marked Tom Ray Cutlery Co. of Kansas City, MO It was likely produced between 1905- 1910
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Comment by Roger Cunningham on July 30, 2010 at 10:51am
- cheaper than my wife.
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Comment by Scott King on July 30, 2010 at 10:49am
- I'll never tell :) You like her? $850 and she's yours....just kidding.
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Comment by Roger Cunningham on July 30, 2010 at 10:40am
- What shady place did you pick up the chick?
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Comment by Scott King on July 30, 2010 at 8:49am
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Finally found a "RoundToIt" and updated my toenail inventory. Now am loading many of my newest ones up in The List at ElephantToenails.com
Here's a couple of those I added. Hope you like them
KELLY HOW THOMPSON- hard to find in any condition
Old Napanoch! Don't you love them handles (scales)!
Camillus Cutlery Co
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