About Antique Folding Knives
Antique folding knives are one of the most interesting things you can collect. Each one tells a story, especially the ones with a message. You can run across everything from a small single-blade pen knife to one with a fork as well as a knife blade all the way up to one with a total of 75 blades. The variety is endless and they are not that expensive as collectibles go.
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History
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Folding knives go back to the days of the Roman Empire. There is one from this time in the British Museum. During the Middle Ages a pocket knife was used as a table knife and everyone brought his or her own to dinner. The jackknife made its appearance in the 1700s. A pen knife was used to trim the points on quill pens.
Types
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Some of the most sought-after antique folding knives were made by companies such as Pal Cutlery Co, John Petty & Sons, Utica Kutmaste, XX U.S.A, Daddy Barlow, Camillus Cutlery Co., Landers Frary & Clark, Camillus Cutlery Co., Jaeger Bros, Regal Cutlery Co., Winchester, George Wostenholm, Cattaraugus and E.C. Simmons.
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Features
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Certain features make a knife more collectible. Age is one determining factor, but some of the more recent folding knives are actually rare and therefore valuable. Antique folding knives were used as promotional items. The name of the company was on the handle, which were made of celluloid. Another thing to look for are folding knives that have a message engraved on the side; they are usually one of a kind.
Considerations
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Before you begin collecting, know your local laws. Folding knives can be considered a concealed weapon. Since they are antique, they might be exempt. Or there might be restrictions. For instance, you might be allowed to have them but not bring them out except to go to shows.
Identification
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Most of the antique folding knives available are from the early to middle 20th century. One way to tell the approximate age of antique folding knives is to inspect the blades. Stainless steel was invented in 1914, but it was quite a while before it came into regular use. Knives from the early part of the 20th century and before will have blades made from carbon steel. Many of the makers etched their names on the blades, which were less likely to wear out than the handles.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Oyster shucking Kknife from http://www.jaysknives.com
