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How do you find the date made on F.A. Bower knives?

Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2019 9:25 pm
by rflem59801
I have 2 barlow #65, and 2 Daddy Barlow #71. all say F.A. Bower Dist. Co Solingen. Then one knife that says F.A. Bower Imp. Co. Solingen.
I've see the dates 1950-1980, and 1950-1985 on others listed. Would like to know the year and what they are worth? The Barlow's were bought new the same year, could be from 1963 to the 1980's.

Re: How do you find the date made on F.A. Bower knives?

Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2019 10:46 pm
by knife7knut
Nice knives! I've never seen F.A.Bower folding knives before.I have a couple fixed blades that likely date to the 1970's.As I recall Bower was an importer of knives.

Re: How do you find the date made on F.A. Bower knives?

Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2019 11:21 pm
by kootenay joe
Are the handles bone or synthetic ? If synthetic the knife likely dates towards the more recent end of the date range you give. For bone handles i don't think the date range can be narrowed down any further than the stated dates.
As to value, unfortunately it is not very high. Value of older knives depends on supply vs. demand. There are not many collectors of German cutlery in North America and they mostly want the more famous names like Henckels, Puma, F. Herder and a few others. On the positive side your knives are in top condition.
On ebay auction you would likely get $30-$45 each, although on ebay anything can happen and occasionally a knife sells well above usual value.
kj

Re: How do you find the date made on F.A. Bower knives?

Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2019 7:08 pm
by rflem59801
They are all the saw cut bone on the Barlows.
Thanks for the information!