I need help in learning more about a Boker knife

[UJB]

Hello,
I'm new the forum and was looking to learn more about a knife I inherited from my brother.
As you will see, it's rather unusual in that it's shaped like a ukulele or guitar.
It measures approximately 3.5" long closed and appears to have tortoise shell handles.
As near as I can make out, the Ricasso (?) of the blade is marked as follows:
H. Boker
Improved
Cutlery (?) this is very faint and worn
On the opposite side is:
Tree motif
Please see the photos attached. Apologies in advance. I only have a camera phone.
Best,
John

[Gone2Three]

John I can't help with the additional information you seek, but I do want to say that sure is one neat looking knife!


Randy

[thegreedygulo]

Very cool old H. Boker! That is the first one I have ever seen like that. The fact that your tang stamp says H. Boker's Improved Cutlery (no & Co.) dates it as an older knife. It was made sometime between 1860 -1880 per Mark Zalesky's Knife World article regarding Boker tang stamps. It's a nice old knife in a VERY unusual pattern. I hope this helps.

[Mumbleypeg]

It appears to have genuine tortoise shell, including what looks like possibly a tortoise shell pick on a fulcrum opening mechanism? And is that other blade perhaps an earwax spoon, also with a fulcrum?

Cool old knife!

Ken

[UJB]

Wow. Thanks so much for all the information. Anyone have any idea as to how to go about putting a value on this? I don't plan on keeping my brother's collection of pocket knives as i need to pay off his estate debts.
Best,
John

[Mumbleypeg]

Very difficult to put a value on such a unique item because there are no comparable sales from which to determine value. Best option is probably listing it in an auction with a large audience (like eBay for example) with a low minimum opening bid. Post a lot of clear pictures, and a description including the knife’s closed length, whether the blades operate properly with good opening and closing “snap”. Let it run for a week at least, to give it good exposure. The bidders will determine the value.

Recommend you also read this https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... =2&t=77592

Ken