The King of Vintage Pocketknives

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PA Knives
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The King of Vintage Pocketknives

Post by PA Knives »

All of us drool at these when we see one. At least all of us that admire true vintage knives with history, quality, character and design. This is one of those holy grail knives that I have long wanted to own. Let's be honest here, I have seen a couple for sale over the years but the cash flow or the particular model or design just didn't line up. When my friend and legendary Toenail connoisseur Scott King informed me that he was going to liquidate some of his most prized items, I felt it was time to take the leap. You all have probably heard of Mr. King and his passion for this style of pocket knife. I started bugging him months ago when I noticed some related items he had showing up on eBay. I carefully asked if ever he decided could he let me know. Around Christmas time I got the faithful email. He was ready. He sent me pictures and notes etc, but to be honest, my decision was so easy to make. I wanted a vintage Platts' swell center in STAG. He had just the piece I wanted. This thing screams vintage. Look at the construction, the grinds, the pulls, the big coin sized shield, I swear Charles Platts worked on this one himself knowing I would someday cherish it. This is from the 1897 to 1900 time frame from the little town of Eldred PA. Can you tell I am just a bit proud of it? I was also able to get some other knowledgeable collectors in touch with Scott so that they too could own such a treasure, I am sure they will be adding to this new post. Now you know why I was selling a bunch of my own collection in order to pay for this (yes it was very expensive) awesome piece of history. Remember, we are only the guardian of these items for a while, someday this too will move on to some else's hands and I am sure they will love its history just much as I do. Oh I can see it now. The post will say, David Anthony once owned this knife and slept with it under his pillow each night.! ::tu:: Now get out your drool towel and look at this gorgeous old girl.
Attachments
Platts' Swell Center 1.JPG
Platts' Swell Center 2.JPG
Platts' Swell Center 3.JPG
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Author of "Great Eastern Cutlery: An American Tradition, The History of the Northfield & Tidioute Brands" & "Tidioute: A Town With an Edge" “The Chronicles of Cooper Cutlery”
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biglmbass
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Re: The King of Vintage Pocketknives

Post by biglmbass »

::tu:: Nice one. ::nod:: You mention coin size shield. I've never seen one in the flesh. Are you talking dime, nickel, or quarter size? ::shrug::
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Re: The King of Vintage Pocketknives

Post by chetr1200c »

dave i know that didn't come with a small price tag. i lost an easy open ulster toenail to scott 2 years ago in a bidding war, and i bid over 1100 bucks.
congrats for a very nice snag to add to your collection. ::tu::
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slimpickins
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Re: The King of Vintage Pocketknives

Post by slimpickins »

Wow David, what a beauty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. I'll probably need more than one drool towel. ::tu:: Slim.
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galvanic1882
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Re: The King of Vintage Pocketknives

Post by galvanic1882 »

WOW!!! ::groove:: I am so glad that you got that knife but if you are sleeping with it you have more issues then we know about!!! LOL
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Quick Steel
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Re: The King of Vintage Pocketknives

Post by Quick Steel »

Wow. And wow again. ::ds::
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Re: The King of Vintage Pocketknives

Post by Iron Hoarder »

::woot:: ::woot:: ::tu:: ::tu:: Way too cool for words and in such great condition too! :shock:
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knifetime
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Re: The King of Vintage Pocketknives

Post by knifetime »

PA Knives wrote:All of us drool at these when we see one. At least all of us that admire true vintage knives with history, quality, character and design. This is one of those holy grail knives that I have long wanted to own. Let's be honest here, I have seen a couple for sale over the years but the cash flow or the particular model or design just didn't line up. When my friend and legendary Toenail connoisseur Scott King informed me that he was going to liquidate some of his most prized items, I felt it was time to take the leap. You all have probably heard of Mr. King and his passion for this style of pocket knife. I started bugging him months ago when I noticed some related items he had showing up on eBay. I carefully asked if ever he decided could he let me know. Around Christmas time I got the faithful email. He was ready. He sent me pictures and notes etc, but to be honest, my decision was so easy to make. I wanted a vintage Platts' swell center in STAG. He had just the piece I wanted. This thing screams vintage. Look at the construction, the grinds, the pulls, the big coin sized shield, I swear Charles Platts worked on this one himself knowing I would someday cherish it. This is from the 1897 to 1900 time frame from the little town of Eldred PA. Can you tell I am just a bit proud of it? I was also able to get some other knowledgeable collectors in touch with Scott so that they too could own such a treasure, I am sure they will be adding to this new post. Now you know why I was selling a bunch of my own collection in order to pay for this (yes it was very expensive) awesome piece of history. Remember, we are only the guardian of these items for a while, someday this too will move on to some else's hands and I am sure they will love its history just much as I do. Oh I can see it now. The post will say, David Anthony once owned this knife and slept with it under his pillow each night.! ::tu:: Now get out your drool towel and look at this gorgeous old girl.
That has got to be the coolest knife I have ever saw.
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philco
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Re: The King of Vintage Pocketknives

Post by philco »

Congratulations David. Isn't it nice to get exactly what you want ? It doesn't happen often for me, but man it's nice when it does. I'm really happy for you.
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Re: The King of Vintage Pocketknives

Post by Knife Nut »

Wow, David........we vintage collectors know the feeling when you have the ability to latch onto one of those "golden oldies".
I'm happy for you.
Congrats indeed.

Paul
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Re: The King of Vintage Pocketknives

Post by peanut740 »

Nice pickup David,VERY rare in stag.I`ve seen 2 and that`s one of them.Roger
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Re: The King of Vintage Pocketknives

Post by RobesonsRme.com »

Oh, congratulations are most definitely in order, David.

Scott contacted me about some Robeson Toenails he has. He's in the mood to sell and he has some very choice items.

I'm glad that one came to you.

Great old knife.

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Re: The King of Vintage Pocketknives

Post by knifegirl888 »

Such a beautiful knife!! Congrats!
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bonehead
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Re: The King of Vintage Pocketknives

Post by bonehead »

Golly David,

You know I like that one too..... Glad to see she made a new deserving home. BH ::ds::
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Re: The King of Vintage Pocketknives

Post by knife-nut »

That sure is a beauty!! I'd be passing out cigars to my buddies when I showed that one to them. Have you seen my new baby. ::super_happy::
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Re: The King of Vintage Pocketknives

Post by junebug »

CONGRATS DAVID!! ::ds:: ::handshake::
I know EXACTLY how you feel................................THANKS TO YOU :wink: ::tu:: 8)
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Re: The King of Vintage Pocketknives

Post by TripleF »

Very happy for you! ::ds:: Very Happy! Congratulations! ::handshake::
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Re: The King of Vintage Pocketknives

Post by orvet »

Congrats David, that is surely a once-in-a-lifetime knife! ::tu:: ::tu::
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Colonel26
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Re: The King of Vintage Pocketknives

Post by Colonel26 »

Way to go! Awesome old knife.
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Re: The King of Vintage Pocketknives

Post by danno50 »

Incredible knife, beautiful. Congratulations
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Bret888
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Re: The King of Vintage Pocketknives

Post by Bret888 »

That is quite a knife David! Congratulations!
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PA Knives
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Re: The King of Vintage Pocketknives

Post by PA Knives »

I appreciate all the congratulatory posts that were made. My intent was to show others that awesome pieces do come up on occassion. I think that when the time comes for my collection to move on, the real thrill will be the passion in the new owner's voice when they get to add something treasured to thier collection. As I said, we just get to oversee these things for a while. A hundred years from now, who we are won't matter, but the knives will still have history that you can touch and feel.
Contributions to Knife Magazine ,
Author of "Great Eastern Cutlery: An American Tradition, The History of the Northfield & Tidioute Brands" & "Tidioute: A Town With an Edge" “The Chronicles of Cooper Cutlery”
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Re: The King of Vintage Pocketknives

Post by glennbad »

I'm not a huge fan of this pattern, as I never felt they were very user-friendly, but wow! This could convert me to one of the disciples.

What an amazing piece of history, and a beautiful knife. Congrats on landing the silver tuna!
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