All About Pocket Knives

Hey All,

I've stumbled upon this website/forum and I'm wondering if any of you kind souls would be able to help me with some information about a W.Saynor (Antler Handle) Knife that I've inherited?

I have in my possession a W. Saynor Knife that has been passed down from my Father who has recently passed away. I believe this was passed onto my Father by his Father and maybe even his Father's Father.(Unsure of Age)

I have attached some photos if anyone would be kind enough to have a look and possibly provide me with any information about it.

Fingers crossed for your help.

Regards

TLDJ

That's a great old knife, W.Saynor, c. 1865. A pruner, lots of blade wear but that's expected. The Saynor name was associated with other makers, COOKE and RIDAL (Bottom)and is still around as SAYNOR(Top) There was also a Samuel Saynor 1840-1868. All from Sheffield. Good luck with it. J.O'.

WOW I didn't realise that it could be that old!?!?

Firstly, thanks for coming back to me with this information I really do appreciate it.

Secondly, you mentioned (Expected) Blade Wear?
Is that a major problem/concern in terms of a Valuation for Insurance purposes?

I also read a post regarding "What's it Worth" and advice to check on the Advanced Search function on eBay for Historical Sales of this Knife. I'm based in the UK and I'm not sure if we can Buy or Sell Knives on eBay so I'm in the dark as to it's value etc?

Again, any help or advice is massively appreciated.


Regards

TLDJ

Hey TLDJ!
My understanding is that you can order on Ebay from the U.K., I know I can from Canada, and there were links I'd followed online that led to Ebay-U.K. so....
I also understand that shipping to/from the U.K. is very expensive!

It may not be that old, probably isn't. Levine's Guide says W Saynor was used 1865-1958. It is an older knife but could easily be a lot newer than 1865.

Yes Gene, Goins Encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings states c 1877- present ( which was released in 1998).

My son who lived in the UK is a collector and buys knives on eBay, so you should be able to do so. Having them shipped into the UK from elsewhere can be a problem, as can be possession in certain cases, but apparently “looking” is not illegal. At least not yet.

Answer to your other question is that when valuing knives, condition is of paramount importance. Wear and blade loss have significant detriment to value. When grading knives, at very top of value is a knife in “mint” condition, meaning condition is as it left the factory. Therefore very few old knives are found in mint condition. Some say if a knife has been carried and re-sharpened even once its value is decreased (from mint condition value) by 50%. It decreases from there. Your knife has some collector value, but I wouldn’t plan a vacation trip based on it.

Ken

I was citing my old(1993) 3rd edition Levine reference to W. Saynor. It just says c.1865. That info has likely changed. Don't think insurance would be necessary in this case. Well used old pruners don't command big prices, unless you find the rabid collector, like me, at the end of the rainbow. I just checked e-bay for any Saynor's. They have prices from around $60 to $300. I don't agree, but, P.T Barnum had a famous saying about that. Anyway, good luck with it. J.O'.

Saynors are very collectible here in the uk , especially amongst the traveler community, I’ve worked on a lot over the years for people , some have really nice bone/stag handles but many of these knives get well used and badly sharpened so usually a lot of wear , good old ones can hit above £250-300 mark, I’ve paid as low as £50-70 , condition as always is the key