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Mark Zalesky 48 Knoxville, TN United States “The unexamined life is not…: Like

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Mark Zalesky's Friends

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Mark Zalesky's Groups

Queen Cutlery & Friends

204 members
1148 Comments 48 Likes
Knife Pattern Collectors

96 members
261 Comments 25 Likes

Boker Fans

105 members
198 Comments 19 Likes
National Knife Collector…

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Mark Zalesky's Events

2018 Central KY Knife Club Show (35th Annual August Show)

August 17, 2018 to August 18, 2018 – Clarion Hotel Convention Center
4 Comments 2 Likes

Mark Zalesky's Page

Latest Activity

Mark Zalesky replied to Jan Carter's discussion BLADE SHOW 2018

"Jan's calling 'em like see sees 'em! Go Jan!!! I was amazed and humbled by the support of the knife community over TableGate -- pretty awesome to know that folks in all parts of the knife community will stand up and put in a good word…"

Jun 7

Mark Zalesky replied to Jim Lites's discussion Vintage Bowie Knife Question

"I'll look forward to meeting you there, Jim. Bring the Marble's -- before I got serious about bowie knives Marble's knives were my main focus. Still have a couple of nice ones I couldn't bear to part with."

Apr 27

Mark Zalesky replied to Jim Lites's discussion Vintage Bowie Knife Question

"Hi Jim, Funny that I saw your reply so soon, I don't jump over here as often as I should. You are located in Little Rock? Shoot, come on over to Historic Arkansas Museum this Saturday at 1 PM, my coauthor Bill Worthen and I will be talking…"

Apr 26

Mark Zalesky replied to Jim Lites's discussion Vintage Bowie Knife Question

"This is a cheap modern, mass produced, Pakistani or Indian knife and stylistically, really doesn't look anything like any authentic knife. Really, it's a caricature of an antique bowie knife, with exaggerated features.I have seen this…"

Apr 19

Mark Zalesky might attend Jim Thompson's event

2018 Central KY Knife Club Show (35th Annual August Show) at Clarion Hotel Convention Center

August 17, 2018 to August 18, 2018

August 17, 9AM-6PM, August 18, 8:30 AM-4PMClarion Hotel Convention Center, Lexington, KY, 859-233-0512Just off I 75 at Exit 115 , North, Exit 115, end of ramp Left , left at first Light . South exit 115, end of ramp left, at light turn right into entrance. Info call, Jim Thompson, 859-623-1419 or Kathy Litton 502-863-1840 Open to public, Admission $5, BUY - SELL - TRADE Dealers from Central & Southern States See More

Feb 18

4 Comments 2 Likes

Mark Zalesky commented on Michael D Sabol's group Boker Fans

"I don't think many realize it, but nearly all the autos by established knife companies are Made in the USA. That's a great thing regardless of the reason, but the real reason behind it is that switchblades are still illegal in interstate…"

Jan 28

Mark Zalesky commented on Michael D Sabol's group Boker Fans

"I've got some other interesting ones in the hopper and am always looking for more. We've had some response to our ads seeking more writers and I hope to find more, it's a constant search for good material! BTW, I saw the new Boker…"

Jan 28

Mark Zalesky commented on Michael D Sabol's group Boker Fans

"Thanks for pointing that out, Ricky -- I appreciate it anytime folks spread the word about what we're trying to do."

Jan 22

Mark Zalesky commented on Michael D Sabol's group Boker Fans

"Thanks for the kind words, Ricky, I appreciate it. That's a nice bunch of GAS knives you've got there -- is that ALL of them? It's sure more than I have ever seen before, in one place at one time."

Dec 4, 2017

Mark Zalesky commented on Michael D Sabol's group Boker Fans

"That was of course KNIFE Magazine, the December 2017 issue... Bruce Voyles wrote that article on Boker GAS knives. KNIFE is the successor to Knife World, who published the extensive article on Boker's history and tang stamps several years…"

Nov 27, 2017

Mark Zalesky commented on Jan Carter's event 'SMKW REP WEEKEND 2017 **TN'

"I plan to be there on Friday but without a table -- however there will be a big bunch of FREE sample copies of KNIFE Magazine there for people to take, while they last. Conveniently, you should be able to find one at the iKC table -- you'll…"

Oct 2, 2017

Mark Zalesky might attend Jan Carter's event

SMKW REP WEEKEND 2017 **TN at Smoky Mountain Knife Works

October 20, 2017 to October 22, 2017

Always FUN!Your favorite companies come out to man their own booths at SMKWSee More

Oct 2, 2017

5 Comments 1 Like

Steve Scheuerman (Manx) left a comment for Mark Zalesky

Jul 27, 2017

Jan Carter left a comment for Mark Zalesky

Jul 26, 2017

FeaturedCharles Sample left a comment for Mark Zalesky

"Happy Birthday Mark!"

Jul 25, 2017

Mark Zalesky replied to Norm Allen's discussion Help Identify these marks, tang stamps

"Interesting, the master tang stamp is styled to look like pseudo hallmarks. Based on past experience, the R probably stands for Rostfrei (stainless) and the knife is probably of German origin. Chances are the markings are ID'd in Anthony…"

May 22, 2017

Profile Information

Profile: “The unexamined life is not worth living.” -- Socrates

How did you hear about iKnifeCollector?: Yes

Do you currently subscribe to any knife publication (offline): Yes

How long have you collected knives?: 31 to 35 years

Favorite Kind of Knives: Antique American and English cutlery, especially pre-Civil War American made bowie knives.

Website: http://www.knifeworld.com

About Me: Editor of Knife World magazine, and all around "knife guy"
(Profile Photo shows myself attempting a hostile takeover of Knife World, with an original W.J. McElroy bowie knife...)

Interests: My main collecting focus is pre-Civil War American made bowie & dirk knives.

I also collect knives, silver, and other objects relating to Samuel Bell, J.G. & D. Bell, Bell Bros., and the Bell Jewelry Co. of Knoxville, TN and San Antonio, TX.

Knife brands I collect or have collected include: McClung Hardware and S.B. Luttrell Hardware of Knoxville TN, Iowa Novelty Co. of Keota and Cedar Rapids IA, W.R. Barr of Camas Valley OR, Humason & Beckley (H&B), Marble's / M.S.A. Co., and brands relating to Samuel Mason. Maybe a couple of others I'm forgetting (I'm starting to sound like Art Green here).

Some other items I collect or have collected over the years: pre-1880 American made lockbacks, American-made exotic pearl handled knives (e.g. abalone shell), wharncliffe pattern knives, straight razors with patriotic or political motifs, any items made by pre-Civil War American bowie knife makers, bowie knife related ephemera, and books on knives, razors, surgical instruments, swords, and related subjects.

Other Hobbies: Collecting vintage record albums, especially "quadraphonic" LPs from the 1970s; and other surround-sound music formats like DVD-A, SACD, and DTS-CD.

Comment Wall (33 comments)

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At 10:28 on July 27, 2017, Steve Scheuerman (Manx) said…

At 13:05 on July 26, 2017, Jan Carter said…

At 22:57 on July 25, 2017, FeaturedCharles Sample said…: Happy Birthday Mark!

At 9:17 on July 26, 2016, Jan Carter said…

At 16:09 on April 12, 2016, David Hasik said…: The writing on edge of blade are H. Boker and Co's Cutlery Germany Each blade has the Tree stamp with no circle around it.

At 15:58 on April 12, 2016, David Hasik said…: Thank you for your time. Here are some not so perfect pictures. Based on your article I believe this to be the 1891 to 1944 mfg markings. What is throwing me off is the M. Barlow signature on one scale.

At 13:26 on April 12, 2016, David Hasik said…: Mark, While researching a new knife I purchased, your name came up on google as a Boker collector and expert. Would you be willing to look at some pictures of this unusual 2 blade Boker I found? Thanks. Dave