I am one of the first Benchmark dealers, dating to 1977 before Blackie sold the company to R B Jenkins….I have several of Blackie’s showpiece diamondbacks that are pachyderm, scrimmed and engraved by the famous engraver Geo Sherwood, of Winchester and S&W fame, from WA state. These were acquired directly from RB’s family collection of one offs and show knives RB held on to and his family did also, way beyond his passing.

I was also an early Gerber Dealer too, pre 77 in fact, so my benchmark collection of Rolox knives and argonauts spans the late 84 to early 85 aquisition by Gerber and even dates to the 1991 Hunting Classics resale back to RB Jenkins again..

I am trying to acquire knowledge of the knives, the images of same from the Benchmark company and any catalogs, brochures or other historical data that describes the transitions, the production numbers of the various models, including the showpiece production and rare handle materials as well..

Any and all help to see if I can put together enough of the histioriography to make a solid reference title for Benchmarks is my goal…..I am looking for the collectors of the early works to expand the work, so please contact me with any and all information you may have….I do have a lot of background on some aspects of the narrative, and I will certainly cite any and all contributions that expand horizons for the machairology community! 

Robert Dimesky

phishnhunt@gmail.com

CT USA