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FeaturedPermalink Reply by dead_left_knife_guy on March 8, 2024 at 22:16

Honestly I'd never heard of this manufacturer, but no surprise since antique knives aren't my thing.

Found this website though:

https://oldpocketknives.com/new-england-pocket-knives/

Not sure I've helped at all, but I do want to wish you luck.  And thanks for letting me know about a knife company I'd never heard of prior to reading your post!

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Permalink Reply by George R Naugle on March 9, 2024 at 10:10

Holley was supposedly the very first manufacturer of folding knives in the USA. Genuine Holley knives are marked at the base of the main blade with the location of the Holley factory,  Lakeville, Ct. There was a company in Maine that made fixed blade knives before Holley came into existance.  A good example knife such as their Dirk in great condition can bring more than $500. Holley Knives occasionally come up for sale on Ebay.

I copied the following from the AAPK website.

"The Holley Manufacturing Co. was a Lakeville, CT based company that was founded way back in 1844 by Alexander Holley.  The company made very high quality knives before going out of business circa the late 1930s. 

Holley marked pocket knives are highly desirable collectibles.  AAPK members post them for sale on occasion, but they don't come around as often as many other great old American knife brands due to their scarcity."

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Permalink Reply by George R Naugle on March 12, 2024 at 6:29

Found one I could afford.   It is an old one and not in the best of shape, but it is a Holley.

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• s-l500.jpeg, 42 KB

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Permalink Reply by George R Naugle on March 27, 2024 at 7:49

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Have picked up two more old folders made by Holley.  Now have three in my collection.

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Permalink Reply by George R Naugle on February 9, 2025 at 7:27

A Holley Dirk

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Permalink Reply by Kevin D on February 9, 2025 at 7:48

well done!

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