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iKC Member in Need Request #9 - Cutco #89 Hunting & Fishing Knife
The Need
Similar to my first request, please take a look at this and the other postings I have similar to this one and share with me what you know about it. My goal is to use the information you provide to properly market and sell these knives to get a reasonable sale price while letting the buyer enjoy the full value of the piece.
Cutco 89 – What I Think I Know
This is what I believe to be true so far about this knife:
- CUTCO Cutlery was introduced in 1948 as a new product for Wear-Ever Aluminum, a subsidiary of ALCOA. The name of the new cutlery line was derived from a company once owned by Wear-Ever, the Cooking UTensil COmpany – CUTCO, so the knife is not older than 1948.
- The ergonomically-designed "hand-perfect" Wedge-Lock handle is added to CUTCO cutlery, ensuring a comfortable, no-slip grip was introduced in 1952, so the knife is not older than 1952.
- The handle is Thermo-resin; Pat. No. 2390544
- Sheath pattern indicative of older models rather than newer ones – or so I believe
- While the style or materials do not appeal to me, I am amazed at the value retention these knives seem to command.
What I want to Know
Based on the bullet info above and judging the best you can from the photos, I would like to know the following:
- Estimate year of knife manufacture (based on sheath design perhaps)?
- Should I send in for factory restoration?
- What, in your opinion, is the value of the knife? (online examples range from $49.00 to $169.00)
- What, in your opinion, is a good sale price?
Please feel free to ask me questions, request additional photos, or whatever in order to assist you in your evaluations. Please also feel free to correct my understandings with additional facts, as I want the best info I can get to support the sale.
Thank you for your comments and assistance – it is greatly appreciated!
And here is THE tang shot...just for you John!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ron Cooper on
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Interesting that you post this inquiry right about the time that I was getting ready to upload some pictures of a vintage, discontinued, CUTCO #1884 Trapper.
From my brief experience with CUTCO knives I can only add that one reason these knives command some decent prices in resale is because the Company stands behind each and every knife they produce with a lifetime guarantee. If any CUTCO knife has a problem it can be sent in for repair no questions asked and no receipt or proof of purchase necessary. In other words, CUTCO stands behind their product AND they are made in the US of A.
The knife you've shown in these pictures would be worth no less than $125 in my opinion. Perhaps more...but certainly not a penny less.
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Permalink Reply by Lars on
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Excellent Ron - Thank you. Based on how you stated it's worth, I interpret that as the Value, so I should be able to sell it and expect $75-90, correct?
What is your opinion about getting the blade cleaned up some...Any thoughts on this?
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No, don't clean it! Leave it just as it is. If the buyer wishes to clean it, then let him/her do it. As far as what you can expect, you're probably about right? I think you're probably low-balling your expectations a little bit, though? I would be willing to bet that you'll get more than $100 in an auction. But I'm sure you know that on any given day the very same knife might bring more...OR...less? One can never predict these things, ya know!
Good luck! It's certainly a nice looking knife. Emphasize CUTCO "FOREVER" warranty, because that's always a strong selling point.
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Perfect!
Yea - no auction here, so your points are well taken. All these knives within these discussions will be a set price via my wood shop on Etsy. And I will emphasize CUTCO "FOREVER" warranty, because you're right - that's always a strong selling point.
Thank you for your feedback and inputs - they are greatly appreciated!
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Thanks Tim. This one is funny in that I did not know what I have here...I thought it was some cheep kitchen-type knife like you would find at a second-hand store. I mean to look at in real life you'd say 'really? It's that good?"
After the research I did I knew I had something just by looking up the patent number and the history of CUTCO - but until Ron and others spill the juice on this one, I really did not fully appreciate it.
Admittedly, it's still not my favorite - it has the markings of the 90 pound weakling next to the super buff Smith & Wesson Bowie! But hey...I underestimated this weakling!
tim payne said:most awesome resin cutco lars
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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by John McCain on -
Lars-- Your Cutco #89 dates to the 1950-1960's--- I believe the handle design was actually introduced in 1952- Yours looks to be in excellent shape, and I for one, would not offer it for a penny less than $100-- A price I would ask- $120 !!- I agree with Ron, promote the Forever Guarantee and the fact that the handle is ergonomic-- IE- comfortable to the hand for cutting chores !!
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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by John McCain on -
Tim- it is the model number-- Not one often seen among vintage Cutco knives
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Thank you John! I really appreciate the follow up on this, confirming Ron's insights as well. You guys are great....you should take the show on the road! :-)
John McCain said:Lars-- Your Cutco #89 dates to the 1950-1960's--- I believe the handle design was actually introduced in 1952- Yours looks to be in excellent shape, and I for one, would not offer it for a penny less than $100-- A price I would ask- $120 !!- I agree with Ron, promote the Forever Guarantee and the fact that the handle is ergonomic-- IE- comfortable to the hand for cutting chores !!
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