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iKC Resources for Identifying and Valuing Knives.

***This post is for the Library only, please. Knife ID posts should be their own discussions under Q&A with John McCain***

Greetings members!

For a while now, Jan and I have been discussing us trying to form a set of resources that can be used to research the knives and answer the questions of our members. As many of you may recall, we had John McCain as our go-to guy for info before his passing. While many members do pitch in to answer people's questions, sometimes it is just beyond us. Thus, I have started to try to gather resources on knives that will be used for iKC research. Now, we thought about trying to buy books for this, but after looking up the prices for new books, we found that gathering enough to be functional will either take a great deal of time, or a prohibitive amount of money. So I have decided to try something a little different.

We would like to appeal to our members, and ask you all whether or not you may have *any* knife books, guides, catalogues or other resources that may be collecting dust, or socked away in a box somewhere that you are not using and would care to pass along. Any and all donations would be greatly appreciated, and would go toward building The John McCain Memorial Library and Research Center! The Library would be there for any questions our members may have, new or old. I am the first to admit that I don't hold a candle to the knowledge John shared with us, but as I work from home, I am willing to try my best to keep our Q&A section going strong.

Now...some sites ask for a membership fee, others require payment to get answers to your questions. Jan and I both agree that this is not a direction we want to go. Also, research takes time and patience, and sometimes online resources just aren't enough. As I live in a small town in Canada, finding specific books is quite difficult, especially not having a knife store or knife shows locally. Also, many companies will not send catalogues up North without an exorbitant amount of shipping. So we ask you, our members and family, for any donations and help you may be able to provide, so they can be used for the iKC Community.

I am still fleshing out the idea, and we will have two options for shipping addresses to try to keep mailing costs down. I will also start and maintain a Library Group for research requests, as well as what books and other resources we have available and whom they were donated by. This way we will all know what iKC has available as well as knowing what we need. John Kellogg has already started us off with a generous donation of 5 books to officially start the Library, and I have been collectiong some digital resources such as magazine and the like

So, there you go. An iKC Library of resources dedicated to John McCain with content donated by our community to make our site more helpful to those with questions about our fantastic hobby! You can email or message either Jan Carter or myself (addresses at the bottom left of the main page) regarding donations and we'll let you know the best way to go. So...check your shelves or book boxes, keep an eye on the bookstore bargain bins, check with friends, order an extra free catalogue from your favourite knife company and help us make our community even better! Who knows? It may be you that the Library helps to get a better sale value for your knives for sale, or answers that nagging question you have had about a piece in your collection!

Thanks for listening, and do share any ideas you may have to help with this endeavor!

20 members like this

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on February 6, 2018 at 18:37

For those of you that recently joined. John McCain kept up the Q&A section like a BOSS! He researched until he found the answer! Losing him was hard for very many reasons, this was just one and I think this is a great way to honor his name and his efforts.

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Permalink Reply by elbin bunnell sr on February 6, 2018 at 18:51

this all sounds good but have you came up with a way to send money to help if you can give a site to go to and that way all any buddy needs to do click and pay.

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Permalink Reply by John Kellogg on February 6, 2018 at 18:59

Steve

I'm glad you came up with the John McCain Memorial Library idea! And I am proud to be the first donor. Cmon members you know you got a book or two to donate!!

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on February 6, 2018 at 19:03

Elbin,

I am sorry and should have thought of that. There is a donation link for iKC. It is here iKC donations

elbin bunnell sr said:

this all sounds good but have you came up with a way to send money to help if you can give a site to go to and that way all any buddy needs to do click and pay.

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Permalink Reply by Vance Parker on February 6, 2018 at 19:13

Any interest in several years worth of NKCA magazines?

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Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on February 6, 2018 at 19:46

I have a lot of info on the Buck 300 Series knives that were made by Schrade/Camillus from 1966-1986, if I remember correctly I previously uploaded that info here on IKC, but would be happy to do so again. What I have are spreadsheets and hand written notes I garnered from Buck experts on AAPK & BF. They contain info on every model of the series such as when they appeared in the Buck catalog, the number of "versions" made, whether they are Special Factory Order or regular catalog items, etc, etc; I will share them with anyone who asks. I would also be very happy to help with any effort that memorializes the late great John McCain.

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on February 6, 2018 at 19:54

Syd,

It would be great if you could email it to me. I can then send it to Manx also and THANK YOU

Syd Carr said:

I have a lot of info on the Buck 300 Series knives that were made by Schrade/Camillus from 1966-1986, if I remember correctly I previously uploaded that info here on IKC, but would be happy to do so again. What I have are spreadsheets and hand written notes I garnered from Buck experts on AAPK & BF. They contain info on every model of the series such as when they appeared in the Buck catalog, the number of "versions" made, whether they are Special Factory Order or regular catalog items, etc, etc; I will share them with anyone who asks. I would also be very happy to help with any effort that memorializes the late great John McCain.

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Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on February 6, 2018 at 20:59

No problem, I have your email addy, will get to that tomorrow, Of course we shouldn't forget about our other IKC historian, Tobias Gibson. I use his online book, A Pocket Guide to Knives frequently.

Jan Carter said:

Syd,

It would be great if you could email it to me. I can then send it to Manx also and THANK YOU

Syd Carr said:

I have a lot of info on the Buck 300 Series knives that were made by Schrade/Camillus from 1966-1986, if I remember correctly I previously uploaded that info here on IKC, but would be happy to do so again. What I have are spreadsheets and hand written notes I garnered from Buck experts on AAPK & BF. They contain info on every model of the series such as when they appeared in the Buck catalog, the number of "versions" made, whether they are Special Factory Order or regular catalog items, etc, etc; I will share them with anyone who asks. I would also be very happy to help with any effort that memorializes the late great John McCain.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Scheuerman (Manx) on February 7, 2018 at 14:23

I'll bet those have a ton of info that would be quite handy, Vance! They would be much appreciated, for sure!

Vance Parker said:

Any interest in several years worth of NKCA magazines?

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Permalink Reply by Steve Scheuerman (Manx) on February 7, 2018 at 14:25

Lots of folks have questions about the Buck lines. That would be a great addition, Syd! And we could never forget about Tobias! :-) I have used that link many times myself.

Syd Carr said:

I have a lot of info on the Buck 300 Series knives that were made by Schrade/Camillus from 1966-1986, if I remember correctly I previously uploaded that info here on IKC, but would be happy to do so again. What I have are spreadsheets and hand written notes I garnered from Buck experts on AAPK & BF. They contain info on every model of the series such as when they appeared in the Buck catalog, the number of "versions" made, whether they are Special Factory Order or regular catalog items, etc, etc; I will share them with anyone who asks. I would also be very happy to help with any effort that memorializes the late great John McCain.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Scheuerman (Manx) on February 7, 2018 at 14:33

Loving the interest in this already! I am really quite excited to see this come to fruition. Absolutely anything with any kind of knife info would be great! I'd like to try as best I can to stick to what John McCain did, and do my level best to find answers to any question that may be asked, regardless of the brand, style or year...traditional or modern. Anything with information that can be used to help. No need for any books that just have knife pictures without articles, maker info, year...that kind of thing. Magazines are a wealth of great stuff. Even catalogues can be very helpful.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Scheuerman (Manx) on February 7, 2018 at 14:41

I honestly never thought of that. I was so focused on the book donations, that never crossed my mind! That is more Jan's area of expertise, but I would imagine if you used the iKC donation link that Jan posted, and add a note saying it is for the Library, that would work as well!

elbin bunnell sr said:

this all sounds good but have you came up with a way to send money to help if you can give a site to go to and that way all any buddy needs to do click and pay.