Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on January 11, 2014 at 13:15

Jay,

Yes it is quite fine to get help finding values.  The more folks we involve in Knife Collecting and research the better

Permalink Reply by Art Cooper on April 23, 2014 at 10:36

Curious about the additional six knives. The original 12 all look similar to designs that Boker had used under their own brand name over the years. Even the Damascus hunting knife had the same exact pattern as two of their other knives in my collection that were from the same decade.

The additional six you show are a bit different from any Boker designs I have seen. Have you seen any Boker branded knives with similar blade, bolster and scale desgns? If so, please direct me to them. Also, what are the markings on the blades of these additional six knives?

Thanks

Jay Barbieri said:

Hey everyone. Just joined this becasue I was looking for this exact info on the Franklin Mint Wildlife collection. Turns out there are a few sets of 12 for sale here and there but they do seem hard to come by. I'm actually selling several pieces in my collection so that's what prompted me to start some research. I actually have all 18 knifes not  just the 12. Franklin Mint offered and addition 6 knives, these were really hard to get info on, especially with cases., which I also have, actually 2 of each. As I said I'm selling a lot of things and have values for everything but this set. Can anyone suggest what I should be selling the for? As I said its the complete set of all 18 with cases.  I have a broker I use but was thinking to maybe sell these through e-bay or some how myself. I really want them to go to someone how can appreciate them.  I used a picture from this blog as an attachments with the other 6 I have. I'll be taking my collection out of storage today so I can post the actual pics. They are all mint condition. Any ideas here? And becasue becasue I'm new here is it OK to get help setting values?

Permalink Reply by Shlomo ben Maved on July 2, 2014 at 2:20

Prior to the reunification of the two Germanies and the teardown of the Berlin Wall (I've got a couple of pieces) in 1989, Boker did stamp some of their knives with W. Germany...I have a little Forester style blade so marked.

Unless you can get a definitive statement, in writing, from them--either Franklin Mint or Boker--Solingen and W. Germany only [sorta] proves location not manufacturer regardless what Terry states.

Permalink Reply by Shlomo ben Maved on July 2, 2014 at 2:21

Brian Zoll said:

A little about me, I have been collecting knives since my dad handed down a bowie (no brand, but built to last) he got from his dad. I think I was 10 or so. I have a small collection, since I stopped paying for knives but strictly trade whenever I get the change. (I have about 150 knives total) Being in the military, I am especially interested in military survival knives, or pilot rescue knives. (the pride of my collection would be a weird looking knife from the Polish Air Force. (will post a pic in the future).

Agree with Art re: Entrek, excellent knives at reasonable prices...I'm just missing two of the folders and two of the larger fixed blades.

You can also try TOPS, SOG, CRKT, BK&T, Bark River, Spartan, Mission, ESEE, Blackjack, Knives of Alaska, Bob Harsey, Strider, Ek, Ruana, Chris Reeve to name a few.

Permalink Reply by Shlomo ben Maved on July 2, 2014 at 2:44

Jay Barbieri said:

 I actually have all 18 knifes not  just the 12. Franklin Mint offered and addit
I have. I'll be taking my collection out of storage today so I can post the actual pics. They are all mint condition. Any ideas here? And because I'm new here is it OK to get help setting values?

AFAIK, the extra six you have are just standard engraved knives that Boker has offered over the years and not part of a specific series...They would be marked on the blade with a corresponding number or other method to the series...They would also have the same markings on the boxes.

Since the 1960s, when I started collecting German blades--since they were sooooo cheap in price, Boker probably has put out a few hundred limited issue runs or just engraved/scrimshawed knives that have been discontinued and wildlife have been prominently displayed.

FYI--I never have collected commemorative knives or knife sets as you are limiting yourself to a very small aftermarket for obscure items or in such numbers to be nearly worthless for large scale knives like the major events with their thousands and thousands of knives...Annual knives or knife sets, like Schatt & Morgan, Hen & Rooster etc. are a different matter and I just wish I had more of them...Boker has their Damascus yearly knivess that I just love.

As to value, the dog's head, bowie blade with striped handle I've seen for sale in the $40 to $60 range.

Permalink Reply by Art Cooper on July 5, 2014 at 11:54

I have to differ with you on collecting commemoratives and knife sets. Of course all depends on why you are collecting.

I primarily collect Boker with five other makers in smaller numbers and lower priority. I especially like to collect Damascus steel and next, any limited edition knife that is serialized. I have all but two year's of the Annual Damascus Bokers. I like having one of 150 made knives and think their rarity makes them more collectable. Boker, as with all manufacturers, makes far too many commemorative and limited edition knives to be practical for collecting complete sets of them all.

My first rule of collecting is that I have to like the knife I am about to add to my collection. My knives are on display in my home and I just really enjoy looking at them. Hoping rarity will only increase their value.

Shlomo ben Maved said:

Jay Barbieri said:

 I actually have all 18 knifes not  just the 12. Franklin Mint offered and addit
I have. I'll be taking my collection out of storage today so I can post the actual pics. They are all mint condition. Any ideas here? And because I'm new here is it OK to get help setting values?

AFAIK, the extra six you have are just standard engraved knives that Boker has offered over the years and not part of a specific series...They would be marked on the blade with a corresponding number or other method to the series...They would also have the same markings on the boxes.

Since the 1960s, when I started collecting German blades--since they were sooooo cheap in price, Boker probably has put out a few hundred limited issue runs or just engraved/scrimshawed knives that have been discontinued and wildlife have been prominently displayed.

FYI--I never have collected commemorative knives or knife sets as you are limiting yourself to a very small aftermarket for obscure items or in such numbers to be nearly worthless for large scale knives like the major events with their thousands and thousands of knives...Annual knives or knife sets, like Schatt & Morgan, Hen & Rooster etc. are a different matter and I just wish I had more of them...Boker has their Damascus yearly knivess that I just love.

As to value, the dog's head, bowie blade with striped handle I've seen for sale in the $40 to $60 range.

Permalink Reply by Art Cooper on July 5, 2014 at 12:08

I do not think we will ever see confirmation in writing that Boker made the FM sportsman series we are talking about. I think we have got what we will get from both companies all we will get unless something really unusual happens. So proof isn't there or forthcoming.

That said, we do know that Boker made knives on special order for others. I have several Boker made knives stamped under Brownings brand that are identical to my Bokers and I mean identical. I also know that Boker made a set of knives for FM at about the same time this series appeared. I also know that each knife in this series of 12 is the same as a Boker style of knife being manufactured in that same time period. I also know that the Damascus knife in the series is identical to two Damascus steel knives made by Manfred Sachse, marketed and marked Boker, that are in my collection.

Based on what I know, I have no doubt that these knives were made by Boker for FM. Proof no; conclusion based on enough circumstantial evidence to get a conviction.

Shlomo ben Maved said:

Prior to the reunification of the two Germanies and the teardown of the Berlin Wall (I've got a couple of pieces) in 1989, Boker did stamp some of their knives with W. Germany...I have a little Forester style blade so marked.

Unless you can get a definitive statement, in writing, from them--either Franklin Mint or Boker--Solingen and W. Germany only [sorta] proves location not manufacturer regardless what Terry states.

Permalink Reply by Shlomo ben Maved on July 5, 2014 at 15:52

It isn't that I don't collect series just not the very obscure ones or those that come out in editions in the many thousands...How many makers have made knives for the 50th anniversary of D-Day as an example and in what numbers? Case has their XX War Trapper series for the six wars since WW2 that MSRP is $99.99 and available for $50 most places and the series is discontinued...The six knives will be $600/$300 and in ten years time you MAY get your money back for the $300...Case has dozens of sets like that that they issued yearly that would bankrupt you to collect all--even a serious Case collector...I have all their model numbers in stag and am happy with that but then I don't collect Case but I do collect Trappers.

I collect for enjoyment, pride of ownership, uniqueness and functionality with monetary value last...I couldn't give a rodentum's anus for the final price as long as I like the knife (or the knife maker) itself...I have many knives that I've taken a bath on but the knives still are there, still function and are used and so what if they're valued at a quarter of the price paid...Then again, I have a number of big name makers whose knives have gone up 20, 30 even 50 times the price(s) paid...I've got three R.W. Loveless knives that I bought from him at a couple of shows we were both displaying at that I don't have a $1,000 invested in them totally and I've turned down $10,000 for one of them.

I also have the Boker Damascus annual series with the Tirpitz, Leopard Tank, AK47, and WW1 Trench knife versions and a number of others, although I won't collect the Chinese made Magnum Damascus knives...That's for political reasons more so then quality issues.

Art Cooper said:

I have to differ with you on collecting commemoratives and knife sets. Of course all depends on why you are collecting.

I primarily collect Boker with five other makers in smaller numbers and lower priority. I especially like to collect Damascus steel and next, any limited edition knife that is serialized. I have all but two year's of the Annual Damascus Bokers. I like having one of 150 made knives and think their rarity makes them more collectable. Boker, as with all manufacturers, makes far too many commemorative and limited edition knives to be practical for collecting complete sets of them all.

My first rule of collecting is that I have to like the knife I am about to add to my collection. My knives are on display in my home and I just really enjoy looking at them. Hoping rarity will only increase their value.

Shlomo ben Maved said:

FYI--I never have collected commemorative knives or knife sets as you are limiting yourself to a very small aftermarket for obscure items or in such numbers to be nearly worthless for large scale knives like the major events with their thousands and thousands of knives...Annual knives or knife sets, like Schatt & Morgan, Hen & Rooster etc. are a different matter and I just wish I had more of them...Boker has their Damascus yearly knives that I just love.

Permalink Reply by Shlomo ben Maved on July 5, 2014 at 16:20

Proof no; conclusion based on enough circumstantial evidence to get a conviction along with $4.50 will get you a cup of Starbuck's coffee and that's it...Unless you have that little piece of provenance, you be screwed!

You could only sell it as a Franklin Mint 12 pc. set that is ascribed to be Boker but copying knife patterns has been going on for centuries so those could just as well be Taiwanese or Japanese (too early for Chinese) copies...How many companies make/made the USMC Nbr 2 knife (whether under license or not as there was never a patent on it)

Boker--(both US and GER) along with [nearly] every maker ever has made knives for other companies--it's a given!

I have a Browning upswept fixed blade skinner with a cocobolo handle that's identical to a Boker model from the same year (c.1975).

I had a fight with some Beckerheads about a knife handle and blade shape that Boker Magnum had on their site that looked like a Becker knife and were calling Boker cheats etc..I pointed out that Ethan never had a patent on the handle or the knife so anybody and their brother could make a copy of it and sell it for less money as long as they didn't call it by the same name--they actually could as the name didn't have a trademark registered to it just BK&T...Boker, after consideration, removed the knife from their catalogue--not for fear of a law suite but because they are gentlemen (and ladies)...I had a model of every commercial knife that Ethan ever made and due to his and others' attitudes I sold off every damn one of them.
Art Cooper said:

I do not think we will ever see confirmation in writing that Boker made the FM sportsman series we are talking about. I think we have got what we will get from both companies all we will get unless something really unusual happens. So proof isn't there or forthcoming.

That said, we do know that Boker made knives on special order for others. I have several Boker made knives stamped under Brownings brand that are identical to my Bokers and I mean identical. I also know that Boker made a set of knives for FM at about the same time this series appeared. I also know that each knife in this series of 12 is the same as a Boker style of knife being manufactured in that same time period. I also know that the Damascus knife in the series is identical to two Damascus steel knives made by Manfred Sachse, marketed and marked Boker, that are in my collection.

Based on what I know, I have no doubt that these knives were made by Boker for FM. Proof no; conclusion based on enough circumstantial evidence to get a conviction.

Permalink Reply by Shruby0 on July 24, 2017 at 20:47

>
Hi
Art Cooper said:

I now have gotten 11 of the 12 and the display case. They are lovely and well made knives. Based on all the info I have from Boker, the quality of these knives, the Damascus Steel hunter and the unusually high quality of the display case, I have no doubt these are in fact made by Boker.

Intererstingly, if you note the fixed blade hunter at the top of the display, it is traditionally a Grizzly Bear but they also apparently also made same exact knife with a wild boar. I have it as well.

In buying these over the last two months, I have duplicates of the Grizzly and the White Tailed deer(first folder on left from the top) that I would part with. By the by, I also have some Boker Annual Damascus duplicates that I also would trade or part with.

Art Cooper said:

This is a photo of the full set with the display case made for it. I do not have this but am trying to get there. I have 5 of the 12 and no doubt in my mind they are made by Boker. The second fixed blade down, the Damascus, has a steel pattern very much like what Boker was making in the late 1980s.

If anyone is interested I have two duplicates in this collection; the top fixed blade, the Grizzly and the first folder on the left, the White Tail Deer.

Permalink Reply by Kevin De Ceuster on December 19, 2018 at 3:44

Jay Barbieri said:

Hey everyone. Just joined this becasue I was looking for this exact info on the Franklin Mint Wildlife collection. Turns out there are a few sets of 12 for sale here and there but they do seem hard to come by. I'm actually selling several pieces in my collection so that's what prompted me to start some research. I actually have all 18 knifes not  just the 12. Franklin Mint offered and addition 6 knives, these were really hard to get info on, especially with cases., which I also have, actually 2 of each. As I said I'm selling a lot of things and have values for everything but this set. Can anyone suggest what I should be selling the for? As I said its the complete set of all 18 with cases.  I have a broker I use but was thinking to maybe sell these through e-bay or some how myself. I really want them to go to someone how can appreciate them.  I used a picture from this blog as an attachments with the other 6 I have. I'll be taking my collection out of storage today so I can post the actual pics. They are all mint condition. Any ideas here? And becasue becasue I'm new here is it OK to get help setting values?

Permalink Reply by Kevin De Ceuster on December 19, 2018 at 3:52

Hello guys. Nice too meet you. sorry for my english, i live in Belgium and i have the full Franklin Mint, "Sportsman's Year Hunting and Fishing Knife Collection" Solingen, West Germany,1989 also with the cases. They are in Mint condition. Can sombody tell me what the actuelle value is at this moment for the 18 knives. One of the knives is with the wild Boar and not whit the Grizly bear. Thanks for helping me.

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