Editor of Knife World magazine, and all around "knife guy"
(Profile Photo shows myself attempting a hostile takeover of Knife World, with an original W.J. McElroy bowie knife...)
Interests
My main collecting focus is pre-Civil War American made bowie & dirk knives.
I also collect knives, silver, and other objects relating to Samuel Bell, J.G. & D. Bell, Bell Bros., and the Bell Jewelry Co. of Knoxville, TN and San Antonio, TX.
Knife brands I collect or have collected include: McClung Hardware and S.B. Luttrell Hardware of Knoxville TN, Iowa Novelty Co. of Keota and Cedar Rapids IA, W.R. Barr of Camas Valley OR, Humason & Beckley (H&B), Marble's / M.S.A. Co., and brands relating to Samuel Mason. Maybe a couple of others I'm forgetting (I'm starting to sound like Art Green here).
Some other items I collect or have collected over the years: pre-1880 American made lockbacks, American-made exotic pearl handled knives (e.g. abalone shell), wharncliffe pattern knives, straight razors with patriotic or political motifs, any items made by pre-Civil War American bowie knife makers, bowie knife related ephemera, and books on knives, razors, surgical instruments, swords, and related subjects.
Other Hobbies
Collecting vintage record albums, especially "quadraphonic" LPs from the 1970s; and other surround-sound music formats like DVD-A, SACD, and DTS-CD.
Welcome Mark! Thanks for joining us here at iKC. Look forward to your help in making this the best community on the web.
How about a Bowie Group?! :)
Scott
Roger and Mark-
The oyster bar was fun and from the sounds of it we left at just the right time.... interesting local crowd in that town. Y'all come to the Blade Show cause I bet there are better places to hand there.
Wow. Mark you figured something out I didn't know was a function here. You "joined" the events. Cool. You really are a techie, despite what you want folks to believe.
I must not be much of a techie, since I couldn't figure out how to add a comment to this thread before...
Hi Scott, Roger, Gary et al. The oyster bar at Dalton is definitely one of those unusual spots I would never have found without a knife show to attend... and if I remember right Roger about had a heart attack when he got back to the van. Been there, done that!
Hey Scott, I saw the thread on ugly knives, did that stem from our recent conversation? C'mon, you know me, I've got some of the ugliest knives anybody's ever seen... that sunfish of yours is downright pretty compared to some of my junk!
You have a very good memory. I do still collect Witte Hdw. I think what stands out in my mind is forgetting a small roll of inexpensive knives on your table at the Springfield, MO. show. You held on to them for a long time and carried them around for a year or two and returned them @ Bunker Hill . That is a testament to your honesty and integrity
If it is an all Silver ( maybe nickel ) 3" - 3 1/4" I think I do, I will unload the safe and look. What can you tell me about Missouris Cutlery Company ? I hear someone is looking for pictures of MCCo. knives for a book . I have a few and would love to help with photos but don't know who to contact .
Have you ever seen a Remscheid Boker this old? Not my knife, but I'm trying to buy it. Interesting to see one this old. Looks like the same cel material Boker used on the old corn knives and office knives. Thought you might enjoy this.
Hi Mark, after much travels and efforts, I have finally found "the knife guy"! I've been searching far and wide for you because of your article "One Hundred Years of Safety Hunters". If you have a minute, I'm hoping you will take a look at my Marble Safety Axe Co 6" Hunter. I have a question as it relates to your article.
Mark, While researching a new knife I purchased, your name came up on google as a Boker collector and expert. Would you be willing to look at some pictures of this unusual 2 blade Boker I found? Thanks. Dave
Thank you for your time. Here are some not so perfect pictures. Based on your article I believe this to be the 1891 to 1944 mfg markings. What is throwing me off is the M. Barlow signature on one scale.
In Memoriam
Scott King
How about a Bowie Group?! :)
Scott
Apr 21, 2009
Gary Kennedy
Apr 21, 2009
Roger Cunningham
Apr 22, 2009
In Memoriam
Scott King
The oyster bar was fun and from the sounds of it we left at just the right time.... interesting local crowd in that town. Y'all come to the Blade Show cause I bet there are better places to hand there.
Apr 22, 2009
In Memoriam
Scott King
Apr 22, 2009
Mark Zalesky
Hi Scott, Roger, Gary et al. The oyster bar at Dalton is definitely one of those unusual spots I would never have found without a knife show to attend... and if I remember right Roger about had a heart attack when he got back to the van. Been there, done that!
Hey Scott, I saw the thread on ugly knives, did that stem from our recent conversation? C'mon, you know me, I've got some of the ugliest knives anybody's ever seen... that sunfish of yours is downright pretty compared to some of my junk!
Apr 22, 2009
Roger Cunningham
Apr 23, 2009
In Memoriam
Scott King
Apr 29, 2009
Mark Zalesky
Mark Z
Apr 29, 2009
In Memoriam
Scott King
Thanks for the plug for iKC in your current edition of Knife World. I love Irons in the Fire section even more now! :)
May 20, 2009
Jeffrey P Dinkins
Mar 16, 2011
Roger Russell
Hi Mark,
Glad to have you and all your knife knowledge aboard. I didn't realize you were a member of IKC until you joined the Boker group.
Mar 16, 2011
stephen tungate
Mar 17, 2011
Jeffrey P Dinkins
Mar 18, 2011
Jeffrey P Dinkins
That was me! My wife hated that knife She made me get rid of it . I cant wait to tell her you asked about it
Always looking for Missouri made knives Love Barnsley . What was it ?
Missouris Cutlery Co. Kansas City / Germany
Barnsley Monet, Mo
Cutino - Stainless supreme Kansas city
Enders St Louis
Witte Hdw.
Oak leaf, Laclede, Enterprise, Quick Point, Any rare St. Louis stamp
Keep me in mind.
Mar 21, 2011
Ricky Ray
Hi Mark,
Have you ever seen a Remscheid Boker this old? Not my knife, but I'm trying to buy it. Interesting to see one this old. Looks like the same cel material Boker used on the old corn knives and office knives. Thought you might enjoy this.
Ricky
May 23, 2011
Ricky Ray
Thanks Mark,
I was guessing 1900-1930s or so.
Thanks for getting me taken care of on the Goin's book too!
Ricky
May 24, 2011
Ron Cooper
Jul 26, 2012
Ken Mundhenk
Jul 26, 2012
Adele Evans
Hi Mark, after much travels and efforts, I have finally found "the knife guy"! I've been searching far and wide for you because of your article "One Hundred Years of Safety Hunters". If you have a minute, I'm hoping you will take a look at my Marble Safety Axe Co 6" Hunter. I have a question as it relates to your article.
Aug 1, 2012
Ron Cooper
Jul 26, 2013
Jim Thompson
Happy Birthday Mark & thanks for all the help on my "Central Kentucky Knife Club" ads.
We will do it all again shortly after our August show for 2014 April18, 19 & 20 Spring show.
Jul 26, 2013
Jan Carter
Jul 26, 2014
Featured
Charles Sample
Happy Birthday Mark!
Jul 26, 2015
Jan Carter
Jul 26, 2015
Mark Zalesky
Thanks Charles and Jan!
Jul 27, 2015
David Hasik
Mark, While researching a new knife I purchased, your name came up on google as a Boker collector and expert. Would you be willing to look at some pictures of this unusual 2 blade Boker I found? Thanks. Dave
Apr 12, 2016
David Hasik
Thank you for your time. Here are some not so perfect pictures. Based on your article I believe this to be the 1891 to 1944 mfg markings. What is throwing me off is the M. Barlow signature on one scale.
Apr 12, 2016
David Hasik
The writing on edge of blade are H. Boker and Co's Cutlery Germany Each blade has the Tree stamp with no circle around it.
Apr 12, 2016
Jan Carter
Jul 26, 2016
Featured
Charles Sample
Happy Birthday Mark!
Jul 25, 2017
Jan Carter
Jul 26, 2017
Steve Scheuerman (Manx)
Jul 27, 2017
Featured
Charles Sample
Happy Birthday Mark!
Jul 25, 2018