Mark Zalesky

55

Knoxville, TN

United States

Profile Information:

How did you hear about iKnifeCollector?
Yes
Do you currently subscribe to any knife publication (offline)
Yes
How long have you collected knives?
31 to 35 years
Favorite Kind of Knives
Antique American and English cutlery, especially pre-Civil War American made bowie knives.
Website
http://www.knifeworld.com
About Me
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.

Comment Wall:


  • In Memoriam

    Scott King

    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
  • Gary Kennedy

    Nice to see you come on board Gary
  • Roger Cunningham

    Glad to have you aboard Mark,This is almost as fun as the oyster bar in Dalton.

  • In Memoriam

    Scott King

    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.

  • In Memoriam

    Scott King

    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.
  • Mark Zalesky

    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!
  • Roger Cunningham

    The oyster bar was alot like places I used to hang around in 20 or so years ago.

  • In Memoriam

    Scott King

    Got the current edition of KW. Good stuff! Esp. the Pin-backs to Pen Knives article. Keep up the good work!
  • Mark Zalesky

    Thanks Scott! I thought that Uncle Ron did a really fine job with that piece. Has anyone tried to drag him over here?

    Mark Z

  • In Memoriam

    Scott King

    Hey Mark
    Thanks for the plug for iKC in your current edition of Knife World. I love Irons in the Fire section even more now! :)
  • Jeffrey P Dinkins

    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
  • 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.  

  • stephen tungate

    glad to have you around mark.
  • Jeffrey P Dinkins

    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 .
  • 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.

     

     

  • 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

  • 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

  • Ron Cooper

  • Ken Mundhenk

    Happy birthday Mark. Are you going to the oyster bar to celebrate?
  • 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. 

  • Ron Cooper

  • 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.

  • Jan Carter


  • Featured

    Charles Sample

    Happy Birthday Mark!

  • Jan Carter

  • Mark Zalesky

    Thanks Charles and Jan!

  • 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 

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Jan Carter


  • Featured

    Charles Sample

    Happy Birthday Mark!

  • Jan Carter

  • Steve Scheuerman (Manx)


  • Featured

    Charles Sample

    Happy Birthday Mark!