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Do we have other SEKI Vintage Collectors out there?

Any other vintage collectors of Parkers, American Blade, Taylor, United Boker, Frost, or STAR brands out there?

Am far from an expert on these brands, but I do own a few! I typically have gone "straight to the horses mouth", with many of my questions answered by Buzz Parker. Have another friend, who I would consider experienced with '80s SEKI produced brands. Drop me line, or a question anytime please! Thanks.

Tim

Tags: pocketknives, seki, vintage

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Permalink Reply by tim payne on May 9, 2015 at 10:16

yes ken. just stating that there are many variations of this style referred to as lobster knives.

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Permalink Reply by Alan on May 9, 2015 at 10:30

Wow, this is a really neat thread

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Permalink Reply by Ken Hashimoto on May 9, 2015 at 11:33

OK, Had to look up Levine's Guide to get the answer...

"James Crawshaw, a cutler & merchant who worked in Sheffield from about 1817 to 1850, invented a new style of pen knife in the 1820's. An 1831 history described it as "the lobster-knife, by which four blades open upon one spring...which instead of forming the back, as in the old method, is placed along the middle of the handle and between the scales or side of the handle, so that it works on each side, hence admits of blades at each end & even any number of them. The mode of slitting the spring gave rise to the many-bladed knives in all their varieties. Mr. Crawsha took out no patent, but is a wholesale manufacturer".

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Permalink Reply by tim payne on May 9, 2015 at 11:34

thanks alan. drop in anytime!

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Permalink Reply by tim payne on May 9, 2015 at 11:36

thanks for your info ken!

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on May 10, 2015 at 20:29

Alan,

I agree. I have been watching and adding what I can.

Ken,

Excellent info on the Lobster pattern! Sometimes it is hard to find pattern origins

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Permalink Reply by Ken Hashimoto on May 12, 2015 at 7:57

Thank you Jan, Tim.

Here is a Hattori H-700 Mahagony handled Hunter that is currently made. And with it is the original version that Hattori made for Parker.in the 1980s who marketed it under the "Parker Custom Series" line. It is etched "Handmade by Ichiro" and serial numbered on the blade. The Parker version sported a long swedge that went all along the spine, whereas the current version is more of a "parachute knife" design. Also while the Parker version had solid straight tang in the handle, the current version is tapered. Otherwise the dimensions and handle appear the same. Parker also offered some models that were "Handmade by Tak Fukuta" of which the Loveless style drop point hunter may be the best known.

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on May 12, 2015 at 14:11

The most current version has cleaner lines but you have to admit, Parker was offering some amazing knives for the 1980 period. The man knew his audience and his steel