Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on June 6, 2020 at 21:20

First off, an Elephant's Toe by Case is a cool knife to be sure, but unless it was found in Abe Lincoln's pocket when he died it very likely is not  a realistic price, it's a price that an "expert" wants to get for it. Knife collecting is similar to coin collecting, value is often determined by age, brand, number of units produced and of course condition. An asking price that high, (especially on ebay), is what someone who thinks they know, (but really don't know), what the knife is worth. That kind of nonsensical price usually comes from "professional" sellers, (ie; pawn shop owners), who since they have sold so many knives consider themselves experts. I've even had arguments with such people who insist that any folding hunter pattern knife is known as a "Buck knife", (maybe to ignorant buyers, the real target of such idiotic prices), trying to inform them that a Buck knife is a knife made by Buck, NOT a type of knife is usually a hopeless exercise in futility. This often occurs with sellers who have a lot of transactions, because in their minds that makes them an "expert" on all things related to pocket knives, (but of course are WRONG). The best tactic is to learn to know what you are looking at, otherwise you run the risk of getting taken advantage of.

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on June 6, 2020 at 22:09

I saw something on eBay, can't even remember now what it was,  that had a multi thousand dollar price tag.  Several days later, I received an email stating that the seller had offered me a special discount, making the price something like 79.00.

I both love and HATE ebay.

Permalink Reply by Beth Medeiros on June 7, 2020 at 12:00

Thank you for the info Syd. I am very leery about purchasing anything from Ebay but do look around to learn.  The majority of the knives I see there go for pretty high prices, I think people get caught up in the bidding and feel the have "won" if they get the prize of the highest bid (just my opinion since I am a VERY new collector). 

I get what you mean about the BUCK knife.  I have read where people make reference to a knife but when you start researching its pedigree, you learn they have referred to it incorrectly.

BK

Permalink Reply by Beth Medeiros on June 7, 2020 at 12:03

You should have bought three for such a great deal!!!!!  Why do people want to scam others?

Permalink Reply by Sue OldsWidow on June 7, 2020 at 12:51

Well for one thing, they are rare at this age.By being brothers and tested it might be a transition piece from 1918-1920's 

Handle material also affects the value along with the general state of the knife as per condition. Price still sounds a bit high for this piece. But as we all know price is reflected by Who is willing to pay the price.

Jan Carter....This would be a great question for SCOTT since he specialized in them.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on June 8, 2020 at 17:47

Sue,

Indeed it would have been and how I miss his input.  My ace in the hole for Toenails however has always been Roger.  I can tell you now the answers you all have provided are indeed correct.

Sue in stating that a mint 1918-1920 Toenail could certainly bring a price in the thousands.  I doubt that high and it would not be sold on ebay.  There are dealers that specialize and know who will buy for the best $$.

JJ in mentioning that they will contact you sooner than later with a realistic price.  Mostly because they will get hundreds of ebay mail saying they have lost their minds.

Syd...The best tactic is to learn to know what you are looking at, otherwise you run the risk of getting taken advantage of.

Awesome advise.

I have to tell you Beth, we have collected for over 40 years.  The amount of knowledge I think I know is only surmounted by what I learn daily when doing the research on here. :)

Permalink Reply by Beth Medeiros on June 8, 2020 at 17:53

Thank you all for your input, it is all great advice and very insightful.  The one thing I do know is that price is too rich for my blood.  

BK

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Andy Larrison on April 11, 2022 at 18:58

I recently modified a toe for a gentleman, and here it is.  Burl maple and cross cut mammoth with brass spacers and abalone shields with filework.

Permalink Reply by Beth Medeiros on April 12, 2022 at 9:39

Beautiful work!!

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Andy Larrison on April 12, 2022 at 17:37

Thanks Beth.

Beth Medeiros said:

Beautiful work!!