Member Profile- Barry Stephenson
My name is Barry Stephenson and I live near Morrow, Ohio which is about thirty miles NE of Cincinnati.
I am married with three grown daughters and six grandkids. I am a retired pipe fitter and busier than when I worked. I am restoring a 1949 Ford auto and watching a lot of sports with grandkids playing. We have a small farm of twenty three acres and have a nice home in the country. Life if Good!
I have been collecting knives for about 15 yrs. And belong to the Fort City Knife Collectors Club in Norwood, Ohio.
Like many collectors I bought everything with a blade when I started. I bought my first ToeNail at a Kentucky auction and was hooked every since. I also have a collection of ivory fruit knives which have ivory blades and back springs, but toenails are my favorites. I enjoy the old hardware store brands and the obscure names the most. This site has been a valuable source of info for me, to see pictures of knives I find at the show and compare info. Scott has been a blessing for me to ask about knives I see and receive answers I need.
My favorite knife is a Union Cutlery, Tidioute Toenail which is a teardrop pattern with one blade. I always try to up grade my knives or add to the collection when I can. It is really hard to believe the way knife values have went up. One thing I have learned collecting is if you think the price is too high now, wait a few years and you’ll think it was cheap!
My brother and I go to the national shows in Louisville, Cincinnati and also a show in Lexington. See a lot of knives and meet a lot of people, the quality of knife is generally better than you find on Ebay and you can hold what you buy before purchase. It is the hunt to find a quality knife you do not already own that makes the shows fun.
March 29th, 2008 at 7:17 am
Welcome Barry.
Barry and I have talked for several years now and I certainly do remember seeing his Union Cut. Co. teardrop single bladed bone handle toenail. I intent to post about it in the upcoming weeks.
Thanks for sending in your profile for us Barry.
March 29th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Nice to see you post your profile Barry. I met Barry at a show a few years ago in Wilmington,Ohio. After I left the show,I stopped at Wendy`s to get a burger and Barry and his brother were in there and we sat and talked knives and ate. I`ve seen Barry at several shows since and he is a pleasure to talk with. I`m planning be at the Wilmington show on April 12. Hope to see you there.