The News from ElephantToenails.com

Now that the kids are in the other room playing on the Wii, I thought I’d tell you how it went this morn. Remember yesterday’s post about me buying myself the Case Brothers for Christmas? Well, it played out exactly like I told you it would. Exactly. 

Oh yeah, I got me a knife 

This morn after we went round and everyone opened their presents, I let them know I got myself a knife (from the family, of course). I had decided not to wrap up the knife and then open it during our “Christmas.”  

See here is the knife I bought me

Instead of taking the knife into the room and letting my four kids, wife and her parents, fondle it, I took my laptop (this sounds weird, I know) into the room and showed them my previous post here at The News, cause it had the picture of it.

After I quickly flashed it around the room, my wife was the only one to speak and sure ‘nuf she asked, “How much was it?” I knew it.

Words and their meanings

Let me ask you, how many is a “few?” I know a few isn’t as many as a “bunch,” or even as many as “several,” but what came out of my mouth was - “A few hundred.”

I’m still here 

I knew intriguing minds would want to know if I’d still be here (writing from my desk here in the house), or if I was going to be posting to The News wirelessly from the dog house.

I think the best way to tell you about my last three days is as a photolog, so here goes. The tale begins at Parker’s Knife Show, then a tour through the NKCA Knife Museum and finally, breakfast with some fellow Elephant Toenail Collector Club Members. Then I headed home.

Parker's Show Hall

C Platts Jumbo for sale by Joe Seale

National Knife Collection Museum

Platts History & Jumbo

Case Family Toenail

Case Brothers Toenail

Early Case Toenail

Henry Sears & Son Tear Drop Style

Napanoch Display featuring Toenail

Voyles Knife Auction

Just got back yesterday from Parker’s Show. Got lots to report, but I need to head out for the morning.

But, if you aren’t a subscriber to Knife World you got to get a copy. A wonderful front page article on toenails is there front and center by our toenail friend, Joe Seale. Also, in full techno-color is that wonderful old C Platts Jumbo he has for sale (got to see it in person at the show too!).

Anyway, you got to get a copy (Dec. 2008 edition), if for no other reason than to add the article to your toenail archive/library.

I’ll be back to report more about toenails, our toenail friends (and fellow ETCC members) at the show and more- later today (unless my honey-do list is real long, which in that case it might be midnight before I can update you on this weekend’s findings and great fellowship).

With all the goings-on in each of our lives, it is hard to keep up with, well, all the goings-on. So, I wanted to provide you the results of the three toenails sold last week in the J Bruce Voyles Auction.

• Lot 128- Case 7 Dot (”mint, except for a spiderweb or two”): $80
• Lot 249- Case Brothers (”very good, except pen blade repinned”): $232
• Lot 256- Cattaraugus (”excellent,” except for handle chips): $212

Granted, these three toenails may not have been “pristine mint”- but most old knives aren’t anyway; these prices seemed to be good deals.

I know there is a very cautious attitude most collectors of vintage knives take to buying “online,” but even still, I wouldn’t say that in and of itself would cause knives to sell below their true worth. While I didn’t see these knives in person, and do note the “condition description” provided, the Case Bros and Catt seemed to sell for less than they should have.

 As I shared with you in my last post- you know the one about the many branches of the tree trunk, my interest in bringing knife news and interesting tidbits to knife collectors has branched out. I have published a new weblog called Cutlery News Journal. 

You guys have supported me greatly here at The News and I appreciate the encouragement expressed to me in this effort. One thing I have learned during that time is while I have a tremendous interest in all things related to elephant toenails, I have experienced a growing interest in knives and cutlery history on a broader scale.

The Cutlery News Journal will provide me an avenue to share with all collectors, of all types of knives, news relating to all of knife collecting. You know I have worked very hard to keep The News as toenail specific as possible. I have intentionally passed up on other topics in an effort to stay true to my original goal here at The News. 

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Knife collecting has several rewarding aspects; one of them is the memories associated with our knife finds- the person you got it from, the knife maker, where you got it, or even an event you are reminded of, like a particular knife show (maybe it was your very first knife show).

As you probably know, I had the fortunate opportunity recently to conduct the auction for the W R Case Cutlery Co. at their Case Collectors Appreciation Day held in Bradford, PA on July 18th & 19th.

The morning after the auction we arrived very early for 200 Club Breakfast. Tom Arrowsmith, the president of the W R Case Cutlery Co., started off the session by talking about how much fun the auction was the night before. I had just started to eat, there with Roger, Ken and their wives, when I thought I heard Tom mention my name. I look up and sure nuf- there he was holding out something and telling me to come up front.

Good grief… while I am an auctioneer and just the night before stood 800 folks, I am basically a shy person. But I walked up to the podium and there Tom presented me with a beautiful toenail in appreciation for helping with their auction. I was honored. (You guys know I’d give my left… big toe to work directly with the oldest knife company in America, especially one that made toenails from their earliest of days).

2008 Case Collectors Appreciation Day Toenail

Yes, my passion is early toenails, and not customs, but I can tell you- this knife ranks among my sentimental favorites. This gorgeous one-of-a-kind toenail sparkles a million brilliant colors. It features bright Abalone handles with Nickel Silver design topped with a Mother-of-Pearl inlay.

This was my second time to be the auctioneer for a Case Event. The first was two years ago at their Case/Zippo International Swap Meet. After that auction the Case folks surprised me with a special toenail too, but out of the blue a week or so later through the mail.

2008 & 2006 Case Event Toenails

The one at the bottom of the photo was made by the talented Mike DuBois. It features Jet Black Onyx handles with genuine Mother-of-Pearl accents and custom wire-cut nickel silver bolsters. While I won’t be posting either of these two knives in The List, I did want to share them with you here in The News.

Granted they aren’t big old fat toenails from days gone by, but to me these knives are priceless. Had they been auctioned at the Case/Zippo or the Appreciation Day auction, either one would have brought over $2500, but now… they are MINE! : )  Seriously, you wouldn’t believe the prices those knives sale for at the Case Auctions. I don’t have the final sales prices (I don’t write them down), but several brought north of $5000.

For the last two days I have been a part of the W R Case Collector Appreciation Weekend in Bradford, Pennsylvania, both as a member of the Case Auction Team and as a collector. I have to say I don’t believe I have ever witnessed the sincere gratitude a company has for its consumers like the Case firm has for its collectors and customers. You see and hear the “lip search” many companies attempt to pay to its customers, but usually it is more of a PR effort and staged than heart felt. Any one there over the last two days will attest, Case sincerely appreciates the folks who support and purchase from this company- from its owner and senior management all the way through its associates working in the factory.

This firm recognizes its responsibility to its customers. Let me give you a small example.  I am amazed at the admiration its customers have for the company and its executive team. I have never seen individuals line up to get autographs from corporate executives before. Most consumers are of the what’s-in-it-for-me mentality- “Give me your product or service how I want it when I want it, and if I don’t like something I’ll let you know.”

One of the most intriguing phenomenon is Case’s customers are more fans than consumers, and the Case firm clearly recognizes and accepts the responsibility that comes with this culture. And I must say, the senior management team spend hours meeting and signing autographs for their fans. And Case spent this weekend expressing through a special event that it wanted to let these fans know- it values and appreciates them too.

I’ll add more about my trip over the next week- about the first meeting of the ETCC club, the auction, significant events and people I encountered while in Bradford, but the truth is of all the events and happenings there, I am most impressed with Case’s sincere appreciation for its customers and collectors.

Do you know what and where The One Hundred Mile Circle is? Well, I am headed there tomorrow and to me it is hog heaven. It is the most historically rich 100 mile patch of territory in the entire United States. I’ve been there only once before 2 years ago, but I felt like I was on holy ground.

If you are a knife collector and into early American cutlery history, and have been in this region, then you know what I am talking about. If you aren’t familiar with this term, it is the 100 mile circle around Little Valley, NY.

According to Giles book, Case, The First 100 Years, there were over 73 different cutlery companies that have at one time been located in this magic circle. I soaked it in when I was there last and hope to do the same this trip.As you probably know, I head out tomorrow on my way into Bradford, Pa for the Case Collectors Appreciation Day. I will be landing in Buffilo and driving down.

Two years ago Case asked me to conduct their auction and they asked me back. On Friday night, we have 10 items that are sure to be treasured among collectors. As you also know we are having our first Elephant Toenail Collector Club meeting at 11:00 Saturday morning in the boardroom of the Case factory. Come be with us.

Last trip in I visited Cattaraugus and Little Valley. I wanted to go over to Eldred, but wasn’t to. I also when on a fun trip with the Case historic tour that takes you up to Little Valley to see the original factor sites and grave sites of the Case brothers and family.I’ll try to post while I am gone but for sure will at least once when I return.

You have probably heard by now of the big auction of Bob Wurzelbacher’s green bone knives. While I doubt they are all he owns, it is reported to have over 100 antique Case knives in it.

Green bone handled knives command a premium. It is a fact. Case green bone knives command a king’s ransom. While some folks may want to argue only Case made green bone handled knives, that isn’t the topic for today.

Bottomline: Green bone handled knives are in very high demand. I must confess to like them too, but green is one of my favorite colors.

Have you ever stopped to wonder why folks like green bone so much? I don’t know all the reasons, but do know, variations are good. Collectors like niche’s. Differences add an element of desirability. In my 2003 interview with Mr. Joel Seale, he told me green bone was one of the most desirable handle materials. He went on to tell me one of the reasons for this- Case lost its formula and couldn’t duplicate it. The story goes: After WWII Case tried to rehire its workers returning from the war. The new hires weren’t able to replicate the formula with the proper mix of dyes and also weren’t able to get the color to hold to the bone. 

In a conversation with Mr. Tony Foster, notable antique Case knife expert, Tony said, “all TESTED XX are green bones, actually, even though some appear brown.” He added that there are several variations of green bone and that the Bradford, TESTED XX and XX are the only eras with green bone. He also believes that neither Case Brothers or early WR Case used green bone.

I am not going to argue with an expert, but opinions differ out there as we have learned over the years when it comes to knives and toenails. So, is this Case Brothers a brown bone??  

Anyway, sorry I wasn’t able to add several of the other green bones toenails I have, including some killer green TESTED XX! Plus, I have several non-Case branded toenails made with green bone handles.When you have the chance to acquire a green bone toenail, grab it. You won’t go wrong, and if you are like me, will develop a special liking for them :) 

Have you seen the t-shirts around with “Life is Good?” Looking on the bright side is a healthy perspective and folks enjoy being ’round individuals with this outlook as it is refreshing.

Well, in an effort to refresh you (and provide an excuse for my long absence the last week), I’ve been taking a Life is Good week. My three daughters, son, wife and I headed to the beach last week and just got back yesterday. Call it a long Memorial Weekend week, if you will.

You won’t believe it if I told you but while I took my trusty MacBook Pro, I never got it out of my briefcase. As unbelievable as that may sound it is true. I will tell you, however, I thought about it (and you here at The News), but elected to have my Life is Good week. I know you thought I may have stabbed myself with a Jumbo, but I didn’t.

Instead, we rode bikes, rode jet ski’s, played freesbie at the breach, watched a really cool air show while at the beach, played games, rode bikes some more, shopped, ATE REALLY GOOD and, did I say we rode bikes (we rode bikes everyday actually). It was really fun.   

 I hope each of you get to spend some quality time with your family this summer. Even though our vacation was right in the middle of our busy season at work, I was able to relax and enjoy the folks most important to me.

I’m going to do my best to catch up at work first and then will jump back in here at The News, but do have to head out of town this week and next.

LIFE IS GOOD