The News from ElephantToenails.com

Over the last several months I’ve been watching and listening to collectible experts, including several from the knife collecting world.

As it relates to values of our collectibles, they are all in agreement that the best condition collectible is going to hold its own. It may or may not increase in value, but its value should be stable during our current period of economic uncertainty. However, collectibles that don’t qualify as “the best” will take it on the chin until the recovery takes hold.

This Case Bros stag brought 66% of its 2007 price

Yesterday, we got a real time example of a hit to the chin.

In November of 2007, a stag handled Case Brothers (5250) sold for $770.

Yesterday, May of 2009, that same knife sold for $510.

Without getting into the sellers’ reputation, condition (it was the same for both sales) descriptions/disclosures, a November vs a May auction date, a pre-Thanksgiving vs. a Memorial weekend auction closing date and other fine nuisances, what we saw was the same knife bring 66% of what it sold for a year and a half earlier. Both auctions were on eBay.

They called it TRAPPERS’ PRIDE

Like I promised I wanted to show you the toenail up close and personal from the Funsten Brothers catalog. I got off last night doing research on Funsten Bros- evidently they were major players in the fur trade industry in the 1800s and into the 1900s. Maybe more to come on that firm.

Let’s get to the good stuff. I love to find toenails in catalogs (Thanks again Steve).

Initially, this toenail was thought to be made by Ulster because several some of the other knives on that page are marked Ulster, or directly referenced. However, if you look very closely on the toenail tang stamp you can see “AN”. I went back and looked at that page and found a knife pictured to be an A J JORDAN.

I now believe the toenail is an A J JORDAN toenail pictured in this catalog.

The order blank in the back of this catalog shows 191__, so I’m unable to nail the date down any closer.

Now, to connect the dots- here’s some interesting info on A J Jordan. They were an import firm based in St. Louis- Goins’ has them dated 1878- 1926. They imported from England and Germany.

In 1911, Mr. Jordan’s son, Clay Jordan, acquired PLATTS BROTHERS CUTLERY CO. of Andover. He renamed the firm to Clay Cutlery Co. and A J Jordan acted as their selling agent. It is very likely Clay Cut. Co sold made knives stamped A J Jordan.

Good stuff, huh? It is possible this toenail was made in Germany (H. Boker & Henry Sears) and imported, or made at Clay.

Just to get you going- here’s my Clay Cut Co toenail. Looks like a match, doesn’t it?

Clay Cutlery Co. Andover, NY c. 1911- 1923

Another interesting point is- notice the single pull. Based on the order blank in the Funsten catalog, there is no doubt the knife for sale was made in the teens, so we know toenails were offered then without a double pull or long pull, both are commonly associated with knives produced in the early 1900s. The Platts Brothers standard style toenails only had a single pull too have both a long pull and regular pull.

As we have discussed many times before, we must constantly be in the hunt. Turning stones. Actively looking for our prey.

I bagged a good one yesterday, but only because a kind knife collector pointed me too it. Thanks Steve.

Funsten Brothers of St. Louis catalog

It should be in next week and I’ll give you all the nuggets. Bottomline- it is hunting and trapping catalog from 191? and it has a picture of a toenail included with the other knives and equipment for the outdoorsman.

I’m curious to know if there are any tidbits that can be traced to the make and brand. I’ll let you know what I find out.

It’s official now-

This is a video recorded to let the YouTube knife folks know about iKnifeCollector

The Grand Opening of iKnifeCollector- the new online knife community has not been announced yet, but a few folks are signing up already (Thanks Ken- the Secretary/Treasurer of the Elephant Toenail Collector Club).

So, let me offer you a sneak peek. iKnifeCollector is all about people- knife people- all knife people, young and old, tactical or antique collectors (and everything in between), and now we have us a special place to gather.

One of the cool features of our community there is the ability to form Groups. They are special gatherings of collectors with the same interest. I went ahead and formed us a group there and want you to join us. Look on the main menu for “Groups,” then click Elephant Toenail Collectors.

As time goes on, ETC will give us a place to gather and talk about topics of interest- real discussions, not just comments to one of my post like here at The News.

Groups is just one of about 15 really cool features of iKC, so head that way and become a Charter Member.

See ya there- but don’t tell anyone else about it yet…I’m still moving in myself and trying to get it ready.

If you haven’t yet you can read some details about iKC in my latest post at CNJ. Don’t let the tech talk make you think it is too geeky..cause it’s not. In fact, I’m even expecting Roger (the ETCC Vice President) to pop in there too.

I’m ready for you guys to discuss toenails, cause I know after over a year, you may be getting tired of me doing all the talking.

Here’s the link. See ya there.

Oh yeah, thanks for all the cards and flowers, but I am now over my recent agony.

The agony of defeat. Moments ago, I lost a knife I wanted, but just not enough.

I am talking about being runner up in an auction. I just didn’t want to pay retail price. While I do have several already, I didn’t have a pearl with XX stamped out on the blade, in this condition.

In case you haven’t been out prospecting for toenails over the last week and didn’t know there was a Case Brothers pearl toenail up for auction. It was being sold for the executor of an estate in Michigan.

Less than a minute ago the bidding closed. While the number of bidders was limited to 7, it narrowed down to two once the bidding got over $1000. Me and the eventual winner.

Guys, this knife was a keeper. It was an Excellent + to Near Mint example of a 100 year old Case Brothers pearl toenail.

While I wallow in my grief, I’ll close with its picture. Oh yeah, I almost forgot- it sold for $3439.99. It was worth it too. Congratulations to the winner!

When my wounds heal, I’ll post in under Recent Sales here at ET.com. The post about its pearl handles were shown here earlier today.

Pearl toenails are rare. All you have to do is search The List at ET.com to realize this. And while The List is by no means every toenail made, it does give us a feel for the different knives out there. In fact, only 7% of the 250 different knives cataloged on The List are pearl. If you think about all the old toenails made, I bet the percentage of pearls is much lower than that.

Because pearls are rare and we don’t run across them often, I thought I would show you what you are looking for when you look at the handles. If you have never seen an old pearl up close, the handles may appear to be less than desirable (if you are used to looking at MINT knives, that is).

Nothing can be further from the truth though. Seeing pearl like this is like having black stuff (black gold, Texas tea) bubbling up in your backyard.

What you see here is AGE. This particular knife is about 100 years old.

Again let’s keep the look of pearl in context. We’re talking old knives. And this is what old looks like.

After having my ear to the ground, I am convinced collectors are letting go of some high quality toenails right now.

Whether it is related to the economy or folks just cashing out, some very nice toenails have, and I believe will continue to, make their way to our attention.

Recently, we’ve seen a high quality Jumbo Swellcenter, a pearl Case Brothers, a stag Case Brothers, a few hardware brands and others come up for sale.

We have known there are some extremely rare and excellent conditioned toenails in collections out there. Most of these collectors stay below the radar.

My recommendation is to 1) Start setting aside a war chest of cash to be in a position to take advantage of these opportunities, 2) Start talking to anyone in the Knife World about what you are looking for, and 3) Watch all auctions- online or traditional. Attend as many shows as you can. We will probably have to find them and not expect them to come knocking on our door.

Got a little time before I head off to church this morning, so thought I would give y’all another one to ponder-

Your assignment today, should you choose to accept it, is to identify this brand. One of these, for sure, is believed to be a contract knife.

On this one, if you are able to identify the manufacturer(s) (regardless of whether you guessed the brand correctly or not) and support that claim, you’ll win a lifetime subscription to Cutlery News Journal, including the Weekend Editions.

Here you go-

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Continuing with the series of identifying this toenail, I have another for you to test your skill.

The question today is “What Brand is this toenail?”

As we have already pointed out, a knife brand (make) could have been made on contract by a different manufacturer, so if you name the manufacturer instead of the brand, that is cool. It won’t win, but will get you honorable mention.

Here you go-

Today’s knife is actually a picture of three (I thought I’d make it a bit easier).

Name the Brand stamped on these toenails

Click through for the answer

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