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.

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.

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

(more…)

Got a chuckle today. Have you seen the Case Bros toenail on eBay right now?

This seller has a $2000 Buy It Now. Then he goes on to say he doesn’t expect to get $2000                            

You tell me what it is worth?

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.

My Christmas present just came in. I had to open it to make sure it was a keeper. It is!

My wife knows I got myself a “pocketknife” for Christmas… I didn’t provide any additional info., like…. IT’S A TOENAIL!!! IT’S STAG!!!! IT’S A CASE BROTHERS!!!! IT’S 100 YEARS OLD!!!

It has a few age spots, but otherwise it’s KILLER!!! 

Now the question is do I make it a part of the Christmas ritual- wrapping it up and then opening it tomorrow morn? Once I unwrap it, you know what the question is going to be don’t you? “How much was it?” 

The shield is engraved with Eli Faber. It was purchased from an estate in Manistee, MI.

You know we are crazy about toenails around here, so I just couldn’t make a Christmas message without a toenail in it-

I hope you and yours have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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