The News from ElephantToenails.com

Couple of D W's favorites

MY NAME IS D.W.COVER FROM SOUTHEAST IOWA U.S.A. I SOLD ALL OF MY NEWER CASE AND FIGHTN ROOSTER TOE NAILS AND KEPT MY CATTARAUGUS AND HIBBARD SPENSER BARTLETT. I HAVE BEEN COLLECTING FOR 35 YEARS AND HAVE A LARGE COLLECTION OF CATTARAUGUS AND JACK KNIFE BEN, UNION STOCK YARD KNIVES. THE ONLY KNIVES I WANT ARE THE OLD ONES FROM 1940 ON BACK. I RETIRED FROM STANDARD OIL AFTER 47 YEARS AND GO TO ALOT OF ANTIQUE AUCTIONS. I HAVE ATTENDED THE IOWA KNIFE SHOWS AND THE ONE IN SPRINGFIELD MISSOURI. MY EMAIL ADDRESS IS WMCOVER@MEPOTELCO.NET.

We are glad to have D W ’round here showing us his old toes and appreciate him sharing his profile with us too.

While I am a die-hard C. Platts, Case Brothers & W R Case fan, I have always had a strong liking for Cattaraugus. This firm has it all- very rich history, TOENAILS, ample information available and my favorite town in America location- Little Valley. (Photo shown is the old factory in Little Valley after it was closed down. I “discovered” it while driving around Little Valley in 2006. You can imagine my surprise when I found it.)

This history of J.B.F. Champlin (the founder) as a businessman is very interesting. I view him as the patriarch of a whole line of American cutlery firms, including Case Bros, Kinfolks, Little Valley Knife Association, Crandall, W R Case, and many others that had their roots in some association with Mr. Champlin’s vision. (more…)

In our recent ET.com survey it was interesting for me to see a the majority of you indicated the topics of The News were just right- not too basic and not too advanced, however a handful of you indicated a desire for some “meaty” topics. Well you know advance level courses in college (graduate and doctoral level courses) don’t always give you answers as much as teaching you to THINK.

So, with that here we go and, while I don’t profess to be a doctor of toenails, I thought I’d let you into my world……hang on tight and DON’T JUST SKIM.

Let’s begin by asking: “Do you ever wonder which knife company invented the toenail?” I do all the time. I have been running this rabbit for years now and have declared this to be my quest. (more…)

I recently wrote about how critical it is when buying on eBay to ask the right questions. Questions about what you see (and don’t) and what was said (and didn’t say) and to see how thorough he/she is in the answers. I found a good example of a toenail bidder asking some really good questions on an auction that ended today on a Cattaraugus toenail and thought I’d share them here.

Hello! This is indeed a rare knife, but would appreciate your answering the following questions. 1) Main Blade: a) How complete and clear is the “Cattaraugus Cutlery Co., Little Valley, NY” front tang etching? b) Is there a pattern # etching on the back tang, and, if so, how clear is it? 2) Both Blades:The text says they need cleaning, but close good. Would you please be more specific? (eg., Do both open with a firm snap to a 1/2 stop and then to a fully open position? Do they both firmly snap close?) b) When opened, do the blades “wobble”? c)Is there any rust pitting or heavy staining on either blade, front or back? c) Have either been sharpened? 3) Both Bolsters: Are the pins (holding them to the frame) visible, however faintly, front or back? 4) Back Bolster (re smaller blade): Does the pic show staining or scratching? 5) Front & Back Stag Slabs: a) Tight to the frame? b) Any cracks or chips? 6) Any other issues?  Thanks for your help. Feb-23-08

Answer:
Thanks..a. it is complete but needs some of the tarnish removed and i did not to ruin the integrity of the blade so whomever bought it i left that up to them, but you can read 50% of it. b. it is covered by tarnish/rust and cannot be made out. c. the average tarnish and minor rust needs removed and i do not want to ruin it with my own cleaning techniques so again i will leave it to the winning bidder, but it is not as bad compared to my other knives..both need a little oil but i tell you what these snaps and blades are well preserved in their mechanics. no wobbles also, no rust pitting..just some excess where the words are but this can be worked on..it is not unworkable, they have been sharpened with fine scratches on the blades..the pins are perfect..stag is very solid and in very good shape..hopefully that helps you out even though some questions were covered by other interested members

My name is Derek Smith and I live in Salt Lake City, Utah.

I’m relatively new to knife collecting, only 4 or 5 years. My primary interest is with anything that was made by Cattaraugus Cutlery or the Champlin family. The big folders are of course my favorites.

One of my first purchases was a Catt toenail.  As a new collector (new, green and uneducated) I was was thrilled to obtain this cool old knife that was in really great shape. 

Some time later when I was considering selling it in order to “trade up” for something else I wanted, I thought I should get acquainted with Scott.  I put a few unsolicited photos together and emailed them off to him, of course he responded very quickly. 

As it turns out Scott seemed more interested in my photographic skills than he was in the knife. 

To make a long story short, the knife was a little “too good to be true” and was not authentic.  Whaaaa, that’s the bad news.  The good news is, I got a new friend out of the experience.  Thanks to Scott, I won’t be buying any more fakes.  You can see the knife at:  http://www.dereksmith.com/el_toenail

I am a professional photographer by trade and I help businesses with their marketing. What ever folks need to sell or promote, It’s my job to make it look good. You can take a look at my work at: http://www.dereksmith.com

I have three wonderful kids who have a mild appreciation for their dad’s kooky obsession with old pocket knives.  They and their mother are direct descendants of JBF Champlin who of course started Cattaraugus Cutlery in Little Valley, NY.

Utah is a long ways from the knife shows so I’m still looking forward to attending my first one. I have however had the pleasure of visiting with older members of the Champlin family who grew up in Little Valley and hearing first hand their own accounts of what took place all those years ago.  

It may come as a surprise, but they are not very interested in collecting knives.  Accurately preserving the family history is what’s important to them.  

If you have any questions or comments I can be reached at:

ds@dereksmith.com 

Catt blade on Case TESTED frame

Did you happen to notice the “RARE” Cattaraugus that was on eBay a week or so ago, and came back a few days ago? (more…)