The News from ElephantToenails.com

 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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Why do you collect? What is it that one gains from collecting (other than a bunch of stuff)?

Have you ever looked into the psychology of collecting? You know the- why folks collect, where the passion comes from, and what they feel once they have acquired their latest find.

Well, I have, so allow me to share some of what I discovered. I think you will enjoy learning a bit about yourself. I know, most men don’t like introspection one bit, but it is generally good for the soul, so come on stay with me on this.

A case has been made for the establishment of a chapter of the Knife Collectors Anonymous.

Some years ago I was looking for books on collecting. I wanted to find interesting information on collectors and items that are collected, and info about the “cycles of value and trends” of a given object. Sounds like exciting reading doesn’t it?

Well I ran across a book called COLLECTING: AN UNRULY PASSION-Psychological Perspective by R. Muensterberger. I thought it sounded very interesting, as I have always had an interest in psychology, and with the combination of collecting, it was right down my alley.

WARNING- THIS IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART, PREGNANT WOMEN, OR PEOPLE THAT TAKE THEMSELVES TOO SERIOUSLY ☺Talk about DEPRESSING!!  I couldn’t believe what I was reading… I wanted to share a quick snippet with you.

“Certain aspects of human conduct seem at first glance not to all exceptional or mysterious. Yet on closer inspection we can see that they can be quite perplexing and not easily understood. One such trait is collecting. Collectors themselves-dedicated, serious, infatuated, beset-cannot explain or understand this often all-consuming drive, nor can they call a halt to their habit. Many are aware of a chronic (yes, you read that right he used the word chronic. Can you believe that! SK) restiveness that can be curbed only by more finds or yet another acquisition.”

Then the writer closes out the first chapter with “I have followed the trail of these emotional conditions in the life histories of many collectors. They reveal the need of the phallic-narcissistic personality. We see them as show offs of all kinds. They like to pose or make a spectacle of their possessions. But one soon realizes that these possessions, regardless of their value or significance, are but stand-ins for themselves. And while they use their objects for inner security and outer applause, their deep inner function is to screen off self doubt and unassimilated memories.”

Hit me below the belt will you…this Muensterberger guy must have been someone who was outbid at the last minute on eBay (a victim of being sniped). Had this dude called me I would have told him upfront that I was nuts and saved him a lifetime of studying to try to figure that out.☺

Like I said, anyone here interested in joining the ET.com chapter of Knife Collectors Anonymous?

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.

I’m starting a new category topic called “I’ve Got a Beef.” It is for me to sound off. So when you see ole Johnny Mac here you know I’m sounding off. (I was a Borg fan actually, but grew to like John McEnroe a lot over the years). If you don’t know John was famous for his on the court tirades.

Unfortunately, my first installment in “I’ve got a Beef” is pretty close to home for us all of us, but I’m sorry….cause I’ve got a beef.

HOW ABOUT A GLO IN THE DARK WEBSITE?

You guys know I am not one to complain BUT my gracious- have you seen the new National Knife Collector Association website? I know I am not web guru myself, but come on….. green and purple GLO colors.

Maybe it is just my browser or something….like my eyes. It looks like Day-Glo fluorescent with an optical illusion as its focal point!? How about instead, maybe…..a knife, or how about people- yes, smiling collectors at a show…… but a never-ending Day-Glo circle? Must be some of that new age stuff at work here, or something…

I know the NKCA is more than for collectors of antique knives- but there is ton of imagery that could have been used on the site. (I realize pics can be slow to load, but..) I also know the NKCA is a non-profit and probably not flush with cash, BUT…… can’t we make our organization’s site look appealing for folks who come to check out this wonderful hobby of ours? Hopefully, the landing page/homepage is just under construction.

The results are in and the ET.com staff  (all three of us- me, myself and I) is busy analyzing the numbers and studying the implications, but I wanted to give you the raw data tabulations from our second official poll. Again, I appreciate all you who were willing to stand up and make your voice heard on this all important issue (I just hope the guys who work on the knives don’t visit The News).The Question was “As a collector, when looking to purchase an old knife, would you buy…..?”

• 41.2% answered- ‘A knife that has been worked on provided replaced parts were original to the pattern and era”
• 35.3% answered- ‘I only buy 100% original condition knives.’
• 23.5% answered- ‘Any knife I like, regardless of if repaired or had parts replaced.’

I find this very interesting and will be offering my observations in my editorial post coming out on April 2 entitled “Collectible Condition Part II- What about Reconditioned, Restored & Reworked Toenails?” It is sure to stir things up a bit, but I am just going to offer my thoughts and observations on what these results mean for us here at ET.com. I have been waiting on the poll to close for me to draw my conclusions and finish the editorial, and I have. It has been cued up and is scheduled to come out at 7:01 CT Wed morning, April 2nd, so be sure to pick you up a copy of The News to go along with your first cup of coffee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few of you may know, the H. Boker brand is one of my sentimental favorites. I won’t delve into the details, other than to say, when I first started back into knife collecting I focused on old H. Boker knives and was well on my way to a decent collection until I got stopped dead in my tracks the first time I saw a toenail.

 

Boker has a very rich history going back to the 1700’s. The Boker (you will see it spelled several ways if you research their name) family was a very prominent manufacturer who branched out to the US very early.

 

Their 1928 catalog states they were “Established in New York City in 1837, H Boker & Co. Inc., for nearly a century has been known from coast to coast as manufacturer and importer of fine cutlery and hardware. During that period the name ‘Boker Tree Brand’ has become recognized as a standard of quality in cutlery.”  Unfortunately, in that 90+ pages of Boker cutlery the toenail is not pictured. 

 

 

 

JUMBO No. 9331- 1914 Greer and Laing of Wheeling W. Va catalog -

 

 

The Boker brand has all the interesting facets to me that Case does-rich history, family, entrepreneurial brothers, yet maybe without the degree of intrigue. 

 

Boker was started by Herman and Heinrich Boeker in the late 1700’s in Solingen, Germany. The Boker firm made tons of patterns and probably imported them all over the world. They were big importers to the US in the 1800’s.

 

Robert Boker went to Canada and later Mexico. Herman Boker came to the US and was responsible opening their office in New York. Obviously, the cutlery they imported was their own. 

 

In 1916,  Boker USA “officially” gained control over an American cutlery manufacturer Valley Forge Cutlery Co. of Newark, NJ. The Bokers direct venture into the US market was probably to avoid the tariffs (Cutlery Act of 1890) imposed by our government on all cutlery imported into the US. Their acquisition of Valley Forge also gave them an American brand name that had been around since 1892. Goins states Carl Bowker became president in 1902. Boker USA owned controlling interest at that point.  In 1921 they opened a new plant in Maplewood, NJ and the Boker/VF factory was moved to that location, where they produced knives under both brands until 1950 when the Valley Forge marking was dropped. The firm sold later only to be repurchased by the Heinr. Boker Company of Germany. In 1986 they opened Boker USA in Lakewood, Co. as their distributor firm for the US market.

 

I’m sure there are numerous examples of old H. Boker toenails out there today, I’ve been fortunate to locate a couple, in addition to Valley Forge made samples. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My favorite is my H. Boker & Co’s Improved Cutlery pearl handled toenail dating back to around c. 1920.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While Boker knives are highly desirable, I think the factors that have “held back” the Boker brand from being widely collected is: First, their complete records were destroyed in the bombings of their plant in WWII, therefore little “documented” support exists to help collectors. I do have two old catalogs dated 1914 and 1928, and have read about a 1906 catalog). The second reason is it isn’t American. 

 

 

 

To me one of the intriguing aspects of collecting H. Bokers was the Tree stamping on the really old samples. Their brand was the Tree Brand and according to Goins stamped the tree on their knives starting in 1848. It is interesting to see the evolution of the tree stamp through the years. Serious H Boker collectors use the trees to date the knives as well as the various stampings. On the majority of the knives, the tree stamp is on the rear tang of the blades. Goins also shows the various stamping, so if you are interested grab you a copy of his book to dive a little deeper. 

 

The tang stampings typically date the knife as well. One of the older more desirable stampings is what is referred to as the “Improved” stamp. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First off let me thank those of you who participated in our first ET.com poll. I put it up right after launching the new The News. I wanted to try out the new toy that allowed me to poll you guys- so here is a summary of the results.

The question was: How long have you collected Knives?

• 10% indicated they had only been collecting 1-3 years
• 10% indicated they collected from 4- 8 years
• 30% indicated they collected from 9- 15 years
• The largest percentage of voters (50%) indicated they have collected 16 years or more.

I find this very interesting- as you know for the most part, the folks who come ’round ET.com are a fairly specialized group of collectors. I would speculate (maybe another poll topic down the road on this) that most older collectors have specialized and have branched off into a higher caliber collectible (more valuable/more expensive) than the newer collectors who have yet to focus. I haven’t compared but have observed toenails do tend to cost more than an average old knife. (We know there are many reasons for this- sheer size for one!)

Most ‘older’ collectors have settled in and focused on a particular pattern (like toenails) or brand (like New York Knife Co, or Napanoch), or even a subset within a pattern (like stag handled toenails or simply jumbo swellcenters). When I was a new collector….I was spending just as much, if not more, but was buying anything and everything made by this one knife company. The result of a concentrated focus is a better allocation of financial resources- by being more selective and having a smaller universe of collectibles, many collectors can afford to “invest” a higher dollar amount in each knife, as opposed to what I had experienced.