The News from ElephantToenails.com

One of the charter members of the Elephant Toenail Collectors Club found him a jewel recently on eBay.

Again I’m reminded as I write this that toenails are out there, we just have to look for them. Rarely will a rare toenail land in our lap, but they are out there to be found. Personally, I think there will be some come back into circulation over the next couple of years so be ready.

Anyway, this particular knife was headed ” Old, rare knife Tidioute.” See what I mean about seeking…

No mention of “Toenail,” or “Sunfish,” instead the seller simply referred to it as a “folding knife.”

While the knife did sell for better than $700, my guess is only the Tidioute (Union Cutlery Co brand) buyers were in on this, and not the toenail collectors in general (save one). It probably would have brought even more had it been labeled for what it was- a Toenail.

For an extra bonus- it is one of the rarer of the Union stamps- Union Razor (1902- 1909!

Have you found that collecting old pocketknives (in our case, Toenails) leads to collecting other “things” too? To me it is like a tree that branches out in different directions and yet each branch has the same trunk.

I don’t know all the branches you have taken, but for me have to fight to stay focused. You know, however, I find it fun to discover all things related to old knives, like billheads, boxes, knife rolls, photos, postcards, receipts, time cards, letters, etc.

Well a friend of mine hit me with a different type item the other day, and of course, I liked it.

You know I am working on research related to late 1800’s to very early 1900s cutlery salesmen. And while this piece isn’t that old, it directly relates.

Early knife salesmen were called, among other things, Knights of the Grip- and in case you have ever wanted to see an authentic grip-here you go. It is a Union Cutlery Company, Olean, NY Salesman’s case.

Talk about life and times, this sales- man’s bag puts you right there on the street with that salesman going from merchant to merchant.

Size is about 7-1/2″ x 18-1/2″, and about 14-1/2-15″ tall.

If you have anything related to early hardware co. or cutlery co. salesmen, please let me know.

My name is Barry Stephenson and I live near Morrow, Ohio which is about thirty miles NE of Cincinnati.

I am married with three grown daughters and six grandkids. I am a retired pipe fitter and busier than when I worked. I am restoring a 1949 Ford auto and watching a lot of sports with grandkids playing. We have a small farm of twenty three acres and have a nice home in the country. Life if Good!

I have been collecting knives for about 15 yrs. And belong to the Fort City Knife Collectors Club in Norwood, Ohio.

Like many collectors I bought everything with a blade when I started. I bought my first ToeNail at a Kentucky auction and was hooked every since. I also have a collection of ivory fruit knives which have ivory blades and back springs, but toenails are my favorites. I enjoy the old hardware store brands and the obscure names the most. This site has been a valuable source of info for me, to see pictures of knives I find at the show and compare info. Scott has been a blessing for me to ask about knives I see and receive answers I need.

My favorite knife is a Union Cutlery, Tidioute Toenail which is a teardrop pattern with one blade. I always try to up grade my knives or add to the collection when I can. It is really hard to believe the way knife values have went up. One thing I have learned collecting is if you think the price is too high now, wait a few years and you’ll think it was cheap!

My brother and I go to the national shows in Louisville, Cincinnati and also a show in Lexington. See a lot of knives and meet a lot of people, the quality of knife is generally better than you find on Ebay and you can hold what you buy before purchase. It is the hunt to find a quality knife you do not already own that makes the shows fun.

David Anthony delivers yet again, this time with Tidioute: A Town with an Edge.

If you haven’t gotten a copy of David’s book yet, do yourself a favor and buy it for yourself for Valentines Day. 

(more…)