The News from ElephantToenails.com

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

1911 W R Case Letterhead

Talking about historically significant- how would you like to have the chance to listen in on a one-on-one conversation with the president of the oldest remaining knife company… not to mention one of the oldest remaining knife companies to have made toenails!

Well, you can. Let’s face it- there aren’t many of the early knife companies left. Many of them went by the wayside after the Great Depression. Several survived and one of them is the W R Case firm.

While their roots go back to around 1890, we tend to think of them as coming into existence around 1902 with our favorite toenails stamped W R Case & Son (singular). Toenails with this stamped are reported to have only been made around the 1902 to 1903 timeframe- before Case merged with C. Platts to become W R Case & Sons (with the “S”).

W R Case & Son Rogers Bone

The Son toenails reek with OLD and rank right up top on my all time favorite list. You will not run across Son toenails out there very often, but if you do find one, grab it… in any condition.

Sorry, I got carried away here, but obviously, I have a thing for really old Case toenails and history.

Let me invite you to listen in on my interview with Tom Arrowsmith over at Cutlery News Journal

Would you believe me if I told you you could buy a W R Case Jumbo Swellcenter for only $2.00? The one pictured here wasn’t it though.

Well, it is true. Here’s the story. Got a call this morning from a knife friend I met at the Case Collectors Appreciation Day back in July. He told me that he has a friend who bought a knife at a Flea Market who approached him about what it was worth. My knife friend immediately recognized it as a Jumbo.

The long and the short of it is this- his friend bought it for TWO DOLLARS! It sounds like it is probably in at least good+ to maybe VG condition. Aside from the fact that knife may be worth bumping on $1000 (I haven’t seen it, so could be more), the fact that there are rare toenails sitting in a box of knives at flea markets and trade days, just drives me crazy.

So come on guys, let’s not sit on our duff and wait on the next one showing up on eBay, let’s mobilize and scurry the country. I bet we can turn up a dozen or more in unexpected places.

As a side note: I rarely go to trade day down here in my area, BUT two weeks ago, I got up and went. I even went by myself and at the crack of dawn. I didn’t find any toenails, but did buy me two chains

Knife collecting has several rewarding aspects; one of them is the memories associated with our knife finds- the person you got it from, the knife maker, where you got it, or even an event you are reminded of, like a particular knife show (maybe it was your very first knife show).

As you probably know, I had the fortunate opportunity recently to conduct the auction for the W R Case Cutlery Co. at their Case Collectors Appreciation Day held in Bradford, PA on July 18th & 19th.

The morning after the auction we arrived very early for 200 Club Breakfast. Tom Arrowsmith, the president of the W R Case Cutlery Co., started off the session by talking about how much fun the auction was the night before. I had just started to eat, there with Roger, Ken and their wives, when I thought I heard Tom mention my name. I look up and sure nuf- there he was holding out something and telling me to come up front.

Good grief… while I am an auctioneer and just the night before stood 800 folks, I am basically a shy person. But I walked up to the podium and there Tom presented me with a beautiful toenail in appreciation for helping with their auction. I was honored. (You guys know I’d give my left… big toe to work directly with the oldest knife company in America, especially one that made toenails from their earliest of days).

2008 Case Collectors Appreciation Day Toenail

Yes, my passion is early toenails, and not customs, but I can tell you- this knife ranks among my sentimental favorites. This gorgeous one-of-a-kind toenail sparkles a million brilliant colors. It features bright Abalone handles with Nickel Silver design topped with a Mother-of-Pearl inlay.

This was my second time to be the auctioneer for a Case Event. The first was two years ago at their Case/Zippo International Swap Meet. After that auction the Case folks surprised me with a special toenail too, but out of the blue a week or so later through the mail.

2008 & 2006 Case Event Toenails

The one at the bottom of the photo was made by the talented Mike DuBois. It features Jet Black Onyx handles with genuine Mother-of-Pearl accents and custom wire-cut nickel silver bolsters. While I won’t be posting either of these two knives in The List, I did want to share them with you here in The News.

Granted they aren’t big old fat toenails from days gone by, but to me these knives are priceless. Had they been auctioned at the Case/Zippo or the Appreciation Day auction, either one would have brought over $2500, but now… they are MINE! : )  Seriously, you wouldn’t believe the prices those knives sale for at the Case Auctions. I don’t have the final sales prices (I don’t write them down), but several brought north of $5000.

Do you know what and where The One Hundred Mile Circle is? Well, I am headed there tomorrow and to me it is hog heaven. It is the most historically rich 100 mile patch of territory in the entire United States. I’ve been there only once before 2 years ago, but I felt like I was on holy ground.

If you are a knife collector and into early American cutlery history, and have been in this region, then you know what I am talking about. If you aren’t familiar with this term, it is the 100 mile circle around Little Valley, NY.

According to Giles book, Case, The First 100 Years, there were over 73 different cutlery companies that have at one time been located in this magic circle. I soaked it in when I was there last and hope to do the same this trip.As you probably know, I head out tomorrow on my way into Bradford, Pa for the Case Collectors Appreciation Day. I will be landing in Buffilo and driving down.

Two years ago Case asked me to conduct their auction and they asked me back. On Friday night, we have 10 items that are sure to be treasured among collectors. As you also know we are having our first Elephant Toenail Collector Club meeting at 11:00 Saturday morning in the boardroom of the Case factory. Come be with us.

Last trip in I visited Cattaraugus and Little Valley. I wanted to go over to Eldred, but wasn’t to. I also when on a fun trip with the Case historic tour that takes you up to Little Valley to see the original factor sites and grave sites of the Case brothers and family.I’ll try to post while I am gone but for sure will at least once when I return.

In light of the two recent eBay sales of Case XX USA Dotted Series rehandled toenails (a red bone & a pearl handled), I have taken it upon myself to prepare a “reference list” of toenails produced by WR Case after its Bradford Era. I have attempted to compile a complete list using my collection, information from Case and various resource books.  (more…)

I learned through the Rumor Mill there was a really great jumbo swellcenter in circulation (for sale) for $6500 at a recent show. Believe it or not, this price really doesn’t surprise me.  

Jumbo Swellcenters are highly sought after among collectors for several reasons:

• There are enough in circulation so that collectors know they aren’t counterfeits. 
• There are still many in EX+ to NM original condition.
• The handles are huge (one of the desirable traits we like about toenails to begin with).
• The master blade is gigantic and very appealing (unusual).
• They are different (in a good way) from the “standard” style toenail. 
• They have the highest demand level. 
• They represent some of the oldest known cutlery companies, namely Platts & W R Case, two pillars of American Cutlery firms.

I’ll see what I can run down to learn if it is a Platts or W R Case stamping and its handle (I’m sure it would be in NM condition). I got a lead about the name of the collector who left the show with it. I understand he bought it. Hang with me and I’ll get back with y’all.

If you like 1) Knife folks, 2) Knife Auctions and 3) W R Case, then mark your calenders now for the Big Event for 2008! The date of the upcoming W R Case Collectors Appreciation Day is July 18th/19th in Bradford, PA.  I was honored to have been asked to be the guest auctioneer for the 2006 Swap Meet. I had a blast and guess I did an OK job because they have asked me to come back. I can’t wait. 

Hello, I found your website for this knife, and am in need of guidance. (more…)