Collectible Vintage Folding Knives

Slice Into a Little Piece of History With Collectible Vintage Folding Knives

Folding knives have been around for hundreds of years and used to be a basic staple for gentlemen to carry and use daily, much like a pocket watch. As such, many vintage folding knives are finely crafted using high-quality materials. Here is a guide to purchasing eBay vintage pocket knives.

The value of old pocket knives on eBay will vary drastically based on several factors. Here are some of the factors that will affect the price of antique pocket knives for sale.

• Condition: Some vintage knives have been lovingly cared for or restored, others are just old pocket knives. If a knife has been oiled, cleaned, and well-maintained, it will often fetch a much higher price than one that is rusted out or in disrepair.
• Craftsmanship: Some pocket knives may be made with rare or precious materials, such as mother-of-pearl or gold inlays. If they have been well-cared for, their age will only make them more valuable.
• Rarity: Pocket knives were among the first mass-produced items, but many continued to be hand-crafted by well-known craftsmen. The rarer a vintage pocket knife is, the more valuable it generally is.
• Age: The use of folding pocket knives can be traced all the way back to Syrian Damascus in the 1500s. Some are not just antiques but actual artifacts. The older a folding pocket knife is, the rarer it will be.

When choosing vintage pocket knives, it is important to consider several factors, such as what you will be using it for or if you will be using it. Some people simply collect old pocket knives, so functionality is not an issue. If you plan to actually carry or use your pocket knife, you may consider selecting a knife that offers certain safety features such as a working locking mechanism, which keeps it from accidentally opening in your pocket.

Since pocket knives were used by a wide variety of craftsmen and tradespeople, they also come with a number of different features. These can include things like multiple blades or even tools like screwdrivers, can openers, or wire strippers. In fact, Swiss Army knives have been around since the late 1800s. For a truly useful and versatile antique pocket knife, you might consider a Swiss Army knife, which can include implements ranging from scissors to a fish scaler.