I was wondering if somebody could tell me how to estimate the value of an antique knife. My father has an old Spanish "Navaja" folding knife. It is ridiculously large for a folder at 16" opened, with a 7.5" blade. He heard they were worth something and was thinking about selling it. I suggested he take photos of it and put it on Craigslist as there are plenty of local collectors around here. Not sure what to ask but I suggested he put $150 on it and later relist it cheaper if he doesn't get any responses. Does anyone know anything about these types of knives? I know they are made in Iberia and ours appears to be at least 100 years old, maybe even turn of the Century. Thanks for any advice you may give.

I know a tad bit-but not on this type. I have a WWII Germany Army pocket knife that looks almost exactly like a Fallschirmjager's Gravity knife.

A picture would be nice!
Also all words on the blade, please.

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Thanks for the reply. No words on blade...I've got a Mexican Bowie, though, which does have a proverb etched on the blade. I'm keeping that one. Sorry, I don't have the slightest idea how to post pics here...I've got no photobucket account either. If anyone really wants to see it, I could email pics if PM'ed with an email addy.

Ask Rusty, he's the magical fellow who posted an email pic of a gal im hoping to get to know rather well.

This is one like mine but, mine is in better condition than this one ie and this one appears to have been altered IMO:

The Spanish have been making the Navaja knife for a long, long time.
This results is a wide range of age, quality and value.

Navaja - Wikipedia

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This one is more like mine in wood condition and color:

Pilgrim - I just looked at the knife and it does say something on the blade near the hilt. Looks like a stamping - a thin "18" followed by what looks like "GIROGLIA"...that's just a guess as it's really tough to read since the imprint is very shallow. Mine looks nothing like the above pics - different shape with long tapering bolster and a small engraved metal inlay on the dark brown handle (probably patinated horn). Wish I knew how to post photos here.

Hmm....thanks to you guys, I found the imprint on the knife. I googled it and found Giraglia - Wikipedia
Very possible the knife came from the Mediterranean...apparently they made them in France and Italy too.

Write to the Whut Izzit editor at, Knife World.His name is Bernard Levine.

A knife dealer, he can answer most such questions.

The range of quality and age will determine the knife's value.

Kurusu is in Portugal. See if he knows anything about these knives. PM him or post a question where he'll see it on the board.
He has very fluent English.

Portugal is also on the Iberian Peninsula and he has probably seen navaja knives. I have no idea why some are ridiculously large.

These look nothing like the German knives introduced by The Ringo Kid.

Thanks Texas Star, I'll look into contacting Mr. Levine. I just found out from my Dad that the knife came from his Uncle...who fought in The Battle of The Bulge in France...so that might possibly be where he acquired the piece. It looks a lot older than WWII era though.

fellars,

how old does a knife have to be to be an antigue ?

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Good question!
It really needs to be 100 years or older.
The knife we are discussing here has been made without a lot of changes for several hundred years.
So a brand new Navaja knife can look a lot like a really old one.

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I wouldn't consider this an antique, but probably from the 40's, it's the second one I've had, the first was an Olcut, this one is an Imperial. Solid quality and a little unusual.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Just curious, but how do you guys post pics???

I use postimage.org. it's free, and very easy.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244