New to the Forum and not a knife collector. I am getting a set of the commemorative knifes from the 70's -80's and the display case. I can give more info on the individual knives but I they are the "usual" seven I think, folding hunter, fisherman, Bowie etc.

They have been sitting in the boxes, sheaths in the plastic, case in the box it came in. Have everything about as delivered from the factory. They are not in-hand yet.

I don't need them and would like to pass them along to someone who would appreciate them but I don't have a real idea of rarity or value, reasonable price to ask etc. They will likely go in the Classified Section on the Forum. I will try to avoid liking them when I get them.

Any information on these would be appreciated.

Thanks

I don't know anything about the set you are speaking of. I am sure value would be related to who made them and where they were made. Not sure S&W made knives. I know a lot of what you find today is made by Taylor cutlery in China. Seeing as how they are older they may be of better quality. Pics and more info I think is needed. Sorry I could not be of more help

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

Are these the knives Blackie Collins designed? If so, they are magnificent!

I traded my set for a Pre-64 Model 70 Winchester with a Leupold scope straight across about 20 years ago, both parties were happy.

Randy

Blackie Collins Designed. Bowie, Survival, Folding Hunter, the two Fisherman knives, Outdoorsman and Skinner. Stored in boxes not in case. Pic. attached, not the actual set.

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A complete set of the 7 Blackie Collins ( deceased ) designed S&W knives, with the boxes, sheaths & display case, does not go for chump change today. They are top quality knives - very collectable. They were made in the early to mid 1970s in the S&W factory in Springfield, of quality steel - no Taylor Cutlerly Chinese junk. An unmolested complete set, as shipped from S&W would easily bring several thousand dollars from the right S&W knife collector., if you can identify them as early 70s factory production. In 1984, S&W sold their knife division to a Vermont knife maker who produced a few more Blackie Collins sets , so you may need to estabish the actual source of your set. Ed

Ed:
Would model #'s do it?

In recent years the Blackie Collins designed 7 knife set with dealer display case usually sell in the $1200 range, but if that set is "As New In Boxes" it should bring a bit more.

You may find the dates of manufacture below the S&W logo on some of the knives as shown on the brochure cover. S&W Knife Brochure




I'm not sure that Vermont Knife ever made any of the Blackie Collins set, they did produce some of the later Sportsman's/American Series knives.





KO

KO I have that first pamphlet and all the ones for each knife. I could zoom in on the one photo of the knives I have and they are dated in the 70's. Would $1500 be an unreasonable starting price? I'm not trying to squeeze every dollar out them and would like someone that would display them and handle them, not stick them in a closet with the case still in the box.

Thanks EE

Got a bunch of pics. I will attach a few.

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One of them looks like the knife in my Texas Rangers Commemorative Revolver Set from the '70's. Is that what makes up the set........knives from all their commemorative sets?
Larry

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

A point of clarification-
They are NOT commemoratives. They were sold as using/working knives.

They are decent knives. You have the original knives that S&W sold.


I bought a set about 7-8 years ago. All the knives had their boxes and sheaths; all were brand new. My display case was not pristine like yours, but decent. I did not have the box for it. I also had a couple of dozen of individual knives I bought from Bill Orr when he sold out. I found out the Bowies and Survival knives sold the best. The others were better at collecting dust and tire kickers. I hauled the set for years to annual meetings, Tulsa, and other gun shows. I thought I'd have to have them put in my coffin.....
Finally, a guy at Tulsa offered me a 95% K-22 Outdoorsman and $200 or $300 for the set and the individual knives I had left- I think there were 5 of them. We both left happy. I sold the K-22 OD for about $800 and was just happy to be done with knives.
I think your set is about the ultimate set since it is all pristine and the case has a box. A collector couldn't do any better, so I think $1500 is a decent price. Make them pay the freight.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Lee, I barley know more than the guy on the street. I believe I got the commemorative part form the Standard Catalog of S&W 4th edition but I could be mistaken. I have them listed but no one even asks about them. Either they are scared off because I do not have them in hand or because there is a little corrosion. Again, don't know much about them. I do think it would be hard to have something stuck in a box for 50 years collecting at least some moisture in the cardboard and not have a little damage. Part of the find I would think as opposed to exposed to air, oiled once in a while. A friend sent the gentleman a ebay posting for $1950 and I sent him one right back for $3200, you see that a lot. I bought three revolver presentation cases from him and offered to help them out. He is dealing with the grand daughter of the owner. It isn't working out so much. I just don't know enough about them and I am a revolver guy.

$1500 is a good place to start.
One thing I noticed is that the display case is missing the knife names on the glass.



KO

As I read the posts here from those highly knowledgeable of how these knives sell at shows and otherwise, the pricing being talked about are for knives in pristine condition. The corrosion issue would take those prices out of play in my mind. Yet I see them priced above that level. That is what scared me off.

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Possum—The other white meat!

They were OBO, or best offer.

I can only speak for myself, but I do believe a lot of people won’t even offer on something that is priced well over maximum retail if the goods were in perfect condition. I don’t ever want to insult anyone and don’t even offer, especially at a place with several gentleman that I know personally and are friends.

I certainly don’t have time to follow every sale on here, but it seems I frequently see this with knives. Someone will have a nice Spyderco, or ZT, or Microtech for sale. I will run it on KnifeCenter or Blade HQ and the knife will be priced HIGHER than I can order online with one click and free shipping.

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Possum—The other white meat!

Believe it or not Ebay is the place when it comes to establishing value for a knife or set of knives. I have a fair sized collection. Be aware that the highest priced factory knives do not come in sets no matter the box design. Some of my favorites are worn and ugly to most, though I have some that look like candy. At the moment they are in storage (controlled environment) a long way from my present location. As for the value of your set Just look it up by brand on Ebay as "S&W knife collection".

I've got nothing to add as far as value, but judging by the pics, I think that Bowie knife is the same type/style as the one in my 1973 Texas Rangers set that has the knife and the 19-3 in the nice wooden presentation case.

It's a cool looking set, and from my birth year!

That set looks terrific. I might have bought a set back when they first came out but I was unawares. Today, a set would be priced beyond what I'd be willing to spend. I love knives and have a collection of Spyderco worth over $3000. I need to catalogue them all so my wife has some idea of their worth when I kick the bucket.

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FBINA, 204th Session

My worst nightmare is my wife selling all of my guns for what I told her I paid for them.

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That's just somebody talkin.

We buy because we are collectors, and get enjoyment from looking at them. Some we shoot; others, we do not. I have been told to sell them before I die, so the wife won't be taken advantage of.

A man I know bragged about buying a Model 16 from a woman thought it was a 14.

If I sell all of my enjoyment, what shall I do in my old age?