Just purchased an intersting knife...

[stringpicker]

Mervin Masters was an old guy that lived in Northern Kentucky, and out of boredom and enjoyment, he would gather up old files and turn them into some fine looking folding knives. I remember back in 1984 or 85, going to what I believe was the Bill Goodman's Gun and Knife show in Cincinnati with my dad. I was 12 or 13 at the time, and enjoyed looking at milsurps, balisongs, and other things. Dad ran into an old guy in blue and white pinstriped bib overalls, like a train conductor would wear. They stood and talked awhile, and dad bought a bone handled Barlow from the man. Dad never paid much for anything, since he was a money mizer...something I believe I learned from him. Anyway, dad brought the knife home, and we lost track of it. Knowing dad, he traded it off for ammo or gun parts for his M1A1. Anyway, I lost track of that knife and forgot about it.

The other day, I was digging around on the big auction site and came across one with an opening bid of $6. I put in my max bid, and forgot about it. It wasn't a Barlow, and that's what I'm trying to build a collection of. Well, the auction ended on that knife, and I apparently won it.

Bear in mind that Mervin didn't seem to make many knives, and what he did make was always different from the last, meaning that each one was unique and a one of a kind knife. I've only found 3 or 4 other Mervin Masters knives online, so it seems that they are fairly rare.

At any rate, here's some of the photos from the listing. I should have the blade in hand next week sometime, according to tracking information. Due to rarity and the fact that I did see my dad talking with him, and bought one of his knives, this knife will be lightly cleaned and oiled, then put up in the safe with my other higher valued knives. I feel honored to be able to add one of his knives to my collection.

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[catadjuster]

Nice find - I had never heard of that maker.

 

[stringpicker]

Mervin passed away in 1988, from what I could find on him. He was old when dad bought the Barlow off of him. I wish we still had that Barlow. These don't seem to pop up that often on forums. On a knife forum I frequent, I found one owned by a guy in western Canada, so some of them have gotten around.

I saw another MM knife pop up on the auction site after this one was up for a few days, but it has a buy it now price that is almost twice what I paid for mine...but it's a very attractive knife. If I had the spare cash on hand, I'd buy it. I know what few owners I've come across have paid for theirs, or at least a ballpark amount, and mine came in much lower...probably because it's not well known outside of Northern KY area.

I'll hold on to this one for awhile. I had a limit that I was willing to spend on it, and came in slightly less than my max bid. While I have a small connection to my dad through the memories of him buying one, I do plan on flipping this purchase eventually. I know the approximate year it was made...early to mid 80's, and the seller is sending me a little information on it, such as how they got it and from whom. It's a knife, a bit of folk art, and a piece of history. For me, it's got it all. I plan on contacting the family to see if they remember him making it, and to get a bit more history on the man.

 

[stringpicker]

The knife came in today, and it's a dandy. The walk and talk are silky and with a nice snap. The blade is razor sharp, as well. It was built by a working man, for a working man to use, and it shows signs of both. While not a safe queen collectible per se, it truly is a really nice example of the heart and soul Mr Masters put into his knives.

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[iPac]

That's really neat. A unique piece of craftsmanship.

Enjoy!

 

[stringpicker]

If you look closely in the second photo, the spring is an old file, and the lines from the file cut are still present. Mr. Masters ground it down some, but not enough to disguise what it once was. I really like that it was left.

 

[old bear]

stringpicker, nice knife, but an even better story to go with it. Please use and enjoy your new find.

 

[JohnRippert]

It is bigger than I thought from the first pictures. Definitely a working mans knife.

 

[stringpicker]

It is bigger than I thought from the first pictures. Definitely a working mans knife.

Closed, it's 5-1/2" long. Opened, it's 9-3/8" long. It's a biggun', that's for sure. The dark spot on the back bolster at the wood is actually an adhesive the guy used prior to pinning...not rust or tarnish. Dimensions weren't listed on the auction ad, so I assumed it was a smaller knife...and was very surprised at it's size. It's also a heavy knife, weighing in at nearly 6.5 ounces.

I'm thinking about reaching out to the family to see if I could get some more information on the maker, and if they remember some of his knives. It would be neat to have their narrative on paper to add to the history of the knife for the future. A man that made knives like this needs to have his name mentioned in US knife making history.