Due to some health issues and a lack of extra funds I haven't been actively pursuing my addiction to knife acquisition very much lately.However;due to a sudden influx of some extra cash I decided to go shopping at a couple of my favorite antique shops that I hadn't visited in awhile.
After battling some road construction traffic I finally reached my favorite shop and started looking around. There were quite a few new items to see and my eyes fastened on this one particular 3 blade stockman that was advertised as "never been cleaned;all original" and a $40 price tag.
Opening it up I noticed a couple of age spots on the highly polished master blade(the others were as polished too)and a nice deep blade etch. Looking inside I could see traces of what looked like solidified oil(probably original) and not a trace of dirt or pocket lint.This indicated to me it had never been carried. The jigged bone handles were excellent except for a tiny crack emanating from the center rivet on the pile side.A couple more age spots decorated the back springs.The tang stamp(Diamond Edge Shapleigh Hardware Co.)was on all three blades.
Getting the usual 10% discount(because I'm a good customer I guess)brought the price down to $38.10 including tax.
Took my find home and very gently used a #2 lead pencil to remove a bit of the age spotting and a light polish with some Mother's Mag Wheel Polish and a drop of oil in the joints and my new prize was ready to go.
I knew Shapleigh didn't make their own knives but instead contracted them out to various companies and had their name stamped on them. As far as I can tell this one was made by Schrade Cutlery Co.likely some time before WWII.
I must have done all right because at least three people have offered to buy it already(one offered to double my investment) but as I do not sell knives(only buy them)it will remain in my accumulation.
Anyway here it is for your viewing pleasure.
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