I have been working daily on Volume Three and I am really excited about the way it is shaping up. This is a pictorial extravaganza. As I get one knife out to photograph I find another one that should be included. I am up to over 120 pages and each page has multiple photos in color with closeup shots of stamps and etchings. The difficulty is when you have nearly 400 specimens to choose from, what ones to leave out.
This volume includes 2nd and 3rd patterns along with Fatman and Beaded and Ribbed. But the diversity of 2nd patterns boggles the mind. Its not just B-2 knives but also different grip shapes and plating. There is an array of Wilkinson blade etches, including the Beasley knives and Marshall knives. I have also included 2nd Pattern knives with field modified grips of plexiglas, aluminum and other materials. There are numerous examples of smooth-gripped knives and an explanation of why they are not "fakes."
My aunt asked me how did I come to own so many rare knives. I told her it took almost 50 years. I spent a ton of money, a willingness to extend myself when money was tight. One time I even took out a small loan, I went to gun shows, knife shows, followed Ebay auctions from when it was in its beginning days, Became friends with other collectors and dealers of note, some of infamy. I bought knives that people could not give away, because some experts said they were fakes. Wood gripped knives could be bought for $25-35 and now dealers are asking several hundreds of dollars for them. It has been a life long journey for sure. I am pleased to be able to share with you knives that may not be on the market for another 50 or more years because my daughter will inherit the entire collection. Hopefully she will pass it on to her son. We have even talked of opening a museum. That would be great, but I don't have the funds for that. Any investors/enthusiasts out there?
So anyway, my books are your one chance to see the collection and learn what a huge variety of F-S knives exists. I wish I had such reference books available when I started collecting. I bought every book in print on F-S knives, even ones in foreign languages, even from the jerks who said my books were filled with fakes. Some books, Like Robert Buerlein's and Leroy Thompson's, are still classics. Thanks to all of you for visiting my website, whether you buy any books or not. You're welcome here.
By the way my second printing of "Clandestine Knives of WW2" is here and I have already sold three copies.
This volume includes 2nd and 3rd patterns along with Fatman and Beaded and Ribbed. But the diversity of 2nd patterns boggles the mind. Its not just B-2 knives but also different grip shapes and plating. There is an array of Wilkinson blade etches, including the Beasley knives and Marshall knives. I have also included 2nd Pattern knives with field modified grips of plexiglas, aluminum and other materials. There are numerous examples of smooth-gripped knives and an explanation of why they are not "fakes."
My aunt asked me how did I come to own so many rare knives. I told her it took almost 50 years. I spent a ton of money, a willingness to extend myself when money was tight. One time I even took out a small loan, I went to gun shows, knife shows, followed Ebay auctions from when it was in its beginning days, Became friends with other collectors and dealers of note, some of infamy. I bought knives that people could not give away, because some experts said they were fakes. Wood gripped knives could be bought for $25-35 and now dealers are asking several hundreds of dollars for them. It has been a life long journey for sure. I am pleased to be able to share with you knives that may not be on the market for another 50 or more years because my daughter will inherit the entire collection. Hopefully she will pass it on to her son. We have even talked of opening a museum. That would be great, but I don't have the funds for that. Any investors/enthusiasts out there?
So anyway, my books are your one chance to see the collection and learn what a huge variety of F-S knives exists. I wish I had such reference books available when I started collecting. I bought every book in print on F-S knives, even ones in foreign languages, even from the jerks who said my books were filled with fakes. Some books, Like Robert Buerlein's and Leroy Thompson's, are still classics. Thanks to all of you for visiting my website, whether you buy any books or not. You're welcome here.
By the way my second printing of "Clandestine Knives of WW2" is here and I have already sold three copies.
This knife is a product of Crown Sword company.
Postwar Wilkinson Sword company Second Pattern
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