Most knives were marked on the base of the blade or on a small metal plate in the handle of the knife. Many pocket knife manufacturers used a full name like Shrade stamped in the blade. Others have a hallmark. Opinel, a French pocket knife maker, uses a hand with a finger pointing at a crown as a hallmark logo.

Do pocket knives have serial numbers?

On one side of the blade, close to the handle, there are likely numbers and letters. They signify more than you might think. Open your pocket knife and take a look at its blade.

What do the numbers on a knife blade mean?

The number on a Case knife represents various features associated with the knife. The first number represents the type of handle material used to make the knife, the next digit indicates the number of blades it has, and the last two digits signify the factory pattern number of the knife (assigned to the handle die).

How old are pocket knives?

The first folding knife with a locking blade was invented in Spain in the 1600s, but it would take over 300 years for the lock blade pocket knife to become a standard fixture in the world of cutting tools.

Are Case knives valuable?

Case copperlock knives are very collectible and retail from $500 to $600 each as of early 2010.

Should I carry a pocket knife?

Having a pocket knife with you can save your life if an accident occurs. You can cut through material to bandage a wound or slice through a seatbelt to pull a person from wreckage. In the worst-case scenario, you can cauterize a wound by heating up your blade.