NKCA Knives

There were commemorative knives made for the 1973 NKC & DA knife shows. A similar knife was made for each show, the knife shown here was for the Arlington, TX show. It was made by Case, in a three blade stockman 4318 HP pattern, closed length measuring 3 5/8 inches. It has white composition handles, and nickel silver bolsters, pins, and shield. Only 200 were made for each show, and the original selling price was $12. Additional shows included Louisville, KY and Hartford, CT

The commemorative knife made for the 1974 NKC & DA Louisville, KY knife show was made by Case, in a trapper 3254 pattern. Only 200 were made, and the original selling price was $12.

The commemorative knife made for the 1975 NKC & DA Arlington, TX knife show was made by Case, in a trapper 2231 SAB pattern, measuring 3 3/4 inches closed, with a black composite handle material. Only a small number were made for each knife show that year.

The commemorative knife made for the 1976 NKC & DA Arlington, TX knife show was made by Case, in a stockman 33092 pattern with birdseye pins, measuring 4 inches closed, with a yellow composite handle material. Only a small number were made for each knife show that year.

The commemorative knife made for the 1977 NKC & DA Arlington, TX knife show was made by Case, in a stockman 33044 pattern with birdseye pins, measuring 3 1/2 inches closed, with a yellow composite handle material. Only a small number were made for each knife show that year.

The commemorative knife made for the 1978 NKCA knife show held in Hartford, CT was made by Wostenhold, England, in a pen knife pattern with mother of pearl handles. The knife measures 3 1/8 inches long closed.

The commemorative knife made for the 1978 NKC & DA Arlington, TX knife show was made by Case, in a stockman 23087 pattern, measuring 3 1/4 inches closed, with a black composite handle material. Only a small number were made for each knife show that year.

The commemorative knife made for the 1979 NKCA Louisville, KY knife show was made by Case, in a single blade 21051LSSP pattern. Only 200 were made, and the original selling price was $12.

The commemorative knife made for the 1980 NKCA knife show held in Arlington, TX was made by Case, in a two blade jubilee pen knife pattern 278. The handles are faux tortoise shell, and it measures 3 1/8 inches closed.

The commemorative knife set made in 1980, known as the NKCA Museum Founders Set, consisting of four knives made from four different manufacturers. A Kissing Crane whittler pattern with stag handles, a Case sunfish pattern with appaloosa bone handles, a Schrade large clasp knife with stag handles, and a Fight’N Rooster stockman pattern with mother of pearl handles. The knives were serialized, and the closed lengths for each are: Crane = 4 1/8 inches, Case = 4 3/8 inches, Schrade = 5 1/2 inches, and the Rooster = 3 7/8 inches. Only 2600 sets were produced, and the original selling price was $200.

The rare commemorative knife given out in the early 1980’s to limited NKCA members is an E. Bruckmann equal end bartender’s knife with rosewood handles. It measures 3 1/2 inches closed, features stainless blades, brass pins and liners, and nickel silver bolsters. These knives were made between 1920 and 1956, but when a large warehouse find of them was located in the 1970’s, a certain quantity was purchased. This knife is etched on the main blade “NKCA membership award by Star Sales”. An unknown quantity of them was produced.

The commemorative knife made for the 1981 NKM Grand Opening was made by Case, in a two blade trapper 3254 pattern, and the original selling price was $20.

The commemorative knife set made in 1981, known as the NKM Dedication set, was made by Case with 2 red appaloosa bone knives. The first is a congress SR6488SSP pattern with four blades, measuring 4 1/8 inches closed. The second is a whittler SR6380SSP pattern with three blades, measuring 3 7/8 inches closed. Both have brass pins and liners, and nickel silver bolsters and shield, and the original selling price was $100.

The commemorative knife made for the 1981 NKCA knife show held in in Fort Worth, TX is a Case XX USA slim trapper pattern with serrated spay blade, pattern 32048 SP. The knife measures 4 1/8 inches closed, and has yellow composite handles. Only a small limited number were made for this knife show.

The rare commemorative knife made in 1981 was for the NKCA board members and officers only. It is a Case XX Texas longhorn pattern with center bolster, and genuine mother of pearl handles. It features stainless steel blades, and nickel silver bolsters and pins. The center bolster is etched “1981 NKCA Board Member”. They were given at no cost to the officers and board members, and only 21 were produced.

The commemorative knife set made in 1982, called the NKCA Decade of Growth set, featured two knives. The first is a five blade stockman 6592SS made by Case with jigged brown handles. The second is a three blade stockman Model 49 made by Queen with stag handles. Both knives were serialized, and the original selling price for the set was $90.

The commemorative knife made for the 1982 NKCA membership fundraiser drive was made by Case, in a single blade toothpick SR61093SSP pattern with smooth red appaloosa bone handles. Two different blade etches were available, and only 2200 were made with the original selling price of $22. Additionally, later that year 800 of these knives were made with no blade etch, and the original selling price for these was $30.

The commemorative knife made for the NKCA in 1983 was made by Camillus for Sword Brand, in a single blade model 862 lockback pattern, with metal handles. These rare knives were made with a small limited quantity, and they were given at no cost to any members who signed up for a 2 year membership.

The commemorative knife made for the National Knife Museum in 1984 was a sustaining fund drive knife made by Case, in a trapper 6254SS pattern. It has dark burnt orange jigged bone handles, and measures 4 1/8 inches closed. It features brass pins and liners, and nickel silver shield and bolsters. The right front bolster is serialized, only 2500 were made, and the original selling price was $60. Shown above are some tang stamp variations for the commemorative knife made for the National Knife Museum in 1984. These sustaining fund drive knives were made by Case, in a trapper 6254SS pattern. The main blade tang stamp can have 2 dot, 4 dot, 5 dot, and 6 dot markings.

The commemorative knife made for the NKM 5 year anniversary was made in 1986. The knife was made by Case, in a three blade gunboat 5394SS pattern with stag handles. It features brass pins and liners, nickel silver shield and bolsters, and the right front bolster is serialized. Measuring 4 1/4 inches closed, only 2500 were made, and the original selling price was $55.

The commemorative knife made in 1986 for the NKCA membership recruiting drive was made by Frost Cutlery, in a single blade lockback pattern, with stainless handles and blade.

The commemorative knife made in 1988 - 1989 for the NKCA, as a free knife given out to new members was made by Frost Cutlery, in a single blade easy open lockback pattern, with a stainless blade and handles. They were also sold to the public for $14.95.

The commemorative knife made in 1989 for the NKCA 15th anniversary was made by Case, in a single blade large coke bottle pattern WC61050. It has white bone handles and measures 5 1/2 inches closed. Only 1500 were made, and the original selling price was $65.

The commemorative knife made in 1990 for the NKM, known as the “1st of the Museum Series”, was made by Case, in a coke bottle C61050SS pattern, with dark brown jigged bone handles and the NKCA round shield on the front. It measures 5 1/2 inches closed, only 1500 were made, and the original selling price was $65.

The commemorative knife made in 1991 for the NKM 10th anniversary was made by Hen & Rooster, in a single blade locking bolster pattern (Cargill Lock). It has stag handles and only 1500 were made, with the original selling price was $88.

The commemorative knife made in 1992 for the NKM, known as the “2nd of the Museum Series”, was made by Case, in a coke bottle C61050SS pattern, with green jigged bone handles and the NKCA round shield on the front. It measures 5 1/2 inches closed, only 1000 were made, and the original selling price was $65.

The commemorative knife made in 1992 for the NKCA 20th anniversary was made by Cripple Creek, in a two blade serpentine pattern, measuring 3 5/8 inches closed. The handles are genuine mother of pearl, and the front side has the round NKCA shield, along with the 3 legged buffalo shield. This knife features brass pins and liners, and the bolsters and shields are nickel silver, with the bolsters having engine-turned swirls. Only 475 were made, and the original selling price was $180.

The extremely rare commemorative knife made for the 1993 NKCA membership drive is a Cargill custom folder, given as first prize to the individual or local knife club that signed up the most NEW members between Jan 1 and Jun 30, 1993. This carpenter jack knife has ivory handles with blue paua shell inlay, engine turned bolsters and blades. This is a specially made 1 of 1 knife, valued in 1993 at $600.

The commemorative knife made in 1997 for the NKCA 25th anniversary was made by Case, in a two blade canoe 62131SS pattern. The handles are jigged gray bone, and the knife measures 3 5/8 inches closed. This knife features brass pins and liners, and has nickel silver bolsters, with the right front bolster having a serial number. Only 500 were made, and the original selling price was $100.

The commemorative knife made in 1997, etched “Remington Salutes NKCA’s 25th Anniversary”, is a Camillus two blade baby bullet trapper CCC5 pattern. It has dark brown jigged bone handles, with the NKCA shield on the front side, and the Camillus shield on the back side. It features stainless blades, bras pins and liners, and nickel silver shields and bolsters. The right front bolster is serialized, and the closed length is 3 5/8 inches. Only 3000 were made, and the original selling price was $40.

The commemorative knife made in 1999 for the National Knife Museum, sold as a “Good Luck” souvenir from the Museum gift shop was made by Tomahawk Brand, in a single blade lockback pattern, with a stainless steel blade and handles. Only 100 were made, and the original selling price was $7.

The commemorative knife set made in 2000 celebrates the first 5 NKCA presidents. This set consists of five knives from Schatt & Morgan, made by Queen Cutlery, in a two blade canoe pattern. Each knife has amber stag bone handles with the NKCA round shield on the front, and they all measure 3 5/8 inches closed. Each knife has a different NKCA president’s name etched on the blade. Only 41 sets were made, and the original selling price was $375.

The commemorative knife made for the NKCA Covington, KY 2000 knife show is a Buck 532 pattern featuring smooth polished buffalo horn handles. The blade is satin finish 420 Stainless, and it has nickel silver bolsters, and a fileworked backspring, and comes with a black leather belt sheath. The overall closed length is 4 1/4 inches, and only a small limited number were made. The original selling price was $100.

This is a commemorative knife made in 2000 as a special Millennium commemorative knife, presented to the NKCA by Case. This is a unique 1 of 1 custom designed knife in a model 61749LSS mini Copperlock pattern. It has jigged brown bone handles, engraved bolsters, and the blade is color etched reading "June 2000 1 of 1". This knife was never released to be sold to the public.

The commemorative knife made in 2002 for the NKCA 30th anniversary was made by Queen, in a two blade muskrat pattern. It has jigged brown bone handles with the round NKCA shield on the front. The knife measures 4 inches closed, only 230 were made, and the original selling price was $79.95.

The commemorative knife made for the NKCA Ohio 2002 knife show is a Buck 276 Alpha Hunter pattern with polished frame, and jigged black buffalo horn handle scales. The blade is satin finish and is 3 7/8 inches long. It comes with a black riveted nylon belt sheath. Only a very small limited number of 20 made, and they were given to the show participants who had a impressive Buck knife collection display.

The commemorative knife made for the NKCA Ohio 2004 knife show is a Buck 193 Alpha Hunter pattern featuring guthook, and a 3 3/4 inch drop point mirror polished steel blade. It has stag handles and comes with a dark red leather belt sheath. Only a very small limited number were made.

This is the commemorative knife made for the NKCA Georgia 2004 knife show. This was a donated raffle knife created by Jerry Bodner, famous miniature knife maker. It contains a main miniature knife measuring 2 1/2 inches long, that has the NKCA and 2004 on either side of the handle. Inside the handle is a 2nd miniature knife, measuring just 7/8 inches long. This is an extremely rare knife, made only as a raffle knife for this NKCA show.

The commemorative knife made in 2006 for the new Grand Opening of the National Knife Museum was made by Case, in a barlow 62009 pattern, and was sold through Smoky Mountain Knife Works. The handles are smooth red bone, and it has brass pins and liners, and nickel silver bolsters. The knife measures 3 3/8 inches closed, only 100 were made, and the original selling price was $59.99.

The commemorative knife made in 2007 for the National Knife Museum Grand Opening is a Schatt & Morgan, made by Queen, in a mountain man pattern. The handles are amber wormgroove bone, and the NKCA round shield is on the front handle. The knife measures 4 1/2 inches closed, and the original selling price was $75.

Some commemorative knives were offered from 2006 through 2008 for the National Knife Museum. They were made by Case, in a two blade barlow, two blade trapper, and three blade sowbelly pattern, and were sold through Smoky Mountain Knife Works. They all have smooth white bone handles, and are serialized.

The commemorative knife made in 2007 for the NKM Grand Opening, sold through Smoky Mountain Knife Works, was made by Case, in a two blade peanut pattern, with mastodon ivory handles, and the main blade is serialized.

The commemorative knife made in 2012, is the first ever Christmas Edition knife. It was made by Case, in a customized two blade trapper pattern. The handles are mother of pearl and red swirl, done by Michael Prater of Painted Pony, and a matching Zippo lighter is included. Only 50 sets were made, and the original selling price was $299.95.

The 2012 commemorative knife made for the NKCA 40th anniversary was a Schatt & Morgan lockback mountain man pattern, by Queen Cutlery. It features a D2 steel blade, and red/white mica pearl handles customized by Michael Prater. The overall closed length is 3 1/2 inches, and only 100 pieces were made. The original selling price was $250.00.

The commemorative knife made in 2013 for the NKM 32nd Anniversary was made by Puma, in a 4-Star single blade lockback pattern, with custom oyster shell handle scales by Michael Prater & Co. This knife features a 440A/55-57 HRC steel blade measuring 2 5/8 inches long, and the closed length is 4 inches. Only 50 were made, and the original selling price to NKCA members was $89.95.

The 2013 commemorative knife was created and sold as a fundraiser for the NKCA. This kitchen paring knife was designed by legendary knife maker Tony Bose, and has custom wood handles by VCM Custom Knives. Many different types of wood were used for the handles, so each knife is unique. With a hollow grind stainless blade and an overall length of 7 inches, it is a great, rare limited knife with only 25 made. They were sold for $350 each. The knife shown here had cocobolo for the wood handles.

The 2013 commemorative knife was created and sold as a fundraiser for the NKCA. This fixed blade Zulu knife was designed by legendary knife maker Tony Bose, and has custom wood handles by VCM Custom Knives. Different types of wood were used for the handles, so each knife is unique. With an ATS-34 stainless blade and an overall length of 7 1/8 inches, it is a great, rare limited knife with only 14 made. The knives also come with a saddle grade cowhide belt sheath made by Larry Parsons. They were sold for $500 each. Shown here are maple burl and cocobolo wood handles.

The 2013 commemorative knife was created and sold as a fundraiser for the National Knife Museum. This Izula neck pattern knife was made by Esee Cutlery. It is carbon steel with black texture powder coated finish. Overall length is 6 1/4 inches with a 2 5/8 inch blade, and it comes with a molded sheath. They were sold for $45 each. Only an initial small limited run of 50 knives was made, with additional knives made per order afterwards.

The 2014 commemorative knife was created and sold as a fundraiser for the NKCA. This fixed blade Swayback knife was designed by legendary knife maker Tony Bose, and has custom wood handles by VCM Custom Knives. Many different types of wood handles were available, including rosewood, ironwood, maple burl, and fancy maple. With a ATS-34 stainless blade and an overall length of 6 1/2 inches, it is a beautiful, rare limited knife with only 14 made for public sale. The knives also come with a saddle grade leather belt sheath made by Larry Parsons. These knives were sold for $500 each.

The 2014 commemorative knife was created and sold as a fundraiser for the NKCA. This custom made lockback saddlehorn pattern, was created by Tony Bose, and sold at auction through Shepard Hills Cutlery. This unique 1 of 1 knife features ebony wood handles, fluted bolsters, arrowhead shield, and a CM-154 steel blade. This knife was sold to the highest bidder on Dec 1, 2014 for $4,450.00

There are many various commemorative items that have been produced for the NKCA, or the NKM. Shown above are the 1975, 1978, and 1980 belt buckles, made from pewter or brass, with plastic inlays, and the size is 3.4 inches wide by 2.3 inches tall. Also shown is a 1975 lapel pin, a NKCA money clip, and a NKCA bronze keychain.