I will try to phrase this very carefully.
I need some info but I want to be very careful not to say anything that would allow the usual suspects to throw it back in my face.
About 25-30 years ago I bought a used knife that I saw in a gun shop. It was a little pricey but I liked it and I bought it. I didn't know anything about knives and still don't but I bought this one because the store owner said it was a quality item and like I said, I liked it.
Although a little big (6.75" blade) I carried it for a number of years using it as a utility and general purpose knife when I worked construction, warehouse duties and as a truck driver. I know that's silly since I guess it's supposed to be a fighting knife but that's how I used it. After maybe 5 years I put it in a drawer and forgot about it.
Well, I found it today and now I'm wondering about it. The only marking is the name MORSETH lengthwise on the left side of the blade. I searched that name and found that he died in 1972 after making custom knives since the 1940s. After his death A.G. Russell took over the name and I guess still makes knives marked MORSETH.
Is anyone familiar with this knife? Is it a Russell version or an original by Morseth? Any way to determine the date of manufacture? Any guesses as to what the monetary value would be on this thing? It came with a very heavy leather sheath with a thumb-break strap like a handgun holster.
If anyone else has any questions about knives please feel free to post them.
I'm not lying, I actually bought this knife a long time ago.
OK, I think I have myself covered.
About 25-30 years ago I bought a used knife that I saw in a gun shop. It was a little pricey but I liked it and I bought it. I didn't know anything about knives and still don't but I bought this one because the store owner said it was a quality item and like I said, I liked it.
Although a little big (6.75" blade) I carried it for a number of years using it as a utility and general purpose knife when I worked construction, warehouse duties and as a truck driver. I know that's silly since I guess it's supposed to be a fighting knife but that's how I used it. After maybe 5 years I put it in a drawer and forgot about it.
Well, I found it today and now I'm wondering about it. The only marking is the name MORSETH lengthwise on the left side of the blade. I searched that name and found that he died in 1972 after making custom knives since the 1940s. After his death A.G. Russell took over the name and I guess still makes knives marked MORSETH.
Is anyone familiar with this knife? Is it a Russell version or an original by Morseth? Any way to determine the date of manufacture? Any guesses as to what the monetary value would be on this thing? It came with a very heavy leather sheath with a thumb-break strap like a handgun holster.
If anyone else has any questions about knives please feel free to post them.
I'm not lying, I actually bought this knife a long time ago.
OK, I think I have myself covered.
0
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Saxon, from what i was reading on a custom knives forum, if its an original morseth it will be stamped S. Morseth. ones made after his death were only stamped MORSETH. 0 -
Hey Saxon, how about some pics?? 0 -
Um... Isn't there a photo of the knife in the post? 0 -
i c one. [?] 0 -
I cannot help you, but it definatly looks like a nice piece of work!
NOTE: I started to use a term that is often used to describe knifes, but I doubt that our LEO's would like the term so I left it off![;)][:D]0 -
If not having the ag markings I'd say it's an original morseth...should
have a fairly hefty value. There are appraisal services, but not sure
I'd reccomend them.0 -
Like I said, I don't know but if made by Russell wouldn't there be the Russell name on it, too? I suppose maybe if Russell owns the right to the Morseth name they could just use that. maybe someone will come along with a definitive answer. 0 -
heres a little history of the Morseth company
The late Harry Morseth started knifemaking around 1934 and along with William Scagel and Rudy Ruana were the daddies of the American handmade knife field. In the '60's Harry passed away and willed his business to his brother and his son Steve. I believe the brother lived in Minnesota far from the Redmond Washington shop. The brother wanted to sell, but Steve refused and there was some strife in the family.
Around 1972 just before they were about to go under A.G. Russell came to the rescue and moved the shop to Springdale, Arkansas where it remained until today.
I ordered my knife from the Redmond location in 1971 and received my model 7 military from the Springdale shop.in 1972. AG filled all outstanding orders on a basis of when they were received at the Redmond location.
I used that knife during my military career and still have it over 30 years later.
Steve Morseth stayed in Redmond and made knives under the name S. Morseth and mainly created his knives with stock removal using 440-C stainless. He passed away in the mid-90's.
I believe the original Morseth knives are of several varieties. In the early days Harry M. would buy finished blades from Brusseletto Norway and just handle them. Later he began to import the Norwiegen laminated steel and grind his own blades. Some time during the 50's or 60's he had blades made in Solingen germany perhaps due to the heavy ordering from guys headed to Nam where they were not as popular as Randall, but still popular due to the patented fibre lined sheath which made it safer for jumpers.
The laminated blades are the best Morseth to have and are distinguishable by the cutting edge being slightly darker in color than the softer steel sides. The center section was hardened to RC-64 which made it brittle and the softer steel laminates gave added strength to the brittle core. This is refered to as San Mai steel nowadays.
They are very hard to sharpen and even harder to dull. Mine has never been dull, but I continually touch up my knives just because I like the sound. ( you can pick me out of a crowd because both my arms and one leg have no hair on them at any given time.)
Your knife was discussed in an article I read from a customer who stated he skinned 3 grizzlies in Alaska without touching the edge to a stone.
I always meant to buy one of the model you have, which is called the Cascade Skinner, to compliment my 7" Military Survival, which also has the three-piece stag handle, but procrastinated too long. If you ever....? But you probably want to keep it.
To tidy up the blade use 400 grit emory and work your way to 600 grit. Watch your fingers!!! Perhaps glue the paper to paint stir stick to prevent the long wait for stitches.
They were never highly polished but were well finished. To buff the stag take silver polish and put it on a rag and let it dry...real dry. Use the point of your index finger to spiral small circles all over the horn. I do it while watching TV because it is mindless and safe, however if your mind wanders or you are easily excited by baseball games on TV then you should tape the cutting edge. It should shine like your Aunt Gertie's big toenail after 1 game or 3 sitcoms. When finished polishing buff with a clean rag, repeat cycle as needed and when satisfied take the polish brush out of the shoeshie kie and with the dry brush buff the stag, buff with clean rag and it will look like new. Or get one of the specialty sealers or knife protector creams.
If you want to minimize rust on the blade keep it out of the sheath when storing and you can rub a paraffin candle over the steel to seal out air and moisture. Or use the fancy knife creams.
The silver polish will also scrub up the brass. In fact Brasso will work just as good as Silvo, but I have just always used silvo, it also cleans my guitar strings and makes them new again.0 -
Looks like it has a strong Cooper influence, or Cooper's copied Morseth. 0 -
Saxon...
I found this in Levines Guide to Knives and their Values...
I am going to copy this word for word from the book...The knife is probably original, but not S. Morseth, his grandfather...H. Morseth...
His knives were marked Morseth....Steve Morseth marked is S. Morseth...
This is from the book. Written by S. Morseth and B. Levine..
MORSETH, HARRY (1889-1967)
Safe-Lok Sheath patent 1953
Everett WA worked 1936-1956 Mark: MORSETH
Clinton WA worked 1956-1966 Mark: Same
Business carried on by grandson Steve Morseth 1966-1971.
Morseth Co. sold to A. G. Russell, Springdale AR. 1971
MORSETH, STEVE (died 1995)
Clinton WA worked for Harry Morseth 1961-1966 Mark: MORSETH
Clinton WA worked 1966-1971 Mark: Same
Redmond WA Mark: S. MORSETH
Selah WA worked -1995 Mark: S. MORSETH
There is a whole section in the book on Morseth Knives with a price guide...Now keep in mind this book is old and I/we need a bit more info to really give a price, like the length of the blade, what is the handle made of etc...but the low end is at 150...high end is 500 with a stag handle...and this book is the 4th edition...
If you want, I can probably scan what is in the book and send it if you wish...There are 4 pages, with a few pics as well..
Beth0 -
Watching this one may give a good idea of value.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Morseth-Linen-Micarta-Custom-Knife_W0QQitemZ260099142583QQihZ016QQcategoryZ43325QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem
The same seller has another morseth, at this time priced the same.0 -
SP -
I'd be interested in it, if I could afford it.
Doug0 -
hi sax, looks like youre gettig a lot of info, but im gonna stab ya. this is an expert forum question! not a gen discuss.[:D][:p]
considering how hard you used it, you took good care of it.
ps...i dont care about what room, im just ridin' ya.[:p]0 -
I figure he's too busy doing a lil happy dance right now to reply.[;)] 0 -
I generally stay out of experts because of a real bad experience there.
I know that Morseth was known for his stag handles and maybe those bring a premium. Or maybe the other materials weren't as popular so are now more uncommon and they bring more. [:D]0 -
If your going to sell it, I`m interested! Got a px of the sheath? 0
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