Old Hickory Skinner Knife Value Guide

The Old Hickory Skinner Knife is a quintessential piece of American cutlery history, produced by the Ontario Knife Company using a design that dates back to 1889. These knives are highly collectible due to their 'Green River' pattern and high-carbon steel blades, which were favored by frontier trappers for their superior edge retention.

What Is Old Hickory Skinner Knife Worth?

The typical price range for Old Hickory Skinner Knife is $25 - $28 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Overall condition of the high-carbon steel, specifically the presence of a natural dark patina versus destructive rust.
• The integrity of the hickory handle, including any cracks, chips, or loosening of the brass rivets.
• Originality of the blade shape, ensuring it hasn't been excessively ground down or reshaped by over-sharpening.
• Market demand for mid-century American-made tools, with current values typically ranging from $25.00 to $28.00.

How to Identify Old Hickory Skinner Knife?

• Look for the distinct 'Old Hickory' brand stamp pressed into the high-carbon steel blade.
• Verify the handle is made of genuine hickory wood secured by two or three brass compression rivets.
• Check for the characteristic broad, upward-curving skinning blade profile typical of the 1950-1970 era.
• Identify the full-tang construction where the steel runs the entire length and width of the wooden handle.

History of Old Hickory Skinner Knife

The Old Hickory line was introduced by the Ontario Knife Company in 1889. These knives became a staple in American households and on frontiers due to their high-carbon steel construction, which held a sharp edge better than many contemporaries. The 'Green River' pattern seen here has been a favorite among hunters and trappers for over a century, maintaining a design that has remained largely unchanged since the 19th century.