Copper State Cutlery Association

Member Favorite Knives Page for:

Steve Jones, #2
602-321-0421
RustyKnives.com
steve@rustyknives.com

I've been restoring knives since I was about 17. I worked as a corner mechanic for a guy in St. Louis. He was into knives and guns and did some pretty crappy repair work. He taught me the basics and from there I taught myself how to rehandle pearl the best way and fix the mistakes that he had been making.  I soon learned that I wouldn't be able to make a living doing this work, but I didn't want to give it up.  So, I sent myself to jewelry school.  I've been a custom jeweler ever since and still have a want and a need to do high quality antique knife restoration and some modern customization.  I'll work in any material, precious metals, ivory, pearl, stone, anything.

It took me a long time to decide what I wanted to seriously collect in knives, antique knife catalogs.  I enjoy knowledge, and there is only so much available without going to the original catalogs.  I have quite an extensive knife catalog and book collection, numbering well over 200.  I have also, as far as collecting knives go, focused on only two kinds of knives, mint old Remingtons, and solid precious metal handle chatelaine knives.  I also enjoy knife picks.

The bulk of my Remingtons came to me by way of the estate auction of the former Chairman of the Board of Moorman's Feed (Now owned by Archer Daniels Midland - ADM), located in Quincy, IL.  My Remington collection won an award at one of the NKCA Cincinnati Knife Shows for Best Old Knives, which is also the only show that they have had a chance to be displayed at

I am an antique knife and razor dealer who is available for restoration projects, evaluation and identification, and custom jewelry work.  I also have the facilities to lost wax cast in brass, bronze, nickel silver, and of course silver, karat gold, and platinum.  I have recently reset-up most of my workshop and am now available for restoration work.

Below are some pictures of the most prized pieces in my collection and a couple very nice knives that I have sold.

These are some of my silver and karat gold handled chatelaine knives. The lower right knife is actually an IXL whittler.


This is an original OSS/CIA lock-picking escape knife.  Unfortunately it did not come to me with the torsion bar and the carry pouch.  It was made by Schrade for use during and after WWII.  These were a MUST return item given to an agent before they were sent" behind the lines".  Somehow about 20-35, of the about 500 made, are known to exist on the collector market.  Very few of them are in this condition and have suffered the use of the agent trying to use the knife for exactly what it was designed for, ESCAPE!  These are pretty commonly found with the tips missing from the bent picks.


These are mostly Remingtons, in mint condition.  The Remington knife pick is an authentic Dupont era opener.  The  mother of pearl knife pick is made by Griffon knives.


This is an antique champagne pattern knife made for Anheuser-Busch Brewing Co,  by A. Kastor, Germany. It has enameled handles and a Stanhope viewer. The small picture at bottom is actually a  view, through the Stanhope viewer, of the picture inside (picture is of Adolphus Busch).


This is the only known Beaver Falls Cutlery catalog in existence that carries their pocket knife line.  It is dated on the inside fly, announcing the company to potential buyers and dealers, 188?. 

 The only other known catalog, from this company, did not include the pocket knife line. I owned it as well, and later sold it. Both were won at eBay for greatly undervalued prices. It actually still does pay to try to find exceptional pieces for little money on internet auctions.