Bone Handle Knife Appraisal

Case XX USA Damascus Blade Pocket Knife with Bone Handle

This item is a folding pocket knife, likely a multi-blade model, featuring Damascus steel blades and a handle with what appears to be bone or stag scales. The most prominent feature is the intricate, wavy pattern characteristic of Damascus steel visible on both exposed blades, indicating a high level of craftsmanship in their forging. One of the blades is broad and flat, while the other smaller blade is partially visible extending from the handle. The Bolster, the metal cap at the end of the handle near the blade pivot, is made of a polished, silvery metal, likely nickel silver or stainless steel, and shows some minor surface wear consistent with handling. The handle material is a light, opaque, yellowish-cream color, secured by brass or silver-colored pins, suggesting it could be bone, antique ivory, or a synthetic imitation. The visible portions of the handle appear smooth with minor imperfections or natural variations. The tang of the main blade, near the pivot, clearly displays a 'Case XX USA' stamp, indicating the manufacturer as W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co., a renowned American knife maker, and confirms its country of origin. The 'XX' often signifies the steel type or heat treatment in older Case knives, though in modern Damascus blades, it primarily serves as a historic mark. The overall condition appears good, with no obvious signs of significant damage or heavy corrosion on the blades or bolster, though the Damascus pattern can sometimes obscure minor scratching. This knife exhibits a classic American pocket knife aesthetic, blending traditional materials with the distinctive appeal of Damascus steel.