Karlsbad (Karlovy Vary) Stone Mosaic Handles – ca. 1900 ~ Antique

Karlsbad (Karlovy Vary) Stone Mosaic Handles – ca. 1900 ~ Antique

$109.00

Current stock:

Antique/Vintage ~ Rare

Here is a very rare pocket knife from Karlsbad (Karlovy Vary in Czech) in the Czech Republic. This area has been known for its hot springs for centuries. The spas built around the springs have been increasingly popular with tourists especially since rail transportation was introduced in the mid-1900s. These knives are built with a shallow brass “pan” on the front side and plain cattle horn on the back. The pan is fitted with natural stone pieces cut into geometric patterns sometimes referred to as "pietra dura." It is then filled with a tar-like mastic which, when hardened, is polished off revealing the colorful patterns. There is a central panel, usually engraved with “Karlsbad,” and sometimes “Karlovy Vary” and “Carlsbad”. This knife has “Karlovy Vary” , although it is very faint. The tang stamp most frequently seen is an anchor with a letter “F” on either side (the left one is reversed for symmetry). This is a mark of Franz Frenzel, a manufacturer in Bohemia ca. 1900. Tang is stamped " SOLIDUS FEINSTAHL " . It is in amazing condition considering it may be over 120 years old. There is only minor patina and the blades open and close tight.

Rare collector piece
3/14" closed
Condition is excellent ( see chart below )

NKCA Grading system

MINT: A factory fresh knife, absolutely original as it came from the manufacturer, not carried or sharpened, a perfect knife.

NEAR MINT: A new knife that has seen sometimes, show some slight carry or shop wear, blades snap perfectly, handles show no cracks.

EXCELLENT: Shows no more than 10% blade wear, handles are sound, no cracks, blades snap good.

VERY GOOD: About 25% blade wear, slight cracks in handles, may have one lazy blade, stamping clearly visible to the naked eye, no blades changed or repaired.

FAIR: 50% blade wear, blades lazy, cracks and chips in handles, handles replaced with same type, blades repaired, stampings faint but readable with a glass.

POOR: Blades very worn, handles bad or missing, blades have been replaced with the same type, reading of the stamp is almost impossible, even with a glass, good mostly only for parts.