Benchmark knives history9/1/2023 ![]() Sheffield pocket knives helped lay the groundwork for establishing the standard for pocket knives. Besides these two game changing things, Sheffield also was the first to make knives in a large volume and at a relatively low cost, and of these knives, many were designed and made to tackle specific tasks. Sheffield, England is notable in that they had iron of excellent quality and were the first to make the first slip joint knife with a spring action. Metalworking greatly improved as blacksmiths and metallurgists developed better iron and finally steel. The biggest game changer was of course improvement in metallurgy. Though the folding “pocket knife” has been around a couple thousand years with little change, there were some important innovations along the way. The design was obviously a good one as the general concept has survived up to today with little change. Similar folding knives have been found with Roman military and even Viking artifacts, though those would likely have been meant for last ditch weapons and tools for tradesmen/farmers respectively. This first pocket knife featured a handle made of bone and was likely used by salt miners and other support jobs in the village. So far, the oldest “pocket knife” that has been unearthed was a blade from Hallstatt, Austria dated to around 500 – 600 BC – nearly 2,000 years before the invention of pockets! Of course calling it a pocket knife would be inaccurate, it’s named such most likely because it was the first folding knife similar to the modern pocket knife. ![]() Not surprisingly, this means that the pocket knife is just one more tool we take for granted and it’s another tool that we don’t know who the inventor is, but it’s a tool with enough documentation that you can at least put together a timeline. That’s how wonderful they are, it’s one of the best and most versatile tools ever made. Once you start using it at work, every problem you encounter outside of work looks like it could be solved with your pocket knife. Most useful for opening packages, breaking down boxes, cutting plastic wrap, cutting string and so much more. Carrying a pocket knife for work purposes is incredibly handy. Carrying a pocket knife, for instance, is one thing that’s hard to give up once you start doing it. Values go up to $1,000 and more depending upon collectability and condition.There are some things that once you start doing, it’s hard to go back to the way things were before. Research information can be found in the 14 th edition of the Official Price Guide to Collector Knives, C. If you have specific questions, you may call me at. I’ve posted this knife well below value to give the market for collectors to find its place. Gerber and Benchmark have a solid reputation of producing a quality knife which this piece reflects. This piece is very well made and includes coca bola in a body of stainless steel, all connected with screws (not rivets). Later production which was discontinued in 1990 occurred after patent was in place. JML REVIEW – This piece is marked “Benchmark Patent Pending”, a rare time period at the beginning of Gerber ownership and distribution of Benchmark knives. Large for a pocket knife, but perfect for carry in a pair of jeans walking in the woods, backyard, or just walking around outdoors. This particular piece, the Diamondback, is numbered 00936, a part of the “patent pending” period early on in Rolox history. Diamondback Benchmark Rolox Pocket Knife: Gerber marketed and sold their wares in jewelry stores which places this knife during the distribution and ownership of Gerber, most likely in the early to mid 80’s. I acquired this really very unique pocket knife at Moshers, a jewelry store in Port Huron, Michigan. Research data isn’t clear, but “Blackie” Collins was a prominent figure in the years when the Rolox design was introduced. A variety of well known knife designers from Walter (“Blackie”) Collins to Al Mar were associated with Gerber during the era of Benchmark knives.
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