Customer Reviews

Collector's Guide To Switchblade Knives: An Illustrated Historical And Price Reference

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Richard Langston is an acknowledged expert in this field and a well known avid collector of automatic knives. He does not disappoint in the "Collector's Guide to Switchblade Knives" . While the book is a little heavily oriented to towards the early twentieth century companies of Pressbutton, Schrade Walden, and their derivatives, this is in keeping with the spirit of the hobby as these are generally the most sought after knives. His insights on the histories of these companies is invaluable from the standpoint of determining age of these products. On the down side, I would have liked to have seen a little more historical and dating information about other companies products and imported knives, but you can only get so much in one book.

Richard Langston's book is best summed up by the title of this review. His historical and informational references are effused
with his personality and wit. I enjoyed reading the beginning of this book so much, it left me wanting for more. The early days
of the cutlery industry in the United States, and Upstate New York in particular, were a fascinating time. To read about this
history from the perspective of someone who has been an enthusiastic student for most of his life, is a gift not often discovered.

In The Collector's Guide To Switchblade Knives: An Illustrated Historical And Price Reference Richard Langston draws from his immense expertise and personal collection to present a fully updated and completely reliable history of the switchblade knife in American history. This comprehensive, "reader friendly" guide will enable novice and experienced collectors alike to identify all kinds of automatic knives from museum-quality antiques to the knife in the back of the bureau drawer gathering dust for the last decade. Using a dual grading system, dealers, owners, and collectors are provided with a reference offering an honest appraisal of more than 160 automatic knives based on manufacturer, tang markings, condition, availability, functioning, opening mechanism, hand, and blade materials. The Collector's Guide To Switchblade Knives is especially recommended for switchblade enthusiasts, collectors, dealers, historians, and writers seeking background authenticity for their stories involving an form of automatic knife.

Considering the enormous popularity of switchblade knives, there is a pathetic dearth of credible literature on the subject. Nearly all the books, and certainly all the major ones, were written long ago and have been out of print for many years. Not only has Rich Langston corrected this, he has surpassed his predecessors in doing so.

Beginning with the premise "that automatic knives are a definite part of history and deserve to be studied," Mr Langston thoughtfully explores and elaborates upon that history. His well-documented, friendly style facilitates that deserved study. Actually, friendly is understated. This book is a labour of love, yet the author's love of the subject is disciplined, not indulgent. His presentation is as clear and objective as it is enthusiastic.

The largest section of the book is the illustrated gallery of over one hundred fifty automatic knives. From the modest to the magnificent, with values of from two figures to four figures, each knife is shown, photographed in close detail, followed by its description, commentary and value. The particular knife, the one pictured on the page rather than that model in the abstract, is graded and valued. This approach is inspired and will prove especially helpful to collectors.

This book compensates for the lack of extant material on switchblade knives, easily filling that void. In relative terms, it is the best work of its kind. In absolute terms, it is an excellent book, written by a man who has an uncanny understanding and appreciation of his subject and who succeeds splendidly in sharing his knowledge with the reader.

Some pictures and grading info, has a wide array of types and years of knifes. "Antique American Switchblades" is ten times a better source.

The most comprehensive book on collectible early switchblades on the market
Well layed out easy to understand, very good book.

This book has great information on American switchblade history. There is very little information on italian switchblades. All pictures are black and white. If your into American switchblades, this is your book. If your looking for information on Italian switchblades, pass on this book.

Considering the enormous popularity of switchblade knives, there is a pathetic dearth of credible literature on the subject. Nearly all the books, and certainly all the major ones, were written long ago and have been out of print for many years. Not only has Rich Langston corrected this, he has surpassed his predecessors in doing so.

Beginning with the premise "that automatic knives are a definite part of history and deserve to be studied," Mr Langston thoughtfully explores and elaborates upon that history. His well-documented, friendly style facilitates that deserved study. Actually, friendly is understated. This book is a labour of love, yet the author's love of the subject is disciplined, not indulgent. His presentation is as clear and objective as it is enthusiastic.

The largest section of the book is the illustrated gallery of over one hundred fifty automatic knives. From the modest to the magnificent, with values of from two figures to four figures, each knife is shown, photographed in close detail, followed by its description, commentary and value. The particular knife, the one pictured on the page rather than that model in the abstract, is graded and valued. This approach is inspired and will prove especially helpful to collectors.

This book compensates for the lack of extant material on switchblade knives, easily filling that void. In relative terms, it is the best work of its kind. In absolute terms, it is an excellent book, written by a man who has an uncanny understanding and appreciation of his subject and who succeeds splendidly in sharing his knowledge with the reader.