Wheel Horse Knives - Counter display

[Horseman1 14]

I am trying to find out if my counter display of Wheel Horse Knives have a significant value. I purchased them when I was a dealer in the late 80's. They were placed in the display at that time and have never removed. I have lost the key but have a friend that is a locksmith that can get me in if I want to. The boxes and any sheaths are stored behind the red display board.
I have never seen another one of these and can find nothing about them. The top three knives have "Wheel Horse" in the handle. The bottom three are standard knives. 
I am not sure if I would sell them or not but would like to see if anyone knows the value. 

[USHorse 41]

Quality wise, thumbs up as the manufacturer (Camillus Cutlery ) produced great products for military, boyscouts, etc.  I did consulting work for that company so got to see production.  The town of Camillus located right near syracuse.

[MalMac 1,332]

When we were a dealer years ago, I don't remember any knives, but then again it was a long time ago. Very nice item. It's probably only worth something to a Wheel Horse nut. So as that goes, it's whatever someone is willing to pay. It's really the display and logo on the knives that make it worth anything. Like said it's probably mainly only would appeal to Wheel Horse collectors.

[stevasaurus 23,106]

Excellent knives.  Those handles look a lot like Case handles...I wonder if Case and Camillus merged at some point.  The 2nd knife from the right in the 4th picture is the Boy Scout knife.   Very nice collection.  No idea what they may be worth. 

[Tankman 3,520]

 No idea what they may be worth. 

If it were mops you would know their value. Right Squid?

'64-'68 FMF Atlantic - USS Guam - LPH - Great ship and sparkly clean'

[JimD 3,345]

A local dealer had a display similar to yours, though it was in a different locking case. One knife was missing and I was told they sold that one long ago. I asked about buying the rest and she said she'd have to have a local auctioneer appraise them. I was pretty sure at that point I would never acquire them. Sadly I believe they perished in the fire that took out a whole block of the businesses on Main St. in Garrettsville,Ohio a few years ago. The dealership has never been rebuilt. As for value I have no idea but I would have paid 3 hundred for the incomplete set they had.

[WHX?? 50,852]

Maybe you should take them to Pawn Stars and have them appraised...sure are cool 

[slammer302 2,156]

The only way to truly find out what their worth at any given time is to put them up for auction. Very nice set first one i ever seen. 

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,498]

NEVER saw anything like it. Pretty cool.

Glenn

[roadapples 6,983]

Maybe you could auction them off at the big show if a % went to WHCC. You`d have the best interest.

[953 nut 58,217]

Maybe you could auction them off at the big show if a % went to WHCC. You`d have the best interest.

          I agree, get an idea of what the knives are worth based on Camillus Cutlery value and add a reasonable amount for the display case and set that plus a commission for the WHCC as a reserve prior to the auction. There are lots of us that would be bidding stupid money on an  item like this.   Didn't say where you are from, but some member who lives near you could probably bring them to the show if you were not interested in going.

PS: I worked at the Camillus Cutlery plant on a renovation job in the late '60s, great group of people.

[AMC RULES 37,153]

Nice! That one there for $26.95...
I'll take it.         

[boovuc 1,090]

Camilus made excellent knives. I looked and they were never bought out by Case. (They do look like the Case folders). Camilus entered into bankruptcy in early 2007 and were bought by a holding company two years later. 

 

There are a lot of people who collect knives and Camilus is a good USA brand. They also made knives branded for Sears and others. With a Wheelhorse logo, there is no way of knowing a value unless you test the waters. I don't think an appraiser can honestly tell you. In other words, as was said before, you will get what the collectors communities are willing to pay by testing the waters. 

 

Thanks for sharing this with us. 

[JC 1965 1,532]

I've never seen knives like those before. Very nice, thanks for sharing.   

[Horseman1 14]

Thank you all for all the feed back.I am still deciding what I will do with this set. Sound like if I decide to sell the best path forward would be at auction. 

[boovuc 1,090]

Hi Horseman,

 

If you put it on Ebay with a high minimum price, you will be putting it in front of the two collecting communities you need to have it in front of.

Knife collectors and maybe those who only collect Camilus Cutlery knives and the Wheelhorse collectors. (Both at the same time).

 

An auction house or local auction probably wouldn't get the attention a North American wide Ebay post would garner. Just a thought. If you put a ridicules minimum on it that you couldn't refuse if it was offered, you could see how much interest it might generate.

[Horseman1 14]

I like that idea. I'll post when it goes up on eBay.