Specializing in books & DVD's for the knife-minded AKC PUBLICATIONS & VIDEO PRODUCTIONS®
A division of Matrose Agencies Pty Ltd
ABN: 31 889 808 304PO Box 586 PROSPECT TAS 7250 AUSTRALIA
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General Books for Knife Collectors
Essentially, the 7th edition of the Levine’s Guide to Knives and Their Values books. Still the best-ever general information and identification guide to antique knives, and a must-have for every collector’s bookshelf.
It is definitely one of the essential books for the novice collector and packed with enough information to satisfy the advanced enthusiast.More in 576 pages filled with drawings, photographs, catalogue cuts, and loads of informative text.
Softcover, 576 pp.
$39.95 + post
Code: BKV Blades Guide ...
to Knives and their Values
If you call yourself a serious knife collector you will want to have this edition of Blade's Guide to Knives & Their Values. This book includes cutting-edge research and features revised and updated pricing information, 500 new knife entries, and thousands of detailed illustrations and descriptions to help you identify and date virtually any knife.Lists knife manufacturers from the U.S. and around the world, and their dates of operation spanning over two centuries. It contains a multitude of lists, charts, photographs, and illustrations that enable one to identify and place a value on virtually any knife one is likely to find. There are detailed histories of the important American knife companies since their beginnings in the 19th Century, histories of the major cutlery centers of the world, and sections on military knives, hunting knives, and exotic foreign and antique knives from every continent.
In addition there are special sections covering the pioneers of modern hand made and factory made knives from W.W. Scagel and Bill Moran to Buck and Gerber, hundreds of current custom makers, several dozen pages covering the expanding market in commemorative, club, and limited edition knives that has developed since the 1970s, and even listings for butcher, kitchen, and table cutlery, a market that has a small but growing following.
..Combine upto 3kgs of books for the same post across Australia
The Military Edge
Highly recommended - fantastic presentation
Softcover, 256 pp. Full colour photographs
$39.95 + post
Code: BIH Bayonets - An Illustrated History
From Argentina to Yugoslavia, this latest book from longtime researcher and militaria expert Martin J. Brayley provides an extensive and in-depth examination of bayonets from 37 countries from around the world - over 300 bayonets in all!The history of the bayonet is indeed an interesting one, and this comprehensive reference does a splendid job of covering its origin and evolution, as well as the physical description, manufacturing data, service history and effectiveness of each model. With nearly 500 supporting color photos, Bayonets: An Illustrated History will quickly become THE resource to which to turn for information on the bayonet and its history
Knives of War is a very useful resource for military knives from WW I through to end of the 20th century.
Softcover, 119 pp.$39.95 + post
Code: KOW Knives of War
by Hughes, Jenkins and Buerlein
Subtitled "An International Guide to Military Knives from World War I to the Present" -- which about says it all --This new book reprints material from Hughes/Jenkins two well known but difficult to find "Primer" books with additional info on knives like the Gerber Mark II and Carlson's Raiders Gung Ho knife.
While not intended as a substitute for such standard references as M.H. Cole’s Best of U.S. Military Knives or Book III (for American knives) or Ron Flook’s out of print British & Commonwealth Military Knives (for British knives), collectors will find Knives of War a very useful resource for international military knives from WW I through the end of the 20th century. Not only is it a big improvement over the two original Primers, it’s also a lot easier to find and a whole lot cheaper!
Softcover, 186 pp.$54.95 + post
Code: AMF Allied Military Fighting Knives
and the men who made them famous..
Robert BurleinAnother 'bible' from the research of respected historian Robert Burlein ... a must for any collector with an interest in military knives.
Reprinted recently, after 18 years, Buerlein’s superb book is still the definitive reference on Fairbairn-Sykes Commando, Marine Raider, V-42, OSS stiletto, Ek and Randall military knives. Its pages are littered with detailed information, historical photographs, and quality black and white images of countless knives, many of them very rare.Now’s your chance to finally acquire this scarce volume, or retire your treasured old copy, at a price far below the $200 that used copies recently commanded.
Japanese Culture ... must-have books for any reader or collector with an interest in Japanese blades.
In 1956, Major Cool and his wife visited their two sons who had migrated to Western Australia a few years earlier. They decided to gift their collection to the Western Australian Museum. By May 1960 the collection had been shipped, unpacked and was on display in a gallery in the Perth Museum. In 1971, when the Fremantle Museum opened, a significant part of the Cool Collection was exhibited in the Museum's Sultan Gallery.
Fantastic value at only $24.95 + post
Japanese Swords First published in 1989, this 130 page book was out of print for several years, then reprinted in 2002 with new information on the more modern bladesmiths, and the correction of a number of textual errors and omissions.
and fittings in the Western Australian Museum
by George Trotter
Contains clear photographs and extensive text descriptions, including an introduction to Japanese blades, Koshirae, periods of manufacture, swords, table of nengo dates, reading signatures and dates, and photo after photo with complete descriptions.
The Western Australian Museum holds an extensive and varied collection of Japanese swords and fittings. The majority of the items came from Major Simon Cool's private collection and from Colonel G.F. Weick's collection from the United Service Institute Museum.The Author: George Trotter
George Trotter is best known in Australia for his studies in the field of Japanese swords. With a major in East Asian history and Japanese from the University of WA, George corresponded for many years with two highly prominent men in the field of Japanese swords, Mr Willis Hawley (USA) and Mr Albert Yamanaka (Japan). George's interest continued to develop.
In 1982, he joined the History Department of the WA Museum and began work on the Arms and Armour Collection held there. Here he was able to access the entire collection of Japanese swords and wrote the catalogue 'Japanese Swords and fittings in the WA Museum.'Japanese Woodworking Tools - Odate
The popularity of Japanese woodworking tools and techniques has experienced steady growth among both the hobbyist and the professional woodworker. This book, originally published in 1984, is considered the authoritative work on the subject. Odate not only discusses all the tools used by a typical Japanese woodworker, but also infuses the book with his own memories of a rigorous apprenticeship in Japan, and how a classically trained-craftsman comes to understand the spirit of each tool and the true nature of craftsmanship.
Japanese Woodworking Tools -
Their Tradition, Spirit and Useby Toshio Odate This was one of the first books in English about the Japanese woodworking tradition, and it remains among the very best.
Japanese woodworkers spend years learning to use their tools with speed and skill. Shoji maker Toshio Odate imparts the wisdom of a shokunin (master craftsman). In addition to offering practical advice about using fine planes (kanna), saws (nokogiri), chisels (nomi) and sharpening stones (toishi) , the book teaches the spiritual tradition associated with each tool. Profusely illustrated with line drawings and black and white photos.
189 pages. A large softcovered book, (9" x 12") Black and white photographs, sketches.A must for anyone interested in the Japanese craft tradition. $49.95 + post
Knifemaking & Bladesmithing
The author reviews and summarizes the pertinent literature dealing with the historical, technical and artistic aspects of Oriental and Mechanical Damascus steel. Persian and Indian sword blades from 1600-1800, previously unpublished, Damascus gun barrels, and two blades of royal provenance are all featured.
Mechanically contrived patterns such as the "Kirk-Narbudan" and more complex variants such as the "Rose" or combinations of the "Ladder and Rose" are also described and illustrated.
Included is a chapter on pattern welded steels which includes a rare group of seventeenth and eighteenth century swords which exemplify the technical skills of Moghul and Indian blacksmiths.“A stunning volume, filled with color photographs of the finest damascus steel knives and swords the world has ever seen. This book covers the historical, technical, and artistic aspects of both Oriental (wootz) and Mechanical (pattern-welded) damascus, and illustrates with examples of many extraordinary Persian and Indian edged weapons, as well as some incredible gun barrels. A must-have book for both collectors and makers of historical and modern edged weapons.” Knifeworld review
Hardcover with jacket, a new book in perfect condition,
145 pages with color and black & white photo illustrations,
and a 2 page bibliography.
On Damascus Steel
– by Leo S.Figiel, M.D
$49.00 plus post
DAMASTEEL HANDBOOK 92 pages of photos, illustrations and riveting text clearly describing the applications of Swedish Damasteel (stainless damascus steel), the powder metallurgy technology by which it is manufactured and the wonderful variety of intricate patterns available.Published by the producers of Damasteel, this reference book is a must for those with an interest in blended metals for cutlery, jewellery, firearms and furniture fittings.$29.00 + post
.. or combine upto 3kgs of books for the same post
across Australia.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Safety Rules
- Parts of a Knife
- Types of Blades
- Small Hand Tools
- Machinery
- Grinding & Buffing
- Assembly & Disassembly
- Blades & Springs
- Pins, Bolsters, Scales and Shields
- Switchblades, Lockbacks, Rigid Blades
- Handle Material
- Heat Treating
- Make Your Own Knife
- Etching Blades
- Softcover, 92 pages.
Knife Repair & Restoration Adrian Harris is better known to the knife world as “Colonel Coon” - maker of a very popular line of collectable knives in the 1970s and 1980s. Harris was also Schrade's factory repairman for a time. A short profile of “Col. Coon” is included.
By Adrian HarrisThis edition contains all of the material in the original book PLUS two additional chapters entitled "Make Your Own Knife” and “Etching Blades", as well as dozens of B&W photos, line drawings, and tables.
BOOK REVIEW reviewed by KW Staff
This excellent little book is one of those gems that appeared in print many years ago, stuck around for a short time, sold out and disappeared, almost forgotten but for a core group of enthusiasts who thought it the greatest thing since sliced bread. Now, twenty four years after its initial publication, one of those devoted fans has endeavored to reprint it so that others can be exposed to the cutlering expertise of Adrian Harris.
Mr. Harris penned "Knife Repair & Restoration" in 1981, while his “Colonel Coon” brand of collector-grade knives was in its heyday. Through it, Harris’ in-depth knowledge of the inner workings of folding knives was conveyed in a simple, easy to understand manner, accessible to anyone with an interest in knife repair. Evidence that it works is easily found in the fact that the man reprinting it, Eugene Blankenship (“The Knife Doctor”) used it as the foundation for building his own expertise in knife repair.The book is divided into nine major sections, with an additional two sections on safety and the parts of a knife. The larger topics are covered under chapters entitled Small Hand Tools; Machinery; Grinding & Buffing; Assembly & Disassembly; Blades & Springs; Pins, Bolsters, Scales and Shields; Switchblades, Lock-backs, Rigid Blades; Handle Material; and Heat Treating – just about everything you’d need to know to get started repairing knives. If you want to know how to make a cutler’s “steady,” or use a slackner, or crink a blade, or spin a pin, or if you just want to repair an old knife and have no earthly idea what any of those things are, this book explains what to do in simple language, and shows you how with the all-new illustrations.$20.00AU + post
THE LOCKBACK FOLDING KNIFE
By Peter Fronteddu & Stefan SteigerwaldHow to create your own folding lockback knife.
Contains illustrated instructions and more than 200 colour images outlining all stages of folding knife construction, from creating a template to making the blade and the locking mechanism. Intricacies of folding knife technology are made understandable for the novice makers.
Fourteen chapters spanning 112 pages describe in detail the technical foundations for folder making. Spiral bound to allow for easy workshop reading.This new book that will prove invaluable for those wanting to make their own folding knives.
$54.95 + post
Cutthroat razors - Collectors and Users
Code: SGR Standard Guide To Razors - 3rd Edition A quaility book with a great range of coloured and clear photographs.
Highly recommended for anyone with the slighest interst in cut-throat razors. Includes history of shaving and razors, razor collecting and correct terminology, handle materials, storage, information on dating razors, and hints on extending collections.
The price guide is American so needs to be used with cautioun in Australia as our collectibles can differ (eg. early Australian imported razors JNO Baker not listed) but does include a really useful step-by-step approach to evaluation.
Soft cover 224 pages.$25.00 + post
.. or combine upto 3kgs of books for the same post
across Australia.
The Art of Craft Work
" The Best book on market; clear, full. If you can cut a potato, you can carve toys, puzzles, chains, much more. Over 464 illustrations." (reviewed by Alibris)
Code: WWC Whittling and woodcarving
By Elmer John TangermanFirst published in 1936. Throughout the ages one of the most popular ways to utilise the creative urge has been whittling or woodcarving. In this volume Mr. Tangerman, one of America's foremost authorities and craftsmen, whose articles in craft magazines have taught and inspired millions, presents a full and thorough introduction to this entertaining art form. With this book which is one of the few works that bridge the gap between whittling and serious carving, a beginner who is moderately handy can whittle or carve scores of useful objects, toys for children, gifts, or simply pass hours at applying his ingenuity to wood.
Softcover 293 pages, black and white illustrations $24.95 + post
Other books in our catalogue:
- The Complete Bladesmith: J. Hrisoulas $46.00
- Sharpening Made Easy - Bottorf $15.00
- Goins Encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings - $45.00
- Bowie Knife - Thorpe $20.00
- Switchblade / Benson $25.00
- A Complete Guide To Scrimshaw (colour) /Schroeder $18.00
- How to Scrimshaw & Carve Ivory (black & white)/Collins $15.00
- The Art of Engraving (hard cover)/Meek $89.95
- Knife Throwing/ Collins $6.50
- Knife & Tomahawk Throwing/McEvoy $6.50
- SPECIAL: purchase the two as a set... $10.00
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