A Cut Above Vintage Pocket Knives

08/29/2026

Here is part of my Shapleigh pocketknife & general merchandise collection. I am not exactly sure what got my attention about the Shapleigh General Merchandise stores and their products. From pocketknives to fishing reels to axes to woodworking tools to shaving products. Years ago, just about all hardware stores were connected a full service company who could pretty much supply them with all of their needs. Shapleigh was one such company. From my understanding, the Shapleigh General Hardware stores went out of business around 1940. This was the end of an era for these full service types of hardware lines. I think we lost something when we lost these types of local businesses. They knew us by name when we walked through their doors, they new our family's names, our needs and wants. They were a big part of the gone by era. I think we would do well with a return to those days gone by.

01/11/2026

08/12/2025

This Ulster 3 Blade Stockman for sale at eBay.
ebay.com//str/johneakervintagepocketknives

04/20/2025

Happy Easter to everyone! This morning at about 6:30 I walked outside going to my shop. As I was looking around at the beautiful morning, I happen to look up and saw this cross in the sky. I didn't have my phone with me so I booked back inside, grabbed my phone to get this picture. When I first saw it there were no clouds obscuring the view. But by the time I grabbed my phone some clouds had moved in. But even with the clouds, it was like God was speaking to me.

09/19/2024

It has been awhile since I've posted anything. So I thought I would post about my favorite pocketknife brand- Shapleigh! I don't know exactly what it is about this brand but it is about all I'm collecting these days. Part of my attraction to Shapleigh is the handle colors!

08/30/2024

These are a few of my knives for sale on eBay. You can check out all that I have on there at
ebay.com/str/johneakervintagepocketknives

07/29/2024

This was my Queen Steel pocketknife display case. I hate that I sold it, but am very grateful to have saved the pictures of it. It was full of gorgeous Queen Steel pocketknives. Gone but not forgotten!

02/03/2024

Good evening to all. I was looking in my Shapleigh display case tonight, and I see I have a squatter! Poor little Lady Bug, I figure if this Lady Bug has toughed it out all the way to February, then who am I to take his/her life. So for the time being I allow him/ her to stay. Amazing how they can get into stuff like my upright display case( curio cabinet). Have a good Friday night folks!

08/31/2023

Tonight's super blue Moon peaked at 8:35 ( supposedly). But in the 2 pictures I took, the moon just looks beautiful! Isn't it amazing the world we live in? God did all this in 6 days! It is almost too much for us to understand, but God made so many amazing wonders for us all to enjoy. Thank you Father.

05/29/2023

Happy Memorial Day to everyone! I just wanted to send a huge " Thank You " to all the men & women who have served this nation with such distinction. People sometimes forget that all we have has been fought over, bled over, and died over to secure the freedoms that we enjoy today! So again, THANK YOU to each and everyone who gave of themselves for the benefit of us all!
The pictures included are of a collection that my good friend John Steele recently acquired. NFS