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This is an introductory guide to Ek knives that appear on eBay, rather than a complete history of the company and the different products made during its history. This guide is intended for buyers new to Ek knives and sellers interested in appraising what they have, based on the eBay market value.
The author welcomes any corrections or updates experienced collectors may have.
This guide will address the four main "generations" of Ek knives appearing on eBay in the order in which they were originally made.
The real product commands a much higher price. An original Gen.1 Model #1 dagger (with a single edged blade and sharpened false edge 2-3 inches along the back) sold on Sep-27-06 for $810.00. The winning bid was placed 5 seconds away from the auction's end. This price remains consistent roughly 6 months later, showing only moderate drop. An Gen.1 Model #1 dagger sold on Feb-14-07 for $650.00. The winning bid was placed 4 seconds away from the auction's end. Its serial number was 1L890. According to John Ek's original numbering system, the "1" indicates Model #1, the "L" is the 12th letter of the alphabet and stands for the "thousands" place in the serial number. So, this particular Ek is the 12,890 Model #1 made by Ek.
A poor condition Gen.1 Model #2 dagger (with a fully double edged blade) which had the tip of the blade broken off, sold on Oct-21-06 for $305.00.
Similar to the Gen1 Model #1 dagger is the Model #6. It also has a a single edged blade and sharpened false edge 2-3 inches along the back. The Model #6 also has a straight steel crossguard. Even though it had been used and heavily sharpened to the point the serial number had been ground down, a Model #6 sold on Feb-11-07 for $343.14. The winning bid was placed 5 seconds away from the auction's end.
An original Gen.1 Model#2 dagger (with a double edged blade and fully sharpened on both edges) sold on Jan-01-06 for $672.07. The winning bid was placed 4 seconds away from the auction's end.
A near mint. Gen. 1 Model #2 dagger closed at US $685.97 on Feb-26-07. However, the reserve was not met. The seller claimed the knife's serial number 2/ 076" meant the Model #2 was the 15,076 Model #2 ever made.
Even an unmarked Model #2, claimed by the seller as "genuine" and sold with an Ek sheath made much later for the Gen. 2 series was snapped up with a $105 Buy It Now on Nov-22-06.
A Hamdon Connectciut marked, Ek Model 1 serial number D277 sold on Dec-16-06 for $431.00.
A Gen. 1 Model #5 knife (with a thin bowie style blade and a curved handle) sold on Nov-08-06 for $637.77. The winning bid was placed 3 seconds away from the auction's end.
A mint in original box Gen.1 Model #5 listed by the seller as serial # G280, sold on Nov-28-06 with a Buy It Now Price of $800.
Original Hamden-era accessories also command high prices among collectors. Ek knives were sent with a a small booklet called "Your Silent Partner", which covered the different kind of knives available, their features, and basic care of the knives themselves. A second edition of this small pamphlet sold on Mar-15-07 for $200.50. The winning bid was placed 7 seconds away from the auction's end.
There are limits, even for collectors. Two mint condition oversize store display models of the Gen 1 dagger, each over two feet long, were offered for $1995 each. Both auctions closed on Oct-31-06 with no bids. The two knives were relisted at the same price and closed on Nov-28-06, again with no bids. The seller then halved the price of the knives to $999 and both auctions closed on Jan-03-07, still with no bids.
Generation 2: (1982-1993) Richmond, Virginia
After John Ek's death and a brief lull, the company relocated to Richmond, Virginia and continued making knives. The company dramatically improved all aspects of quality. Handles were made of finely grooved black Micarta and hand-checkered walnut handles were offered as an upgrade. Machined brass X-nut screws were standard and the original poured lead rivets became a rarely selected option. Blades were ground out of stainless steel, mirror polished, and razor sharp. A beautifully made leather scabbard was included. These were richly finished in brown, black, or very rarely tan, and supplied with an elaborate combination of belt loops, retaining straps, and nylon parachute cord wrap. Ek knives also were produced in a lower cost model with a handle made entirely of green or black (and occasionally "desert camo") wrapped parachute cord and a heavy nylon-webbing sheath in a matching color. A number of variants, such as Ek bowie knives, hunting knives, throwing knives, and reproductions of other WW II patterns such as the Australian bowie and the Murphy-pattern combat knife were also produced.
These variants do attract a surprising amount of interest. An Ek throwing knife in near-mint condition sold on Jan-13-07 for $113.50. This amount is very impressive considering the Ek throwing knife design is a bevelled length of steel with a point and is useless for anything except throwing. Condition matters, too. A used set of two Ek throwing knives sold on Feb-03-07 for less than half that, only $54.00.
While not the rarest or the most famous, "Richmond" knives are some of the best Ek's ever made, much superior to Gen. 1 knives. Depending on model rarity and condition, closing prices will normally range between $150-260. For example, a Gen.2 Ek M-4 (fully sharpened double edged blade, grooved micarta handles, brass guard, and brass X-nut fasteners) with the beautifully constructed leather sheath, complete with all its straps and original parachute cord wrap sold on Dec-6-06 for $192.50. This is a typical closing price for M-4, a knife that best typifies the Gen.2 line.
The leather sheaths are an important collectible too, costing almost as much as the knives themselves. Two black leather sheaths sold in one auction for $134.50 on Mar-11-07.
As with all collectible knives, condition plays an important part in setting the final price. An unusual Ek Gen.2 Ek P-4 (fully sharpened double edged blade, grooved micarta handles, brass guard, and poured lead rivets) in poor condition, heavily sharpened with dinged point sold on Feb-09-07 for $149.53. In this case, the condition of the knife probably reduced the final closing price by about $50 to $65. Even so, there was some interest and the winning bid was placed 6 seconds away from the auction's end.
Even the entirely cordwrapped handle versions command high prices. A mint in box, with all original paperwork, Ek Model SF4 (survival-fighter) fully double edged dagger with olive drab cordwrapped handle and matching olive drab web sheath sold for $158.05 on Nov-26-06. The price increased from 100.01 to its closing price with the three highest bids placed in the last 6 seconds of the auction.
Another mint Ek Model SF3 (survival-fighter) partially double edged dagger with olive drab cordwrapped handle and matching olive drab web sheath sold with a Buy It Now for $197 on Dec-09-06. Reflecting a post-holidays decline an identical SF3 sold only for $147.50 on Feb-06-07. The winning bid was placed 7 seconds away from the auction's end.
Variant Ek knives can command very high prices. A mint in box, with original paperwork Ek Model P-1 ( single edged blade and sharpened false edge 2-3 inches along the back, grooved micarta handles, no guard, and poured lead rivets) sold for $251.40 on Jan-27-07. The winning bid was placed 5 seconds away from the auction's end.
An equally uncommon variant, the Ek boot knife was most frequently seen with a cord wrapped handle in either green or tan camoflage and either a leather or nylon web sheath. An Ek boot knife with a green cord wrapped handle and a brown leather sheath, an usual combination sold for $152.50 on Mar-08-07. The winning bid was placed 21 seconds away from the auction's end.
Approaching the high end of closing prices, a mint in box, with original paperwork Ek Model M-6 bowie sold for $214.49 on Dec-05-06. The M-6 was a later addition to the Ek line. It had a fully double edged bowie blade and the handle/ guard found on Ek daggers, namely the angled brass guard, grooved micarta grips, and brass X-nut fasteners. The introduction of the Ek bowie was one of the first signs Ek was beginning to see sales decline. The blade design represented a major departure from the standard Ek dagger line up to that point and was an attempt to reach a broader market. Ek bowies were shipped with the nylon web sheaths normally included with the cord wrapped-handle lower cost knives.
Other variants, while equally rare don't attract as much attention. Gen. 2 Ek bowies were made in a number of variants in a continuing attempt to find a successful pattern that would be a major success. Versions include the "SOF" bowie which had a blade very similar to the "MACVSOG" bowie used by Special Forces troops in Vietnam and the "Desert Bowie" which had a full-length fully sharpened back edge. The "SOF" bowie had the same guard and micarta handle as Ek daggers while the "Desert Bowie" had a cordwrapped handle which supposedly didn't retain as much heat if used in the desert. One mint example of each knife sold on Mar-10-07, each for $175.00.
The Ek Desert Storm dagger Model DP-6 with a tan web sheath, tan cordwrapped handle, and beadblasted blade/ guard sold for just slightly higher $178.50, just one day later on Mar-11-07.
A new auction record was set on Feb-04-07 for a regular production knife. A mint in box, with original paperwork Ek bowie sold for $256.90. The bowie blade had a sharpened top clip, but was not fully double edged. The handle/ guard was similar to those found on Ek daggers, namely the angled brass guard, grooved grips, and brass X-nut fasteners. The major difference was the grips were made out of walnut and hand checkered at the factory. The sheath was made of nylon webbing.
Commemorative Ek knives typically sell for much higher due to their rarity and their extra embellishment. A set of 6 commemorative Ek daggers honoring the armed forces, each richly engraved, etched, plated with gold, and individually housed in walnut display cases closed at $810 on Nov-24-06. However, the reserve was not met.
A rare, Desert Storm matched set consisting of a bowie and a boot knife, both with special Desert Storm blade etch and desert camo cord wrapped handles sold on Jan-20-07 for 221.25
An Ek Model 4 commemorative dagger celebrating Ek's 50th anniversary was originally priced at $450 back in 1991. The knife was mirror polished, with stag handles, a gold inlaid inscription on the blade, engraved gold plated cross guard and engraved gold plated X-nuts. The knife was housed in a furniture-grade glass fronted oak display box. A seller offered a mint example with an opening bid of $249.95. The auction ended on Nov-26-06 with no bids. It was relisted with no reserve and sold on Dec-10-06 for $163.49. The winning bid was placed 5 seconds away from the auction's end.
An EK Model 4 commemorative dagger issued by the American Heritage Foundation Vietnam Ek Fighting Knife honoring the USMC Force Recon had an engraved blade, gold plated X-nut fasteners and guard, and housed in an oak display box. It sold on Dec-16-06 for $230.00. The winning bid was placed 8 seconds away from the auction's end.
Before Ek finally went out of business, the company tried to save itself by expanding its line with some hunting knives. These were made in small numbers, are rare, and retained the Gen. 2 level of quality. One model, the "Handy" measures 6 1/4" overall, with a 3" blade. It has brown pakka wood handle scales secured to a full tang with two flush brass rivets (not the famous Ek X-nut fasteners). An Ek Handy sold on Jan-11-07 for $112.50.
Generation 3 (1993-1997) Effingham, Illinois
The end of the 80s hit the knife industry hard and a firm specializing in entirely in hand finished, expensive knives wouldn't survive the next decade. Blackjack Knives bought Ek, and moved production over to Blackjack's plant in Effingham, Illinois. Initially, quality was quite good. From the start, leather scabbards were discontinued to cut costs and the nylon-webbing sheath was instead substituted on all models. Later as Blackjack itself started to fail, the quality of the knives began to slip noticeably. Toward the end Blackjack, like the original company at the end of the Gen. 2 era, tried to expand the Ek line. Blackjack began desperately producing small lots of vastly different knives marked with the Ek brand in an attempt to catch the knife-buying public's attention. Blackjack started marking "Ek" on hunting knives, a variety of small boot knives, and small production runs of knives made by completing earlier unfinished parts. Many of these small production runs are the rarest knives ever to carry the Ek brand name, several runs numbering only a few hundred or less.
Collector interest in "Effingham" knives varies widely. "Effingham" daggers don't attract as much buyer interest, though many knives of this generation are quite good. Even so, sellers of "Richmond" knives routinely emphasize the difference in quality. Some of the "last gasp" knives turned out by Blackjack will attract enough attention from advanced collectors to drive the price up to the lower end of Gen. 2 values, regardless of the product's quality which can vary from superb to a sad parody of earlier knives marked with the Ek brand.
"Effingham" Ek daggers and bowies are the most common found on eBay with closing prices averaging $100-140. Blackjack's embellished commemoratives do command better than average prices. A USMC Vietnam commemorative bowie, with exceptional gold-inlaid engraving of the USMC crest and various tributes to the Vietnam conflict, complete with camoflage lined, glass topped oak presentation case sold on Jan-14-07 for $197.50. The winning bid was placed 4 seconds away from the auction's end.
Mint examples from the smaller runs manufactured at the end of Blackjack's history can sell for incredibly high prices, rivalling and sometimes surpassing the Richmond-made Gen. 2 era.
A dagger made with a coffin shaped rosewood grip and the leftover blade, guard, and sheath from Blackjack's "Applegate-Fairbairn" model sold for $138.88 on Mar-11-07.
Blackjack made a fine replica of Sam Houston's bowie with coffin handles and a foot long blade for the U.S. Historical Association. The over-runs were fitted with gorgeous cocobolo wood grips and marked with the Ek Commando logo. The knife itself had absolutely nothing to do with the Ek line, didn't look at all like an Ek knife. That didn't stop Blackjack from slapping the EK Commando Knives logo on it in an effort to generate some hype. Less than two dozen were made and didn't even come with boxes, just a sheath. A mint example sold on Dec-03-06 for $147.60.
This same bowie with black buffalo horn handles closed at new record for modern Ek knives. It sold on Feb-06-07 for $375. The winning bid was placed 21 seconds away from the auction's end.
One alternative Blackjack introduced was a radically simplified dagger known as the "Pigsticker". It has a narrow blade with parallel edges and a keen point. Handles vary from cordwrap to maple secured with copper rivets. Sheaths are usually leather. One of the original mirror finished, hand ground "Pigstickers" marked "Prototype" sold on Feb-11-07 for $151.25. The winning bid was placed 2 seconds away from the auction's end.
Generation 4: (1997- the present) Richmond, Virginia -again.
Like Kimber Firearms, a group of employees bought the rights to Ek and have resurrected the company, reintroducing most of the standard patterns from the 1980s. Best of all, Ek knives are again made to that same high standard of quality. Only the leather scabbards haven't been re-introduced. The modern knives are also marked "Richmond, Virginia", which makes distinguishing them from the original 80's-era knives, a bit difficult. This is hardly accidental, as the new Ek company wants to make a brand connection to the firm's reputation for extremely high quality back in the 80s.
The easiest way to distinguish a current production Ek from an 80s production Ek is the company logo on the blade. Gen. 2 daggers have two banners, a large top half-banner reading "Korea, World War II, Vietnam" and a smaller, separate bottom half-banner intertwined through a pair of crossed EK daggers reading, "Commando". Current production Gen. 4 daggers have extended the top banner in an oval shape so it now encircles both the crossed daggers and the smaller intertwined "Commando" banner. The large banner includes "Gulf War, Iraqi War" along the bottom half.
Current production Gen. 4 daggers are available from the factory for around $230-270 depending on options selected. Two daggers have appeared on eBay at the time of this writing. The first had micarta handles and sold on Oct-13-06 for $200. The second, had checkered walnut handles and sold on Oct-30-06 for $202.50. The winning bid was placed 2 seconds away from the auction's end.
The same seller of the previously mentioned Ek daggers also sold a Gen. 4 Ek bowie with the same handle type. The knife sold on Oct-20-06 for $188.51. The winning bid was placed 19 seconds away from the auction's end.
A WWII D-Day commemorative dagger, serial number 06, sold for $100.99 on Feb-07-07 . The knife had fully checkered walnut grips and special blade etch. The low price is due to the poor condition of the knife which included chips along the edge, a damaged point, and dark pitting on the blade.
The author welcomes any corrections or updates experienced collectors may have.
This guide will address the four main "generations" of Ek knives appearing on eBay in the order in which they were originally made.
Generation 1: (1941-1976) Hamden, Connecticut & Miami Florida.
These were made during John Ek's lifetime. Most were constructed of 1/8th inch tool steel with stained, tan-brown rock maple handles secured by three poured lead rivets. By today's standards, the knives are crudely finished but they were dependable and built Ek's reputation as a supplier of private-purchase military knives. During his lifetime, Ek sold the knives exclusively to soldiers. The WW II knives were made in Hamden, Connecticut and knives made between 1949 and 1976 were made in Miami, Florida. Ek knives are marked with the location of their manufacture. This is useful to determine in which conflict an Ek may have been used. Also worth noting is the unusual serial numbering system found on Gen.1 Ek knives. Letters replace the "thousands" place in the serial number of a given model. A=1000, B=2,000, C=3000, D=4000, and so on. A knife with the serial number D567 is actually the 4,567 knife made of that type.
Noted military knives historian Gary Boyd estimates over 100,000 "Hamden" knives were produced between 1941 and 1945. After Ek moved to Miami, a flood in the 1970s destroyed the shop's records. Most "Miami" knives were made during the mid to late '60s. Mr. Boyd states the highest serial number he'd seen on a "Miami" knife was 411 and the knife was made in 1970-71 according to John Ek's son. This combination of a low number and a late model year would indicate very few "Miami" knives were ever made.
The real product commands a much higher price. An original Gen.1 Model #1 dagger (with a single edged blade and sharpened false edge 2-3 inches along the back) sold on Sep-27-06 for $810.00. The winning bid was placed 5 seconds away from the auction's end. This price remains consistent roughly 6 months later, showing only moderate drop. An Gen.1 Model #1 dagger sold on Feb-14-07 for $650.00. The winning bid was placed 4 seconds away from the auction's end. Its serial number was 1L890. According to John Ek's original numbering system, the "1" indicates Model #1, the "L" is the 12th letter of the alphabet and stands for the "thousands" place in the serial number. So, this particular Ek is the 12,890 Model #1 made by Ek.
A poor condition Gen.1 Model #2 dagger (with a fully double edged blade) which had the tip of the blade broken off, sold on Oct-21-06 for $305.00.
Similar to the Gen1 Model #1 dagger is the Model #6. It also has a a single edged blade and sharpened false edge 2-3 inches along the back. The Model #6 also has a straight steel crossguard. Even though it had been used and heavily sharpened to the point the serial number had been ground down, a Model #6 sold on Feb-11-07 for $343.14. The winning bid was placed 5 seconds away from the auction's end.
An original Gen.1 Model#2 dagger (with a double edged blade and fully sharpened on both edges) sold on Jan-01-06 for $672.07. The winning bid was placed 4 seconds away from the auction's end.
A near mint. Gen. 1 Model #2 dagger closed at US $685.97 on Feb-26-07. However, the reserve was not met. The seller claimed the knife's serial number 2/ 076" meant the Model #2 was the 15,076 Model #2 ever made.
Even an unmarked Model #2, claimed by the seller as "genuine" and sold with an Ek sheath made much later for the Gen. 2 series was snapped up with a $105 Buy It Now on Nov-22-06.
A Hamdon Connectciut marked, Ek Model 1 serial number D277 sold on Dec-16-06 for $431.00.
A Gen. 1 Model #5 knife (with a thin bowie style blade and a curved handle) sold on Nov-08-06 for $637.77. The winning bid was placed 3 seconds away from the auction's end.
A mint in original box Gen.1 Model #5 listed by the seller as serial # G280, sold on Nov-28-06 with a Buy It Now Price of $800.
Original Hamden-era accessories also command high prices among collectors. Ek knives were sent with a a small booklet called "Your Silent Partner", which covered the different kind of knives available, their features, and basic care of the knives themselves. A second edition of this small pamphlet sold on Mar-15-07 for $200.50. The winning bid was placed 7 seconds away from the auction's end.
There are limits, even for collectors. Two mint condition oversize store display models of the Gen 1 dagger, each over two feet long, were offered for $1995 each. Both auctions closed on Oct-31-06 with no bids. The two knives were relisted at the same price and closed on Nov-28-06, again with no bids. The seller then halved the price of the knives to $999 and both auctions closed on Jan-03-07, still with no bids.
Generation 2: (1982-1993) Richmond, Virginia
After John Ek's death and a brief lull, the company relocated to Richmond, Virginia and continued making knives. The company dramatically improved all aspects of quality. Handles were made of finely grooved black Micarta and hand-checkered walnut handles were offered as an upgrade. Machined brass X-nut screws were standard and the original poured lead rivets became a rarely selected option. Blades were ground out of stainless steel, mirror polished, and razor sharp. A beautifully made leather scabbard was included. These were richly finished in brown, black, or very rarely tan, and supplied with an elaborate combination of belt loops, retaining straps, and nylon parachute cord wrap. Ek knives also were produced in a lower cost model with a handle made entirely of green or black (and occasionally "desert camo") wrapped parachute cord and a heavy nylon-webbing sheath in a matching color. A number of variants, such as Ek bowie knives, hunting knives, throwing knives, and reproductions of other WW II patterns such as the Australian bowie and the Murphy-pattern combat knife were also produced.
These variants do attract a surprising amount of interest. An Ek throwing knife in near-mint condition sold on Jan-13-07 for $113.50. This amount is very impressive considering the Ek throwing knife design is a bevelled length of steel with a point and is useless for anything except throwing. Condition matters, too. A used set of two Ek throwing knives sold on Feb-03-07 for less than half that, only $54.00.
While not the rarest or the most famous, "Richmond" knives are some of the best Ek's ever made, much superior to Gen. 1 knives. Depending on model rarity and condition, closing prices will normally range between $150-260. For example, a Gen.2 Ek M-4 (fully sharpened double edged blade, grooved micarta handles, brass guard, and brass X-nut fasteners) with the beautifully constructed leather sheath, complete with all its straps and original parachute cord wrap sold on Dec-6-06 for $192.50. This is a typical closing price for M-4, a knife that best typifies the Gen.2 line.
The leather sheaths are an important collectible too, costing almost as much as the knives themselves. Two black leather sheaths sold in one auction for $134.50 on Mar-11-07.
As with all collectible knives, condition plays an important part in setting the final price. An unusual Ek Gen.2 Ek P-4 (fully sharpened double edged blade, grooved micarta handles, brass guard, and poured lead rivets) in poor condition, heavily sharpened with dinged point sold on Feb-09-07 for $149.53. In this case, the condition of the knife probably reduced the final closing price by about $50 to $65. Even so, there was some interest and the winning bid was placed 6 seconds away from the auction's end.
Even the entirely cordwrapped handle versions command high prices. A mint in box, with all original paperwork, Ek Model SF4 (survival-fighter) fully double edged dagger with olive drab cordwrapped handle and matching olive drab web sheath sold for $158.05 on Nov-26-06. The price increased from 100.01 to its closing price with the three highest bids placed in the last 6 seconds of the auction.
Another mint Ek Model SF3 (survival-fighter) partially double edged dagger with olive drab cordwrapped handle and matching olive drab web sheath sold with a Buy It Now for $197 on Dec-09-06. Reflecting a post-holidays decline an identical SF3 sold only for $147.50 on Feb-06-07. The winning bid was placed 7 seconds away from the auction's end.
Variant Ek knives can command very high prices. A mint in box, with original paperwork Ek Model P-1 ( single edged blade and sharpened false edge 2-3 inches along the back, grooved micarta handles, no guard, and poured lead rivets) sold for $251.40 on Jan-27-07. The winning bid was placed 5 seconds away from the auction's end.
An equally uncommon variant, the Ek boot knife was most frequently seen with a cord wrapped handle in either green or tan camoflage and either a leather or nylon web sheath. An Ek boot knife with a green cord wrapped handle and a brown leather sheath, an usual combination sold for $152.50 on Mar-08-07. The winning bid was placed 21 seconds away from the auction's end.
Approaching the high end of closing prices, a mint in box, with original paperwork Ek Model M-6 bowie sold for $214.49 on Dec-05-06. The M-6 was a later addition to the Ek line. It had a fully double edged bowie blade and the handle/ guard found on Ek daggers, namely the angled brass guard, grooved micarta grips, and brass X-nut fasteners. The introduction of the Ek bowie was one of the first signs Ek was beginning to see sales decline. The blade design represented a major departure from the standard Ek dagger line up to that point and was an attempt to reach a broader market. Ek bowies were shipped with the nylon web sheaths normally included with the cord wrapped-handle lower cost knives.
Other variants, while equally rare don't attract as much attention. Gen. 2 Ek bowies were made in a number of variants in a continuing attempt to find a successful pattern that would be a major success. Versions include the "SOF" bowie which had a blade very similar to the "MACVSOG" bowie used by Special Forces troops in Vietnam and the "Desert Bowie" which had a full-length fully sharpened back edge. The "SOF" bowie had the same guard and micarta handle as Ek daggers while the "Desert Bowie" had a cordwrapped handle which supposedly didn't retain as much heat if used in the desert. One mint example of each knife sold on Mar-10-07, each for $175.00.
The Ek Desert Storm dagger Model DP-6 with a tan web sheath, tan cordwrapped handle, and beadblasted blade/ guard sold for just slightly higher $178.50, just one day later on Mar-11-07.
A new auction record was set on Feb-04-07 for a regular production knife. A mint in box, with original paperwork Ek bowie sold for $256.90. The bowie blade had a sharpened top clip, but was not fully double edged. The handle/ guard was similar to those found on Ek daggers, namely the angled brass guard, grooved grips, and brass X-nut fasteners. The major difference was the grips were made out of walnut and hand checkered at the factory. The sheath was made of nylon webbing.
Commemorative Ek knives typically sell for much higher due to their rarity and their extra embellishment. A set of 6 commemorative Ek daggers honoring the armed forces, each richly engraved, etched, plated with gold, and individually housed in walnut display cases closed at $810 on Nov-24-06. However, the reserve was not met.
A rare, Desert Storm matched set consisting of a bowie and a boot knife, both with special Desert Storm blade etch and desert camo cord wrapped handles sold on Jan-20-07 for 221.25
An Ek Model 4 commemorative dagger celebrating Ek's 50th anniversary was originally priced at $450 back in 1991. The knife was mirror polished, with stag handles, a gold inlaid inscription on the blade, engraved gold plated cross guard and engraved gold plated X-nuts. The knife was housed in a furniture-grade glass fronted oak display box. A seller offered a mint example with an opening bid of $249.95. The auction ended on Nov-26-06 with no bids. It was relisted with no reserve and sold on Dec-10-06 for $163.49. The winning bid was placed 5 seconds away from the auction's end.
An EK Model 4 commemorative dagger issued by the American Heritage Foundation Vietnam Ek Fighting Knife honoring the USMC Force Recon had an engraved blade, gold plated X-nut fasteners and guard, and housed in an oak display box. It sold on Dec-16-06 for $230.00. The winning bid was placed 8 seconds away from the auction's end.
Before Ek finally went out of business, the company tried to save itself by expanding its line with some hunting knives. These were made in small numbers, are rare, and retained the Gen. 2 level of quality. One model, the "Handy" measures 6 1/4" overall, with a 3" blade. It has brown pakka wood handle scales secured to a full tang with two flush brass rivets (not the famous Ek X-nut fasteners). An Ek Handy sold on Jan-11-07 for $112.50.
Generation 3 (1993-1997) Effingham, Illinois
The end of the 80s hit the knife industry hard and a firm specializing in entirely in hand finished, expensive knives wouldn't survive the next decade. Blackjack Knives bought Ek, and moved production over to Blackjack's plant in Effingham, Illinois. Initially, quality was quite good. From the start, leather scabbards were discontinued to cut costs and the nylon-webbing sheath was instead substituted on all models. Later as Blackjack itself started to fail, the quality of the knives began to slip noticeably. Toward the end Blackjack, like the original company at the end of the Gen. 2 era, tried to expand the Ek line. Blackjack began desperately producing small lots of vastly different knives marked with the Ek brand in an attempt to catch the knife-buying public's attention. Blackjack started marking "Ek" on hunting knives, a variety of small boot knives, and small production runs of knives made by completing earlier unfinished parts. Many of these small production runs are the rarest knives ever to carry the Ek brand name, several runs numbering only a few hundred or less.
Collector interest in "Effingham" knives varies widely. "Effingham" daggers don't attract as much buyer interest, though many knives of this generation are quite good. Even so, sellers of "Richmond" knives routinely emphasize the difference in quality. Some of the "last gasp" knives turned out by Blackjack will attract enough attention from advanced collectors to drive the price up to the lower end of Gen. 2 values, regardless of the product's quality which can vary from superb to a sad parody of earlier knives marked with the Ek brand.
"Effingham" Ek daggers and bowies are the most common found on eBay with closing prices averaging $100-140. Blackjack's embellished commemoratives do command better than average prices. A USMC Vietnam commemorative bowie, with exceptional gold-inlaid engraving of the USMC crest and various tributes to the Vietnam conflict, complete with camoflage lined, glass topped oak presentation case sold on Jan-14-07 for $197.50. The winning bid was placed 4 seconds away from the auction's end.
Mint examples from the smaller runs manufactured at the end of Blackjack's history can sell for incredibly high prices, rivalling and sometimes surpassing the Richmond-made Gen. 2 era.
A dagger made with a coffin shaped rosewood grip and the leftover blade, guard, and sheath from Blackjack's "Applegate-Fairbairn" model sold for $138.88 on Mar-11-07.
Blackjack made a fine replica of Sam Houston's bowie with coffin handles and a foot long blade for the U.S. Historical Association. The over-runs were fitted with gorgeous cocobolo wood grips and marked with the Ek Commando logo. The knife itself had absolutely nothing to do with the Ek line, didn't look at all like an Ek knife. That didn't stop Blackjack from slapping the EK Commando Knives logo on it in an effort to generate some hype. Less than two dozen were made and didn't even come with boxes, just a sheath. A mint example sold on Dec-03-06 for $147.60.
This same bowie with black buffalo horn handles closed at new record for modern Ek knives. It sold on Feb-06-07 for $375. The winning bid was placed 21 seconds away from the auction's end.
One alternative Blackjack introduced was a radically simplified dagger known as the "Pigsticker". It has a narrow blade with parallel edges and a keen point. Handles vary from cordwrap to maple secured with copper rivets. Sheaths are usually leather. One of the original mirror finished, hand ground "Pigstickers" marked "Prototype" sold on Feb-11-07 for $151.25. The winning bid was placed 2 seconds away from the auction's end.
Generation 4: (1997- the present) Richmond, Virginia -again.
Like Kimber Firearms, a group of employees bought the rights to Ek and have resurrected the company, reintroducing most of the standard patterns from the 1980s. Best of all, Ek knives are again made to that same high standard of quality. Only the leather scabbards haven't been re-introduced. The modern knives are also marked "Richmond, Virginia", which makes distinguishing them from the original 80's-era knives, a bit difficult. This is hardly accidental, as the new Ek company wants to make a brand connection to the firm's reputation for extremely high quality back in the 80s.
The easiest way to distinguish a current production Ek from an 80s production Ek is the company logo on the blade. Gen. 2 daggers have two banners, a large top half-banner reading "Korea, World War II, Vietnam" and a smaller, separate bottom half-banner intertwined through a pair of crossed EK daggers reading, "Commando". Current production Gen. 4 daggers have extended the top banner in an oval shape so it now encircles both the crossed daggers and the smaller intertwined "Commando" banner. The large banner includes "Gulf War, Iraqi War" along the bottom half.
Current production Gen. 4 daggers are available from the factory for around $230-270 depending on options selected. Two daggers have appeared on eBay at the time of this writing. The first had micarta handles and sold on Oct-13-06 for $200. The second, had checkered walnut handles and sold on Oct-30-06 for $202.50. The winning bid was placed 2 seconds away from the auction's end.
The same seller of the previously mentioned Ek daggers also sold a Gen. 4 Ek bowie with the same handle type. The knife sold on Oct-20-06 for $188.51. The winning bid was placed 19 seconds away from the auction's end.
A WWII D-Day commemorative dagger, serial number 06, sold for $100.99 on Feb-07-07 . The knife had fully checkered walnut grips and special blade etch. The low price is due to the poor condition of the knife which included chips along the edge, a damaged point, and dark pitting on the blade.
Guide created: 10/15/06 (updated 10/10/08)
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