Recent "Frank B Limited Edition" Addition

[Chris51P]

My newest addition is a Frank B 2005 Limited Edition. I’ve had my eye on this knife for over a year and finally gave in. Surprised no one snatched her up in that time. She is an eye catcher with beautiful translucent horn scales and dagger blade. Now my 2007 Limited Edition with stag scales has a worthy roommate. Is this 2005 picklock the first Limited Edition Frank B picklock produced? Or do the tang etchings mean something else? Hopefully, someone can give me a history lesson as the 2005 Frank B has a “001” below the “Frank B Italy” on the backside. All markings are laser etched. Any info would be appreciated.

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[JulesVane]

Really nice Chris! It’s interesting that Bernie had done a run with Frank B for his Limited Edition Frank B/BEF picklocks in 2005 also. But these aren’t from that run. (At least, I don’t think they are). Great knives!

[Chris51P]

Really nice Chris! It’s interesting that Bernie had done a run with Frank B for his Limited Edition Frank B/BEF picklocks in 2005 also. But these aren’t from that run. (At least, I don’t think they are). Great knives!

Thanks for the info Chris. Let me know if any additional info comes your way.

[thom]

Great examples of old Frank B's. Thanks for posting. Love seeing pictures. BTW where did you find that one?
Thom

[Chris51P]

Great examples of old Frank B's. Thanks for posting. Love seeing pictures. BTW where did you find that one?
Thom

Hey Thom - I got the knife from Sanders Knives off the AAPK website. Thx for ur comments. I think the older Frank B’s r going to be harder to find down the road as it seems the newest examples w/oval holes & wider blades r not favoring complete support.

[picklocksrock]

I’ve been eyeing that one there for the longest time. It’s a lot nicer than I thought. What a beautiful Picklock and the horn is great!

[thom]

Great examples of old Frank B's. Thanks for posting. Love seeing pictures. BTW where did you find that one?
Thom

Hey Thom - I got the knife from Sanders Knives off the AAPK website. Thx for ur comments. I think the older Frank B’s r going to be harder to find down the road as it seems the newest examples w/oval holes & wider blades r not favoring complete support.

I look on AAPK and didn’t see it. Yea I sold the couple that I had. What a mistake. The older ones with the N/S bolsters are as good as it gets.
Thom

[Chris51P]

Great examples of old Frank B's. Thanks for posting. Love seeing pictures. BTW where did you find that one?
Thom

Hey Thom - I got the knife from Sanders Knives off the AAPK website. Thx for ur comments. I think the older Frank B’s r going to be harder to find down the road as it seems the newest examples w/oval holes & wider blades r not favoring complete support.

I look on AAPK and didn’t see it. Yea I sold the couple that I had. What a mistake. The older ones with the N/S bolsters are as good as it gets.
Thom

Hey Thom - Sent you a pm.

[jim d,]

Here is one in dark horn, not nearly as nice as yours, Chris. It is 008

Jim

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[natcherly]

...Is this 2005 picklock the first Limited Edition Frank B picklock produced?...

The first Limited Edition from Frank was in 2001, a forum knife for the TSF forum. At one time that was the place to go for serious collectors. Frank made a run for them of the first picklocks in over 40 years. They came with polished stainless or Damascus bayo blades and included a wood box. My set, acquired in 2006, is pictured below. In 2003 I bought a 11" pick directly from Frank. Aside from FRANK B ITALY, it has no other markings, but it could be considered a 2002 or 2003 edition as Frank did not make many runs of these at first. It took him a couple of years before he put on the Edition / Year markings.

[thom]

Great knives all. Frank B. defiantly uses some awesome horn. I was wondering what that stamp was. Thanks again for posting pictures of some great knives.
Thom

[jim d,]

FYI - from David's photo: TSF = The Switchblade Forum. It was a very active forum in its day.

Jim

[JulesVane]

Here's my 11" Frank B flatguard picklock from approx. 2004 when I believe he started with the flat buttons...

[Chris51P]

Here's my 11" Frank B flatguard picklock from approx. 2004 when I believe he started with the flat buttons...

As I say, that example is "Most Excellent." For me it's difficult to realize how many nice, quality pieces are out there waiting to be discovered.

[Chris51P]

...Is this 2005 picklock the first Limited Edition Frank B picklock produced?...

The first Limited Edition from Frank was in 2001, a forum knife for the TSF forum. At one time that was the place to go for serious collectors. Frank made a run for them of the first picklocks in over 40 years. They came with polished stainless or Damascus bayo blades and included a wood box. My set, acquired in 2006, is pictured below. In 2003 I bought a 11" pick directly from Frank. Aside from FRANK B ITALY, it has no other markings, but it could be considered a 2002 or 2003 edition as Frank did not make many runs of these at first. It took him a couple of years before he put on the Edition / Year markings.

Thanks for getting me caught up, Natcherly. I'm thinking that many people didn't realize this started in 2001. Your knives are obviously very special being some of the first.