A stunning, investment-grade example of 20th-century American custom cutlery, this mid-1960s to early-1970s Arkansas Toothpick / Double-Edged Dagger was handcrafted by the legendary Lubbock, Texas master knifemaker, Ralph Bone. Renowned for his impeccable grinds and brief, highly collectible career in standalone knife making, Bone’s pieces are prized for their clean lines, exceptional balance, and historical scarcity. This specific example remains in remarkable, near-mint condition, complete with its original proprietary leather sheath.
Collector’s Note
Because Ralph Bone pivoted away from full-time knife manufacturing relatively early to pursue master gun engraving and custom firearm smithing, his dedicated knife production window was brief. Large, meticulously ground fighting daggers like this Toothpick were among his highest-tier catalog offerings and were produced in far fewer numbers than his standard hunting and utility knives, making this an incredibly scarce find for the vintage custom knife completist.
