Original Listing Description

Aurum Folding Knife: This knife commemorates Harley Davidson's 75th Anniversary. The handle is genuine India Sandbar Stag 3-1/2" blade of 440C stainless w/Safety lock and heavy leather scabbard. It is my privilege to write a short account of Aurum Etchings and a company that became well known throughout the 70s and 80s for engraving fine artwork onto firearms and knives. It is also a short account of my personal friendship with Samuel R Shortes the Founder and President of Aurum Etchings, whom I have had contact with now for a number of years. I was gradually able to gather more information about the company and its origins and what made Aurum Etchings unique. It also occurred to me that these same Aurum Etched knives would have cost me many thousand of dollars each if they had been individually engraved by hand but due to a process that Aurum Etchings had largely if not entirely revolutionized back in the early 70s the same could be had in some cases for even a few hundred dollars. In fact the very first Aurum knife produced by Aurum Etchings before they began the process was done by Samuel Shortes on his kitchen table with the barest minimum of tools prior to setting up their facility, it was incredibly time consuming and not a cost effective method if these were to be had at price most could afford. Aurum Etchings spanned a period of 17 years from 1974 to 1991, reaching its pinnacle in the late 70s early 80s. Most of Aurum Etchings work was confined firearms, which makes the knives that were etched by Aurum of special interest to collectors as there were fewer of them, and many of them are no longer in production today. Samuel R Shortes had owned and operated his own jewelry manufacturing company prior to setting up Aurum Etching in 1974; he was no stranger to fine and intricate work. In fact for some time the Jewelery company continued to exist alongside the new Aurum facility and was used to cast the solid sterling silver handle parts of the very first knife (or knife in series) that Aurum Etchings ever produced, it was the Smith & Wesson 1974 collectors series bowie knife designed by Blackie Collins with the spread eagle which was later seen on the covers of the American knives magazine for a few years after 1974. Knife will be shipped with insurance. (Condition: Brand New)

Note: This item has been sold and is no longer available. This page serves as a historical price reference for Harley Davidson collectors and appraisers.