The Bechtler Mint Knife Club started in 1983 and made annual club  knives until 2007.   Most have:  stag handles, elaborate blade work, serial numbers, scrolled bolsters and a replica $5 gold piece second shields.  The Bechtler mint started minting gold coins in 1831, 17 years before the US government made any.  The club was in Rutherfordton, North Carolina.

Some interesting points about these knives.  The 2001 annual knife was a V5254 HB SS (Hobo knife), and only 47 pieces were made.  Despite this very limited run, the 2001 knife is found with both a 2000 and 1999 tang stamp date.

The 2002 Annual knife, has a 2000 tang date stamp.  But does not have a USA stamp anywhere.  The Feds mandated that the country of origin be on manufactured goods back in 1965.  But in the confusion of a major transition in the year 2000, some knives were made without USA.  I call these “Outlaws”, as they are minor criminals.  See all 25 knives with 91 attached actual selling prices inside.