"Dewey had beautiful knives, old and new ones; he had one of the best collections because it was so diverse. "
George Manuel met his friend Dewey Yarborough at a collectible-knife show 35 years ago and with eight others helped form the Tar Heel Cutlery Club in 1975.
At the time, it was one of nine knife clubs in North Carolina. Now, it's the only club left in the state, Manuel said.
Though Yarborough died from pneumonia last October, his knives will still appear at the 34th Tar Heel Cutlery Club Knife Show being held at the Dixie Classic Fair Home and Garden building starting today.
Rather than being displayed or being traded by their personable, reed-thin, gregarious owner, 500 of his knives will be for sale by Ellen Yarborough, Dewey Yarborough's widow.
For the past few weeks, Manuel and Yarborough have been inventorying her late husband's collection in her home at Arbor Acres. Sheets of lined loose-leaf paper list the knives in precise block print detailing the make, model and estimated worth.
The knives are varied and diverse. A small bronze Parker with a relief of Daniel Boone seems minuscule when compared to the large knife mounted on a wooden plaque that won Best of Show at the 1988 Tar Heel Cutlery Club show. The prices range from $1 to $300, with the average being about $25.
"Dewey had beautiful knives, old and new ones. He specialized in Buck knives, but he had many different kinds. He had one of the best collections because it was so diverse," Manuel said.
Yarborough also owned one of only 60 made of the 15th Anniversary Buck Club knives. The rich turquoise handle with inlaid wood features eagles that were hand-cut by a jeweler's saw. Yarborough also procured the silver plate of the eagle blank used by the jeweler to create the knife's handle.
Yarborough was an accomplished woodworker. He carved a large eagle with wings spread and precise trenches to hold five knives commemorating the bicentennial in 1976. Ellen Yarborough plans to keep those knives. Dewey Yarborough found another knife from the bicentennial year of 1976 that doubled as a tie clip.
"I don't know where he got all of these. All I know is that he didn't steal them," Ellen Yarborough said with a laugh.
Manuel said that many people don't realize the detail that goes into knife collecting, from the blade and handle materials to the type and the manufacturer.
He expects more than 400 people to visit the show; many will travel from other states.
Ellen Yarborough said that she has relied on Manuel's expertise and willingness to help her prepare for the knife show. As Tar Heel Cutlery Club president, Manuel has many responsibilities, but not so many, he said, that he and wife, Barbara, could not help Ellen Yarborough.
"Dewey appreciated both the usefulness and the artistry of knives. Our kids took the ones that they wanted. Now it's time for someone else to enjoy them," Yarborough said.
She said she plans to donate part of the proceeds to Green Street United Methodist Church, where she has served as a congregational-care minister.
■ Monica Young can be reached at cyoung9@triad.rr.com.
■ The Tar Heel Cutlery Club 34th Annual Knife Show will be today from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Dixie Classic Fairground. More information can be found at www.tarheelcutleryclub.com.
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