Who began Franklin mint collector knives?

Joseph Segel founded the Franklin Mint, which produced collector's knives. It began as a private corporation based in Pennsylvania that manufactured coins, commemorative rounds and medallions, Monopoly sets, figurines and many other collectibles.

Some Franklin Mint knives came as parts of sets like the Sportsman's Year Hunting and Fishing Knife Collection. Manufactured in Germany in 1989, the set originally cost $1,200 and came with a total of 12 Franklin Mint knives. The knives came in a large walnut case with magnets to hold them in place. As of 2014, the set is quite rare and costly. Limited-edition sets come with six additional knives in two separate cases.