My apologies to Imperial Ireland, and does anyone know anything about them?

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I always thought that Imperial Ireland was the last cheap gasp of Schrade Imperial Wostenholm etc etc.
What I see of theirs is usually paper-doll handled Barlows less well-shaped than those from Providence.
But his knife has surprised me in a few ways.

I've had it so long I don't remember where, why , or how I got it. Yet it was so shiny, I thought it must be stainless or chromed, until I peeled an apple with it and it patinated.
It can't be awfully old, because it has the snap-on pseudo bolsters instead of the one-piece tinfoil paper doll covers.

The blades are quite thin, like the Imperials of yore. The fit and finish are absurdly good for a cheapo last gasp. I like it a lot.
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They started going down hill back in the late 1970's but you can find some solid stockman made by them.
 
I think this Kamp King is the only one I own. After I fixed the rattling handle scale it has been a decent user.
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Almost every Imperial I've owned, new or old, domestic or UK production, has had great blade steel. They may look and feel cheap, but they're definitely worthy of a place in the pocket.

Some of the UK knives were lacking and should never have left the factory looking and functioning as rough as they did, but those are the ones that are the best candidates for modification & improvement. You've got great blades & springs, so a little effort makes an old ratty-looking Imperial (or Ranger, or Frontier, or others under the Imperial/Schrade banner) into a perfect beater/user.

~Chris
 
Just to clarify, Ireland is not part of the UK ;) :thumbup:

I've generally found the Richards of Sheffield knives superior to the Jowika/Imperial Ireland knives. The Richards knives were never great, but there was a distinct decline in quality, in my opinion, after they were acquired by Imperial in the 1970's, with poorer quality steel used, and a change of grind (from a flat to a sabre grind) on some patterns. Here's a couple of Fish Knives I sent R.c.s - the top one is a Richards knife, probably from the 60's, the lower one is stamped Imperial England, and is probably from the late 1970's. Both cheap knives, but the Richards had considerably better steel.

 
I have only a few Irish Imperials, and mostly they're indistinguishable from the Providence-made, though one Barlow has an exceptionally feeble and tatty-looking blade. And an Irish Imperial fish knife that seems to have been designed as a rattle. But this stockman is a fine effort of its type. Funny I forgot all about it and never carried it enough to rust it.

Then there's Irish Sabre, or Saber, which may be the old Japanese Sabre taken over by Imperial Etc. And Jowika-

My eyes have gone glassy and I'd better stop.
 
I wish during the years that Schrade USA was open they devoted a little more to the fixed blades section from the Apex Wilderness Series by Imperial Ireland.They weren't luxurious as the handles were zytel.But they came reasonably sharp,took a good edge and held it rather well.The drop point model I've had for over twenty years and it's still solid.
 
If I ever could praise anything by Imperial that get's overlooked by vintage American knife lovers are the Frontier/Double Eagle Series that was made from 1976 to 1985.Had Schrade USA not closed the Imperial factory in RI in the year 1986 these would be a tough call.Had the Frontier Series continued to grow? serious competition to the Old Timer and Uncle Henry I foresaw from Imperial's outdoor line.Now the Frontier line from Ireland with the green plastic scales?really cheap quality construction with carbon steel(thumbs up) blades marked as stainless on the packaging.
 
Jack Black said:
Just to clarify, Ireland is not part of the UK ;) :thumbup:
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North Ireland is! Neener-neener!

Although, in all fairness, Listowel (where the Imperial factory was located) is in southern Ireland. So, I guess you're technically correct. Not that I'll ever admit it. :p

~Chris
 
orca8589 said:
North Ireland is! Neener-neener!

Although, in all fairness, Listowel (where the Imperial factory was located) is in southern Ireland. So, I guess you're technically correct. Not that I'll ever admit it. :p
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Technically, and in every other sense! :D Since 1921, the 6 counties of North-Eastern Ireland have been Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. The remaining 26 counties form The Republic of Ireland (Eire), the country where the Imperial/Jowika knives were made, which is most definitely not part of the United Kingdom ;) :D :thumbup:
 
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This Ireland knife was made in the United Kingdom though :thumbup:





In Sheffield! :D ;) :thumbup:
 
Jack Black said:
This Ireland knife was made in the United Kingdom though :thumbup:

***

In Sheffield! :D ;) :thumbup:
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I have something similar - but mine is in pretty bad shape. Yours is much nicer, and actually legible.

~Chris

PS - both sides of my family is Scotch-Irish, so you probably understand the passion our people have for their ancestral homes. Family reunions could get pretty raucous & entertaining when it came to family history and who was "proper Irish" (with someone threatening to raise a shillelagh and set everyone straight) or a "descended Scot" (and a huge debate over patterns & family colors - and no, 'neon pink' was NOT a proper Scot tartan shade.) Sooner or later our womenfolk would threaten to lock the men on the back porch with no supper, and everything would quiet down... until one of us youngsters brought it up again. :D I think the elder men in the family would make the arguments really loud & obnoxious just to irritate the wives and make us kids laugh. Good days they were.
 
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