"Old Knives"

[Campbellclanman]

What a wee Beauty Augie! You are right - and that knife does have exceptional Stag on it!

 

[Mike Robuck]

Very cool knife Augie! Seems like a lot of the old shadow knives end up with cracks but not this one.

 

[JJ Cahill]

I find these Imperial patented "shell knives" fascinating as they were a response to the worst economic downturn is US history, the Great Depression. Manufacturing companies during that time were not bound by the vagaries of Wall Street financial instruments, for the most part, and were free to react (whether successful or not) to deleterious market constraints. This first iteration of the "Kamp King" branding would go on to a 50 year run, creating the ubiquitous and most successful scout pattern knife ever produced. Here is one from its first run during 1936-37:

https://i.imgur.com/bvgjFaw.jpg[/img]']https://i.imgur.com/bvgjFaw.jpg[/img]']https://i.imgur.com/bvgjFaw.jpg[/img]']https://i.imgur.com/pdMKkwp.jpg[/img]']
https://i.imgur.com/bvgjFaw.jpg[/img]']https://i.imgur.com/bvgjFaw.jpg[/img]']https://i.imgur.com/bvgjFaw.jpg[/img]']https://i.imgur.com/pkzbw9N.jpg[/img]']
While they are certainly not the gilded beauties of the top shelf cutlery companies of the US, England, and Germany, they hold a place in US cutlery history; a time when production would not run and hide under the auspices of cheap foreign labor, but would instead stand and fight.

 

[Augie]

I find these Imperial patented "shell knives" fascinating as they were a response to the worst economic downturn is US history, the Great Depression. Manufacturing companies during that time were not bound by the vagaries of Wall Street financial instruments, for the most part, and were free to react (whether successful or not) to deleterious market constraints. This first iteration of the "Kamp King" branding would go on to a 50 year run, creating the ubiquitous and most successful scout pattern knife ever produced. Here is one from its first run during 1936-37:

https://i.imgur.com/bvgjFaw.jpg[/img]']https://i.imgur.com/bvgjFaw.jpg[/img]']https://i.imgur.com/bvgjFaw.jpg[/img]']https://i.imgur.com/bvgjFaw.jpg[/img]']https://i.imgur.com/pdMKkwp.jpg[/img]']
https://i.imgur.com/bvgjFaw.jpg[/img]']https://i.imgur.com/bvgjFaw.jpg[/img]']https://i.imgur.com/bvgjFaw.jpg[/img]']https://i.imgur.com/bvgjFaw.jpg[/img]']https://i.imgur.com/pkzbw9N.jpg[/img]']
While they are certainly not the gilded beauties of the top shelf cutlery companies of the US, England, and Germany, they hold a place in US cutlery history; a time when production would not run and hide under the auspices of cheap foreign labor, but would instead stand and fight.

Very nice, one of the best condition ones I've seen.

 

[Augie]

Added a rare mid sized Miller Brothers rope knife this week, hard to find. As far as I know Miller Bros made 3 different size rope knives over the years and I now have managed to acquire all 3. The newest would be the WW1 sailors knife with nail file, the other 2 are probably Spanish American War era or earlier.

 

[r8shell]

Added a rare mid sized Miller Brothers rope knife this week, hard to find. As far as I know Miller Bros made 3 different size rope knives over the years and I now have managed to acquire all 3. The newest would be the WW1 sailors knife with nail file, the other 2 are probably Spanish American War era or earlier.


View attachment 1175906View attachment 1175907 View attachment 1175909View attachment 1175911 View attachment 1175915View attachment 1175916

Wow! Congratulations. I didn't know they made a mid sized one; that's a fine set.

 

[Mike Robuck]

Augie, I would be happy to own any one of those, let alone all three.

Those are Imperial shell knives are quite minty!

 

[eisman]

I had a pretty good day yesterday, coming across these four knives in a bunch (with a newer Chinese straight razor). The first is an interesting Colonial Cub Hunter, probably considered a toy, but it's well made for all that it's less than 3" overall in length. Quite sharp too.

Then there was this interesting knife, which looks like a more common grooming pen, but turns out to be a pretty fancy bartenders tool. It's not marked, and the corkscrew looks to be pre-WWII, but the bottle opened looks newer. Anyways, I like it:

This little pearl beauty was really tight; hasn't seen oil in a really long time. But when I got it open I thought it was too nice to be unmarked, so a little Flitz, a soft green pad, and some soap and hot water produced and interesting name. I've not seen a Primble "Special" mark before:

Last was this other pearl piece, with amazing color. I would have been happy just to have come across this. All told a really nice selection from the estate of someone with good taste.

 

[herder]

JJ Cahill, Beautiful old Imperial camper model. I had not seen those specific shell wrapped handles before and they are quite attractive.
Pre-war Imperial knives are well made and often overlooked by many collectors.
Augie, Good looking middle sized Miller Bros. I noticed that you post all your knives on "both" forums.
eisman, Nice additions, and the pearl on that IXL has great fire.

Here is an old Imperial 3-blade camper/Scout model from the 1920 to 1930s era with an uncommon "IKCO" (Imperial Knife Company) stamp. While Imperial is known for their shell wrapped handles, this model has solid red, white, and blue celluloid handles which are pinned to the liners.

View attachment 1176173

 

[JJ Cahill]

JJ Cahill, Beautiful old Imperial camper model. I had not seen those specific shell wrapped handles before and they are quite attractive.
Pre-war Imperial knives are well made and often overlooked by many collectors.

Thank you herder! The several I have found in 95%+ condition are interesting pieces with very good blades. That is quite a lovely old patriotic Imperial you have!

 

[JJ Cahill]

Very nice, one of the best condition ones I've seen.

Thanks Augie! Those Miller Bros are quite amazing, especially considering the age!

 

[Campbellclanman]

JJ Cahill’s example of Imperials Camper is just Great!

Augie- that trio right there is just fantastic- what a feeling to be able to fill that missing gap in what I see as quite an astounding set from SUCH an impressive name such as Miller Bros.
Each one sports a very nice full Blade too !! Well done my friend.
Eisman - some nice smaller knives - I haven’t seen the Primble special before either
- interesting!
Herder - another Stellar example my friend - that’s a nice one!
Edit - predictive thing - aaaaarrrggghh!

 

[Luger1952]

Ditto everything Duncan so ably expressed about the above posted knives! This thread does not disappoint—some real beauties lately

Here is an antique H & B MFC. Co. large or jumbo jack. I would guess this folder is well over one hundred years old. It is a real handful with massive springs. The primary spear point blade rides on a spring that is 3/16 inches wide. This is wider than any spring on even Folding Hunters I have. The pull on the primary is just shy of being a nail breaker. Both blades snap open and close with a fierceness that is breathtaking The jack is 4 inches closed and has Cocobolo handles. The blades are full with little evidence of much sharpening or blade loss.

 

[JJ Cahill]

Here is an antique H & B MFC. Co. large or jumbo jack.

Wow Lloyd, your H&B Jumbo Jack is outstanding! I wonder if H&B was close to LF&C, as they were both in New Britain around that time?
LF&C tang stamp circa pre 20's:

 

[Luger1952]

Thanks JJ! As I recall, didn’t LF & C buy H&B in the early 1900s? They were definitely both in New Britain.

 

[JJ Cahill]

I was thinking they did just as I added the tang image

 

[Campbellclanman]

Lloyd - WOW - That to me my friend is an outstanding Jack!
It has everything- A Swage to die for on the Main and Sleek Swage work on that neat long Pen, a Beautiful long - Matchstrike pull, 100% full blades - great Etching on the Main - or is that Stamped Lloyd my friend? have you looked under a Loupe at that at all Sir?

For a knife hitting 100 years old possibly- this is just Great to view!

I must apologise for my posts - If I post from my phone and don’t take the time to check it out carefully it looks as though I’m trying to create a new language!! as predictive txting comes into play

 

[Luger1952]

Thanks Duncan for your nice comments! The blade is stamped.

 

[lambertiana]

I find these Imperial patented "shell knives" fascinating as they were a response to the worst economic downturn is US history, the Great Depression. Manufacturing companies during that time were not bound by the vagaries of Wall Street financial instruments, for the most part, and were free to react (whether successful or not) to deleterious market constraints. This first iteration of the "Kamp King" branding would go on to a 50 year run, creating the ubiquitous and most successful scout pattern knife ever produced. Here is one from its first run during 1936-37:

https://i.imgur.com/bvgjFaw.jpg[/img]']https://i.imgur.com/bvgjFaw.jpg[/img]']https://i.imgur.com/bvgjFaw.jpg[/img]']https://i.imgur.com/bvgjFaw.jpg[/img]']https://i.imgur.com/pdMKkwp.jpg[/img]']
https://i.imgur.com/bvgjFaw.jpg[/img]']https://i.imgur.com/bvgjFaw.jpg[/img]']https://i.imgur.com/bvgjFaw.jpg[/img]']https://i.imgur.com/bvgjFaw.jpg[/img]']https://i.imgur.com/pkzbw9N.jpg[/img]']
While they are certainly not the gilded beauties of the top shelf cutlery companies of the US, England, and Germany, they hold a place in US cutlery history; a time when production would not run and hide under the auspices of cheap foreign labor, but would instead stand and fight.

Love the celluloid on this one! It's in great condition, too.

I had a pretty good day yesterday, coming across these four knives in a bunch (with a newer Chinese straight razor). The first is an interesting Colonial Cub Hunter, probably considered a toy, but it's well made for all that it's less than 3" overall in length. Quite sharp too.

Then there was this interesting knife, which looks like a more common grooming pen, but turns out to be a pretty fancy bartenders tool. It's not marked, and the corkscrew looks to be pre-WWII, but the bottle opened looks newer. Anyways, I like it:

This little pearl beauty was really tight; hasn't seen oil in a really long time. But when I got it open I thought it was too nice to be unmarked, so a little Flitz, a soft green pad, and some soap and hot water produced and interesting name. I've not seen a Primble "Special" mark before:

Last was this other pearl piece, with amazing color. I would have been happy just to have come across this. All told a really nice selection from the estate of someone with good taste.

Just beautiful pearl on that IXL!

Ditto everything Duncan so ably expressed about the above posted knives! This thread does not disappoint—some real beauties lately

Here is an antique H & B MFC. Co. large or jumbo jack. I would guess this folder is well over one hundred years old. It is a real handful with massive springs. The primary spear point blade rides on a spring that is 3/16 inches wide. This is wider than any spring on even Folding Hunters I have. The pull on the primary is just shy of being a nail breaker. Both blades snap open and close with a fierceness that is breathtaking The jack is 4 inches closed and has Cocobolo handles. The blades are full with little evidence of much sharpening or blade loss.
View attachment 1176275 View attachment 1176276 View attachment 1176277 View attachment 1176278 View attachment 1176279 View attachment 1176280 View attachment 1176281

That H&B is fantastic! I have a few H&B knives, and they were definitely made to be used, very solid.

 

[JJ Cahill]

Love the celluloid on this one! It's in great condition, too.

Thank you Lambertiana!!!