All About Pocket Knives

Can anyone help determine the age or year this knife was made ?
My dear uncle russ bought me this knife yesterday at a surplus store in staunton va. It was only $8.00 and he bought 3 other imperials as well. This knife looks like new and appears to never have been sharpened. I was hanging out with him all day and we got all 45 of his old timers out and drooled over them while we ate a bowl of white beans with country ham in them. His old timers are all like new and it was a blast looking at each of them. He has a 858ot large three blade that I fell in love with. I belive I will have to find me one of those for my collection. Thanks for helping me figure out the age of this knife !!!

Best I can tell you is that a similar tang stamp without the word "Stainless" above it was used from 1946-1956 according to the Imperial tang stamp chart I have. Since the chart does not depict the stamp that's on your knife, I do not know for sure that the stamping with "Stainless" at the top was used at the same time, but it seems plausable. Hopefully someone will show up with more knowledge on the subject.

The first of the "Razor Blade Stainless" series was introduced in 1963.
Shortly after it's introduction - the name was changed to "Super Razor Blade Stainless."
My thoughts are that they must have stepped on someone else's trade mark.

I DON'T know how long the series lasted - but the oval shield was still in use in the late '80s
and was used on the Imperial Ireland shell handle knives.

There very well may be more info on the Schrades-r-us site as to when that line was discontinue.

I've been able to date the stamp back to 1956. It's quit possibly older... just no evidence (yet).

...... Joe

Is imperial a highly collectable brand ?

They don't fetch big prices like some other brands do, but they are still very collectable. My personal opinion is that they are one of the most underrated brands out there right now.

It's a fine looking knife. It looks like it'd be a dandy edc! You've got ya a good uncle there.

I found in my notes that they were still making the
"Super Razor Blade Stainless" series in 1980.

As for collectability - it's pretty much like Phil said.

For the most part - folks like the solid construction "Frontier"
series by Imperial. There's a few of us that collect the colorful, hollow
handle ones (shell handle)... just for the colors alone! And also the
early solid construction bone handle EO's and military utility knives are
desirable.

...... Joe