Orvet Customs

MAKER:   Imperial

PATTERN:   #4512 Sportsman Lockback

LENGTH (Closed):   5-1/4”

BOLSTERS:   Nickel silver

SHIELD:   Powderhorn Frontier Shield

HANDLES: Ivory colored Delrin

BLADES:   Locking California clip blade

LINERS:   Brass

FRONT TANG STAMP:   FRONTIER (over Powderhorn)

REAR TANG STAMP:   4512/IMPERIAL/U.S.A.

BLADE ETCH:  LOCK-BACK/STAINLESS

CONDITION:   Near Mint to mint in box

DAMAGE:   None noted, may have slight shop wear, also still has some hardened factory lubricant in the joint and on bolsters.

BLADE WEAR:   None

SNAP:   Good

MADE IN:   U.S.A.

ADDITIONAL INFO:      The Imperial Frontier Sportsman Lockback is a very nice lockback knife it is a great Bird and Trout knife because of the blade shape and it’s also a nice size to EDC. In spite of the length, is a nice thin knife in the pocket or it can be carried in a sheath. The #4512 was first made in 1977 and last made in 1982. This knife comes with the correct box.

The Frontier Series were designed very similarly to the Schrade Old Timers series and were direct competition to Schrade. Both Imperial and Schrade were part of IKAC, Imperial Knife Associated Companies, and they were essentially in competition with one another between the Schrade Old Timer series in the Imperial Frontier series. In 1984 Albert Baer purchased all of the outstanding IKAC stock and renamed the company Imperial Schrade Corporation, (ISC). If you study the Frontier series you will find that in 1985, the year after Albert Baer took over complete ownership of the company, he dropped all of the Frontier patterns that had survived the cuts in 1984. My theory is it was too much direct competition with Old Timer and Uncle Henry knives. A number of the patterns the Frontier series were sized so they competed directly with the Old Timer series. There were 10 different Frontier folding patterns and seven fixed blade patterns. Within the 10 folding patterns there were 43 variations of handle material and blade combinations within the 10 patterns of the Imperial Frontier Series. None of those patterns were listed beyond 1985. My theory is Albert Baer wanted to get rid of them so he could concentrate on making and selling his Old Timer and Uncle Henry series.

*By Purchasing, The Buyer Confirms It Is Legal For Them Purchase And Own This Knife.

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