Empire Knife Company
- gsmith7158
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Re: Empire Knife Company
I've never seen this addressed before in this thread but I was wondering if the different tang stamps on Empires might hold a key to period of manufacture. Anyone know?
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Greg
IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.
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Greg
IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.
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Re: Empire Knife Company
A couple of my recent finds.
Steve Pfeiffer, author of Collecting Case Knives: Identification and Price Guide published by Krause Publications.
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Re: Empire Knife Company
Two pearl sleeveboard whittlers - different sizes.
Steve Pfeiffer, author of Collecting Case Knives: Identification and Price Guide published by Krause Publications.
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Re: Empire Knife Company
One more jack.
Steve Pfeiffer, author of Collecting Case Knives: Identification and Price Guide published by Krause Publications.
- gsmith7158
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Re: Empire Knife Company
Very nice Steve! I love that lock back and the pearl whittlers!
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Greg
IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.
PROUD MEMBER AAPK, NRA.
Greg
IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.
PROUD MEMBER AAPK, NRA.
Re: Empire Knife Company
Beautiful old Empires, guys. Love to see them in spite of having considerable heartburn from the fact that they aren't mine.
Greg, Beardsley and Alvord, owners of Empire Knife Co., bought a building in W. Winsted in 1878. Stamp undoubtedly used there but also built another factory in a different location in 1886. Hard to say when they did or didn't use the stamp.
I have a W. Winsted stamp too, some where.
Empire Knife Co. 1856-1930gsmith7158 wrote:I've never seen this addressed before in this thread but I was wondering if the different tang stamps on Empires might hold a key to period of manufacture. Anyone know?
Greg, Beardsley and Alvord, owners of Empire Knife Co., bought a building in W. Winsted in 1878. Stamp undoubtedly used there but also built another factory in a different location in 1886. Hard to say when they did or didn't use the stamp.
I have a W. Winsted stamp too, some where.
Joe
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Re: Empire Knife Company
Joe, some are marked with Empire Knife Co. and others simply Empire. To bad there is not more documentation on these great knives. I don't suppose you have any of the originals with the French guys name on them do you?FRJ wrote:Beautiful old Empires, guys. Love to see them in spite of having considerable heartburn from the fact that they aren't mine.
Empire Knife Co. 1856-1930gsmith7158 wrote:I've never seen this addressed before in this thread but I was wondering if the different tang stamps on Empires might hold a key to period of manufacture. Anyone know?
Greg, Beardsley and Alvord, owners of Empire Knife Co., bought a building in W. Winsted in 1878. Stamp undoubtedly used there but also built another factory in a different location in 1886. Hard to say when they did or didn't use the stamp.
I have a W. Winsted stamp too, some where.
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Greg
IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.
PROUD MEMBER AAPK, NRA.
Greg
IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.
PROUD MEMBER AAPK, NRA.
Re: Empire Knife Company
Thompson and Gascoigne ---- Oh, wouldn't that be a find.gsmith7158 wrote: I don't suppose you have any of the originals with the French guys name on them do you?
No I don't Greg, but there must be some of those knives laying around somewhere. They were in W. Winsted too. 1852-1854.
Be sure and let me know when you find one!
Joe
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Re: Empire Knife Company
This is wonderful! Just the simple fact that you fellas share the knives, and the information about them is so very special because a person like myself would never in a lifetime experience how awesome these old knives are.
What I mean is that even modern day US coins will not be around in 50 years. They decompose. Modern cars will not last 1/2 that long but these old knives that are closing in on 200 years are just amazing.
I was just admiring an old German Anchor knife that most likely hasn't been sharpened in 50-60 years, and it'll still split a hair. Just amazing...
What I mean is that even modern day US coins will not be around in 50 years. They decompose. Modern cars will not last 1/2 that long but these old knives that are closing in on 200 years are just amazing.
I was just admiring an old German Anchor knife that most likely hasn't been sharpened in 50-60 years, and it'll still split a hair. Just amazing...
Ken Mc.
WTB Kershaw 2120 MACHO Lockback Parts knife
I need a pile side scale. THX!
WTB Kershaw 2120 MACHO Lockback Parts knife
I need a pile side scale. THX!
- gsmith7158
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Re: Empire Knife Company
Here's a new one for me that I picked up from Barry Wolder. A tiny split spring whittler at just 2 5/8 closed but just look at the workmanship on this thing and of course that fabulous jigged bone that Empire is famous for.
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Greg
IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.
PROUD MEMBER AAPK, NRA.
Greg
IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.
PROUD MEMBER AAPK, NRA.
- gsmith7158
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Re: Empire Knife Company
Thanks Joe!
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Greg
IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.
PROUD MEMBER AAPK, NRA.
Greg
IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.
PROUD MEMBER AAPK, NRA.
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Re: Empire Knife Company
I just picked up this little pearl gents knife with an extra long file blade and still has a little etch on the master.
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Greg
IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.
PROUD MEMBER AAPK, NRA.
Greg
IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.
PROUD MEMBER AAPK, NRA.
- gsmith7158
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Re: Empire Knife Company
Here is a pair I just picked up. An Ebony Jack and a Pearl pen knife.
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Greg
IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.
PROUD MEMBER AAPK, NRA.
Greg
IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.
PROUD MEMBER AAPK, NRA.
- Miller Bro's
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Re: Empire Knife Company
Very nice collection Greg
Here's one I picked up, the blade is etched Empire Knife Co. hard to see but there.
Here's one I picked up, the blade is etched Empire Knife Co. hard to see but there.
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Re: Empire Knife Company
Dimitri I have never seen one of those fruit knives with a smooth handle like that. The one I have is like the two or three others I have seen.
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Greg
IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.
PROUD MEMBER AAPK, NRA.
Greg
IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.
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Re: Empire Knife Company
I am pretty sure they made several designs, the handles on yours were made to match the pattern knife, fork, spoons,etc. a woman would buy for the home. These were never made to be carried on a person like a pocket knife for obvious reasons, rather sold to be used in a wealthy home as part of the table ware. Yours came from a more expensive set, mine was probably the cheapest one they offered, all I have seen so far were all silver plated.
The one I have shown above had the same etch you have shown on yours, thanks for showing it
The one I have shown above had the same etch you have shown on yours, thanks for showing it
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Re: Empire Knife Company
Wow! I was not aware that those were part of a dinner set. I will have to keep my eyes peeled for one of those. Thanks for that info.Miller Bro's wrote:I am pretty sure they made several designs, the handles on yours were made to match the pattern knife, fork, spoons,etc. a woman would buy for the home. These were never made to be carried on a person like a pocket knife for obvious reasons, rather sold to be used in a wealthy home as part of the table ware. Your came from a more expensive set, mine was probably the cheapest one they offered, all I have seen so far were all silver plated.
The one I have shown above had the same etch you have shown on yours, thanks for showing it
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Greg
IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.
PROUD MEMBER AAPK, NRA.
Greg
IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.
PROUD MEMBER AAPK, NRA.
Re: Empire Knife Company
Some great old knives from a great old company.....here's a few of mine both for sale and coming soon!
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Tom
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Re: Empire Knife Company
Thanks Joe! Even though that Ebony Jack has been well used I still just marvel at the immaculate half stops and unrivalled walk and talk on these Empires. They just don't make them like this anymore.FRJ wrote:Very nice knives, Greg and Dimitri.
Tom those are all great patterns. They won't last long. If I didn't already have each of those I would be reserving them.bestgear wrote:Some great old knives from a great old company.....here's a few of mine both for sale and coming soon!
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Greg
IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.
PROUD MEMBER AAPK, NRA.
Greg
IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.
PROUD MEMBER AAPK, NRA.
Re: Empire Knife Company
Thanks Greg. I decided earlier this month to sell my unofficial Scouts because I just wasn't enjoying them as much as my official Scouts and this gives someone else an opportunity to add to their collection or EDC pile. I've got about 60 of these knives that I'm working on getting ready for the New Year.
Tom
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Re: Empire Knife Company
Well I haven't been able to find any good Empire knives of late to add to my collection but I thought this was kind of interesting and it was cheap so I got it to complement my collection. It appears that Empire may have used this company to provide their grinding wheels.
https://www.nortonabrasives.com/en-us/our-history
https://www.nortonabrasives.com/en-us/our-history
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Greg
IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.
PROUD MEMBER AAPK, NRA.
Greg
IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.
PROUD MEMBER AAPK, NRA.
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Re: Empire Knife Company
The current State of the Empire!
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Greg
IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.
PROUD MEMBER AAPK, NRA.
Greg
IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.
PROUD MEMBER AAPK, NRA.