shell handled knives

[singin46]

Here's one that edgy46 sent me today. It's one of those trick knives. Works great, I just polished up the bolsters a little and looks almost new. Thanks Bill for thinkin of me!

[Joe Dirt]

Many people think that's a cap lifter on those trick knives.

I'd advise NOT trying to open that Bass Ale with it!
It's turned around backwards!

In fact that's the latch part of the lock.

On the old ones there is a pin that rolls into the latch
to hold the blade closed.
Holding the knife "upside down" and depressing the blade lets the
pin roll out of the latch.

On the reproductions they use a ball bearing in place of the pin.

......... Joe

[singin46]

That's right Joe, the pin inside you can hear rollin back and forth when opened. I knew that was the lock for it. Mine does have the straight pin.

[edgy46]

Looks good in Tennessee
I wonder if these old cheapys will become more popular. They are plentiful and relatively inexpensive. The cell on the Imperials seems to be very stable, and the colors just pop. One could never run out of patterns and different handles to collect. I forgot to tell you how it works

[singin46]

Oh I knew how it worked Bill, I have played with a few at knife shows over the years. You're right about color options, I guess they are endless from what I've seen others own and on ebay. Those are COOOOL! I love these older cheapies. Made so well and seem to hold up if you're lucky enough to find one in decent shape.

[Joe Dirt]

[quote="edgy46"] One could never run out of patterns and different handles to collect.

Edgy, you have just found "the root of my problem."
Now, with therapy, I can work towards a cure for my addiction

........ Joe

[singin46]

THERE IS NO CURE JOE!!!!!

[Miller Bro's]

Here is one I have not seen posted.

It is an Imperial, has a longhorn design embossed into the handle material.

It is not just painted on. I think it is unusual

[singin46]

Very cool Miller! I've seen the brown ones and others but didn't know they made it in Mother Of Toilet Seat too.

[edgy46]

M B
Another variation to look for. Thanks

[Miller Bro's]

Thanks guys

Bill,

I did not know you collected knives this "New"

[edgy46]

Thanks guys

Bill,

I did not know you collected knives this "New"

M B I even have some as new as the ninetys. Sometimes a knife will be so low priced I buy it to resell then hardly ever do.

[Miller Bro's]

Sometimes a knife will be so low priced I buy it to resell then hardly ever do.

Me too

Here is another one you won`t see everyday, at least I don`t.

It is marked U.S.A., Babe Ruth 1927- 60 home runs, even has the original plastic baseball attached to a chain on the bail

[singin46]

Now that's just flat out cool Miller! Please don't show any more of your hard to find knives, cause I will NEVER FIND THEM!

[Miller Bro's]

Please don't show any more of your hard to find knives, cause I will NEVER FIND THEM!

Ok, I will stop for awhile

What I like about this one is the woodgrain finish on the wrap

[singin46]

Yes but with the grain goin that way you'd crack that bat in to with the first hit

[Joe Dirt]

Those are some great knives guys!

Very nice toothpicks, edgy!

I really like that "long horn" cameo, MB!
Those were available in three different handles: simulated horn, brown jigged, and IMOP.
The IMOP is the hardest to find!

Don't listen to singin', show us some more. Dig them out and let them breath while takin there pictures!

........ Joe

[Earl]

Really enjoyed following this thread fellas!! Excuse my ignorance but why are these referred to as "shell" knives?

[Joe Dirt]

Well we can't over look the Colonials when it comes to shell handle knives.

Here's a store card that was printed in 1977.
The knives would be removed from the back side of the pack thru perforations in the cardboard.

The knives that appear to be black are actually black with a dark maroon color mixed in.

I just dropped an Imperial fish knife......... so here's what they look like under the plastic scale.
Note the embossed area protruding at the bottom edge of the shell. This covers the rocker pin.

.......... Joe

[smiling-knife]

Richards Sheffield, circa 1960s. Eventually taken-over by imperial... albeit briefly. s-k

[singin46]

That's a nice one S-K, any of these in decent condition are hard to find. You may have to look for months before you find one in good enough shape to pull the trigger and yours happens to fit this criteria.

[singin46]

Really enjoyed following this thread fellas!! Excuse my ignorance but why are these referred to as "shell" knives?

http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... 96&start=0

[singin46]

I took this little Imperial apart (or at least took the handles off) to see first hand how they are constructed. Don't worry, it's not one of my good ones, I got it in a "lot" I bought and it was trashed. After all my twistin and turnin and breakin the handles off, it still has great snap and works perfectly. I love'em even more now! You wouldn't believe all the lint, hair and dirt I dug out of this little knife. Lookin at the stamp, it seems to have been made 1956 to 1988 so no great loss there.

[edgy46]

As a kid I would peel the cell and sometimes strip off the shells which makes for a slim knife with sharp corners that was a pain in the hand.
I peeled this one with damaged wraps, then cleaned it with metal glo. Not a beauty but a neat edc.

[singin46]

Looks great Bill, I wish my handles had not been bent or I would've done like you.
The Quick Release totally brought the snap back to both blades but I wish I had some decent handles on it cause it's a size I don't have in the collection yet.
Any ideas anyone?