shell handled knives

[singin46]

TOPSY CARD! It just arrived today in the mail and they packed it right. I'm thrilled this thing got here in one piece! Original card from probably the early to mid 50s I would guess. But it's in almost mint condition and came with 9 single blade Topsy knives. Pics don't show the color on the knives very good but that's an emerald green on the blueish lookin ones. Mother of Toilet seat on the others. And one gray with red veins. A little rust on the blades of some but already cleaned and got the snap back on the gray one. I have to clean the others later.

[Joe Dirt]

WoW!! What a great find, singin'!

Luv the graphics on those old cards.

Looks like the "Incredible Hulk" with a Hammer in his hand!!

What are the dimensions of the card?

....... Joe

[edgy46]

WOW Singin SWEET. Was Topsy marked on the knives or just on the sales card?

[BIGHEAD]

Good on ya Perry you need to get two more to make it full

[singin46]

Sorry Joe and Bill, got called away to a session right in the middle of posting this beauty! Right you are Barry!
The dimensions are as follows; Height, 5 1/4 tall by approx. 11 1/4 across. at the bottom, top width is 9 inches. It's about a 1/4 inch thick cardboard, nice heavy stuff.
Bill, there is no marking of Topsy on these knives.
I like the wood grain on the face of it. Paint is like new. The 2 staples that hold the backing on are a little rusty but that doesn't bother me. Nothin can be done about that anyway.
These are all single blade knives except for the one I added. Tangs all indicate 55' to 88'
Love the fact that it was never used! Salesman's sample I think.
More pics!

[Gunsmoke47]

That is just WAY TOO COOL JP! Very nice!

[singin46]

Thanks Kelley!! A few more. I gotta do a little cleanin on these knives later. What's funny is I thought I would get some knives I already had, all new ones for me.

[edgy46]

Just a recent observation. Shell handled Imperial and Hammer Brand knives have sunken joints.

[singin46]

Bill, I would say yes, they seem to be a little sunken. Here's a few more shots for Joe mainly cause I know he would like to know these things. All of the bands (on the card) seem to be in great condition, the knives all needed a good oiling and cleaning. 50 or so years in hiding with no oil! To say these knives were stiff and had zero snap would be an understatement. Took lots of TLC to bring them back. Luckily all were saved and have pretty decent snap now. I'm sure this will improve overnight, it usually does. This is all 9 layin on a hanky tryin to dry out after the gun scrubber oil bath they just received. They each had some tiny bits of rust on them but nothing major thankfully. Not gonna put them back on the card til they completely dry out ya know.

[orvet]

That is super Perry, I am glad you got it!
So how many knives do you need to fill the display?
I mean it looks like you gave a great excuse to buy MORE SHELLIES!!!

[singin46]

Yeah Dale and thanks for the response! I only need 2 more with the one I already had. But I have never seen these single blade Topsys on ebay in the last 2 months. Yours you got the other day was the first I'd seen in a long time. My wife and I have talked about it all night, she's real glad I like it.

[edgy46]

Collectors are looking for small shells. The asking price has quadrupled in the last ten years. The next hot thing may be Imperial and Hammer Brand shell handled knives.
P.S. Don't forget the Ulster Hammer Brand with shell handles. Only seen one.

[singin46]

Yeah, I think they are Bill, on ebay, once you start looking for a particular item or one sells for good money then more show up on there and the price drives thru the friggin roof! I love and hate that about ebay but there are many things I hate about ebay, DON'T GET ME STARTED!

[singin46]

Here's the Little Jewels, as JoeDirt calls them, still dryin out a bit more. my process involves opening the blades just before they get to the halfs. Did I tell you they all have halfstops?! Anyway, I do this to insure that all the rust and or gunk leaves the knife. between the oil and gun scrubber, it all eventually gets out of there, or at least most of it. I use a toothpick to scrape off the backsprings when opened in this way too.
At this point there's enough oil in them to last for a good long while.
I work the blades back and forth every 4 hours or so to make sure oil is getting everywhere in the joints. Long about now, you're sayin to yourself, "boy, Perry is sure anal about these knives!" Yes I am! To me these knives represent our American history and the industrial BOOM after WW2. The passion, imagination, and creativity that made this country great. I figure by the end of the week I'll be able to put them back on their card to live out their days.
I'm still hoping one day to be able to get my hands on an original Imperial catalog.

[1967redrider]

Just catching up, some awesome knives here and those candy stripes are SWEET ! ! ! What a collection!

[justold52]

I am thinking I saw a card full like that at an ACE Hardware store when I was very young. No I never had any money to buy one and I was not one to steal one. Just looking at them brings back some history for me in my life time.

Perry thank you so much for taking your money and time bring back so much old AMERICAN HISTORY and preserving them.

You are a DANDY

[singin46]

Wooooohooooo! Ken said I'm now finally reaching DANDY status! Glad I could bring back some memories for ya buddy.

[Joe Dirt]

Congratulations on achieving your new status, singin'
You can really work wonders on those old knives!


Here is my feeble attempt at gaining a little of "Ken's status entitlements".
Gotta get him in his soft spot

......... Joe

[singin46]

LMAO! I'm pretty sure that's all it takes, YELLOW AND YOU'RE IN JOE!

[Just Plain Dave]

I don't generally go for the toothpick pattern but that yeller Imperial up there is NICE!

[gino]

Here is a shell handled Hammer Brand I came across a few weeks ago. I bought it because the price was right and I never saw a fixed blade of this knife.

[singin46]

Hey Gino, these are really great when you have the sheath as well. You're a lucky man to have that, gettin harder to come by these days.

[gino]

Thanks Perry! I dont know how common they were but I never saw one for what ever thats worth. LOL

[singin46]

I think they were pretty common back in the 70s thru the early 80s but for the last 15 years, it's been getting harder to find one with the original sheath for sure.

[gino]

Perry, I sorta figured that but for some reason I never came across one.