shell handled knives

[singin46]

Hey Tod, looks like your 1st pic indicates 1956 to 1988, so any time during that period going mainly from the way the "USA" is aligned. Up and down, to the side usually means 56 and later, "USA" under the Imperial logo usually means 1945 and later. Here's what I'm looking at to get this info.

[Joe Dirt]

Well, I gotta say I'm honored, Ken !
Me! A DANDY? Imagine that!


I'm glad I could help ya out, Perry
Bet ya never would of guessed that 1 small screwdriver is the ONLY tool you need
to remove the shell, remove the cell wrap, replace the wrap, and re-attach the shell to the knife!!!!

That is a pretty pinstripe pen - is the pen blade swedged also?

Tod, that is the '56 thru '88 stamp. Man, that's an interesting bolster. Wonder why they only put it on one end?

...... Joe

[Joe Dirt]

Better watch-out, those little toothpicks are addicting

That's another rare one, Tod! Only 2 Hammer Brand patterns have a
shield; the "Dwarf" toothpick w/bail and the slant bolster. A solid color cell wrap is
also rare! Only 3 colors; black, red, and the dull yellow!!!

A Fist Full Of Value:

..... Joe

[singin46]

That's what I thought Joe, about Tod's knife. Almost looks like a transition knife between Imperial and Sheffield? With that bolster? Didn't Richards Sheffield do a bolster like that on some of their knives, for a time? The tiny screwdriver is now my new best friend! Sad isn't it? DANNNNNNNG! Look at them Tiny Tooths! That's a beautiful shot right there my friend. So the solids are more rare huh?

[singin46]

Hey Joe, looks like you got a rare one in that second shot, the Imperial Tooth with the shield and bail? How old?

[singin46]

Sorry Joe, you threw me with those beauties you posted! There is no swedge on the pen blade.

[Joe Dirt]

The toothpick has the '45 thru '55 stamp.

AND the slant bolster has the 4 finger/USA stamp!

I give up. I don't have a clue anymore what year the stamp is???

..... Joe

[singin46]

Oh! Here's the finished Trick knife. I know it's hard to tell the difference but I actually switched the cell around so this side would be on the mark side. I know, I'm anal!

[singin46]

GEEEEZ! That green/copper Hammer is the finest (at least in my opinion) knife in your collection Joe! Holy Crap what a knife, with slanted bolsters too!

[Joe Dirt]

That's a cool trick you pulled off there, Perry

That slant bolster has something way beyond patina on the blades

..... Joe

[singin46]

Yeah but who cares with them handles! I would be glad to suffer thru some well used blades for handles like that.

[singin46]

It seems to me that these, that have the 4 finger stamp are at the very least, very odd or unusual combinations.

[singin46]

Here's one that came today, I think it's a real POS knife but hopefully I can bring it back, a little anyway. I did the very thing I've always told others not to do, bought a knife with rust all over it! Oh well, I learned my lesson,,,,,,, AGAIN! Good project for today tho.

Sorry, the pictures don't show the level of Royal Turdness but trust me,,,,,,,IT IS!

[edgy46]

Perry
Nice job on the trick knife.

[singin46]

Thank you Bill, I really enjoy playin with it!
Here's the new one all cleaned, or at least all I'm gonna bother with.
Not a total POS anymore maybe. Was able to get a lot of the stuff (whatever it was)
off the blades and got most of the rust out of it. Been workin on it all afternoon.
Lots of back and forth, doing one thing, the rust eraser then gun scrubber then compressed air and starting all over again maybe 10 times,,,,lol.
Fun huh??? To me it was anyway. I used 240 grit sandpaper to get a lot of the grime off the blades after using the rust eraser and worked down to a 600 grit sand paper then used the micron papers to finish. Then the BIG oil bath!

[testcase]

Better watch-out, those little toothpicks are addicting

That's another rare one, Tod! Only 2 Hammer Brand patterns have a
shield; the "Dwarf" toothpick w/bail and the slant bolster. A solid color cell wrap is
also rare! Only 3 colors; black, red, and the dull yellow!!!

A Fist Full Of Value:

..... Joe

Imagine that... lol I only grabbed it because my grandson loves yellow, and the tiny toothpick pattern
Thanks for the info, and renewing my interest in the shell handles. I will be keeping my eyes open and not ignoring the "junk drawer" at shows and antique malls...

[testcase]

Hey Tod, looks like your 1st pic indicates 1956 to 1988, so any time during that period going mainly from the way the "USA" is aligned. Up and down, to the side usually means 56 and later, "USA" under the Imperial logo usually means 1945 and later. Here's what I'm looking at to get this info.

Thanks Perry, I will be paying more attention to the shell handles I run across from now one...

Fun to collect, affordable, a big plus in todays world, and they have some nice steel.

[singin46]

You're right Tod, glad to help in any way. Keep checkin them Junk drawers.

[Joe Dirt]

What luck, Tod! The simplest things make kids happy

Perry, one day soon you will find a knife with torn-up wraps and dented shells
for .99 cents and the frame and blades will be in perfect shape!
And out comes the screwdriver..... one sweet knife in the making

...... Joe

[singin46]

Great Idea Joe Wish I'da thought of that. That's why you're the pro.
Sorry, I just sent you a PM with the same question.

[Joe Dirt]

Dumber than a box of hammers???
Alright, let the jokes fly!

This is mid '70s "behind the counter" stock NOS with '55 thru '88 Imperial stamp.
Imperial advertised these as a "trapper".

..... Joe

[Miller Bro's]

Joe, I like that Imperial knife box

I don`t have one for my collection

[singin46]

Hey Joe, that is too cool man! I like the box as well. That's the hardest part of any collecting I think, findin the box!
Hey Joe!!!!! Guess what showed up today??
Well here's a knife roll I got in the mail today.
That's right, 13 brand new, never used and still in the roll, Hammer Brand Shell cells!
3 sets of doubles but who cares, worth every bit I had to pay. How often can you actually stop time and own history?
Here come the pics!

[FRJ]

You guys are killin' me!!!!!!!!!!!

Joe, That muskrat and box are mighty fine.

singin.....what a haul.

GREAT KNIVES GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!

[singin46]

Here's also a KAMP KING I got in the mail today! Green Zebra striped.