Holley Mfg. Co., Lakeville, Conn.

[Miller Bro's]

Joe, that's what I figured when I viewed the video. The guy has zero experience in knives and they are looking for donations to start the business? Never going to make it.

[Beechtree]

What I had heard was that the knives were simply going to be of the plastic handle variety and they were going to get a machine shop in Danbury to make the blades. I guess just assemble them in Lakeville? As you went to the presentation, do you have any more info Joe?

[FRJ]

Thanks for commenting, guys.
I didn't see the video before going up there. I just read the news article.
I spoke to V. J. Maury about his knives, or more accurately, he spoke to me. He showed me his knife and spoke in salesman language until I showed him the Holleys I had brought with me. He responded politely to the knives and just long enough to show that he knew nothing of antique knives and I don't think he cares about antique knives. The presentation was at a bar and I showed up a bit early and was sitting at the bar with coffee where we talked about our knives and others were close by and it was known the other knives were actual Holley knives sitting there. No interest what so ever. Salisbury is minutes from Lakeville where Holleys were made.
It never ceases to amaze me. The lack of interest in pocket knives.
So I didn't stay long. I intensely dislike sales talk and I had some one staying with Susan.

Some pictures of the new "holley"

[CheckSix]

What a disappointment Joe! Thanks for sharing the story.

[bestgear]

Never going to make it.

So very true....he's trying to raise $5K through kickstarter which is probably his opening order of parts from China....I'm usually very benevolent when it comes to entrepreneurship but in this case he's a total hack for demeaning the good Holley name. I'm sure Alexander Holley is rolling around in his grave.

[kootenay joe]

To get back on the Holley track, here is a 2 7/8" shadow pen knife that i believe is all original; no half stops, works smoothly, very nicely made.
kj

[bestgear]

Ahhhh thank you Roland, that's the shot in the arm we needed!

[FRJ]

Beautiful knife.
A real Holley.

[FreddyNewandkye]

I recently did some restorative work on a Holley pen knife originally owned by my grandfather. Based on what I've found online, I believe it was made in the 1920s and has an imitation ivory handle, but I'm not sure how accurate that information is. Could anyone please tell me more about this knife?

[FRJ]

Welcome, FreddyNewandkye.

That is a very nice little pen knife.
Lacking bolsters on each end it is referred to as a shadow knife. A shadow pen knife.
I can't tell what the covers are made from. Are you certain they are imitation ivory?
What kind of restorative work did you do to the knife?

[FreddyNewandkye]

FJR,

Thank you for the welcome and the information! I can't say for certain whether the handle is imitation ivory or real ivory. I only pulled the imitation ivory bit from a posting I saw on ebay of the same knife. I have not performed a burn test on the handle as I'd rather not find out the hard way that it's bone or something else. I've been trying to find a local appraiser who could give me a better idea of the handle's composition.

As for the restoration, just simple cleaning and rust removal. I used Liquid Wrench L106 as a penetrating oil and lubricant. To remove rust, I used Hoppes No. 9 with 320 grain and 400 grain sand paper. After the sandpaper, I used Hoppes along with some stainless steel dental picks (old Army trick for cleaning the star chamber of an M-16A2 / M-4 - works wonders for tough to get spots) and a brass brush. To finish, I used Blue Magic metal polish with a high fiber count cloth.

I didn't take a before picture, but it was quite dirty.

[kootenay joe]

The handles on your knife are not a man made substance. They are natural material most likely elephant ivory which Holley did use.
kj

[FreddyNewandkye]

Interesting. Would either of you gentlemen be able to venture a guess as to when it could have been manufactured? The 1920s period mentioned in my original post was pulled from the same ebay listing which claimed the handle was imitation ivory. I have no real inclination as to time period the knife was made.

[peanut740]

Handles are Ivory.I would guess it was made prior to WW1.

[kootenay joe]

Quote: "ebay listing which claimed the handle was imitation ivory"
I think ebay sellers cannot say "ivory" or item might get pulled. Hence they might say "imitation ivory" whether real or imitation.
kj

[FreddyNewandkye]

Yes, I thought that might be a possibility too.

[LongBlade]

Nice knife ... looks like "I" to me as well based on photos... imitation ivory or french ivory (sometimes called ivorine if I am not mistaken) has an unmistakable perpendicular lines in the covers which I am not seeing... and definitely not celluloid - and no sign of haversian canals as bone... depending on clarity of photos it is hard to tell unless one has it in hand to look at least for me...

[FRJ]

At the flea market today I bought this knife. I didn't know what it was except that it was a large whittler with Pearl covers and the main blade had an issue. I never even opened the small blades. I paid the guy $8.
Well, I brought it home and cleaned it a little and sure as shootin' it's a large whittler. 3 3/4". With Pearl covers and a main blade that has issues. Can't even bring the kick down to get the tip in the well. Someone beat me to that. Can't find a hint of a stamp in the main blade tang. That seems pretty unusual to me. The action on the main pivot is pretty well worn but the small blades are quite snappy to their half stops. Woe is me. Such an elegant knife put to hard use. Before pictures= black background -- After picts.= white background.
Thanks for looking.

[montemojo]

KJ Freddie and Joe, those are all great looking knives. I have been hoping to run across one but haven't been as lucky. Thanks for posting!

Monte

[ratlesnake75]

Hey GUYS, Here are a couple nice old Holley's that should be Posted
Kind Regards,
Mark

[FRJ]

Indeed they should, Mark. Nice big old Holleys.
Thanks for showing those beauties.

[djknife13]

Those are really sweet knives. I especially like the Pearl Whittler and that hawkbill. ____Dave

[ratlesnake75]

Thanks djknife13 & FRJ for the kind Words
Mark

[FRJ]

Here's a neat little Holley swell center with square bolsters and horn skins.
Bolsters are lined at the tips.
Somebody loved this knife. It's easy to see why.

[montemojo]

Great looking knife Joe. I still haven't been lucky enough to acquire one.

Monte