new york knife co

[FRJ]

Lloyd, all three of those knives are stunners. Quite beautiful in all ways.

[Duffer]

Thanks Joe!!

[Duffer]

Thanks Lee!! Sorry I missed your nice comment on my Folding Hunters on the previous page. Was just back page peddling and saw it. Guess I was just moving to fast and and not thinking —my apologies. Your input and comments are always appreciated!!

[michaelspayth]

A favorite brand of mine. Unfortunately, I've only managed to acquire a few.. so far.

[thankgod4rkids]

I had never heard of the New York Knife Co or Hammer Brand before today. My mother in law found this one in my dad in law's things. We are assuming it was his father's. I wish I had known about it while he was alive. I had to scrub carefully to get to the tang stamp. The tip of the blade is broke but the action still works, popped right open when I pressed the button. Anything that anyone could tell me about it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Bill

[orvet]

All like many brand names the brand names used by New York Knife company was sold after the company went bankrupt around 1932.
Shortly after that Imperial Knife Company purchase the rights to the name Hammer Brand which was the top of the line brand produced by New York Knife Company.
The knife you have is a shell handled switchblade which were inexpensive in their day, it probably sold for under two dollars. Collectors will pay in the neighborhood of $100 for a near mint example today.
Imperial made knives with good steel, but they were targeted to the economy price point because of the Great Depression. They were quite successful and survived (after a merger and name change) until 2004. Current production knives you see now bearing the Imperial name are being made in China. Someone bought the Imperial brand name and is using it on inexpensive import knives.

I hope this is helpful.

[thankgod4rkids]

All like many brand names the brand names used by New York Knife company was sold after the company went bankrupt around 1932.
Shortly after that Imperial Knife Company purchase the rights to the name Hammer Brand which was the top of the line brand produced by New York Knife Company.
The knife you have is a shell handled switchblade which were inexpensive in their day, it probably sold for under two dollars. Collectors will pay in the neighborhood of $100 for a near mint example today.
Imperial made knives with good steel, but they were targeted to the economy price point because of the Great Depression. They were quite successful and survived (after a merger and name change) until 2004. Current production knives you see now bearing the Imperial name are being made in China. Someone bought the Imperial brand name and is using it on inexpensive import knives.

I hope this is helpful.

As a little kid I remember knives resembling this one in the crane arcades at travelling carnivals. Was thinking that might be a possibility if it was inexpensive.
Thanks Bill

[KnifeSlinger#81]

In addition to Dale's info I wanted to add that your switchblade was made in the 1950's. After Albert Baer acquired schrade they used their switchblade patents and made a cheaper line under the hammer brand name.

[orvet]

As a little kid I remember knives resembling this one in the crane arcades at travelling carnivals. Was thinking that might be a possibility if it was inexpensive.
Thanks Bill

That is quite possible Bill.
As you can tell from handling it it is not a real heavy-duty knife. I think they are popular with collectors today because of the nostalgia factor and the fact that they are not nearly as expensive as a well-made, full-size switchblade.

[thankgod4rkids]

In addition to Dale's info I wanted to add that your switchblade was made in the 1950's. After Albert Baer acquired schrade they used their switchblade patents and made a cheaper line under the hammer brand name.

That timeline would definitely make more sense for my dad in law having it. I probably won't do anything with it other than stop the rust and pass it along to grandkids.
Thanks guys
Bill

[knifegnome]

I picked up the knife box a few months ago, I found the knife on ebay a few weeks ago pattern # 1073 to match the pattern # on the box. Both are a little rough.I have about 20 more boxes that I am trying to find a matching knife for,this is going to take a while.

[doglegg]

What a cool project. Good luck and keep the pictures coming.

[espn77]

Awesome....great to have the box with the knife

[galvanic1882]

Very nice! I did the same years ago and it’s been a lot of fun. Next are invoices, trade cards, counter felts, envelopes etc

[Waukonda]

I picked up the knife box a few months ago, I found the knife on ebay a few weeks ago pattern # 1073 to match the pattern # on the box. Both are a little rough.I have about 20 more boxes that I am trying to find a matching knife for,this is going to take a while.

Very nice, and must be very satisfying to unite the two. A "little rough"? I would be extremely happy to own those 2 pieces.

[peanut740]

I have a couple NYKC 4 1/4" cigars.

[peanut740]

Next one.

[stockman]

Roger is that etch on the NYK after-market? Never seen one like that.

Harold

[danno50]

Two more good ones, Roger! That REGULATOR etch is great. I also really like the old pick bone on the Regulator!

[peanut740]

Roger is that etch on the NYK after-market? Never seen one like that.

Harold

I don't think so Harold. It is an reverse etch,and have seen them on NYKC knives before.But not this exact etch.

[stockman]

Roger, you have been posting some really nice stuff. Kinda carrying the entire forum, its has been fun keeping up with all the good posts.

Harold

[peanut740]

Thanks Harold, I have more.

[kootenay joe]

Are the black handles jigged bone ? Hard to tell when color is black and many knives of this era had synthetic black handles. Even so the jigging looks right for bone but how can you confirm when the dye is black ?
kj

[peanut740]

They are bone,and no an unusual color for later New York Knife bone.

[peanut740]

Roger is that etch on the NYK after-market? Never seen one like that.

Harold

Harold,here is a catalog cut of the etch.