All About Pocket Knives

My heartfelt thanks to all who took the trouble to post their beautiful Imperials!
Thought I would dig out a few more to keep this thread alive.Hope I don't double post any that have already been shown and if I do blame it on "premature senility"

#1 Single blade fish jack with "end of days" handles.
#2 a Barlow with rough forged blades.This was part of a series of knives with like blades.
#3 A regular Barlow.
#4 Originally a shell handled knife,I made handles for it from Lexan and added a shield made from a Lone Star Beer pin.
#5 Official Cub Scout knife with shrinking handles.
#6 Knife and ax combo. Need to make a sheath for them as it wasn't originally a set
#7 Another mini 6 blade with faux pearl shell handles.
#8- #9- #10 various one and two blade mini easy open knives.

More:
#1 Mini fishtail.
#2 Money clip advertising Tecumseh Products (a hometown business)
#3 Money clip advertising a custom body shop.
#4 Another shell handle with replaced handles of wood.
#5 through #10 various letter opener knives.

Last ones for now.
#1 Multi-blade advertising "Outside" which I assume is a sporting good company.
#2 Multi-blade advertising "Winston" cigarettes.
#3 Multi-blade stamped,"stainless steel handle"
#4 Solid bolster peanut.
#5 Solid slant bolster serpentine jack

Thats an unusual slant bolster K7K Here's some more shell handled Imperials.They possess great 1095 steel in the blades.

Nice ones! Here is one more I replaced the cel handles with blue Lexan.

garddogg56 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 06, 2021 11:23 pm I.....

The top picture is of a COLONIAL.

New_Windsor_NY wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 2:12 am

garddogg56 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 06, 2021 11:23 pm I.....

The top picture is of a COLONIAL.

Not sure which one you are referring to but I have to make a correction myself:The yellow multi-blade knife is NOT an Imperial;it is marked,"Stainless Steel Japan". Not sure how it got mixed up with my Imperials.

knife7knut wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 3:13 am

New_Windsor_NY wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 2:12 am

garddogg56 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 06, 2021 11:23 pm I.....

The top picture is of a COLONIAL.

Not sure which one you are referring to but I have to make a correction myself:The yellow multi-blade knife is NOT an Imperial;it is marked,"Stainless Steel Japan". Not sure how it got mixed up with my Imperials.

I think Skip is referring to the Elk Head fixed blade. Both Colonial and Imperial both made some with the similar handles. But the one in the photo doesnt look like it has the crown and looks like Colonial on the tang stamp.

I had a knock-off version of the stacking silverware set. It came in very handy when space was at a premium! One of those key knives showed up on eBay recently; had I awakened a little earlier yesterday, it would be mine.

New_Windsor_NY wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 2:12 am

garddogg56 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 06, 2021 11:23 pm I.....

The top picture is of a COLONIAL.

Yes Skip you are right grabbed the wrong knife

Love these old Imperials and used to collect them seriously, here are a few that I've sold off:

Beautiful old solid bolster Imperials! Thanks for sharing them!
Here is my latest "Hammer Brand";culled from an estate sale today. Had it originally marked at $40 and the second day they drop the prices 25% so I got it for $30. Unusual handle coloring.The blade has been sharpened a bit but still pretty full.

msteele6 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 09, 2021 4:45 pm Love these old Imperials and used to collect them seriously, here are a few that I've sold off:

Those look great. I'll be on the hunt for one eventually.

I like the old imperials. Cheap but good, true working folks knives. The older ones have rather thin blade grinds that cut and sharpen so easily. Here is a hammer brand stamped imperial.

How should I deal with the broken plastic (Bakelite?) on this Imperial knife while cleaning it?
It’s rusting under the bolsters and I don’t have any desire to risk taking it all apart for fear of not being able to reassemble it safely.
The pins are obviously steel and it’s been out and used often in its life. Anything special about the bolsters? Is there a yellow predominant MOP? I wouldn’t expect that on an otherwise all steel pocket knife, but I was wrong about thinking my other knife had bone bolsters and not ivory.
Thank you!

Leo H wrote: ↑Sun Jun 06, 2021 10:32 pm How should I deal with the broken plastic (Bakelite?) on this Imperial knife while cleaning it?
It’s rusting under the bolsters and I don’t have any desire to risk taking it all apart for fear of not being able to reassemble it safely.
The pins are obviously steel and it’s been out and used often in its life. Anything special about the bolsters? Is there a yellow predominant MOP? I wouldn’t expect that on an otherwise all steel pocket knife, but I was wrong about thinking my other knife had bone bolsters and not ivory.
Thank you!

I believe you are mistakenly referring to the handle covers as bolsters.
Bolsters are the metal ends of the handles. Actually the bottom one is called and end cap, but most of us call them bolsters also.
They "bolster" the strength of the pivot area.

The handle covers on your knife are celluloid and they are outgassing.
If you want to save the knife you need to remove them and replace with a different type of material.
If not removed the outgassing celluloid will destroy the entire knife.

edge213 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 07, 2021 2:19 pm

Leo H wrote: ↑Sun Jun 06, 2021 10:32 pm How should I deal with the broken plastic (Bakelite?) on this Imperial knife while cleaning it?
It’s rusting under the bolsters and I don’t have any desire to risk taking it all apart for fear of not being able to reassemble it safely.
The pins are obviously steel and it’s been out and used often in its life. Anything special about the bolsters? Is there a yellow predominant MOP? I wouldn’t expect that on an otherwise all steel pocket knife, but I was wrong about thinking my other knife had bone bolsters and not ivory.
Thank you!

I believe you are mistakenly referring to the handle covers as bolsters.
Bolsters are the metal ends of the handles. Actually the bottom one is called and end cap, but most of us call them bolsters also.
They "bolster" the strength of the pivot area.

The handle covers on your knife are celluloid and they are outgassing.
If you want to save the knife you need to remove them and replace with a different type of material.
If not removed the outgassing celluloid will destroy the entire knife.

Wow. Fascinating! That certainly is what looks like what is happening with that knife. Thank you for
the explanation. I guess, that makes this example a good practice restoration experience.
I will remember the difference between bolsters and handles.

What causes the celluloid to degrade some knives and not others? Environment?

Leo H wrote: ↑Mon Jun 07, 2021 6:47 pm

edge213 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 07, 2021 2:19 pm

Leo H wrote: ↑Sun Jun 06, 2021 10:32 pm How should I deal with the broken plastic (Bakelite?) on this Imperial knife while cleaning it?
It’s rusting under the bolsters and I don’t have any desire to risk taking it all apart for fear of not being able to reassemble it safely.
The pins are obviously steel and it’s been out and used often in its life. Anything special about the bolsters? Is there a yellow predominant MOP? I wouldn’t expect that on an otherwise all steel pocket knife, but I was wrong about thinking my other knife had bone bolsters and not ivory.
Thank you!

I believe you are mistakenly referring to the handle covers as bolsters.
Bolsters are the metal ends of the handles. Actually the bottom one is called and end cap, but most of us call them bolsters also.
They "bolster" the strength of the pivot area.

The handle covers on your knife are celluloid and they are outgassing.
If you want to save the knife you need to remove them and replace with a different type of material.
If not removed the outgassing celluloid will destroy the entire knife.

Wow. Fascinating! That certainly is what looks like what is happening with that knife. Thank you for
the explanation. I guess, that makes this example a good practice restoration experience.
I will remember the difference between bolsters and handles.

What causes the celluloid to degrade some knives and not others? Environment?

Probably several dozen factors lead to outgassing, most of them unknowable. Slight differences in the chemical makeup between different batches? Humidity? Oils? Feng shui?
There is much debate on the subject, but most everyone agrees that once it starts there is no way to stop it.
That is a nice Imperial, by the way. It is definitely worth saving!

Leo H wrote: ↑Mon Jun 07, 2021 6:47 pm

edge213 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 07, 2021 2:19 pm

Leo H wrote: ↑Sun Jun 06, 2021 10:32 pm How should I deal with the broken plastic (Bakelite?) on this Imperial knife while cleaning it?
It’s rusting under the bolsters and I don’t have any desire to risk taking it all apart for fear of not being able to reassemble it safely.
The pins are obviously steel and it’s been out and used often in its life. Anything special about the bolsters? Is there a yellow predominant MOP? I wouldn’t expect that on an otherwise all steel pocket knife, but I was wrong about thinking my other knife had bone bolsters and not ivory.
Thank you!

I believe you are mistakenly referring to the handle covers as bolsters.
Bolsters are the metal ends of the handles. Actually the bottom one is called and end cap, but most of us call them bolsters also.
They "bolster" the strength of the pivot area.

The handle covers on your knife are celluloid and they are outgassing.
If you want to save the knife you need to remove them and replace with a different type of material.
If not removed the outgassing celluloid will destroy the entire knife.

Wow. Fascinating! That certainly is what looks like what is happening with that knife. Thank you for
the explanation. I guess, that makes this example a good practice restoration experience.
I will remember the difference between bolsters and handles.

What causes the celluloid to degrade some knives and not others? Environment?

Instead of answering your question it would be easier if you would use the search option to search outgassing.
There is a ton of information on AAPK about this subject.

Reverand wrote: ↑Tue Jun 08, 2021 2:43 am

Leo H wrote: ↑Mon Jun 07, 2021 6:47 pm

edge213 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 07, 2021 2:19 pm


I believe you are mistakenly referring to the handle covers as bolsters.
Bolsters are the metal ends of the handles. Actually the bottom one is called and end cap, but most of us call them bolsters also.
They "bolster" the strength of the pivot area.

The handle covers on your knife are celluloid and they are outgassing.
If you want to save the knife you need to remove them and replace with a different type of material.
If not removed the outgassing celluloid will destroy the entire knife.

Wow. Fascinating! That certainly is what looks like what is happening with that knife. Thank you for
the explanation. I guess, that makes this example a good practice restoration experience.
I will remember the difference between bolsters and handles.

What causes the celluloid to degrade some knives and not others? Environment?

Probably several dozen factors lead to outgassing, most of them unknowable. Slight differences in the chemical makeup between different batches? Humidity? Oils? Feng shui?
There is much debate on the subject, but most everyone agrees that once it starts there is no way to stop it.
That is a nice Imperial, by the way. It is definitely worth saving!

All right then, sounds like the one to learn on.

edge213 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 08, 2021 2:59 am

Leo H wrote: ↑Mon Jun 07, 2021 6:47 pm

edge213 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 07, 2021 2:19 pm


I believe you are mistakenly referring to the handle covers as bolsters.
Bolsters are the metal ends of the handles. Actually the bottom one is called and end cap, but most of us call them bolsters also.
They "bolster" the strength of the pivot area.

The handle covers on your knife are celluloid and they are outgassing.
If you want to save the knife you need to remove them and replace with a different type of material.
If not removed the outgassing celluloid will destroy the entire knife.

Wow. Fascinating! That certainly is what looks like what is happening with that knife. Thank you for
the explanation. I guess, that makes this example a good practice restoration experience.
I will remember the difference between bolsters and handles.

What causes the celluloid to degrade some knives and not others? Environment?

Instead of answering your question it would be easier if you would use the search option to search outgassing.
There is a ton of information on AAPK about this subject.

will do.

A few older solid construction knives with IKCO and Imperial stamps.

Wayne, these are beautiful knives and great photos.

Here is one of the nicest IMPERIAL knives I have seen. The blades are the same HAMMER FORGED as the KEEN KUTTER on page 375 in Sargents 3rd edition Knives & Razors. Check this out.

Thought I would revive this thread with my newest Imperial:found at the local flea market and marked "Imperial Ireland" it is a double lock back with a saw blade for a secondary. The unusual thing is the lock mechanism:buttons located at the front of the knife next to the blade wells.I'm not sure how this will work out in use as when you grip the knife your index finger lays right across both lock releases.