All About Pocket Knives

Very nice collection Greg

Here's one I picked up, the blade is etched Empire Knife Co. hard to see but there.

Dimitri I have never seen one of those fruit knives with a smooth handle like that. The one I have is like the two or three others I have seen.

I am pretty sure they made several designs, the handles on yours were made to match the pattern knife, fork, spoons,etc. a woman would buy for the home. These were never made to be carried on a person like a pocket knife for obvious reasons, rather sold to be used in a wealthy home as part of the table ware. Yours came from a more expensive set, mine was probably the cheapest one they offered, all I have seen so far were all silver plated.

The one I have shown above had the same etch you have shown on yours, thanks for showing it

Miller Bro's wrote:I am pretty sure they made several designs, the handles on yours were made to match the pattern knife, fork, spoons,etc. a woman would buy for the home. These were never made to be carried on a person like a pocket knife for obvious reasons, rather sold to be used in a wealthy home as part of the table ware. Your came from a more expensive set, mine was probably the cheapest one they offered, all I have seen so far were all silver plated.

The one I have shown above had the same etch you have shown on yours, thanks for showing it

Wow! I was not aware that those were part of a dinner set. I will have to keep my eyes peeled for one of those. Thanks for that info.

Very nice knives, Greg and Dimitri.

Some great old knives from a great old company.....here's a few of mine both for sale and coming soon!

FRJ wrote:Very nice knives, Greg and Dimitri.

Thanks Joe! Even though that Ebony Jack has been well used I still just marvel at the immaculate half stops and unrivalled walk and talk on these Empires. They just don't make them like this anymore.

bestgear wrote:Some great old knives from a great old company.....here's a few of mine both for sale and coming soon!

Tom those are all great patterns. They won't last long. If I didn't already have each of those I would be reserving them.

Thanks Greg. I decided earlier this month to sell my unofficial Scouts because I just wasn't enjoying them as much as my official Scouts and this gives someone else an opportunity to add to their collection or EDC pile. I've got about 60 of these knives that I'm working on getting ready for the New Year.

Well I haven't been able to find any good Empire knives of late to add to my collection but I thought this was kind of interesting and it was cheap so I got it to complement my collection. It appears that Empire may have used this company to provide their grinding wheels.

https://www.nortonabrasives.com/en-us/our-history

The current State of the Empire!

That's a fine looking bunch of knives, Greg.
A lovely State of the Empire, indeed.
Congratulations.

FRJ wrote:That's a fine looking bunch of knives, Greg.
A lovely State of the Empire, indeed.
Congratulations.

Thanks Joe! I really love em.

SWEET Greg ... That Empire family is multiplying quite nicely with some real nice variety and knives .... nice piece of ephemera too ....

Thanks Lee! They are amazing knives.

Real nice collection of Empires Greg.Good ones are hard to find as you well know.

Greg that is an outstanding collection of Empire folders—well done A real treat and inspiration for the vintage knife collector to see!

Thanks Lloyd! You know how Special they are. I love everyone of them.

peanut740 wrote:Real nice collection of Empires Greg.Good ones are hard to find as you well know.

Absolutely Roger! I'm thinking about putting a tail on UpNorth just in case some fall out of his pocket.

Great Empire collection, Greg! Lot's of diversity.
Dan

danno50 wrote:Great Empire collection, Greg! Lot's of diversity.
Dan

Thanks Dan!
And to all who replied and viewed I am always looking to expand my Empire collection so don't be bashful.

I thought Charlie sold his Empire collection. Is he still holding some or re-accumulating?

Charlie

Beautiful knives Greg,I may have a couple.I just picked up a Barlow but the blades are very rough.Scott

Greg, super nice group of knives from a great old maker. The jigged bone handles Empire used are beautiful.

Yes CN, CC (Upnorth) did sell his Empire collection. Except this one.

RobesonsRme.com wrote:I thought Charlie sold his Empire collection. Is he still holding some or re-accumulating?

Charlie

I heard my name being taken in vain!! Thanks for thinking of me!!

I thought I'd better speak up!! I did sell my big collection, but over the years, I have run across a few nice Empire examples, and bought them for old time's sake. I had owned a couple of Pearl Scouts, which were in middlin' to poor condition, but when I found this one, I had to have it!!