All About Pocket Knives

I've run across several Imperial trick knives as I buy estate lots and sell what I don't keep, but here's one I haven't see before. It's stamped, Stainless, Sheffield England, with no maker mark. It's all stainless, has a very thin profile, and seems to be of sturdier construction than the usual ones I find. The vinyl slip cover and instruction are a nice addition to knife. I thought I'd document it here before listing it for sale.

That's a nice looking one, Lama!

Yes that is unusual. All the ones I have or have seen have been Imperials, most with advertising. Great find.

Thank you for the feedback. I think this one was meant to be a more of user as well as a novelty.

The color-changing knives were originally for performers I did an in-depth article in Knife World on these and even learned the right way to perform the trick. Kids love it.

The color-changing knives were originally for performers I did an in-depth article in Knife World on these and even learned the right way to perform the trick. Kids love it.

I have a bit of information to add to reaffirm your assertion that it's meant to be a user and not a novelty. According to this 1941 imperial catalog, they weren't intended to be a novelty at all. Or perhaps they were earlier, then changed marketing.

Or maybe they changed marketing later after no one was buying these as "automatic"

I only have 3 trick knives. The all metal one I got last week and plan on buffing it out and giving to a friend as a package opener.

An Ad From A 1929 Catalog.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on the picture to ENLARGE.

Not too recently, this "Trick Knife" pocket knife arrived in a group or lot of pocket knives that I bought. It now becomes my latest example to be posted under this topic or thread. I did NOT buy the group or lot of pocket knives to obtain this particular "Trick Knife" pocket knife. However, it did turn out to be a keeper. It also became the latest example to get added to my "Trick Knife" pocket knife collection. It is an Imperial, one blade, one tang stamp, 3 1/8" closed, "Trick Knife", pattern or style of pocket knife. The main blade front tang stamp says, "Imperial (with crown) (over) PROV. R.I." with a vertical "USA" on the side. Overall, this is my eighth "Trick Knife" pocket knife. My other seven "Trick Knife" pocket knives have ALL been previously posted, by me, under and throughout, this topic or thread. Overall, this "Trick Knife" pocket knife is in VERY GOOD condition and it "functions" the way it should. This pocket knife did NOT require any cleaning at all. I just wiped it off. I took some pictures and here it is.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.

New_Windsor_NY wrote: ↑Fri Nov 08, 2024 4:04 pm An Ad From A 1929 Catalog.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on the picture to ENLARGE.

Neat advertising! I was using the computer today to do books for the Deli (tax time is coming) and told my wife it was a test of my temper, I’d much rather be tested by a knife than a computer.

Recently, this "Trick Knife" pocket knife arrived in a group or lot of pocket knives that I purchased. It now becomes my latest example to be posted under this topic or thread. I did NOT purchase the group or lot of pocket knives to obtain this particular "Trick Knife" pocket knife. But, it did turn out to be a keeper. It also became the latest example to get added to my "Trick Knife" pocket knife collection. This "Trick Knife" pocket knife does NOT say, but I am 99.999% sure that it is an Imperial "Trick Knife" It is an UNBRANDED, one blade, one tang stamp, 3 1/8" closed, "Trick Knife", pattern or style of pocket knife. The main blade front tang stamp says, "PAT. NOS. (over) 2170537 (over) 2281782" This is my ninth, "Trick Knife" pocket knife. My other eight, "Trick Knife" pocket knives, have ALL been previously posted, by me, under and throughout, this topic or thread. Overall, this "Trick Knife" pocket knife is in GOOD condition, and it "functions" the way it should. This pocket knife did NOT require any cleaning at all. I just wiped it off. I took some pictures and here it is.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.