All About Pocket Knives

I have a couple of knives that were in my Dads collection that I'm trying to get some information on. One in particular. It has a main blade, what appears to be a celluloid handle in a faux abalone finish. (50's Imperial?) But the second blade is the unusual feature. It is a blank key with the words "Key to service" stamped into it. I believe that its a promotional item, but would like to nail it down as to who had it made. Any ideas on rarity, source, value?

Thanks in advance
VLG

P.S. No pictures but if anyone is interested ill take some and post

Hi and to the site. We're always interested in pictures and they help to answer your questions. Looking forward to seeing your knife. s-k

I have owned several of those over the years. They were given as a little gift or as a premium when an auto was purchased from a particular dealer. The dealer would cut the folding key blank to fit the ignition switch on the buyers new car.
All that I recall seeing were for GM cars.

Ray

woseyjales wrote:Ray,
what are the odds the day you lock your keys
in the car is the same day you leave your
emergency key/knife at home?

In my life, pretty much 100%.

Wosey,
Actually, I posted a response to your question but I believe that the moderator bleeped it out. It was either that or I hit the wrong button.

Ray

Ray, I agree with you as far as the knife key blanks being only for GM cars.
I've never seen one for any other auto company.

Paul

Wasn't me Ray! Put it back up, lets see if it's worth bleeping.


I'm gunna get in trouble now.........................

woseyjales wrote:Ray,
what are the odds the day you lock your keys
in the car is the same day you leave your
emergency key/knife at home?

That is truely one of those "Aw Sh**" days.

Ray

That's tame Ray!


I lock my keys up at least four-five times a year, thank goodness for the hide-a-key! I just hope it's not sign of early onset..............I don't even want to say the word!

Gary it is just CRS

gmusic wrote:That's tame Ray!


I lock my keys up at least four-five times a year, thank goodness for the hide-a-key! I just hope it's not sign of early onset..............I don't even want to say the word!

Talk about early onset,, it was me who hit the wrong button on that post!!

I haven't seen it in a while, but somewhere I have what I believe to be an Imperial brand knife (shell celluloid, cracked ice handles) with the secondary blade cut to an old GM car. The side of the "key" was stamped GM. Once I find it (after the wife's remodeling), I plan to see if I can get it re-cut to fit my '51 Chevy. Hopefully I can find it for a picture before this topic gets cold. Wish me luck. I think Ray is right about them being promotional items for car dealerships. I don't know how rare they are, but mine came in a group of knives I bought.

VLG: Are your keys already cut or are they actual blanks as stated above?

Elvis wrote: Once I find it (after the wife's remodeling), I plan to see if I can get it re-cut to fit my '51 Chevy.

It shouldn't be too much of a problem;if I recall correctly there are only five positions on that key and four depths so there aren't too many combinations(I forget how to figure it).
If it is already cut you should be able to re-code the lock to fit.The ignition is easy to remove:simply insert a working key(disconnect the battery first)and you will notice a small hole in the face of the lock.Take a paper clip and straighten it and insert it into the hole and turn the lock.It should come right out and this will allow you to unscrew the bezel.
You will notice that with the correct key inserted,all the tumblers will be flush with the barrel of the lock.To re-code;insert the key to be used and note the tumbler positions.If they are not flush simply push them out(be careful not to lose the tiny springs that operate them)and re-position them in another slot until they are close to flush.If you can't get them all flush by re-locating them,take a small flat file and file them until they are.You can actually get by with as little as 3 tumblers in the lock.Most door handles only have that many.
If you must have them all fit properly you can have a locksmith re-code it but the cost can be pretty steep,
Usually on early GM cars the ignition and door locks are the same and use one style of key and the trunk and glove box use another style.
I used to do a lot of lock re-coding when I worked at the Mercedes-Benz dealer until they started using those computer cut keys.

K7K, Good info! I did the old copy and paste on that info to keep me from having to look this thread up when the time comes. Really appreciate the help!

Here is one, cut to fit the ignition.

Thanks for the replies,

I'm going to take and post some pictures in the near future (soon as time allows) but in the meantime, in answer to your question this key is blank. Thought it might have been a promotional item, but it hadn't occurred to me that it was an ignition key. I believe that it could be cut to fit a car ignition.


VLG

If you decide to sell or swap the one with the blank key, let me know. I think it would make a neat addition to the old Chevy.

Elvis wrote:If you decide to sell or swap the one with the blank key, let me know. I think it would make a neat addition to the old Chevy.

You bet.. First let me take some pictures, (Ill check with the locksmith next to me to see if it is a an ignition blank) and post, you can let me know what you have to swap, or what you think its worth.

VLG

I've got one stamped GM, but like the others posted the key has already been cut (and not to fit my '51 Chevy). If anyone comes up with one with an un-cut key, I'd be interested in swapping for it. Any chance that these were given away by car dealers and the key was cut to fit the cars as they sold them? I ask because I've never seen one without the key already cut.

Does it look anything like this?

Woops! I should have looked to see that there was a second page! Talk about early onset, I'm just 36! At this rate 40 is going to be rough.

No worries Colonel. Happens to the best of us (and me too). Mine looks just like Draac's except the blade is full. Are there any markings on your key?

It just has a D on it. I assume that means door.