All About Pocket Knives

This thread is for vintage Imperial knives. Most Imperial knives are not hard to find. When the name is mentioned many think of cheaply made knives. However, in the early days Imperial made knives as good as anyone else. They only changed their manufacturing process to compete with foreign and domestic competition. This is what kept them alive when most of the other famous name brands went out of business.

The knives I collect from this company are the very early ones. One of the tang stamps you will see on knives from this era have the letters "IKCO" inside a rectangle. These were made in the early 1920`s till about 1935, when imperial changed over to shell handle construction.

The knife shown below is one I have had in my collection for quite some time. It is an unusual pattern to find in any brand. It has some of the most unusual Celluloid handles I have ever seen. The knife is quality all the way around. It has nickle silver grooved bolsters, brass liners and federal shield. The blades still snap well and both tangs are stamped with the "IKCO" mark, unusual for Imperials on their later production. Most of the pen blades were not stamped at all, probably to save time and money. Remember Imperial wanted to make a decent knife as fast and at a low cost to compete with their competition.

Let`s see some more old Imperial`s

Well, Dimitri, I thought I had some old Imperials that would fit here, but they don't have that nice IKCO stamp.
I'm going to look for that stamp because I like those old Imperials.
I'm greatful for the information you passed on too. Thanks. And thanks for this thread. I hope we get to see lots of pictures. Maybe Joe Dirt has some old stuff.

A few that I have....

Wow!

The Mother Lode

I knew you had a few nice ones Steve

I feel like it is Christmas time again with all that colorful Celluloid, they sure did use some unique handle material for their early knives.

Great looking knives, Steve. Boy would I like to run into a few of those. Are prices still reasonable on those IKCO stamped knives?
Thanks for showing those!

FRJ wrote:Great looking knives, Steve. Boy would I like to run into a few of those. Are prices still reasonable on those IKCO stamped knives?
Thanks for showing those!

I have about 80 that I want to sell together as a collection. I guess it dpends on what one considers to be "reasonable".

Steve, I'm sure that is a beautiful collection.

I was wondering what a guy might expect to pay for one, with that stamp.

They're beautiful knives and as I have read more than once, they have great steel.

I guess I should research the Bay.

I don't think you will find any of those on ebay Joe, very rarely do they show up on there.
There is one on ebay right now but it's gassin out BAD.

Those are some great looking knives--I've got an old camp knife i gotta dig out it's rusty but i suspect that's what it is it after seeing this post--tell you what some of the Imperials i've got would cut ya to the bone they will take an edge real quick

Here are a few old Imperials I've picked up over the years, I use to collect them pretty avidly, now I try to pick one up only occasionally.

As an aside, I've noticed that the celluiloid on Imperials seems to hold up extremely well compared to other brands, and that the colored celluloids seem to hold up better than the clear or cracked ice varieties. It's odd to see these old Imperials from the '20's and 30's in excellent shape and then see the Fightin' Roosters self destructing right in your hand. I guess the curing process was much better, or maybe it's just that the survivors from Imperial are just random examples which have survived the test of time. In any case I have about 30 of them and none show any signs of deterioration.

By the way KA, what a great collection of old glittery handled Imperials.

Mark

Here's a few that are in my EDC rotation. Not IKCO's but not the shell handles either. And the steel does take a wicked edge...








They ain't too pretty, but they do make good users. I have them in EDC cause I was worried about them gassing out if kept with the rest of my collection.

Glenn

I just came across one that is in the self destruct mode. So much for storing them in the dark! -
It was in a sheath and I guess I hadn't looked at it in a while. It was pretty much a parts knife to begin with.

You wanting to keep this thread "just ICKO" or all "pre-shell Imperials", Miller Bros`?

...... Joe

This one is from 1930 to 36 according to the stamp. I would guess it to be a transition between the older IKCO and the Shells. Cattleman pattern but very solid and check out the shield, different for Imperial I thought. That's too bad Joe, I think that's a very unique pattern all the same.

Great lookin' knives folks!

What are you guys calling that pattern?

"A serpentine sow" .

...... Joe

That or a Serpentine Cow!

Joe Dirt wrote:You wanting to keep this thread "just ICKO" or all "pre-shell Imperials", Miller Bros`?

Joe,

It can be anything from Imperial as long as it was made before 1970

I would like to keep the thread about the older knives, so anything 40 years old or more would be nice

Here is one of my favorite Imperials.
I have posted it before, but it belongs in this thread too.
Here are some Imperial IK CO jacks. And one with bone handles.

orvet--i have two that are like your yellow camp knife one has the grooves in the balasters like the one above the big differance is the grind on the opener blade--the one with grooved bolasters the grind is facing out--sorry no pic's

That's a cool one Dale, I like these older camp knives.

PigSticker wrote:orvet--i have two that are like your yellow camp knife one has the grooves in the balasters like the one above the big differance is the grind on the opener blade--the one with grooved bolasters the grind is facing out--sorry no pic's

PS-
Does your two knives have jimping on the liners also?
Are yours also cracked ice celluloid?
Are yours ad knives also?

I guess what impresses me with these is that they are among the fanciest camper patterns I have seen, and they are ad knives. Most ad knives I remember seeing are usually jack patterns with a couple blades. This is one of the fanciest advertising knives I can remember.

Here's an interesting one. One blade has the arched IMPERIAL KNIFE CO stamp.
The other blade has the straight IMPERIAL KNIFE CO stamped over top
of ENTERPRISE CUTLERY CO ST LOUIS USA. (1900 - 1915)

Both Imperial stamps are early '20s.

...... Joe

Very interesting Joe. Gotta be the oldest Imperial I've seen.

We gathered up some solid bolster Imperials, but haven't found my favorite, that is kinda like a Case #48 slim trapper, with the IKCo stamp. It will turn up, maybe in Kathy's purse?

Here is a solid bolster Imperial with celluloid handles.
I am not sure why, but I can only find the pic of the pile side.
Here is a nice scout that is missing the tip of the punch and the can opener.
Here are a couple more Military contract knives c. WWII. I think I have a few more of the older Imperials somewhere............................

Nice old Imperials everyone!