All About Pocket Knives

Hi all, Got this bloke in the mail couple days ago, Tang says ULSTER over USA over 65D. It has a buck sheild on handle. Not a sheild as such it is imprinted in scales. Couldn't find any imfo in Levines on it, any ideas, ta cheers Gary

There was a Stag Ireland brand that was owned by Imperial, which also owned the Colonial and Ulster names I believe. From the Ulster stamp it must be an American made knife early 1970s or before. Perhaps someone will have more specific information for you. s-k

Yours is nicer than mine Gary. Mine started out life as a serpentine jackknife. The pattern number 50D is stamped on the back of the tang.
Levine's Guide 2 lists Ulster USA 1941-1943, in Ellenville, NY. After 1943, the company became Kingston joint venture with Imperial).

rangerbluedog wrote:Yours is nicer than mine Gary.

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Mine started out life as a serpentine jackknife. The pattern number 50D is stamped on the back of the tang.
Levine's Guide 2 lists Ulster USA 1941-1943, in Ellenville, NY. After 1943, the company became Kingston joint venture with Imperial).

Does that mean that anything marked Ulster USA is pre-1944?

I wouldn't make that claim cause I'm pretty ignorant on the Ulsters.

after further review:
I think this is your knife in a 1963 catalog - mine too.
http://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/ ... -63-1A.htm
and 1960?
http://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/ ... K-60_4.htm

Hi all, Thanks rangerbluedog & smilindog for the imfo,I think it is 65D but will check with a glass, going by the cattledog it could be a 55D. cheers Gary

Ulster made the Stag’s Head knives in both a jack pattern (50D) and a stockman pattern, (55D).

Here is a display from the 1960 Ulster catalog.


Albert Baer bought Ulster in January 1941. During WWII Albert formed a company called Kingston, (probably part of IKAC), mainly for military contract knives. The Kingston name was owned by Ulster. Kingston was closed after the war, but the name used until about 1958.This was advantageous as Kingston received a ration of materials that were in short supply during the war, like brass. Bigger allotments, or more allotments meant they could produce more knives.

Imperial Knife Associated Companies, (IKAC), was formed in 1942 by Imperial, & Ulster.
The joint venture was so successful that it was continued after the war.

In 1946 Albert Baer bought Schrade Cut Co. & changed the name to Schrade Walden. It became a division of Imperial Knife as Mr. Baer had merged his Kingston Cutlery Co, Ulster Knife Co, & the newly purchased Schrade Cut Co with Imperial.

Albert Baer continued to buy stock in Imperial. By 1983 he owned all the shares of Imperial and it becomes a privately held corporation.
In 1985 he changed the name to Imperial Schrade Corp.

The Ulster name was used as late as the mid 1980s on some Scout knives that were made in the Camillus factory. Another company solely owned by Albert Baer.

The history of Ulster gets rather murky & hard to follow starting about 1941. Ulster became part of the vast cutlery empire of Albert Baer that eventually included ventures in Mexico, Germany, UK, France, Canada, Ireland and likely others.

As far as I know, there were never any knives made with the Ulster tang stamp in Imperial Schrade Corp.’s factory in Ireland.

Here are the few Ulster's that I have that cover a lot of distance, time-wise. What do you think Dale? Can you place a date?

TJ,
Your first two ebony jacks are pre WWII, probably from the 1930s, maybe a bit older.

I found the #63 (like the Camillus 72) in the 1961 Ulster catalog.

The Scouts are later yet, 1970s and the last one may be from the 1980s.

Nice bunch of Ulsters you have!

Thanks Dale, I knew you'd have the answer.

Hi all, Thanks Dale for the imfo, just gets more interesting as you go does'nt it, youse all have a HAPPY EASTER,,cheers Gary.

I'm a big Ulster fan,,the Older made knives are second fiddle too none!

I think the confusion about Ireland might be in the Ulster name? It actually comes from the county name that Ellenville is located in, Ulster County.

I have to admit i was confused at first , but helped out on here

my ulster comanian for my recent 4 day holiday to wales (not ireland lol)

Great knife Paul!

elbertson wrote:I think the confusion about Ireland might be in the Ulster name? It actually comes from the county name that Ellenville is located in, Ulster County.

The '' Irish Reindeer'' heading refered to Ulster Ireland, your Ulster was named after it. No offence meant, just as here in Aust most names go back to Ireland, England etc. Cheers Gary,,