Grandpa's knife

[gnarsurf]

I don't know what it is, but is it worth restoring? I'd at least like to clean up the blades a bit and make it useable.

[glennbad]

Looks like an Imperial.

What's it worth? Money speaking, probably not alot. I suspect it's a shell handle knife (stamped shells attached to the knife assembly). It was your Grandpa's knife, so IMO, it's worth alot to you. Restoring it would not do alot to the value, other than to preserve the knife from further deterioration.

If you want to carry it, that's your call. The blades could use a little work to get rid of the rust. Any buffing or polishing of the handles would probably remove that emblem that is on there, so take care with that. Those knives were fairly inexpensive to begin with. However, the steel usually sharpens up quite well.

If you do clean it up, please show some "after" pictures.

Glenn

[orvet]

You called it Glen.
I am pretty sure it is an Imperial shell handle.

Just clean up the rust real good, sharpen it and oil the pivots and it should be good to go.
They aren’t fancy but they were good little inexpensive knives.

[gnarsurf]

Just cleaned the rust off a bit, not bad.

[glennbad]

Looks pretty good. Put an edge on it and do some cutting!

Glenn

[Joe Dirt]

Believe it or not, you have a some-what rare shell handle knife!

The knives have the Hammer Brand stamp (made by Imperial).

In 1941 it was part of a short run series with military insignias on them.
They were printed on the imitation MOP handles.

The knives in the series in 1941 were:
U.S.A. ___Army INSIGNIA
U.S.N. ___Navy INSIGNIA
U.S.M.C. ___MARINE CORPS INSIGNIA
U.S.A.C. ___AIR CORPS INSIGNIA
R.W.B. ___ PATREOTIC INSIGNIA (Statue of Liberty)
"OG" ___ RED, WHITE, BLUE STRIPES (non MOP and most common of the series)



Finding any of the insignia knives (especially the Air Corps) in good condition is
quite a feat as the insignias were PRINTED on the knives and wore off easily!

Nice job cleaning it up!
Grandpa has left you a great gift.

..... Joe

[FRJ]

All the more reason for an Imperial knife forum, suggested by ozzie marie. I think we could fill it up pretty fast.

[gnarsurf]

thanks guys

i think i can make out the statue of liberty on it

my grandpa was a medic in the air force so chances are it came from them

i haven't sharpened it yet as i have no way to do so, but i might get into straight razor shaving soon so i would get a set of stones for both knives and razors

[Diligence]

sure you do.....and it might be how your Grandpa used to touch up the edge befor. Use the bottom of a ceramic coffee mug to touch it up....followed by the top of your car window edge as a strop.

Should provide a bit of an edge.

Cheers,
D

thanks guys

i think i can make out the statue of liberty on it

my grandpa was a medic in the air force so chances are it came from them

i haven't sharpened it yet as i have no way to do so, but i might get into straight razor shaving soon so i would get a set of stones for both knives and razors

[TripleF]

Your grandpa would be proud!!