All About Pocket Knives

I came across this Imperial fixed blade today. The Imperial fixed blades I've seen are all conventional construction with a typical butt end and a guard that is part of the shell bolster. Whereas this one is made from a pocket knife handle... a sowbelly no less, and the "guard" is part of the blade. Was this idea of using a pocket knife handle a common practice for low end fixed blade knives that I've just never noticed before?

It has the 1946 - 1956 tang stamp. I imagine it was a Woolworth's-type knife for boys that came with one of those leatherette sheaths.

Dennis

That's different. Kinda neat.

I've never seen one until now. That's kinda interesting.

That is cool. Never hwve seen one.

deo-pa wrote:I came across this Imperial fixed blade today. The Imperial fixed blades I've seen are all conventional construction with a typical butt end and a guard that is part of the shell bolster. Whereas this one is made from a pocket knife handle... a sowbelly no less, and the "guard" is part of the blade. Was this idea of using a pocket knife handle a common practice for low end fixed blade knives that I've just never noticed before?

It has the 1946 - 1956 tang stamp. I imagine it was a Woolworth's-type knife for boys that came with one of those leatherette sheaths.

Dennis

Nice example of a shell handle Imperial fixed blade knife. If my memory is working correctly this is how all Imperial shell handle fixed blades were made. Colonial and possibly other makers made the ones with the shell guard. Possibly someone with more knowledge will confirm or correct this. In fifteen years I have only seen less than a dozen. Hope this helps.

Cool looking old Imperial! Great color and graphics. I've seen this hunting dog handle design before as well as a duck and a pheasant design, both pictured in flight. Not too many of these around.

Wayne

That knife is neat for it's nostalgic value - just think of being a kid again in the 1950's or 1960's - you're, reading Outdoor Life and dreaming about bird hunting over a German shorthair pointer, while carrying a 16 gauge Stevens double, purple shells in your vest, and an Imperial knife at your side; cool, cool, cool! OH

I see them from time to time and picked one up many years ago.Plain cracked ice celluloid scales. I like the decorated one.