Imperial pen knife

[Knife-nut1970]

Anybody know anything about these? It's a neat little knife but I can't find any info on it.

[whitebuffalo58]

Nifty little shell handled penknife!

I can't make out the tang stamp, but most likely made somewhere around the mid-late 50's. As with the cars, the two-tone color scheme was popular during that time.

They made them in an array of different colors and some color combinations are somewhat scarce, but the pattern itself shows up fairly frequently. Imperial also used the same "gentleman's" pattern with a couple of other blade configurations that didn't include the ballpoint pen.

There's a member here who has, or had a very nice collection of the two-tones. Do a search for the "Shell Handled Knives" thread to see(and learn) more.

Nice little find,


WB

[Knife-nut1970]

Actually the handle on this one is just painted.

[whitebuffalo58]

Yes, I believe they were painted, or at least some were, instead of the usual celluloid wraps. But as far as I know, they were still a shell handled knife. Someone more familiar with the two-tones may come along and correct me.

Here are the ones I have in my collection, cell wrapped, but the same basic pattern and all are shell handle construction.

WB

[Knife-nut1970]

I just saw one identical to your pen knife for sale.

[whitebuffalo58]

Yep, like I said, the pattern shows up fairly frequently, the cracked ice is probably the most common one. The two-tones and the vibrant colored celluloid wraps can be a different story, depending on the colors and combinations.


WB

[Knife-nut1970]

I just saw a blue one recently as well.

[whitebuffalo58]

Sounds like the start of a collection to me.


WB

[Knife-nut1970]

Lol If I wasn't broke it might be.

[whitebuffalo58]

Yup, them dang bills are always gettin' in the way of things.


WB

[Knife-nut1970]

Doesn't help I just bought another pocket watch

[whitebuffalo58]

Nothing wrong with a good watch, but for me, they only serve to remind me of the one thing I seem to have less of then money...time.


WB

[glennbad]

One of my favorites from Imperial. I do have a few of them....

I wish I could find a viable substitute for the pen refill...

[philco]

Would that not be considered a lobster pattern ?

[Knife-nut1970]

One of my favorites from Imperial. I do have a few of them....

tt9.JPG
novelty10.JPG

I wish I could find a viable substitute for the pen refill...

Holy crap! Awesome collection. I'm thinking about trying a Victorinox refill. I believe it would be real close.

[whitebuffalo58]

I used a standard refill, cut it to length, used a toothpick to clean out a small amount of ink, then sealed the end with a drop of superglue gel. Seems to be working fine, but you could probably use melted wax or epoxy too. IIRC, I got the old style refills from Staples, but that's been a few years back.

Looks like you've added a few, Glenn. Nice collection!


WB

[Knife-nut1970]

Biggest problem I'm finding is the hole in the end is so small.

[glennbad]

I used a standard refill, cut it to length, used a toothpick to clean out a small amount of ink, then sealed the end with a drop of superglue gel. Seems to be working fine, but you could probably use melted wax or epoxy too. IIRC, I got the old style refills from Staples, but that's been a few years back.

Looks like you've added a few, Glenn. Nice collection!


WB

Thanks, I'll have to try that.

BTW, those are just my pen ones. I have a bunch of other Tu-Tone patterns, just haven't got them together for a family shot...

[sunknife]

I see something new, (at least new to me that is) nearly every few days here. Those are cool little knives.

[Knife-nut1970]

Ran across one tonight marked for the Boy Scout National Jamboree 1957 in Valley Forge

[Tsar Bomba]

All this time and I though the thread was about an actual pen knife, not a knife that happens to have a pen in it...

Great examples, all, and that is one cool display, Glenn!

Thanks again, AAPK, for the never-ending education in what the knife world has to offer.