All About Pocket Knives

Just got this one in the mail today. Stamped "SIMMONS/HDWE Co/Germany" on the 3 cutting blades, with a stylized hornet stamp on the back side of each blade. File and scissors are not stamped. Sellens say that E.C. Simmons sold these between 1883 and 1917. Levine gives a date of circa 1890s. Goins does not list this exact stamp, but gives a date for the hornet stamp on the back of the blade as being 1890 to 1915. I can't find any information as to what cutlery company, or companies, in Germany may have made these for Simmons. Being as how there were so many cutlery companies in Germany during that time period, it will likely remain a mystery.
In the 1990s, Parker had some knives made, in the Olbertz? factory in Germany, with the same stampings. They usually have HORNET deeply stamped on the main blade and are recognizable as being newer knives.
This is very a very solid well made knife. It is 3 3/8" in length. The previous owner described it as having the heft of a cattle knife, but with the blades of a gentleman's knife.

A few more pictures.

What a beautiful knife, Dan.
Congratulations.

Thanks Joe.

Exceptional Knife Dan!! Congratts on that beauty!!

I've never seen scissors fold in quite like that before. A very cool knife.

Thank you woodwalker and doglegg. My pictures don't show it, but the scissors curve to lay flat along the back of the frame when closed.

Hey Dan, that is a real beauty eh!!! Love the way those scissors fold in!

That's a gorgeous and really functional knife, I like it!

Not sure why the German made Simmons knives get such a bum wrap. Maybe because they are being compared to the Napanoch, Walden, Winchester and Schrade made ones?

1967redrider wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 4:32 pm That's a gorgeous and really functional knife, I like it!

Not sure why the German made Simmons knives get such a bum wrap. Maybe because they are being compared to the Napanoch, Walden, Winchester and Schrade made ones?

*edit I think the less favorable German made ones are post-50s.

Thanks for the comments Sheffieldguy and 1967redrider.
1967redrider, I was not aware that the German made Simmons knives get a bum wrap? I have 3 of the early ones and 1 of the 1990s Parker ones. Your are right, the 1990s Parker made Simmons knives are not of the same quality as the old original Simmons.

Beautiful little knife and a salesman's sample to boot! The only other time I have seen scissors like that was on a tiny Japanese multi-blade with sterling silver handles.

Thanks Ray. That is a lovely little knife with unique scissors as well. Makes only two like that I have seen in my limited experience. Here is another photo that shows the way the scissors on the Simmons knife curve to fit smoothly along the back of the knife.

Dan, very nice large gentleman’s folder and scissor design! Great addition to your Simmons collection

Thanks, Lloyd.

Sellens says these were made 1883- 1917 . A lot of German imports stopped then. I have seen very few, maybe none, pocket knives this old of low quality.

Nice catch to add to the collection Dan.Is this the start of a thread so called?

wlf wrote: ↑Sun Jan 05, 2020 8:01 pm Sellens says these were made 1883- 1917 . A lot of German imports stopped then. I have seen very few, maybe none, pocket knives this old of low quality.

Nice catch to add to the collection Dan.Is this the start of a thread so called?

I do have two other German Simmons Hardware knives, but one I am not sure of. When I get time to take pics I will post them in here. Anyone else who has one should feel free to post it and then we will have a thread so called.

Could this be a Simmons? Main tang says Made in USA and Awl says Spiral Punch.

Clark23 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 09, 2021 9:19 pm Could this be a Simmons? Main tang says Made in USA and Awl says Spiral Punch.

I think it is Camillus

edge213 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 09, 2021 9:52 pm

Clark23 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 09, 2021 9:19 pm Could this be a Simmons? Main tang says Made in USA and Awl says Spiral Punch.

I think it is Camillus

Thank you edge, I was thinking of that as well but was unsure. Do you happen to know why it just says Made in USA? Usually would think a maker would put their name. It’s very unique would it be?

Clark23 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 09, 2021 10:16 pm

edge213 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 09, 2021 9:52 pm

Clark23 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 09, 2021 9:19 pm Could this be a Simmons? Main tang says Made in USA and Awl says Spiral Punch.

I think it is Camillus

Thank you edge, I was thinking of that as well but was unsure. Do you happen to know why it just says Made in USA? Usually would think a maker would put their name. It’s very unique would it be?

I believe the Camillus made knives with only made in USA were made for Sears.

edge213 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 09, 2021 10:19 pm

Clark23 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 09, 2021 10:16 pm

edge213 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 09, 2021 9:52 pm

I think it is Camillus

Thank you edge, I was thinking of that as well but was unsure. Do you happen to know why it just says Made in USA? Usually would think a maker would put their name. It’s very unique would it be?

I believe the Camillus made knives with only made in USA were made for Sears.

Thank you, I should of asked earlier but what year would you think this would be?

Clark23 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 09, 2021 11:15 pm

edge213 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 09, 2021 10:19 pm

Clark23 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 09, 2021 10:16 pm

Thank you edge, I was thinking of that as well but was unsure. Do you happen to know why it just says Made in USA? Usually would think a maker would put their name. It’s very unique would it be?

I believe the Camillus made knives with only made in USA were made for Sears.

Thank you, I should of asked earlier but what year would you think this would be?

40s 50s

danno50 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 3:06 am In the 1990s, Parker had some knives made, in the Olbertz? factory in Germany, with the same stampings. They usually have HORNET deeply stamped on the main blade and are recognizable as being newer knives.

Like this small stag gunstock, for example. I would never have guessed it was a Parker knife as the quality (and stag covers) are much better than what I usually see on Parkers.

edge213 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 10, 2021 1:49 am

Clark23 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 09, 2021 11:15 pm

edge213 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 09, 2021 10:19 pm

I believe the Camillus made knives with only made in USA were made for Sears.

Thank you, I should of asked earlier but what year would you think this would be?

40s 50s

Thank you very much once again Edge!