All About Pocket Knives

I picked this knife up while out junking with the wife, she likes to do that, but I get bored pretty quickly. Anyway, at a Goodwill a couple of weeks ago I found this - I doubt the little case is original, I figured that. But I picked this knife up for $18. Probably too much, but I am kinda picking some of these inexpensive knives up to bring home, study, and learn from. Here is what I got:

Imperial
PROV. R.I.
USA (running vertical on the right side)

If you notice in the pictures the covers are shrinking and pulled away from the bolster. I do show a picture from the backsprings view of the on the bolster side, but the end cap end is has pulled away too. Anyone willing to critique this purchase - don't worry about hurting my feeling, the wife says I have none. Seriously, I am doing this to learn.

oh, and this blade - what all do I have going on here? I see a bottle opener but what are these other two things used for?

enuf wrote: ↑Tue Dec 26, 2023 5:00 pm oh.....

Fish scaler and hook remover.
Please post it here also.
https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... hp?t=64774

I don't think $18.00 is a horrible price to pay for that knife. If you go back to the 80s and 90s it would have been a couple of bucks, and whoever had it would be glad to be rid of it. Not a lot of those tin handled Imperials survive in that kind of condition. I doubt they'll ever bring vintage Winchester or Cattaraugus money, but it's still a useable knife for short money.

Thanks guys. I will post it in the other spot in a bit.

Imperial had some of the best carbon steel blades. They will sharpen up easily and hold an edge very well. Not expensive knives, but they were a great deal for what they cost. The knife shown has what are called "shell bolsters". The bolsters are hollow and attached to the frame by metal tabs. The cost savings to the manufacturer came in using this design. They weren't taking shortcuts with the blades.

Its a continuation of the Hammer Brand by Imperial , for a while after Imperial aquired HB. I want to say its called a Heavy Forge edition, or Hammer forge edition.
The Logo is from Hammer Brand, but the knife and tang stamp of course made by Imperial.

There was a full display collection in auction a while back, all of the heavy forge set in mint condition, yours would have been in that set.

I have a few, now I want to go look again.
Swedge

*edit: Yea, here it is, they are still called Hammer Brand but by Imperial at that time, and the "Heavy Forge" model gives it the characteristic hammer marks. I Like em !!

enuf wrote: ↑Tue Dec 26, 2023 5:59 pm Thanks guys. I will post it in the other spot in a bit.

Just so you know, enuf, Imperial, in their early days, made knives that were very well made and highly regarded.

philco wrote: ↑Tue Dec 26, 2023 9:56 pm Imperial had some of the best carbon steel blades. They will sharpen up easily and hold an edge very well. Not expensive knives, but they were a great deal for what they cost. The knife shown has what are called "shell bolsters". The bolsters are hollow and attached to the frame by metal tabs. The cost savings to the manufacturer came in using this design. They weren't taking shortcuts with the blades.

By golly, I see the tabs! Thanks for the school.

Thanks for the info folks

New_Windsor_NY wrote: ↑Tue Dec 26, 2023 5:16 pm

enuf wrote: ↑Tue Dec 26, 2023 5:00 pm oh.....

Fish scaler and hook remover.
Please post it here also.
https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... hp?t=64774

I'm sorry - I do not know how to move this thread

I have a Imperial Jack. Like what was said previously, the body
of the knife is a little cheap but the blades sharpened up well
and are OK carbon quality.

Bob

Found this neat little guy today and couldn't resist. Imperial USA on the tang. Main blade shows some use but the handle a and springs are in goo condition

Buck Casey wrote: ↑Sat Feb 22, 2025 11:43 pm Found.....

You should post it here:
https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... hp?t=21337