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Need Advice on Imperial USA knife
Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2024 3:50 pm
by bocaj
I picked up two really nice condition knives marked USA only. I think it is probably Imperial made but my real concern is the age ? Look at the pins rolled over like a “stamp” process ? Does anyone have a guess when this was a process ? 1950s ? 1960s ? Thanks for any advice .
Re: Need Advice on Imperial USA knife
Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2024 5:09 pm
by New_Windsor_NY
bocaj wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2024 3:50 pm
I.....
I believe they are COLONIAL pocket knives,
not IMPERIAL pocket knives.
Re: Need Advice on Imperial USA knife
Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2024 5:25 pm
by Mumbleypeg
I agree. Colonial. My semi-educated guess would be 1950s-60s. Someone more familiar with Colonial will probably know for sure when they were made.
Ken
Re: Need Advice on Imperial USA knife
Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2024 5:43 pm
by bocaj
Thanks. Exactly what I needed to know. I know the knives are almost worthless but the age and condition means a lot to me . They are kind of like STARTER KNIFE for kids in the 50-60 era !
Re: Need Advice on Imperial USA knife
Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2024 9:07 pm
by Ridgegrass
Agree on Colonial. They deserve a spot in anybody's collection. An important player in American cutlery and we older guys "started out" with them as kids.

If you can find one of the original cardboard sales displays they make a great sub-collection. J.O'.
Re: Need Advice on Imperial USA knife
Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2024 10:24 pm
by woodwalker
I like them! They look in pristine condition. I remember going to the Cotton Carnival in my hometown in September when I was a kid and they had these machine with a little chain bucket and you dropped it down and tried to pull up a knife like that or other things. I always went for the knife. Must have cost a dime a try. I'd spend at least a dollar trying and trying seeming to always come up short!! But o good memories!!

Re: Need Advice on Imperial USA knife
Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2024 9:45 pm
by RevolverGuy
Colonial Knives is still around and produces knives in limited quantity. It's run by the grandson of one of the original founders.
https://www.colonialknifecorp.com/
These knives were common in the 1950s. They may look simple compared to pocket knives of today, but don't let that fool you. They had quality carbon steel blades that sharpen up nicely.
Re: Need Advice on Imperial USA knife
Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2024 12:01 am
by garddogg56
Or Ideal

Re: Need Advice on Imperial USA knife
Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2024 4:09 am
by Gtrclktr-351
2 nice old knives
Re: Need Advice on Imperial USA knife
Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2024 9:41 pm
by bocaj
Thanks to all of you … I appreciate the insights regarding memories and the knives being appreciated for the history the represent.