All About Pocket Knives

This knife was purchased on eBay the other day and received in the mail today.This one is a real puzzler.

I was always under the impression that knives marked,"High Carbon Steel USA" were produced by Camillus for Sears Roebuck and Co.BRL even lists this as so in his guide(at least the first 3 editions;I don't have #4).

Well here is a 3 blade utility/electrician's knife with a Colonial stamp on the spear blade and a High Carbon Steel stamp on the hawkbill.The scales are wood as are most of the early Camillus TL-29 style knives although the liners are brass.

I am not sure if Camillus was part of Imperial Knife Associated Companies which I believe was created some time in the mid 50's but this knife looks to be an earlier construction(perhaps late 30's or early 40's).

It does not appear that the blades have ever been replaced.So what have I got here? A "factory bastard" or what? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

IKAC was formed in 1947. i don't know why the knife has mixed stamps but if done properly, you should not be able to tell the knife was ever repaired. could have been a contract blade?

Colonial Knife Company has never had any affiliation with Imperial/Schrade/Ulster.

My guess is that "High Carbon Steel" was not actually trademarked, so it could be stamped on any knife.

Just as information,

Colonial is still making that style of knife. Maybe synthetic handle material, but mighty close...

knifeaholic wrote:Colonial Knife Company has never had any affiliation with Imperial/Schrade/Ulster.

My guess is that "High Carbon Steel" was not actually trademarked, so it could be stamped on any knife.

exactly, I have an older colonial hawkbill stamped high carbon, as K7K's tl-29