All About Pocket Knives

I dont know the value of this one either. Tang reads, John Primble India Steel Works. Knife is in great shape with pinched bolsters

Many thanks

anyone know anything about it?

John Primble India Steel Works started in 1890 and went out in 1940. That happens to be the same year Remington quit making knives also. Yours looks to be a congress pen pattern. They are Primble collectors out there. Your knife would probably fetch around $35 , give or take.

I collect Primbles a little, here is some info' I have compiled over the years from various guides..

John Primble Tang Stamps

JOHN PRIMBLE (1890-1986)
JOHN PRIMBLE EAST INDIA STEEL WORKS
JOHN PRIMBLE INDIA STEEL WORKS (1890-1940)
JOHN PRIMBLE INDIA STEEL WORKS PRUSSIA (1890-1914)
J. PRIMBLE BELKNAP GERMANY
JOHN PRIMBLE BELKNAP HDWE & MFG. CO. (1940-1968)
JOHN PRIMBLE BELKNAP INC. (1968-1986)

In 1840, W. B. Belknap formed a company in Louisville, KY., that was to grow into one of the nation's larger hardware firms. Originally, the company sold items such as carriage supplies, horseshoes, and blacksmith supplies, but eventually it added cutlery as well. By the late 1800's, pocketknives had been established as one of Belknap's primary lines and names such as "Blue Grass" and "John Primble" were introduced. Although they would survive to current times, another company trademark stamping the "Pine Knot" and "Pine Knot, Jas. W. Price" would only be sold during the 1930-1934 period.

Pine Knot knives were probably made for Belknap by Roberson and most knives were handled in bone, redwood and celluloid.

Except for the Barlow pattern, the Blue Grass knives were discontinued in the 1950's. Any knife pattern other than the currently made Barlow is considered collectible.

The best known of Belknap's stampings is that of John Primble and except for the knives stamped "Prussia" or "Germany" have been manufactured under contract by companies such as Camillus, Boker and Schrade.

Belknap Hardware went out of business in 1986. The Primble India Steel Works trademark was transferred to Blue Grass Cutlery Corporation, who has recently released new knives bearing that marking. Beginning in 1992, the Primble reproduction knives were produced in 6 patterns, and 200 pieces of each pattern are released in varying handle materials. Other patterns and additional handle materials have been and continue to be used on newly manufactured Primble knives. Still, the releases are in very limited quantities. The limited production, coupled with the obvious quality of workmanship and materials, makes these knives worthy of attention by collectors of reissue knives.



Not alot, but has helped me some, I miss these old "hardware store brands".

This topic gave me the urge to show off my little John Primble collection, not very many I admit, but I pick up new ones ever so often.

The first picture is the whole group, examples from the various contractors, Schrade, Camillus, Boker and Queen (the purple celluloid half-congress).



The single one, is the prize of my Prible collection, it's a "baby" doctor pattern from the 1940's, that came to me from the estate of a good friend's father.



I have learned that some John Primble "baby" doctor patterns were contract knives from Case, but have never been able to verify that this one was.

Hey Bear Claw,
A very nice collection of Primbles there.

wt3L.

Thanks for sharing Bear Claw nice collection, I really appreciate the breakdown on the history and even more so since I started collecting Robeson knives any information on the company is most appreciated...


Thanks,

Sunburst

Thanks for the compliments folks, I love Primbles for some reason, the old hardware store brands just have so much history to me.

Bringing back this worthy thread, here's another Primble, made by Schrade in the 50's or 60's I believe. I've grown to like this pattern after finding a Schrade Cut. Co. in it, and now I found this guy! Can anyone verify the time period?

BTW, Bear Claw, how long is that nice "baby" doc??