A couple Colonial brand knives to be added to my collection...

[T. Erdelyi]

Colonials and Imperials always get a bum rap but they were the poor man's working knife, still people forget that they made a higher end knife back in the day.

Stamped bolsters with tin shell scales isn't the only thing they did here's one that I found that's very hard to find complete anymore.

Because they were so cheap people tend to use them to compare destruction which is why you see so many broken blades on these knives.

They made some quality knives with quality materials but because of their status in the industry,(IIRC they had the largest contract during the war for making knife for the services, that's impressive) they tend to get overlooked as a collectible.

I think there's a whole portion of the knife industries history will be lost because these knives, this level of old gas station bucket knives are used, abused and thrown away.

If you look up colonial or imperial, with my name you'll see there are a few threads on these knives anyway with lots of pics of some fine examples of the Cutler's art.

 

[PocketKnifeJimmy]

I find these shell knives to be a great thing to add to the collection. My thinking is, many of us grew up having at least one, if not many of these inexpensive knives. They were cheap in price, and our moms or dads were more likely to say... "Ahh, why not!" when we asked if they could buy us one. They have history... I believe European invented (Germany?)... and then made a lot of sense during the big USA depression era. Like a Glock pistol, a Kalashnikov rifle, or a Volkswagon beetle car, the shell handle knife represented lower cost and more simple technology to make for more afordable price to the end user. Even though cheaper in price to produce, just like those other items mentioned were in their fields, they were very much fuctional (as the Kamp Kings have proven to be). So, I see this type of knife as a great addition to ones collection (if one likes to collect knives). I mean, they represent alot about pocket knife history... and because many collectors may look at them as too mickey mousey for their collections, and because so many get mistreated or thrown out as being no value items, many will continue to just disappear (even with seemingly zillions out there having been made). So, they are less likely to survive in the long run, simply because most will look at them as totally disposable items that don't deserve ant real care (not looking at them as an item that gives pride of ownership). So, I think they are cool, as users or as collectibles. And yeah, for those that like to tinker, taking off the shell handle scales that may have peeled off their plastic skins, and maybe replace them with some other handle method or materials, well... just another use they may have Yup, my shell handle Colonial is likely offering more significance in my collection than any of my recent production Case, Gec, Queen, or Canal Street knives

 

[PocketKnifeJimmy]

Colonials and Imperials always get a bum rap but they were the poor man's working knife, still people forget that they made a higher end knife back in the day.

Stamped bolsters with tin shell scales isn't the only thing they did here's one that I found that's very hard to find complete anymore.

Because they were so cheap people tend to use them to compare destruction which is why you see so many broken blades on these knives.

They made some quality knives with quality materials but because of their status in the industry,(IIRC they had the largest contract during the war for making knife for the services, that's impressive) they tend to get overlooked as a collectible.

I think there's a whole portion of the knife industries history will be lost because these knives, this level of old gas station bucket knives are used, abused and thrown away.

If you look up colonial or imperial, with my name you'll see there are a few threads on these knives anyway with lots of pics of some fine examples of the Cutler's art.

Wow.. I just read your post... after just putting up one myself above... The similar thoughts you and I have are pretty obvious, lol!

Oh, and when I mentioned the kalashnikov rifle, I believe it held the truest when we see how it evolved into the AKM series (having a mostly stamped steel receiver). I bet most don't place the kalashnikov and the kamp king in the same realm.. but I do (I mean, there are some things one can compare, and stampings is a big one).

Btw... one big advantage the shell handle knives have... No glued in or pinned in shields to worry about... I mean, you may have a whole shell handle come off, yes... but you are not going to have a shield come loose or fall out!... lol!

 

[PocketKnifeJimmy]

I was really wanting to know more about my new Colonial with sheepfoot and electrician's blade... So, I posted pics of my knife on another knife forum that has a Colonial specific forum area. It is regularly frequented by a family member of the old Colonial firm that used to work there making knives before it went belly up in 1998. Anyhow, he was able to give me some info on my specimen, and it looks like I did good by purchasing this Colonial knife
Here is what he had to say....

Holy blade combo's Batman!! I never thought I would see one of these again!! These two knives were both made at the same time, early 60's... Pocketknifejimmy shows us one that has been "perfectly preserved" while the other one has clearly been in the battlefield for many years!! Instead of a Master or pocket blade as we know it, this "perverted" version of an old # 1200 Scout knife has what looks like a Jumbo sheep's foot blade!! And it was fitted with a #2900 secondary wire stripper/screw driver electricians blade!! Not a very popular combo and it might have been a special order and was NEVER Mass produced! It is EXTREEMLY rare and I don't even know where to start on the newer one's value..100-maybe $ 150.00 !!! maybe more.. Very odd to see one in this shape..maybe my cousin Jimmy would have saved something like this Is that you Jim???? My uncle/cousin Jimmy, (Alphonse) did always love knives and we attended many knife shows together. He was always good to me!! Robert P. CKCo...

Here is a picture of the "battlefield" specimen he also talked about (not mine)...

 

[T. Erdelyi]

Sounds like a nice score, I love oddball cheapies like the Colonials and Imperials out there and they're getting harder to find in near mint to mint condition, personally I'm happy when I find good working examples at 80%.

 

[Codger_64]

Colonial, like most old cutleries, has gone through some evolutions and changes of ownership in the past twenty years. Back in '05 I contacted a grandson of the founder, Steve Paolantonio and interviewed him. He sent me a couple of knives to examine and review. I don't see them on the market today, so I don't know exactly what happened to that run of knives. One was a very nicely done bone handled small lockback and the other an "Old Cutler" branded copy of the Schrade 897UH Premium Slim Stockman. I just ran across the stockman and searched the web. Another decendent of the founder popped up, Robert Paolantonio. He has apparently written a book about the company, "My Family Business,Colonial Knife Company" written by Robert Anthony Paolantonio and released in June 2012. I'm not sure if Steve is still with the company in this current embodiment or not. For sure, neither of them have abandoned their roots.

 

[Stich2442]

This Imperial Prov. RI saw some use, by the previous owner and myself, cost me a $1.00 it's a interesting pattern

Pete

 

[Codger_64]

Neat pattern Pete. I can't say that I have seen that one before. I note that it fell victim to the same fate as many of that genre of knives, someone tossed the bail.

 

[SAK Guy]

I was really wanting to know more about my new Colonial with sheepfoot and electrician's blade... So, I posted pics of my knife on another knife forum that has a Colonial specific forum area. It is regularly frequented by a family member of the old Colonial firm that used to work there making knives before it went belly up in 1998. Anyhow, he was able to give me some info on my specimen, and it looks like I did good by purchasing this Colonial knife
Here is what he had to say....

Holy blade combo's Batman!! I never thought I would see one of these again!! These two knives were both made at the same time, early 60's... Pocketknifejimmy shows us one that has been "perfectly preserved" while the other one has clearly been in the battlefield for many years!! Instead of a Master or pocket blade as we know it, this "perverted" version of an old # 1200 Scout knife has what looks like a Jumbo sheep's foot blade!! And it was fitted with a #2900 secondary wire stripper/screw driver electricians blade!! Not a very popular combo and it might have been a special order and was NEVER Mass produced! It is EXTREEMLY rare and I don't even know where to start on the newer one's value..100-maybe $ 150.00 !!! maybe more.. Very odd to see one in this shape..maybe my cousin Jimmy would have saved something like this Is that you Jim???? My uncle/cousin Jimmy, (Alphonse) did always love knives and we attended many knife shows together. He was always good to me!! Robert P. CKCo...

Here is a picture of the "battlefield" specimen he also talked about (not mine)...

Very cool buddy!!!!!!!!!!

 

[colonial knives]

interesting-great seeing my old knives being enjoyed!
Steve Paolantonio

 

[Codger_64]

interesting-great seeing my old knives being enjoyed!
Steve Paolantonio

Hey Steve! Can you tell us what became of the 2005 run of knives I examined? Were they continued for a few years, or rather quickly fall victim to market reallignment of the company?

Michael