An interesting one...

glennbad

glennbad

Knife Moddin' Fool
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Jan 13, 2003
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Well, at least I think so.

I am a big fan of Imperial knives, and at least up until recently, they were very affordable and fun to collect.

My favorites are called Tu-Tone. We had a thread or two on these back a while, and looking at them, most of us think immediately of the 1950's, and the paint jobs on the cars of that time.

So I never thought I would see one of these in a fishknife pattern, but lo and behold, a few showed up on ebay recently. Here's one that I acquired:

ImperialTu-Tonefish.jpg


I have some pics of other patterns, if there is interest.

Glenn
 
Im an imperial collector too and I've been watching and buying a few multi colored imperials lately I'd like to see some of your other pics if you've got them. I was about to bid on the one on ebay that is labled art deco blue and white but I backed off when I saw the first bidder.-joel
 
Nice, and unusual.

Since you guys are Imperial collectors, I have a quick question. When did production move from R.I. to Ireland?

As kids, we had a lot of Imperial knives, particularly Barlows, and the quality was generally OK. The Irish Imperials never seemed as sturdy or as well-fit. Also, judging by the way the blades have tarnished, many of the RI Imperials were carbon steel; all of the Irish blades I own are stainless.

Best Wishes,
-Bob
 
I dont have the answer to that question but I do agree with you about the quality from ireland to R.I.
 
Mike will have a better answer on that question than I, Bob.

I tend to shy away from the Ireland-made Imperials.

Joel, I appreciate the courtesy, and I did the same for you yesterday. But I usually put my high bid in, and live with it. If you want it more than me, than do what you must. No hard feelings here. :)

You asked, so here are a few more...

ImperialTu-Tone.jpg

Imperial015.jpg

Imperial016.jpg

Imperial017.jpg


Here's a German version:
Imperialknockoff.jpg


And a few more:
schrade021.jpg

scc020.jpg

Misc089.jpg

Imperial018.jpg


I have more, but don't have pics on them...enjoy

Glenn
 
Thoes are great!! and I totally agree with you I usually just put in what Im willing to bid. if it had been life or death to me I would have bid. never hard feelings.... I usually back off of stuff I can live without, sometimes its good I find myself bidding on everything sometimes. and sometimes you just gotta bid, ya know. by the way are thoes pen knives? they are very interesting. thats a far greater collection than mine. thanks-joel
 
Now that's what this forum is all about...just keep the photos coming they are fantastic.........they always remind me of the 50's cars too.".Happy Days" knives I always call them...young Ritchie Cunningham was a monty to have a tiny one in his pocket...Hoo Roo
 
Glen: What is the quality of your tu-tone imperials? Just curious. I dabble in Imperials, and have some that are are of the same quality of 1950's circa Ulsters. Others that are quite cheap, especially when it comes to handle materials. I'll post a few later when kids aren't lobbying for computer time.
 
real nice collection glenn. those are some beautiful knives. i have one with swirl handles, i guess celluiod probaly. its old and kinda beat up, but its sharp as all get out! u do have some beautiful knives though. thanks for sharing!
 
Joel, you are correct, those are pens on a few of the knives. I have been looking for replacement refills for them, or even to make my own, but the ink cartridge makeup is very unique, and I haven't found a match yet.

thawk - These are all shell-handle knives, like most Imperials of the time. Some are better than others, you are right. Even though shell handle knives are not as solid and sturdy, I find the Imperials to have great "guts". That is, the springs are very solid and snappy, and the blades usually sharpen like a scalpel.

Thanks for the comments, everyone...

Glenn
 
Bob W said:
...When did production move from R.I. to Ireland?...
Click to expand...

Imperial acquired the Listowel, Ireland plant circa 1961 under the corporate umbrella of Imperial Stag/Imperial Schrade Europe Ltd. (The plant was known as Imperial Stag). For the most part, from what I can find, the earlier knives were not imported to the U.S., but sold in Europe. Imperial Knife Company, Providence, R.I., U.S.A. was purchased in it's entirity by Albert Baer in 1983, and in 1985 consolidated it in Ellenville with the other domestic holdings of the Imperial Schrade Corporation. The County Kerry, Ireland plant closed and liquidated in June of 2004, not long prior to the parent corporation at the end of July 2004. So Imperial production in Ireland ran roughly from 1961-2004, while the Imperial Providence production ended sometime in the mid 1980's (began in 1916/17). IIRC, some Imperial production did continue for a time at the Ellenville, N.Y. plant. Better research is needed to pin down products and dates better. Gimme time.

Michael
 
I love finally seeing the interest in Imperials in this forum. As I had mentioned in previous threads the prices of Imperials especially the Frontiers seems to have passed alot of the Schrades. Are the Imperials actually harder to come by than the Schrades?? Judging by the number of each on ebay I think so!! You can still buy USA made Schrades from all the knife distributors but only Ireland made Imperials seem to be available.
 
while the Imperial Providence production ended sometime in the mid 1980's
Click to expand...
Thank you. Hard to believe the 'junkers' in my collection are that old. Seems like I just bought them yesterday, but I would have been 15 when the RI production stopped. Guess it's even harder to believe I'm that old...

-Bob
 
G'Day Glenn,That certainly is a beautiful and varied collection you have.I could sit and look at them for hours..isn't it a pity "Life" always has to get in the way of our love of Schrades?? Well done how long have you been collecting? Hoo Roo
 
ea42 said:
Glenn,
That is a NICE collection!:thumbup: :thumbup: I believe that's the first gunstock Schrade I've seen.

Eric
Click to expand...

Actually, that one is a bit of a joke. It is a budding knife with the ivory spudger broken off. But it does make a cool gunstock, yes!

Larry, thanks for the compliments. How long on Schrades? Probably about 4-5 years. I had a few pieces for many years, but only got hardcore into collecting them once I became a member here. :rolleyes: So, I love and hate all of you at the same time...

Sad thing is, I was buying up all these old SW and SCC knives for pennies 3-4 years ago. Now the same knives are through the roof.

Oh well, have to be more discretionary in my purchases now, the dollar doesn't stretch as far...

Glenn
 
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