Photos Anybody Know What Pocketknife This Is?

[Ribbonz]

This was my grandfather's pocketknife given to me by my Dad. I never met my grandfather as he died before I was born, but this was the knife he carried around his whole life. My dad thinks he remembers my grandfather carrying this around in the 1950's but who knows. It is a traditional design with a bone handle and the word, "Ambassador" engraved on the base of the longest blade. It's not in terrible shape, just some tarnish and rust. The photo looks worse than in person. I'm going to try to use some Flitz on it this weekend to see if I can clear it up some. This knife has tremendous sentimental value to me and it would be really cool if someone could figure out what it was. It is pretty small, the length is only about 3" closed. Here's a pic.

 

[r8shell]

I believe Ambassador was a trademark of Colonial Knife Company, of Providence, R.I.

You can read all about them here:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/colonial-knife-co-providence-r-i.1393295/

The handles aren't real bone, but it's a family heirloom and therefore priceless.

 

[Prester John]

This was my grandfather's pocketknife given to me by my Dad. I never met my grandfather as he died before I was born, but this was the knife he carried around his whole life. My dad thinks he remembers my grandfather carrying this around in the 1950's but who knows. It is a traditional design with a bone handle and the word, "Ambassador" engraved on the base of the longest blade. It's not in terrible shape, just some tarnish and rust. The photo looks worse than in person. I'm going to try to use some Flitz on it this weekend to see if I can clear it up some. This knife has tremendous sentimental value to me and it would be really cool if someone could figure out what it was. It is pretty small, the length is only about 3" closed. Here's a pic.

Looks like a small stockman knife with a pen blade instead of a spey. Ambassador was a division of Colonial. I have two or three Ambassador advertising knives, probably from the 1950's or 1960's. I am sure there are others that can tell you a lot more. Nice knife.

Edit: Rachel beat me to it!

 

[Ernie1980]

That is a treasure you have there! I would hesitate to use polish on it, try to clean up the blades with some steel wool using oil as a solvent to break up some of the gunk. You can use cotton swabs (I flatten them with pliers to get them into the tight spots) to get the inside of the spring and liners and a rag to gently work on the outside.

 

[Fanglekai]

That is a treasure you have there! I would hesitate to use polish on it, try to clean up the blades with some steel wool using oil as a solvent to break up some of the gunk. You can use cotton swabs (I flatten them with pliers to get them into the tight spots) to get the inside of the spring and liners and a rag to gently work on the outside.

If you use steel wool, I suggest the #0000 super fine kind to start.

 

[afishhunter]

Yep. Colonial. I'd guess from the 1960's.
Nice knife.
The blades and backsprings are 1095 carbon steel.

Welcome to the forums.

 

[Jolipapa]

Keep it like it is. It's been shaped by your father and your father's father sweat! If you want a shiny blade, get a new knife.

 

[screened porch]

Your grandpa used it well and took good care of it. Looks like the blades were plated, I would guess with chrome. The handles are probably hollow sheets crimped over the ends of the liners.
Here's the tiny Colonial jack my dad let me carry before I had my own knife, just for another picture. A little under 3" closed.

 

[Ribbonz]

I scrubbed it with a scotchbrite pad and got some of the gunk off. Looks better I think.

 

[Ribbonz]

I believe Ambassador was a trademark of Colonial Knife Company, of Providence, R.I.

You can read all about them here:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/colonial-knife-co-providence-r-i.1393295/

The handles aren't real bone, but it's a family heirloom and therefore priceless.

Looks like a small stockman knife with a pen blade instead of a spey. Ambassador was a division of Colonial. I have two or three Ambassador advertising knives, probably from the 1950's or 1960's. I am sure there are others that can tell you a lot more. Nice knife.

Edit: Rachel beat me to it!

Colonial Ambassador Stockman. Cool. Thanks.

That is a treasure you have there! I would hesitate to use polish on it, try to clean up the blades with some steel wool using oil as a solvent to break up some of the gunk. You can use cotton swabs (I flatten them with pliers to get them into the tight spots) to get the inside of the spring and liners and a rag to gently work on the outside.

Yeah I cleaned it up a bit with some Scotchbrite.

Yep. Colonial. I'd guess from the 1960's.
Nice knife.
The blades and backsprings are 1095 carbon steel.

Welcome to the forums.

Thanks!

Your grandpa used it well and took good care of it. Looks like the blades were plated, I would guess with chrome. The handles are probably hollow sheets crimped over the ends of the liners.
Here's the tiny Colonial jack my dad let me carry before I had my own knife, just for another picture. A little under 3" closed.

Nice looking knife. Very similar to my grandfather's. I love this little knife. It's in very good shape for how old it is and even though it's not real bone or antler or whatever, I think it looks pretty sweet.