Colonial Knife Co Providence R.I.

B.Mauser · Feb 7, 2019

Here is a picture of my Colonial hobos. You can see the different forks here. They made the base of the spoon where it connects stronger also.

edbeau · Feb 7, 2019

Thank you for your time estimate. Always happy to find a Colonial in good shape.

B.Mauser · Feb 7, 2019

Misplaced Hillbilly said:
Not sure if I've posted this one here or not, anyways here's my Hobo.
Just noticed the fork and can opener are bit different

Yeah you have the one with the older fork. Does your knife blade have a half stop?

I noticed the one I have with the skinny fork does not but the one with the stronger fork does.

B.Mauser · Feb 7, 2019

Night Rider said:
I had one once ^ when I was too young to respect things like that. Probably left it in a treehouse or something. I also had a swiss army knife with all the tools, Gone

Same here. I sure wish I had the knives I lost as a kid. I havent had a Victorinox SAK since I was a boy scout but recently got interested in them again. I bought about 10 of them in the last month and I cant stop trying to figure out what kind I had as a Scout. Sure would mean a lot if I still had it. Oh well, Somehow I still have my first Colonial.

B.Mauser · Feb 7, 2019

Jiki said:

Hi Jiki. Welcome.

I see you also enjoy using some nice, thin carbon steel on wood.

Thanks for sharing your picture with us.

B.Mauser · Feb 7, 2019

edbeau said:
Thank you for your time estimate. Always happy to find a Colonial in good shape.

Any time Ed. I enjoy seeing the Colonials you find.

Misplaced Hillbilly · Feb 7, 2019

B.Mauser
Thanks for the info, the main on mine does not have a half stop. But everything else does. It was in basically new unused condition when I picked it up.

screened porch · Feb 17, 2019

I found this one in a coffee can with paint-can openers and bits of solder. Obviously.
It's very solid. Too bad about somebody's 3" wheel, but at least it seems to have been a wet wheel.

TX Traditional · Feb 17, 2019

Here’s the knife that started it all for me. A Colonial that my grandfather gave me in 1985 when I was 6. He passed away the following year. It was in this condition when I got it. I’ve thought about having it restored but I’m not sure it’s possible. I still love having it though.

r8shell · Feb 17, 2019

TX Traditional said:
View attachment 1074957 Here’s the knife that started it all for me. A Colonial that my grandfather gave me in 1985 when I was 6. He passed away the following year. It was in this condition when I got it. I’ve thought about having it restored but I’m not sure it’s possible. I still love having it though.

It is a blessing to have a gift like that from your grandfather. Is there anything wrong with it that needs restoration, or do you just want to clean and sharpen it? Unless it's celluloid and in danger of out-gassing, I'd just keep it oiled and rust free as is.

Night Rider · Feb 17, 2019

I would keep just as it is TX Traditional. All I would do is keep a light coat oil on it and store it as you have been doing. I would do anything to have some of dozen or so pocket knives my grandfather and father gave me back in my youth. That knife is a safe queen in my eyes and it will bring back memories for years to come.

Crimson Cloud · Feb 17, 2019

B.Mauser I was following this thread late last year and was really impressed with all of the information you have accumulated. I am currently living in Colorado, but grew up in Massachusetts, not too far from Providence, RI. I travel home to see my family about twice a year, and on my most recent trip I thought I would work in a side trip down to Providence to poke around for some more of the history of the Colonial Knife Co. and to see my niece who is living there. It didn't work out this time, but I recently came across this video and thought that it might be something you'd enjoy. Thanks for the education you've provided on Colonial knives. It's threads like this that make Blade Forums so great.

Night Rider · Feb 17, 2019

It's also small contributions like your video clip Crimson Cloud added to a thread that makes this place The Best. Thanks for sharing that and BTW I grew up in Mass 20 minutes Providence and I wish I knew about the factory 20 years ago, Shame to see her go out like that.

TX Traditional · Feb 17, 2019

r8shell said:
It is a blessing to have a gift like that from your grandfather. Is there anything wrong with it that needs restoration, or do you just want to clean and sharpen it? Unless it's celluloid and in danger of out-gassing, I'd just keep it oiled and rust free as is.

The pivots and backsprings are pretty well rusted. It runs like a friction folder.
I’m new to knife collecting. How do I tell if it’s celluloid? The covers are very thin. Maybe the thickness of 2 sheets of paper. I’ve never seen another knife like that.

Night Rider · Feb 17, 2019

TX Traditional said:
The pivots and backsprings are pretty well rusted. It runs like a friction folder.
I’m new to knife collecting. How do I tell if it’s celluloid? The covers are very thin. Maybe the thickness of 2 sheets of paper. I’ve never seen another knife like that.

It's a safe bet that it is celluloid. This should help out. https://www.oregonknifeclub.org/celluloid_02.html

r8shell · Feb 17, 2019

TX Traditional said:
The pivots and backsprings are pretty well rusted. It runs like a friction folder.
I’m new to knife collecting. How do I tell if it’s celluloid? The covers are very thin. Maybe the thickness of 2 sheets of paper. I’ve never seen another knife like that.

Night Rider said:
It's a safe bet that it is celluloid. This should help out. https://www.oregonknifeclub.org/celluloid_02.html

Thanks, Night Rider, that was the article I was looking for.

If the covers are shrinking or crumbling, it's a good bet they are celluloid and can cause the metal parts of the knife to rust (also any knives stored in close proximity) Later made knives used more stable plastics. If you post some close up pictures, maybe one of the resident experts can help determine.

TX Traditional · Feb 17, 2019

Night Rider and

r8shell
Thanks for the heads up! After reading that article I think this probably is celluloid. It’s an advertising knife from that period and has some of the signs like feaux pearl and shrinkage, not to mention the corrosion. I also included a picture of another knife I got after he passed. It’s a Saber brand knife marked “Japan Stainless”. I’m assuming this is from the 60s or 70s but may also be celluloid. Let me know what you think.

B.Mauser · Feb 23, 2019

Misplaced Hillbilly said:
B.Mauser
Thanks for the info, the main on mine does not have a half stop. But everything else does. It was in basically new unused condition when I picked it up.

Anytime David. Thank you for the information on your knife. :thumbsup:

Brian

scrteened porch said:
I found this one in a coffee can with paint-can openers and bits of solder. Obviously.
It's very solid. Too bad about somebody's 3" wheel, but at least it seems to have been a wet wheel.

Nice find Jer. Looks like it will still be a good user. Fits right in with that nice Red Neck Fish Knife you have.

TX Traditional said:
View attachment 1074957 Here’s the knife that started it all for me. A Colonial that my grandfather gave me in 1985 when I was 6. He passed away the following year. It was in this condition when I got it. I’ve thought about having it restored but I’m not sure it’s possible. I still love having it though.

Hi TX Traditional. Its so cool you still have this knife. Thanks for sharing your story and picture.

A restoration is definitely possible if you don't mind spend way more than the knife will ever be worth.

It could be as simple as buying one in better shape and paying someone to change the blades and springs. You could even have someone make custom handles to replace the celluloid on it. But would it still be your grandfathers knife?

I think you got great advice here suggesting you leave it as it is. That is what I would do.

Keep it oiled, don't let it get rusty and just enjoy its sentimental value.

You could find a similar one on eBay if you wanted to use one. I have some of these.

This kind of knife is called a tip knife. Here is Colonials patent for it.

Here is my page on Colonials tip knife at my wordpress website if you are interested.

https://colonialknives.wordpress.com/2017/01/24/the-tip-knife-patent/

TX Traditional · Feb 23, 2019

B.Mauser That’s outstanding. Thanks for sharing that. I’ll have to look for one.

B.Mauser · Feb 23, 2019

Crimson Cloud said:
B.Mauser I was following this thread late last year and was really impressed with all of the information you have accumulated. I am currently living in Colorado, but grew up in Massachusetts, not too far from Providence, RI. I travel home to see my family about twice a year, and on my most recent trip I thought I would work in a side trip down to Providence to poke around for some more of the history of the Colonial Knife Co. and to see my niece who is living there. It didn't work out this time, but I recently came across this video and thought that it might be something you'd enjoy. Thanks for the education you've provided on Colonial knives. It's threads like this that make Blade Forums so great.

Hi Crimson Cloud. Welcome. I'm happy you enjoy this thread.

Colorado is a great place to live. I sure love it here. I hope you make it to Providence someday. I would love to see some new pictures if you do.

Wow, Thank you for the Video! That was great. Very cool.