Colonial PROV USA SAK-type knife questions

[nccole]

I have had this knife for as long as I can remember. I got it in basically the condition you see here. I pretty much never used it as a kid as it was dull, and have just now gotten around to sharpening it. As you can see it is in very bad shape, but I call it character. I did a little bit of research and know this really is not anything special, but like that it is made in USA. I do have one particular question, and also want some general info on the company and this particular knife, style, and a guess at the age of this knife. The particular question is what the heck is that funny little angled wedge thing? It is not sharp, the tip is not really pointy, and I can find any info on what it is or what it does.
Thanks for your help.

I have not been able to find a picture of another knife with a shield quite like this one. I am thinking maybe mine had a more to it.

 

[shawnpatterson]

I believe the short tool you are talking about is for mAKIng holes. Colonials are what i call flea market specials because every tom dick and harry at the flea has at least one. BUT!! Personally i've found them to be pretty dependable. Holds a decent edge, sharpens easily, inexpensive enough and best of all, American made.

 

[quattromori]

You should add a bigger picture of the whole knife.
I assume that thing is a leather punch. Especially if the knife has just blades (apart from the punch) and no other tool, you might post this knife in the Traditional section (I'm 100% sure that there's at least one person who can tell you pretty much about this knife).

 

[nccole]

Yeah, I am keeping it around for sure. I was thinking it might have been a crude boring tool, but without a pointy tip questioned its effectiveness. Should I sharpen the inside edge of it? I cannot tell if it was ever sharp, it has a slight edge to it. It did sharpen easily (not stainless obviously), and I think it will be my beer opener from now on!

 

[nccole]

You should add a bigger picture of the whole knife.
I assume that thing is a leather punch. Especially if the knife has just blades (apart from the punch) and no other tool, you might post this knife in the Traditional section (I'm 100% sure that there's at least one person who can tell you pretty much about this knife).

sorry if the quality is lacking, but you get the idea, it has a can opener, bottle opener with flat screwdriver and a broken what I am sure is a cork screw. I debated which forum to put it so I might try that section too, maybe just post a link to this one over there.

 

[quattromori]

Now that I see the whole knife, you did post it in the right place. For some reason, I had guessed it only had one or two blades plus the punch.
Maybe you can ask in Bernard Levine's subforum, and you will get more info on your knife. Too bad the corkscrew is broken though.

 

[edbeau]

That is a hole punch for leather. It never had a sharp edge just a tapered one. The missing off the side was a cork screw. The knife is a camping knife. There were ones made by every maker of knives. Check out the military "Demo Knife" for the military version.

 

[gbuskirk]

My father gave me one of those when I was about 11, back in 1973. I learned and practiced freehand sharpening on it. I bear several scars on my fingers from it. I made a leather sheath for it, using no tools but the knife itself, and no material but one scrap of leather. I now have a large collection of knives, including several very good condition examples of the same, but this knife would be the last one I would part with. Next would be a Vic classic bearing chew marks from a puppy who became a good friend long ago.

That's awl, folks!

 

[russianpolander]

It is an awl. Not just for leather, it is a generic tool for any hole you want to punch in whatever medium you wish.

 

[nccole]

My father gave me one of those when I was about 11, back in 1973. I learned and practiced freehand sharpening on it. I bear several scars on my fingers from it. I made a leather sheath for it, using no tools but the knife itself, and no material but one scrap of leather. I now have a large collection of knives, including several very good condition examples of the same, but this knife would be the last one I would part with. Next would be a Vic classic bearing chew marks from a puppy who became a good friend long ago.

That's awl, folks!

Great story, definitely one to never let go.