Electricians knife

ken erickson

ken erickson

Joined
Aug 27, 2004
Messages
2,701
Recently I was given the opportunity to examine a collection of vintage knives. One of the knives caught my interest for a few reasons. I think it is a neat pattern, a working knife and one seldom seen in the handmade realm. While this knife is not available (going to Blade) I wanted to share here. I know this knife is out of the "norm" for handmade traditional knives but thought it deserved some attention.

This knife is based on an Empire Electricians knife. 3 5/8 inches, lockback, Ebony with a screwdriver/wire stripper blade. My rendition comes pretty close although I chose to scale in black linen Micarta. I used D2 for the blade lockbar and spring. I also installed a shield that is common on Empire branded knives.

Thanks for looking, comments welcome.

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That is darn cool. :thumbup:

I used to work as an electronics tech, and I would've LOVED to have that in my pocket at work.

Very nice.
 
That's a darn useful looking setup. Thanks for sharing it.
 
Very cool! The micarta and Empire shield are great touches. I'd love to see more custom tool knives!

(subliminal message: Barnett plier knife, Barnett plier knife, Barnett plier knife, Barnett plier knife, Barnett plier knife, Barnett plier knife, Barnett plier knife, Barnett plier knife, Barnett plier knife, Barnett plier knife ;) )
 
Thanks for the comments guys!

This was a fun knife to make and one I wanted to take on for a few reasons;):cool:

I am sure this knife appeals to a much smaller(or even tiny) segment of traditional pocket knife collectors but thought it had merit to be reincarnated in a handmade.
 
Ken it really ,really looks perfect.
Did you see the Empire version,where a blade just like on yours,locks open,but un locks by depressing a second spearpoint type main blade ?

Like this one ..
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VCM3 said:
Did you see the Empire version,where a blade just like on yours,locks open,but un locks by depressing a second spearpoint type main blade ?
Click to expand...

Vince,

I am pretty sure I have access to the multi-blade version also. I have been in a bit of a lockback mode here of late, thus the single blade version made it to my bench.
 
ken erickson said:
Vince,

I am pretty sure I have access to the multi-blade version also. I have been in a bit of a lockback mode here of late, thus the single blade version made it to my bench.
Click to expand...

I'm not so sure of how secure the lock mechanism was on that double blader I once owned. But for that knife,I'd rather have your single blade LB version.Its really a great one Ken :thumbup:
I'll see you there.
-Vince :)
 
Fair warning - if Ken's version matches the strongly tapered and rounded hafting of the original Empire version - and it certainly appears to - then picking this knife up may be dangerous. You won't want to put it down. A beautiful rendition of a great old knife in a great working steel - D2. :thumbup: Somewhere off in the distance I think I can hear Charlie breaking into his piggie bank. :D

A weird thing about most of the old Empire Signal Corps two blade style was that the blade nail nick was on the opposite side - most makers sensibly placed the blade nail nick accessible thru the top wire stripper notch instead. Pressing down on the blade actually lifted up the screwdriver blade's spring to unlock it -- the lock tab there was very similar to a lockback's, but it had to be a shallow notch since the spring wasn't lifted much.
 
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That's a beauty, Ken. I like the fact that you have strayed off the path, and explored new territory!:thumbup: There are so many cutlery tools that are rarely hand-made.
Scissors
Corkscrews
Files
Tweezers
Pliers
Punches - a few.
On and on . . . . .
My piggy bank is smashed, Dwight! Another reason to lament not being able to make it to blade.:(
 
Ken, that looks absolutely gorgeous. I can see why that caught your eye. It has so much visual appeal.

Great Job!!!
 
Quite an accomplishment, Ken. Well done! :thumbup:
 
very cool, i like seeing the less common knives, patterns that were once useful for somethinb ut have fallen out of favor with so few craftsman being around. even though it might be a small segment, the internet has really enabled "tail end marketing" meaning you can reach those few people now so much easier that things like this can find homes they deserve. :-)
 
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