Empire Strikes Again!

[Jack Black]

Very nice Charlie

 

[paulhilborn]

Charlie, I hope this is okay to show here as well, I don't mean to "Jack" your thread but to only participate in it. If not I well certainly delete. To me it's a link to the past both knife wise and a little personal as well.

I posted this one before in the "old knife" thread but it's an Old Empire knife that I had to have when I came upon it.

We had a family furniture store for almost 50 years that my Dad started and it was called "Empire Home Furnishings" my Dad closed the business back in 1998. I had the great pleasure to manage the store for 11 years. Soooo, anything "Empire" catches my eye.

An old Empire ebony Jack with "Rat Tail" iron? bolster. SOLID in every way.

Paul

 

[Jack Black]

Nice story Paul, and a cracking knife :thumbup:

 

[waynorth]

That is a real beauty Charlie. That main blade has seen a sharpening or two.

Thanks, Dan!

I would not have much use for the Horsfall's knife. You say it is for the reasonably well dressed?

Yes, reasonably well dressed, chouse!
I'm afraid you will have to provide a "selfie" to prove you are not qualified!!

Very nice Charlie

Thanks, Jack!

Nice story Paul, and a cracking knife :thumbup:

I agree with Jack, Paul, about both the story and the knife!
A magnet will tell you if it has steel bolsters.

 

[burnside]

I love looking at these old empires of yours Charlie! Thanks for sharing :thumbup:

 

[wlfryjr]

Guess where this one came from.I kinda pried it from his hands,and it took a little leverage. He knew my love for this pattern. Thanks

Empire farmers jack.Almost 4 1/8"..Looks double stamped.The pivot pin(?) is in the meat of the bolster,instead of the area where the rat tail is located.Very similar in size and construction to a Schrade.I suspect these Empires might have influenced Schrade's design of this pattern,a larger bolster and smaller rat tail.If you look closely at many farmers jacks(aka rooster combs) you can see the pivot pin in the rat tail,where the bolster is at it's thinnest.This one still has great snap on both blades and strong 1/2 stop on the spey.
__________________________________________________________________

 

[waynorth]

Since we already have an Empire thread started, I thought this worthy knife would bring it back in style! Hi Lyle!!
Here is a Swell-Center Balloon style Whittler in all its glory, though slightly abused by some one with too much grit (in their head!)!!
They left some etch visible - I hope you can see it!! The blades are all marked, old style, and the lovely pick-bone precedes George Schrade's jigging machinery, I would say. My guess is right before, or right after WWI was its birthday!! The knife has hardly been carried or used, only abused; thankfully, slightly! Enough complaints!!
It has the larger bolsters of a Balloon Whittler, and the springs are snappy and smooth!! Good example of its type, IMO!!

 

[BeaverTail_Hunter]

Something to look forward to every year!

 

[Un-Chained]

What a company and example Charlie

 

[waynorth]

Something to look forward to every year!

Or, every 5-8 years!!

 

[waynorth]

What a company and example Charlie

Thanks!!

 

[rockman0]

That's a beauty Charlie

 

[waynorth]

That's a beauty Charlie

Thanks, Rob!!
I've posted this one recently, but it deserves a visit to this thread!!

 

[waynorth]

Nice Ebony Jack from the Great Empire Company! I call this shield the "double bump" shield, one of my favorites, and it appears exclusive to Empire!!

 

[waynorth]

5 more old Empires!! The serpentine Jack (4th knife down) Has a cool banner shield that Schrade borrowed in the "Schrade Walden" days, and gave credit!! (called it an "Empire" shield!!)

 

[Un-Chained]

Wowza Charlie... Ridonkeylous display

 

[euroken]

lol, I have just learned of this "Empire" from the threads here. Think I'd see one or two and Charlie pulls out his artillery

 

[waynorth]

lol, I have just learned of this "Empire" form the threads here. Think I'd see one or two and Charlie pulls out his artillery

Empire was one of the biggest knife companies in America, from ~1858 to 1929 ! They made knives and parts for many other brand name companies.
They made scissors for the clothing trades as well as domestic uses. They made straight Razors. Many immigrant cutlers got their starts at Empire!!
Some went on to form Cutlery companies of their own!!

 

[euroken]

Empire was one of the biggest knife companies in America, from ~1858 to 1929 ! They made knives and parts for many other brand name companies.
They made scissors for the clothing trades as well as domestic uses. They made straight Razors. Many immigrant cutlers got their starts at Empire!!
Some went on to form Cutlery companies of their own!!View attachment 1554287

waynorth , Thank you again for the history lesson! So much to learn!

I know I said this before, the amount of knowledge in the porch is absolutely amazing!!!

 

[rockman0]

Man O man, Charlie, the pick bone and fat spear outstanding
The others ain't too shabby either

Thanks, Rob!!
I've posted this one recently, but it deserves a visit to this thread!!View attachment 1554206 View attachment 1554207