Ever see one of these before? Of course it's a knife.

[T. Erdelyi]

I know this was a cheap knife and probably not even worthy of this column, but good examples of these cheap pre dollar store knive are becoming more difficult to find.

Because of the low cost and lack of collector interest people use these knives to the point of destruction and just throw them out.

I mean considering they've been in business since 1926, really how many really mint condition older Colonials do you see?

Most of my Colonials were given to me by well meaning friends and relatives who picked 'em up at yard sales and fleamarkets 'cause they knew I collected knives .

I used to keep 'em in my tool box, the trunk of the car, most times someone asked to borrow a knife I'd give 'em a Colonial pen knife.

Somewhere along the line I started to realize that I'd never seen an older Colonial in really nice shape, or one that had scales instead of the tin shell handles, I knew they existed because I'd seen crappy broken ones in a few places.

The neat thing is they made a lot of different afforable knives The Tool knife that came in the little pouch with all the tools that snapped onto the handle, I believe they made those annoying little magic knives, camping knives, even those little Bowie knives we allways wanted as a souvenir of our road trip or vacation.

I apologize for rambling on about a subject probably no one cares about(insert violin music here) but as I started writing this I realized I had more to say on the subject.

So on that note,(remember the violin music ) I'd like to end this post with a plea, a poll and a pic.
A plea to save the old Colonials there are people who collect them, and hey if you don't want yours send them to me(E-mail me and I'll send you a self addressed stamped envelope and a Penny as per tradition), and a pic

A poll to see how many of you actually have a Colonial knife.

Finally a pic of a beautiful Colonial Forrest Ranger with Compass and Magnifying Glass.

 

[Bastid]

I have one a friend gave me last year. Same type of story as yours.

It is a huge (big ol' fat) multiblade with removable fork and spoon. Old but it does not look like it has been used.

If I ever quit buying knives for a while, maybe one day I'll pick up one of dem newfangled digital cameras.

 

[Don Luis]

Yes, though the only old Colonial that I own is a Delrin handled electrician.

These two are Imperial from the now gone Schrade factory in Ireland, carbon steel and originally had the hollow handles. I have rehandled them with hand molded Epoxy putty, they do get some use and carry.

Luis

 

[silenthunterstudios]

Well, it looks nice! I gave an old Colonial barlow to my sister, she saw my huge collection and decided she wanted something in her car. I gave her my Cold Steel Trailguide last month, and I'm giving her a Schrade Uncle Henry stockman as a pre graduation present (never fear, I'm not stupid, I got her a girly gift also). She really uses them, so I guess that's a good thing. She has told me she has too many knives (haven't even given her the Uncle Henry yet).

My youngest sister has taken an interest in the Boker barlow I have, my brother has laid claim to all my tacticals, and my other sister likes my handmade antler handle knife.

I got some knives set aside for them.

 

[shaldag]

now that brings back memories. Had a couple as a kid, wonder whatever happened to them. Maybe my brother has 'em. Along with the lillte gen-u-wine multiblade folder picked up at Buffalo Bill's grave museum for $1..........

 

[Ryan8]

Don,

Nice knives. The Mexican coin in the handle is really interesting and unique too.

 

[TNRat]

When I was growing up I loved the huge knife and fork folders. They were the ultimate survival knives.

I, admittedly, would like to own one someday, just for the sake of owning one. If I remember correctly, they were not that good quality when they were new.

 

[not2sharp]

WWII folding survival knife....

n2s

 

[TNRat]

I tried to buy one of the above at an auction once. It was marked Providence, RI.

I think it sold for around $50, and was in decent shape. Was that a good price?

 

[not2sharp]

Was that a good price?

Terry,
That would depend on the condition; but, most likely yes.

n2s

 

[kapt kopter]

We have never seen too many Colonial knives in western Canada...please correct me if I am wrong but I did buy a Colonial Stockman with Delrin handles at a second hand store south of Bellingham,Wash and it was well worth the $5 I paid.
I took the little guy home,cleaned it up,sharpened it and have even used it a number of times since I bought it years ago.


Kap

 

[lambertiana]

I have at least one that I can think of right now. My wife, knowing all too well my passion for knives, picked up an old Colonial electrician's knife at a yard sale and gave it to me. It has a decent blade. It now resides in her car, ready to be used by her or me whenever the opportunity arises. And for the price, I have no qualms using it for dirty work.

 

[OTguy]

I've got a very modest collection of Colonials and Imperials. Barlows, fish knife, scout knife, etc. I think the gem of the bunch is a fixed blade hunting knife and a Kampking that came in a piggyback sheath,its from the 50's or early 60's I think. Mine is in barely used condition, not bad for its age. One thing about these knives I've noticed is that the carbon steel, although a little on the soft side, does take a razor edge. The piggback set is going to my son when he's old enough. I think it was probably made as a scouting setup in the first place, it'll make a good setup for a youngster.

I still carry some of the rest of the collection from time to time, mostly for nostalgic reasons, but they do work fine as a edc. Nothing I've ever cut with one has complained about me using a cheap old knife for the job.

 

[glennbad]

Actually,

I own quite a few colonials. They fit in with the type of collecting I do (I'm cheap )

It's hard to find ones where the stamped shells have not been dented in some way, and alot of them get rust on the inside of the shell.

I have a few different types of the scout-style knives. I'll check, I think I might even have a couple with solid handles.

Maybe I'll take a few pictures tonight and share tomorrow.

Glenn

 

[Don Luis]

Here's two more Shell handled Imperial Ireland, these still have the sheet steel bolsters but I have replaced the original plastic scales with molded in epoxy putty which makes a nicer and more durable handle

Luis

 

[Bastid]

Some cool looking stuff in this thread.

NTS, I had never seen that model, but knew it was a Colonial from the grinds. I think those grinds were typical of the era.

 

[glennbad]

Okay,

As promised, here is a pic of four colonials in my collection. I didn't dig through the regular slippies, I knew there were a few in with the "scout" patterns.

The bottom left and top right are solid handles, the other two are shell-type forest masters.

While looking for these, I saw a number of Kamp Kings by Imperial, and one or two Kamp Kings by Hammer Brand. If there is interest, I will take a few more pics.

I'm sure my modest collection of tired orphans can't compare to alot of the minty pristine collections that are out there, but I do what I can...

 

[T. Erdelyi]

I love the ones with the compass in the handles, did the compasses ever work?

 

[glennbad]

I think they originally did, but many years later, they don't always move so freely. I wouldn't want to trust my life to one if I were lost.

 

[sunnyd]

I have a dozen or so Colonial's in various conditions and are marked as such. But the following set of Toothpicks that I picked up many moons ago are marked in two lines on the tang: prov.cutlery {over} prov.ri.usa I like these knives, although cheaply made, they even have half stops. Anyway, I was never quite clear if these were Colonial's or not?