hammer forged imperial hammer

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Pompano

Joined
Jul 25, 2006
Messages
9
Seems to be a learned bunch here concerning schrades. Do you guys do Imperial as well? Here is a knife that recently closed on eBay. Strange thing is, I have one just like it, that I thought was somehow modified. Please note the blades, the depressions on them. The knife was advertised as hammer forged and I wonder is the depressions were faux hammering marks?
Unlike any imperial hammer I have seen, as it does not have the usual pat numberings on the tang. And has the arm & hammer shield which is new to me. This knife is of the inexpensive crimp on handle variety. Handles are faux saw cut.
Pompano
427839.jpg
 
Chevrolet is to General Motors and Schrade was to Imperial Schrade. Yes, we do follow the Imperials, and the Ulsters too, all a part of Imperial Schrade. Albert Baer, majority owner of the privately held cutlery corporation, expressed repeatedly his philosophy that a man should be able to buy an entry level knife for the same or just a bit more than an hour's wages.

"Years ago, when we made 50 cent pocket knives, we paid less than 50 cents an hour. I am sure no one expects that we are going to cut wages in 1978. In fact, we know we will have to keep pace with other industries. If someone works an hour to own a knife, then you can see why better grade merchandise is selling."
From the 1977 year end address to the Imperial Knife Associated Companies, Inc. by Albert Baer, Chairman of the Board.

Here is a listing from a 1974 Belknap supply catalog showing your knife and telling a bit about it.


Hope this is helpful.

Codger
 
Dang, Codg...

Beat me to it. I had the same pics all ready to go, but Photobucket wasn't working.

Glenn
 
Glen, I am under the impression that the Hammerbrand knives were not hammer forged, but the faux hammer marks were applied with the blanking die, or a seperate die before grinding like the Old Hickory knives Ontario still makes today. Does anyone know for sure?

Codger
 
Codg,

I don't know for sure either, but would say with alot of confidence that they are not hammer forged.

ImperialBi1.jpg


I think if you looked at enough of these, you would see the forge patterns repeat. also, look at the description. It never says that they are hammer forged, only have the "look", or bear the distinctive marks of the blacksmith forge.

Hammer2.jpg


Lastly, would Imperial go to all the trouble to hammer forge these blades, and then put a shell handle on them? I wouldn't think so, but who knows...

Thanks for your question.

Glenn
 
Pompano,
Welcome to the Schrade Forum.

The only thing I would to what Codger & Glenn have already said, is in regards to the arm & hammer shield. This was used on the tang stamps of Hammer Brand knives. As I recall from earlier postings, Imperial bought Hammer Brand (or at least the brand name) and used it on a lot of their lower end knives, some of which are pretty nice. If I am mistaken, Codger or Glenn can set the record straight.

If you use the search function and search the forum you will find a number of postings & pictures of Hammer Brand knives.

Dale
 
You are correct, Dale. That knife is proof, with the "hammer brand" stamp on the shield. Even more so with the label on the catalog listing, that says "Hammer Brand pocket knives".

Wraps things up nicely, IMO.

Glenn
 
here is a 3 knife set I recently picked up at auction:

knives032.jpg

knives033.jpg

knives039.jpg

knives038.jpg

knives042.jpg

knives046.jpg

knives045.jpg


I really doubt that they were hammer forged
 
Yup, that pattern appears to repeat, especially at the nail nick/pull on the master blade, as Ratman's pictures show.

Cool knives though. I'll have to look for one of those fellows.

Bill
 
Yikes! You guys just don't answer a question simply do you? And for that I thank you! I was under no illusion that the knife blade was actually hammer forged, and honestly, as I do have hammer forged knives, they bear little resemblence to this one. But I do understand marketing. Thanks for showing other examples of this knife, they are lovely, for such inexpensive items.

Unlike even the professional forum I belong to, many of you sign with your real names, not handles, so I will do the same. Many thanks again to all of you.

Pam
 
And thank you for bringing your question to us Pam. When a good question is asked, we all learn a lot. As you can see, it sends us digging into reference books, old catalogs, and our collections and archives. Since there is no comprehensive reference book for IKAC knives, this forum and the "Uncle Henry's Lost Souls" who inhabit it are the next best thing. Come back often!

Michael ;)
 
Hammer forging of pocket knife blades (ay least in the USA) died out with WWII. In fact, most if not all of the major pocket knife manufacturers abandoned it before WWII, probably in the early 30's. Strictly a marketing gimmick.
 
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