Holley Knives: Here’s a challenge for Charlie…

[EngrSorenson]

I came across this amazing collection in Salisbury, just down the road from the original factory in Lakeville, CT. I didn’t know about this company, but the collection has a lot of knives I’d find personally very useful. It was in operation for a little over a hundred years!

I wonder what waynorth has from these guys… or anyone else for that matter!

 

[RoyalHolic]

Never heard of them, seems like they use tortoise a lot which is pretty cool.

Looks like they made knives from 1844 to 1946 which is a good run.

 

[lambertiana]

I only have one

 

[waynorth]

I don't believe I've ever owned a Holley!! Spectacular collection, Mr. Sorenson!!
In a Museum??
I hope we see some more Holley pix in this thread!! A legendary company, and collectors have gobbled up almost all examples I fear!!

 

[EngrSorenson]

I don't believe I've ever owned a Holley!! Spectacular collection, Mr. Sorenson!!
In a Museum??
I hope we see some more Holley pix in this thread!! A legendary company, and collectors have gobbled up almost all examples I fear!!

Yessir, on display in a small town building in Salisbury. Came across it completely by accident.

I’m shocked you don’t have one!

 

[waynorth]

Yessir, on display in a small town building in Salisbury. Came across it completely by accident.

I’m shocked you don’t have one!

Thank you!!
It's not for lack of looking that I don't have one. They are definitely rare in the wild!!

 

[GaiusJulius]

Any relation to the esteemed maker of carburetors?

 

[PointyThings]

From a bit of Googling, it seems that display was put together by Holly for the 1876 Centennial Exhibition. Here is a link to the association's Facebook page with posts about the display: https://www.facebook.com/salisburyassociation/

 

[Rookie82]

At a knife show years ago, I remember a women going around to every table in the building asking if there were any Holley knives she could buy. And leaving her card saying that any knives that the dealers could locate for her, let her know and she would buy them all.

I assume there are some very respectable Holley displays out there in private collections.

 

[EngrSorenson]

Any relation to the esteemed maker of carburetors?

Not likely. Started out as a foundry smelting iron before becoming a knife company, then folding in the 40’s.

 

[ZHoovie]

What an awesome display! They apparently had quite the selection available! Thanks for sharing this

 

[GaiusJulius]

It’s interesting to see that what they were most proud of were their extensive offerings of equal end penknives and congress knives of various types. They have a few token “big” knives but the expensive, nicely made ones were the ones to show off, it seems.

 

[afishhunter]

It’s interesting to see that what they were most proud of were their extensive offerings of equal end penknives and congress knives of various types. They have a few token “big” knives but the expensive, nicely made ones were the ones to show off, it seems.

I dunno ... that large Sportsman with built in single shot .22 rimfire &drop-down trigger (top horizontal large knife) is pretty impressive & looks well built.

I wouldn't want to shoot a modern smokekess .22 Short in it, since it was probably designed for the now long discontinued lower pressure black powder .22 short cartridge.