Imperial, Colonial, and Ideal Knife Companies...Related?

sweeneytoad

sweeneytoad

Joined
Apr 16, 2013
Messages
20
I recently found a bunch of vintage pocket knives made by Imperial, Colonial, and Ideal Knife Companies. The tang stamp states Providence, RI on all three of these knife brands/companies...coincidence? Or were these companies under the same ownership?
 
Imperial and Colonial were not under the same ownership. One of the founders (Frederick Paolantonio) of Colonial did work for Imperial before Colonial was formed in 1926.
Don't know about Ideal.

Welcome to the forum.....Bruno :)
 
I believe that there were cousins in the two companies, Imperial and Colonial. Most of the principals in both immigrated here from the same region, Campobasso area of Italy, Frosolone. I'm not too sure about the Ideal company but I will look into it when I get time. AFAIK, from the interviews with principals and decendants of the other two, they located their cutleries in Providence mainly to be near their biggest customers in early years, the jewelry industry. Both started business making skeletons of Waldemars, pocket watch chain fob knives to which the jewelers added custom covers in various designs and sometimes precious metals.

I found this with a brief search of the forum:

Hawkbill said:
Well, let's see...
Levine's 4th ed says Ideal Knife Co trademark IDEAL/U.S.A. was located in Providence, RI operated from 1926-c. 1986 .

Voyle's 2nd ed says about the same.

And Goins' says in addition to what is listed above that Dominick & Michael Marseli, with Phillip Magioni founded the company. They went to shell-handle construction in the late 1930's.

Values for this brand are not listed, but generally in the low-end of desireablity.
Click to expand...
 
The current owner of Colonial posts in the Levine area of the forum. He seems nice and likes to give information. Try contacting the company directly.
 
brownshoe said:
The current owner of Colonial posts in the Levine area of the forum. He seems nice and likes to give information. Try contacting the company directly.
Click to expand...

Steve does not own the company. He has though worked there for quite a few years.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top