It dawned on me, SAKs are shell handled knives...

PocketKnifeJimmy

PocketKnifeJimmy

Joined
Aug 4, 2013
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So, when we think of a shell handled constructed knife, we usually think of some of the old Imperial's and Colonial's that were made in such a way, (prime example, a Camp King).
But, while I was looking through a box of old miscellaneous pocketknives at the local flea market, I ran across a SAK with it's plastic scales missing. I mean, sure, without it's scales, it did not have the ability to hold a toothpick or tweezers, but that was all it caused... It was still a functional pocketknife.
I guess it's always been obvious that they are a variation of a shell handled pocketknife, but I really never put any thought into it until I ran across the scale-less SAK.
So, am I wrong to look at the typical Swiss Army Knife as being a variation of a shell handled knife?


Btw, being a collector of pocketknives and such, I obviously have a few SAKs in my collection, (their scales being in plastic, wood, and aluminum).
I believe the wood one I have, (a Wenger), has it's scales placed onto it via a double sided type of tape.
 
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PocketKnifeJimmy said:
So, am I wrong to look at the typical Swiss Army Knife as being a variation of a shell handled knife?
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What's this ?
What's this ! ?
I'm about to give away another SAK as a gift and I don't even know what a Shell Handled Knife is ! ! ! !
I've been carrying a decent knife(s) since before 1980 and I din't know what a shell handled knife is.
I've been in this forum for three years and I don't even know what a Shell Handled Knife is ! ! ! !
. . . how can this be ?

Well . . . once again . . . I'm learning something new here :thumbsup: :)

PS:Is my Ritter Grip a shell handled knife ? It's kind of hollow sounding. Causes some sensitive types no end of worry :confused: :rolleyes: . . . for some dambed reason that eludes me entirely.
I love mine :thumbsup: !
 
Wowbagger Wowbagger
On a shell handle knife the covers and bolsters (if present) are not a structural part of the knife.
They are usually stamped tin, held onto the knife by a tab on each end.

EDIT:
There is nothing "wrong" with a knife that uses the shell handle construction.
They were/are simply a lower cost option.
Those made by Schrade, Imperial, Hammer Brand, Colonial, and others all used the same blades in the shell handle knives as they did in their more expensive knives using traditional (and more expensive to make) real bolsters construction.
 
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afishhunter said:
On a shell handle knife the covers and bolsters (if present) are not a structural part of the knife.
They are usually stamped tin, held onto the knife by a tab on each end.
Click to expand...
Thanks !
For what it is worth The Chef bought a shell handled knife for me today while she was at the local junk shop. She was checking out an old stuff shop she had never been to and found a Peanut with the blade stamp :

Imperial
Ireland​

on it. There is a crown above the "ial".
Hahaha there are no shells on the knife; just the liners / frame of the knife. Lots of patina on the plain carbon blades (two blades). Usable but crude.
 
Imperial.
I heard their factory in Providence, RI burned down and they moved production to Ireland.

I have a Providence, RI and a matching Ireland shell handle Barlow.
Not a lot of difference between the two.
 
I would say they're very similar to shell handles. After all no bolsters, and not riveted on. In fact they kinda snap on like Legos right? I carried vic's for years b4 my tacticool phase, never had any covers pop off but one tinker I had they would wiggle around. The shell handle knives I have are mostly pretty well made, with good to excellent walk'n'talk. The Colonial's in particular take and hold a wicked good edge.
 
Misplaced Hillbilly said:
I would say they're very similar to shell handles. After all no bolsters, and not riveted on. In fact they kinda snap on like Legos right? I carried vic's for years b4 my tacticool phase, never had any covers pop off but one tinker I had they would wiggle around. The shell handle knives I have are mostly pretty well made, with good to excellent walk'n'talk. The Colonial's in particular take and hold a wicked good edge.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's exactly how I am looking at them; as being similar to the shell handle construction, (and why I mentioned them being like a variation).

The only "official" shell handled knife I own is a Colonial. I purchased it for three reasons...
* I wanted a representation of a shell handled knife in my collection.
* I realized it was a bit unique in it's blade choices.
* I liked it's totally mint condition.



The shell handled knives were cheaper, and I think often treated as such, (seemed to usually have received less care from their owners). They are usually found pretty beat up and in neglected shape. So, although I run into them often, they are just not in a state that appeals to me.
But, that does not mean I won't add more of them to my collection when/if they meet my standard :)
 
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PocketKnifeJimmy said:
The only "official" shell handled knife I own is a Colonial. I purchased it for three reasons...
* I wanted a representation of a shell handled knife in my collection.
* I realized it was a bit unique in it's blade choices.
* I liked it's totally mint condition.



The shell handled knives were cheaper, and I think often treated as such, (seemed to usually have received less care from their owners). They are usually found pretty beat up and in neglected shape. So, although I run into them often, they are just not in a state that appeals to me. :)
Click to expand...

I have one very similar. I really liked the blade choices as well. The plastic covers have come off the shells on mine, but the blades are in good shape. I got it for less than a dollar, so I'm pretty happy with it.

Sa1Hu8H.jpg


Myself, I actually like picking up some of the shell knives which are in really bad shape if I can get them cheaply enough. I have a few which I got for a quarter or so and refurbished them a bit. Those are the ones which I will try to use up. As said, the blades are a nice carbon steel, and you would be surprised at what those shell handles will take. I picked up this knife for 25 cents. Fixed the broken blade, super glued the loose scales, and added an easy open notch and this ugly duckling has been worked pretty hard.

ctNCLd3.jpg
 
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