Knife Id/info

mitchnola

mitchnola

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Feb 14, 2023
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First time shopping antique knives. Went with the flat white one just because I’ve never seen one like it and a keychain knife because well why not. I don’t think the white one is too old because it has stainless steel. Just curious if anyone is familiar with or has any info on either. Thanks bf!

IMG_4416.jpegIMG_4418.jpeg
 
What do the tang stamps say?

As far as the mini stiletto keychain, Imperial and Hammer Brand both made such knives (Imperial eventually purchased Hammer Brand and acquired the "Jackmaster" name). They were available in a wide variety of "shell wrap" celluloid handles motifs (many more than pictured below).

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killgar said:
What do the tang stamps say?

As far as the mini stiletto keychain, Imperial and Hammer Brand both made such knives (Imperial eventually purchased Hammer Brand and acquired the "Jackmaster" name). They were available in a wide variety of "shell wrap" celluloid handles motifs (many more than pictured below).

View attachment 2785541
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Thanks that looks just like it. I would think it’s definitely a jackMaster. Is this from around the 70’s?

The stamp on the other one says stainless steel and the marking below it seems to be damaged and I can’t make it out.
 
mitchnola said:
Thanks that looks just like it. I would think it’s definitely a jackMaster. Is this from around the 70’s?

The stamp on the other one says stainless steel and the marking below it seems to be damaged and I can’t make it out.
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I don't know the exact years that such knives were made, but I would think older than the 1970's.

The catalog page below is said to be from 1936.

Screenshot 2025-02-09 102401.png
 
killgar said:
I don't know the exact years that such knives were made, but I would think older than the 1970's.

The catalog page below is said to be from 1936.

View attachment 2785602
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Wow, that’s really cool to think that lil sucker survived so long.

This is the best pic I could get of the marking on the other one. Looks like japan except for the last letter. Doesn’t really look like an n.

IMG_4419.jpeg
 
mitchnola said:
This is the best pic I could get of the marking on the other one. Looks like japan except for the last letter. Doesn’t really look like an n.
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I'd say that's definitely "Japan".

Unfortunately without any brand or makers marking I think you just have to chalk it up as a generic groomsman/gentlemen's pocket knife. Multitudes of knives just like it have been made, so I don't think it would be possible to identify it by it's design or appearance alone.
 
killgar said:
I'd say that's definitely "Japan".

Unfortunately without any brand or makers marking I think you just have to chalk it up as a generic groomsman/gentlemen's pocket knife. Multitudes of knives just like it have been made, so I don't think it would be possible to identify it by it's design or appearance alone.
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Thanks for all of the info on them. I figured the white one was nothing special but just liked the design and that the scissors were still functionable.
 
Thanks for all the information fellas. Never ceases to amaze me the amount of knowledge and experience here at BF!!
 
Change in design, change in management? Likely so, after all this time. The coolness remains!

Excellent investigation and response killgar!
 
Delgadonine said:
Change in design, change in management? Likely so, after all this time. The coolness remains!

Excellent investigation and response killgar!
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Thanks, but I deleted my post. Although there are many such knives, and with a variety of markings, and although I've seen several clearly marked "Synanon", I can't say definitively that mitchnola's knife wasn't made by Synanon. So, I decided it wasn't worth disputing.
 
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killgar said:
Thanks, but I deleted my post. Although there are many such knives, and with a variety of markings, and although I've seen several clearly marked "Synanon", I can't say definitively that mitchnola's knife wasn't made by Synanon. So, I decided it wasn't worth disputing.
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Integrity.

Nevertheless, you have it.
 
Just wanted to say, my suggestion of Synanon wasn’t a definitive “this is your knife” post. More of a “check this one, it looks a lot like yours”.

I did notice the branding on the blade that yours doesn’t have.
 
mitchnola said:
Well pm or repost. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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I don't really have anything of value to add. Like I said, I've seen a variety of that type of knife, some branded (Sharpex), some just marked "Rostfrei" (often used by German or European makers as a way of saying "stainless"). And several marked "Japan".

I looked at several Synanon versions, and I noticed the scissors on yours is noticeably different than most of the Synanon ones (yours has a tab on the side for the nail nick, most of the Synanon ones I saw had the nick on the tip of one of the scissor blades). I found several with the same tab not marked Synanon, but then I found one Synanon that had the tab on the side.

Bottom line- I can't say who made your knife, or who didn't make it, nor would I take a guess. I just felt like my post (the one I deleted) came across as me nitpicking 270ultimate's suggestion, and I didn't want to give that impression :) .
 
killgar said:
I don't really have anything of value to add. Like I said, I've seen a variety of that type of knife, some branded (Sharpex), some just marked "Rostfrei" (often used by German or European makers as a way of saying "stainless"). And several marked "Japan".

I looked at several Synanon versions, and I noticed the scissors on yours is noticeably different than most of the Synanon ones (yours has a tab on the side for the nail nick, most of the Synanon ones I saw had the nick on the tip of one of the scissor blades). I found several with the same tab not marked Synanon, but then I found one Synanon that had the tab on the side.

Bottom line- I can't say who made your knife, or who didn't make it, nor would I take a guess. I just felt like my post (the one I deleted) came across as me nitpicking 270ultimate's suggestion, and I didn't want to give that impression :) .
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I really appreciate all the help. I certainly know more about it than I anticipated. Thanks
 
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