Knives with years under their belts, but remain new...

PocketKnifeJimmy

PocketKnifeJimmy

Joined
Aug 4, 2013
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Obviously, we here in this forum are a mixed group of knife users and knife collectors... but all knife people :)
Anyhow, some of you may relate with me on this one... Knives that you have inherited, purchased, been gifted, or in some other way, come into your hands in mint unused condition. Knives produced 15, 30, 50, 75, or maybe 100 or more years ago... but are as new as they left the factory.
I will start with this Colonial made shell handled knife. She is likely a 1960/1970's vintage, but absolutely in new unused condition. Because these types were considered pretty darned cheap knives back in the day, I am surprized it was somehow maintained in this condition, but I know this happens, and knives (and other items) can be found this way. This particular knife has a unique set of blades, and it makes it somewhat unique for what would normally be a camping style pocket knife...

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This Colonial is likely the same vintage, but being a novelty, it's not surprizing that these are probably much more common to be found in new condition (as this one is), and that's because they probably just got stored away as a doo-dad.

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Here is what I believe is likely an early 1960's Sears Craftman Barlow...

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Schrade Craftsman #95068 stockman made in late '70s, mint but no box.
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I just recently purchased this Schrade Walden #881Y, literally brand new in the original packaging, from 1975.
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Virtually new Queen swell center jack from the mid to late '50s.
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Slight patina, but no gassing or blade loss on this Robeson ShurEdge equal end jack, made between the World Wars.
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I wonder the same thing Jimmy; found this new Case 6214 1/2 in a pawnshop last week - it was made in 1974 and is still unused. OH

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This Ulster Old Timer 58OT I found last January at a collectibles shop - still in it's box from the Prince Albert premium of the late 1960's. There are enough "new" old knives out there that a lot of people besides collectors must buy knives and put them in a drawer. OH

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Thanks gents for the compliments on the Case jack. Jimmy, the Colonial camp knife you have there has the most interesting combination of blades I have seen on a camp knife - love the big Sheepfoot main blade! OH
 
Thanks, I too found it to be very unique, and is the reason I decided to purchase it. Truth be told, because it is a shell handled knife, I would have not even considered it (stupidity on my part)... but am glad I now have something to represent shell handles in my collection. Am still allowing myself to slowly accept things that I may not have considered in the past... It's that whole "old dog, new tricks" thing.... lol! ;)
 
PocketknifeJimmy, by way of contrast here is the same knife from your first post in carried and used condition.
I love the blade configuration, and it even has half stops! This was my dad's scout knife.

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I guess that's all I have to contribute here - all of my old knives just look plain old :D
 
my AUII Falcon goes better than a Model T as well. some pics to follow tho I fear you have opened a pandoras box .nice one dude.:D
 
Sonnemann said:
PocketknifeJimmy, by way of contrast here is the same knife from your first post in carried and used condition.
I love the blade configuration, and it even has half stops! This was my dad's scout knife.

photo1_zps5c87ab81.jpg

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I guess that's all I have to contribute here - all of my old knives just look plain old :D
Click to expand...

Totally cool, thanks for sharing that picture!
Btw, do you know about what age it actually is? Thanks in advance :)
 
I'm a big fan of the tin shell knives from Colonial and Imperial, you used to be able to find many mint condition knives for a good price and many people are/were given these brands by NKP, most of us just put them in a drawer because they were gifts and there they sat.

Now with the next generation of collectors coming up these are disappearing but here's one that's from the 50s and looks as good today as it did 65 years ago.

Here's a nice Colonial Forest Master complete with ballchain Magnifyin' Glass and Compass, ya rarely find these whole in one piece.

The scales are hard black plastic the blades are stainless, the stamping is

COLONIAL
PROV.USA

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Both Colonial and Imperial made higher end knives with premium materials but they really never sold. Most people of they wanted a better knife bought Schrade, Queen, Case Robeson and usually associated Colonial/Imperial's product with a throw away attitude, (except little boys) back in the 50s and 60s this was probably the biggest seller for first knives for boys back in the day, enough pestering dad at the hardware store when we saw them on the card by the register with that $1 price tag. Usually dad would spend the $1 give you the knife and tell you not to let your mother know you have it.

That led to many boys hiding their treasured knife so mom didn't find it and of course as little boys do, forget where they his their treasures. Every one in a while one gets found sitting on the rafters in the attic or stick it in a cigar box shortly there after finding out about girls and abandoning his knife for more pubescent interests. ;)
 
It makes me wonder what the cost would have to be at today if Some U.S. knife firms still made similar shell handle knives... guessing maybe $20 on an average, maybe? Hmmm... we'll likely never know that answer, since I doubt GEC, Case, or Queen is planning any such runs. Truth is, I'd have to own one if they ran a limited run of something like that :)
 
I have some unused old knives. Some are apparent that they just got thrown in a drawer when new and found later during an estate sale. Some of the Imperial "trinket knives" fall into this catagory. A couple really make me wonder their genesis from maker to retailer to buyer and down through the years.

A hawkbill fixed blade utility knife made by Camillus prewar for Woolworths? I mean, this is the typical working knife pattern. How it escaped life in a workman's tool box is a mystery.

And again, a Schrade Cut Co electricians knife, prewar again, blades still shine and the etch is full, handle wood unmarred and chatoyant. Why would it not get used at some point in the past 70 or more years?

A few are easier to figure like the Schrade Walden 165OT Woodsman I bought not long ago. New it it's original gift box with sheath, papers and sharpening stone, it is serial number 00009. Most likely a salesman's sample made in 1966 before production ramped up in 1967. A natural inclination of a new owner of these knives was to try out the included coarse carborundum stone on the blade and many otherwise unused examples display the unfortunate marks of an enthusiastic new owner's first meeting with these knives and stones. But "old #9" does not.

Limited editions, most often gift boxed in fitted trays seem to have a higher survival rate in unused condition, naturally, than regular production knives. I have several of these, mostly of the Sharpfinger pattern, some scrimshaw versions and others special factory orders for other companies and organizations.
 
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