Mystery of 'The Jack'

M

micah32

Joined
Nov 28, 2016
Messages
8
Hello all, I've been reading your forums for the last few months and finally decided to join.

What led me here in the first place is a question, a mystery if you will. My grandfather gave me this knife and I haven't been able to identify it. The tang stamp is etched in cursive and it's very hard to make out, particularly in photo's. My best guess as to what it says is 'The Jack'. That may or may not be what it says but that's the reason I'm posting. So without further adew...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/-/272467358240?

I made an e-bay listing for it just so that I could post a url for the pictures.

Any responses would be welcome!
 
In this particular case, I don't have a problem with posting an eBay link. Although it is a novel way to post a picture.
 
Heh. Heh.

The knife looks like a Colonial but it's just a guess based on the construction of the knife and ignoring the stamp. The photos are out of focus and I'm not sure if the stamp is original or not. It may or may not be. If it's not Colonial it is a similar budget brand. It's easiest to get clear photos using indirect natural light during the day. Also, if you have a macro function on your camera (looks like a flower) you should enable it.
 
Are you not supposed to post links? I read that you can't have attachments, I didn't think that referred to links. I apologize.

-Micah
 
supratentorial said:
Heh. Heh.

The knife looks like a Colonial but it's just a guess based on the construction of the knife and ignoring the stamp. The photos are out of focus and I'm not sure if the stamp is original or not. It may or may not be. If it's not Colonial it is a similar budget brand. It's easiest to get clear photos using indirect natural light during the day. Also, if you have a macro function on your camera (looks like a flower) you should enable it.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the info! The pictures are pretty bad I agree, I'll try the indirect light tomorrow.
 
micah32 said:
Are you not supposed to post links? I read that you can't have attachments, I didn't think that referred to links. I apologize.

-Micah
Click to expand...

Normally we don't link to live eBay auctions.
This one is an exception, as it's obviously not for sale.
 
It has the general style of a colonial or an imperial kamp king, and I suspect that it could've been made by colonial as they produced knives for different brands such as Sabre and edge co to name a few. It could also have been made in Japan but who knows.
 
micah32 said:
Hello all, I've been reading your forums for the last few months and finally decided to join.

What led me here in the first place is a question, a mystery if you will. My grandfather gave me this knife and I haven't been able to identify it. The tang stamp is etched in cursive and it's very hard to make out, particularly in photo's. My best guess as to what it says is 'The Jack'. That may or may not be what it says but that's the reason I'm posting. So without further adew...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/-/272467358240?

I made an e-bay listing for it just so that I could post a url for the pictures.

Any responses would be welcome!
Click to expand...





Hello Micah.Welcome to Bladeforums.


Its not a Colonial but was made in the same city, Providence Rhode Island.



The knife you posted is made by The Ideal Knife Co. Its called The Camper. They went out of business in the mid 80's.



attachment.php
 
Very nice, Mauser! I always enjoy seeing elements of your collection.
 
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Thank you all for the 'welcomes'! Special thanks to B. Mauser for identifying the knife! It had been driving me crazy lol.

I ended the auction as I had no intent of selling it without knowing anything about it, which is why I listed it so high, I didn't think anyone would bid on it. I apologize for the live auction link, I will figure out a different way to post pictures in the future.

I've enjoyed hearing from you all and I'll be looking forward to more discussions!
 
B.Mauser said:
Hello Micah.Welcome to Bladeforums.


Its not a Colonial but was made in the same city, Providence Rhode Island.



The knife you posted is made by The Ideal Knife Co. Its called The Camper. They went out of business in the mid 80's.



attachment.php
Click to expand...

Thank you so much B. Mauser! I'm astounded that you figured that out from my poorly taken photos.
 
B.Mauser, Good call on the brand. I don't see a bail or a pin hole for a bail in the OP's photo. Was the camper made with or without a bail?

s-l1600.jpg


B.Mauser said:
attachment.php
Click to expand...

Also the blade appears to be a clip with a saber grind. But there seems to be other Ideal campers made with this style of blade instead of the spear shown on the display.

488a48e7e456ffd7e7039fcf522dde78.jpg


micah32, Does your knife have four blades?
 
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Good eye. I thought the bail was out of frame in the picture. There was a model that looked like a Camper but had no bail. It was called the Handy Andy.





Edited to add these pics.

attachment.php


attachment.php
 
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Hickory n steel said:
It has the general style of a colonial or an imperial kamp king, and I suspect that it could've been made by colonial as they produced knives for different brands such as Sabre and edge co to name a few. It could also have been made in Japan but who knows.
Click to expand...

supratentorial said:
B.Mauser, Good call on the brand. I don't see a bail or a pin hole for a bail in the OP's photo. Was the camper made with or without a bail?

s-l1600.jpg




Also the blade appears to be a clip with a saber grind. But there seems to be other Ideal campers made with this style of blade instead of the spear shown on the display.

488a48e7e456ffd7e7039fcf522dde78.jpg


micah32, Does your knife have four blades?
Click to expand...

Mine only has 2 blades, both on the same end of the knife. The second blade is smaller.
 
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