I collect Pimbles, and recently e-mailed The current trademark owner, Blue Grass Cutlery seeking some information. Here is the reply hope this helps.
From: bluegrasscutlery/s-denterprises <sa>
To: Jeff Mandrell <removed>
Date: Sunday, August 1, 2004, 1:03:45 PM
Subject: Primble Knives?
Files: <none>
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Since Blue Grass Cutlery has acquired John Primble knives from the bankruptcy court in 1985,
we have produced John Primble knives under:
John Primble, Louisville, Ky,
John Primble knives, Maysville, Ky.,
and John Primble knives, Manchester, Ohio.
We are presently introducing a line of John Primble knives, known as the
American Legend Series. Some of this series will be made here in Manchester,
Ohio, and also as John Primble over the years before we have acquired it,
John Primbles were made overseas for a while and Germany was one of the
countries of which made some of the John Primbles. Some of the legend
series will be made in the Orient, however, we made all new tooling and
they are of the highest quality at a price that anyone can afford.
However, part of that series will be made here in Manchester, Ohio.
As most people do shop for price, an awful lot of the American companies
are really being hit hard with the pressure of the low cost of wages in the Orient.
We at the present time are expanding our ability and resources to make the knives
here in the USA, however, as with anything that this is done, the price of the
end product will be higher, however, once you see it , the product will justify the
difference.
Hope this information is of some value to you.
Thanks for your interest in John Primble knives and Blue Grass Cutlery.
Blue Grass Cutlery, Inc., Manchester, Ohio 45144
Anyway, I'm just curious. Prices look good if they are american made.
I don't guess I'll order any from SMKW as the catalog doesn't state where these are made.