Pair of Providence Imperials

[daizee]

Hi All,

you've collectively inspired me to waste time at the flea market again... for shame.

I picked up these two Imperial Kamp Kings for what was probably too much, and was still very little. At least I'm fairly certain the main blade is far more functional than any modern hardware store counter knife for the same money! I bought them (separate vendors) because they were made in Providence, and I live in RI - former home of LOTS of toolmakers.

Based on an image of Imperial marks found here, these are from the two most recent eras, but the older one is still no more recent than 1956.

They show considerable differences, including:
* different bail
* thicker liners/spacers (and brass) on the older
* better grinding on the older
* better seating of the main blade on the older (or serious wear on the newer?)
* small vs. large pins securing the plastic covers
* sharper stampings on blade and shield on the older
* different tuning of the springs
* different sized shields
* different faux jigging patterns on the covers
* different overall weight (older is heavier - thicker brass liners?)

The newer is on the left, the older on the right.
In THIS case, older IS better!

I'm considering taking apart the newer one to plan replacement of the covers on the older one... is this blasphemy for a $10 knife? Neither is likely to get much use as-is, but with clean shadow micarta or G10 covers and cleaned up internals I think it might make a nice gift and get some use.
Thoughts?

 

[R.c.s]

Hi All,

you've collectively inspired me to waste time at the flea market again... for shame.

I picked up these two Imperial Kamp Kings for what was probably too much, and was still very little. At least I'm fairly certain the main blade is far more functional than any modern hardware store counter knife for the same money! I bought them (separate vendors) because they were made in Providence, and I live in RI - former home of LOTS of toolmakers.

Based on an image of Imperial marks found here, these are from the two most recent eras, but the older one is still no more recent than 1956.

They show considerable differences, including:
* different bail
* thicker liners/spacers (and brass) on the older
* better grinding on the older
* better seating of the main blade on the older (or serious wear on the newer?)
* small vs. large pins securing the plastic covers
* sharper stampings on blade and shield on the older
* different tuning of the springs
* different sized shields
* different faux jigging patterns on the covers
* different overall weight (older is heavier - thicker brass liners?)

The newer is on the left, the older on the right.
In THIS case, older IS better!

I'm considering taking apart the newer one to plan replacement of the covers on the older one... is this blasphemy for a $10 knife? Neither is likely to get much use as-is, but with clean shadow micarta or G10 covers and cleaned up internals I think it might make a nice gift and get some use.
Thoughts?

Very nice find daizee :thumbup: its springs to mind that old saying ( they don't make them like they used too )

 

[daizee]

Very nice find daizee :thumbup: its springs to mind that old saying ( they don't make them like they used too )

Quite true in this case.
On the other hand, GEC is also making 'em WAY better! (at 8x the price...)

I sure saw a lot of old junk today.
And a lot of NEW junk too! The mall ninja stalls never fail to disappoint.

 

[Codger_64]

The Kamp King was produced for many years and it is not surprising that there were a lot of production changes over those years. The reason it was so popular and sold so well didn't change. And remain the same today. Utility and price point. Colonial was the closet market and model competitor. Though most cutleries made a similar pattern. At a higher pricepoint. If you will search, you will find other variants of the pattern made over the years. They make a neat mini-collection. There is even a combo set with a fixed blade in a sheath that holds both.

And you are correct about the current value. They were not expensive when new and have low demand and market value now. Still neat old knives made by real cutlers with good steel and heat treat. No sacrilege in modding one.

 

[screened porch]

I've glued handles on a lot of those, and added bolsters to one. They're good knives under the irritating covers.

 

[daizee]

I've glued handles on a lot of those, and added bolsters to one. They're good knives under the irritating covers.

ooh, any tips? I've never modded a slip-joint before - only modern folders.

 

[screened porch]

There are tutorials around here by people better at it than I am.
The easy way is to peel off the sheet-metal handle covers and glue on the material of your choice. You could also glue on some faux bolsters, I suppose. The hard way is to chop the pivot pins and put new pins through your added bolsters. In Imperial Barlows, at least, the pins seem to be steel- they don't chop easily and they take divots out of the knife you use to chop them.