Providence Cutlery Campmaster

M

mp510

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Mar 20, 2006
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A few months ago, I acquired 2 Providence Cutlery Campmasters, which are made in Providence Rhode Island. They seem to be nice, decent quality tools, that are very affordable ($2.50 each). They feature bottle and can openers, an awl, a knife blade, and a lanyard ring. Interestingly, the design is similar to the old Colonial Woodsmaster, however Providence Cutlery is a seperate company. The blade is not stamped as to what material it is, but I would tend to assume that it is stainless, since I am yet to get staining. Anybody else have any more info on these or the maker?

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Just a guess...

Your knife was most likely made by either Imperial or Colonial and marketed under a different "brand" by a company that didn't actually make knives, kinda like how Cold Steel does buisness. This practice is very common in the knife industry and it often takes a little digging to find out who actually makes what and for whom. For a little more info on Imperial made, shell handle knives, stop by the Schrade sub-forum and take a look, there is a current related thread and some old ones to search.
 
OTguy said:
Just a guess...

Your knife was most likely made by either Imperial or Colonial and marketed under a different "brand" by a company that didn't actually make knives, kinda like how Cold Steel does buisness. This practice is very common in the knife industry and it often takes a little digging to find out who actually makes what and for whom. For a little more info on Imperial made, shell handle knives, stop by the Schrade sub-forum and take a look, there is a current related thread and some old ones to search.
Click to expand...

Actually Providence Cutlery Company was a manufacturer in Providence and made their own knives, as far as I know not related to Imperial or Colonial, but more likely a "spinoff" maybe by an employee or employees from one of those companies. I saw their manufacturing plant in the mid 80's, don't know how much longer they were in business.

They made a variety of cheapo slipjoints, and their knive are a bit different than Imperials and Coloinals. There was another company in RI called Ideal Knife Company that also made similar inexpensive knives.
 
Thanks knifeaholic, thats good info. I didn't know that there were other companies that made shell handle knives in the US other than Imp. and Col. Its very interesting to see all these different companies that made this style of knife centered around the Providence area. I think its a important, but under appreciated and explored, part of US cutlery history.
 
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