Thrifty Thursday... Cheap Traditional Knives

Attractive knife, José! :thumbsup::thumbsup::cool:
Thank you for making the first post to this thread almost every week; that way I can easily find it on the first page! 🤓

A large stockman this week, with Imperial tang stamp and Hammer Brand shield (thanks, Tom). This knife is big, solid, seemingly indestructible, and very pleasing to me.
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- GT
 
Rough Rider trapper -- this was my first Rough Rider and although I generally find trappers to be larger that I like to carry, I bought it to get some experience with the brand. It's quite a nice knife. The nail nick on the spay blade was very shallow, which made it difficult to open, so I cut it a little deeper with a Dremel cutoff wheel. (My only other trapper is a Case yellow Delrin CV which I again bought despite the size because it was such an exceptionally nice knife. And I just heard that they're going to bring back the Wharncliffe trapper. Oh, dear... o_O )

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I found this in the habitat store for $3 on Thursday. Just got around to cleaning and sharpening it today. The steel had rust spots and some other patina, so I forced an even coating with some vinegar. I don’t think this was very expensive in the first place. I remember them being a free gift when you bought a wok back in the 80’s. It is unbranded and as sharp as a razor. View attachment 2473443
 
Having recently acquired this hatchet inspired me to dig through my stash to locate the matching knife I was sure I had. Bingo!
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How long do you think it will take for me to find a reasonably priced orphaned original UTICA sheath to complete the set? Enjoy your Thursday celebration of thriftiness! T-A
 
two of my most thrifty's
1956 to 1988 Imperial (Prov. R.I.) Shell Barlow. (on top)
1988 to 2004 Imperial (Ireland) Shell Barlow. (not on top)

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Not part of my carry this week (unquestionably ither could handle whatever cutting tasks reared its ugly(?) pretty(?) head. 😇
Maybe I'll put one in my pocket next week?

I recall that way back in the dark pre-cellular/"smart"phone/personal computers/laptop/tablet/Internet and Imperial knives are made in Ireland now post 19 and 88 "world" ... SOME otherwise possibly and/or allegedly semi-intellegent quote - unquote "people" (my step-pop, Frank, was counted among them ... 🙄) were convinced the post '88 Prov. R.I. Imperial knife factory burnt down made in Ireland Imperial knives were of "lower quality" and/or "made with substandard materials" resulting in the Ireland made knives being at best ... "not as good as" ... the previous made stateside knives.
(Step pop Frank also swore down & up to his dying second "NEVER BUY A KNIFE MADE BY A GUN COMPANY!!! THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO MAKE A GOOD KNIFE!!!" Please note: I did specify "possibly" and "allegedly" otherwise semi-intellegent "people". 🙄🤣😇.)

My Prov. R.I. and Ireland Imperial shell Barlows are identical. No difference in quality or edge performance.
Despite the decades of use and (potential) abuse they have suffered, nither as a speck of blade wiggly wobbly, and the shells are still tight.

A knife that could (and in many cases did "last a life-time" or "for generations" for under $2.⁰⁰ when new?!?
Seems "thrifty" isn't necessarally a "bad value" thing. 😁👍
 
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