WWII Imperial 3 blade Utility

Todd A · Jun 20, 2008

Or it fits the contract requirements at least

.Picked it up locally today.

navihawk · Jun 20, 2008

Outstanding find Todd A. These Imperials have class. They are linked to Schrade?

ky40601 · Jun 20, 2008

Todd,

Nice find.

Jackie

Todd A · Jun 20, 2008

navihawk said:
These Imperials have class. They are linked to Schrade?

That knife,maybe not.Imperial bought Schrade in '48.

navihawk · Jun 20, 2008

Todd A said:
That knife,maybe not.Imperial bought Schrade in '48.

Thanks. I have a memory of a flea.I'll bet that knifes in your hands right now.

thawk · Jun 21, 2008

Glad you posted that knife Todd. Take a look at the one I have. I think it is the same knife. Mine is unbranded, with only a MADE IN USA on the spear blade, making me think it was a contract knife. Mine does have a punch blade on it though. The other blades look just the same as yours.

waynorth · Jun 21, 2008

I love those old Imperials! Both in nice vintage shape, Todd and Thawk! Imperial made beautiful knives, in the best traditions, "back in the day"!

greyelm · Jun 21, 2008

The 3 blade was probably Navy issue. The 4 blade fits the Army issue engineers knife spec. I love the bone on these WW2 knives, they look even better when pocket worn.

thawk · Jun 21, 2008

Todds looks to be in a little better condition than mine, but it is still solid, strong snap on all blades, and has at least twice as much life left in it as I do.

Todd A · Jun 21, 2008

Ditto here, very solid for a 60 year old knife.

Codger_64 · Jun 21, 2008

Todd A said:
That knife,maybe not.Imperial bought Schrade in '48.

in 1942, Ulster Knife and Imperial Knife joined to become Imperial Knife Associated Companies.

Actually, records indicate that Albert Baer, under Ulster, bought Schrade in 1946. Yes, it was, like Ulster, a part of Imperial Knife Associated Companies (IKAC), but Baer owned it. Schrade and Imperial remained associated until Albert bought out the remaining shares of Imperial circa 1983.

Records show that at the end of December, 1983, Imperial Knife Associated Companies Inc., Imperial Knife Co., Inc., of Rhode Island, Schrade Cutlery Corp., Imperial International Corp., and The Knife Shop Outlet Inc. of New York were merged into the Albert M. Baer Corporation of Delaware to become Imperial Schrade Corporation of Delaware.

It was all pretty much a corporate shell game, with Camillus always in the mix, and until his death in 1997, owned and run by Albert Baer.