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Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on May 10, 2015 at 20:54

I've been looking at photos of #78 Stockmans, and it indeed looks very much like that frame, except for the swage on the master blade, (one side only). I didn't see any of the Camillus versions with that feature, but that could just be a Sears spec thing possibly? I also found photos of a slightly smaller Craftsman Stockman, supposedly made by Schrade, but the bolsters were a slightly different shape than on this knife, (not as squared).

Here are photos of each side of the master blade:

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by John McCain on May 11, 2015 at 18:14

Syd-- Easier to date your Craftsman than to tell who made it-- Your stockman has the " crown Craftsman" shield-- Introduced in 1959-1960. So your knife dates to circa-1959-60's,- As to who made it, very little is known about who made what for Craftsman--The  time frame fits into the Schrade-Walden period of Craftsman knives, although Ulster, Camillus,Imperial, and possibly even Western and Colonial made knives for them-- Records are pretty much non-existent, but my guess would be either Camillus or Schrade-Walden..

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Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on May 11, 2015 at 18:39

Thanks so much John, that means it is actually a little older than I thought, I probably saw these for sale at Sears in my youth. I found a photocopy of the Sears catalog online, (not dated), which showed this exact knife at a catalog price of $2.49, so that tells you something about the time frame. At that time, even though US made, it would have been considered a "cheap" knife, a step below a $5 Schrade, (we considered Schrades to be mid-priced/mid-quality knives at that time in the world), and a long way from a Buck or Case, which would have sold for around $10-$15, (and gas was less than .29 per gallon believe it or not). Ah, the good 'ol days!!. Wish I had bought a truckload of all of the above and stuck 'em in a closet....if we only knew!!

John McCain said:

Syd-- Easier to date your Craftsman than to tell who made it-- Your stockman has the " crown Craftsman" shield-- Introduced in 1959-1960. So your knife dates to circa-1959-60's,- As to who made it, very little is known about who made what for Craftsman--The  time frame fits into the Schrade-Walden period of Craftsman knives, although Ulster, Camillus,Imperial, and possibly even Western and Colonial made knives for them-- Records are pretty much non-existent, but my guess would be either Camillus or Schrade-Walden..

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by John McCain on May 11, 2015 at 19:29

My latest pawn shop purchase- I paid a whopping $9.- A 1945-1960 O.V.B. knife ( Our Very Best), distributed by Hibbard, Spencer, & Bartlett, a major wholesale and retail hardware firm out of Chicago. They later became known as True Value Hardware. Anyhow, here are before & after pics of the knife after a little TLC---

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Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on May 11, 2015 at 19:43

Great find!! What is your "TLC" method John?

John McCain said:

My latest pawn shop purchase- I paid a whopping $9.- A 1945-1960 O.V.B. knife ( Our Very Best), distributed by Hibbard, Spencer, & Bartlett, a major wholesale and retail hardware firm out of Chicago. They later became known as True Value Hardware. Anyhow, here are before & after pics of the knife after a little TLC---

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by John McCain on May 11, 2015 at 21:33

Syd- I answered my method here--

http://iknifecollector.com/forum/topics/how-do-you-clean-you-vintag...

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Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on May 17, 2015 at 17:59

Meager swap meet finds this week, but I did come up with a 2 5/8" single blade pen knife with a "HIT USA" tang stamp for $3. I searched the web for any info on the stamp/brand, but turned up zilch. Still, for $3 it's a good find. I kinda like the tiny little brass "tip" bolsters on this one. I guess you could call this a key chain knife?

Also found an old rusty, (but whole), Imperial "Scout" knife today, also for $3, but have it soaking in a tub with aluminum foil at the moment to remove the active rust. I'll post photos of that one when it is more presentable.

Anybody ever hear of a "HIT USA" knife?

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by John McCain on May 17, 2015 at 19:46

Syd-Your HIT USA knife was made by Colonial-- circa- 1950-1960's- Virtually every example of a HIT USA knife has been this same pattern with the ring attachment, although I did find one in a 2 blade-- Many of them were used as advertising knives-- One I found advertised a golf event with the date 1965-- Not worth a whole lot, but probably 4 0r 5 times what you paid-- Still a neat little knife.-- Very little info available on these HIT knives.

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on May 17, 2015 at 21:04

I wonder if Steve P @ Colonial would remember who HIT was

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Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on May 17, 2015 at 21:11

Thanks John, you always seem to know at least something about every knife I find, I wasn't able to find one reference to it at all. I'm not surprised though, I have seen other Colonials that resemble this knife, so that makes sense.

I also cleaned up the Imperial "Scout" I found today, but haven't got a decent photo yet, I'll have to wait for daylight and post them tomorrow. That knife cleaned up very nicely, better than I expected, and is complete including the bail, so that one was a good find for $3 too. It came out so nice I'll probably post photos of that one on the "How Do You Clean Your Knives" thread, and will describe the procedure I used. It will look good next to it's all-metal "Kamp King" twin.

As usual I owe you my thanks John.

John McCain said:

Syd-Your HIT USA knife was made by Colonial-- circa- 1950-1960's- Virtually every example of a HIT USA knife has been this same pattern with the ring attachment, although I did find one in a 2 blade-- Many of them were used as advertising knives-- One I found advertised a golf event with the date 1965-- Not worth a whole lot, but probably 4 0r 5 times what you paid-- Still a neat little knife.-- Very little info available on these HIT knives.

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Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on May 17, 2015 at 21:16

Syd,  you made me go looking for a similar knife I found at a church rummage sale   I bought it at the same time I bought the golf knife. I think they were the only knives at the sale.

Alas this one is devoid of any markings whatsoever -- other than the hot stamp "Souvenir of Florida"  I think I paid a $1.  Either that or I bundle it in with some shot glasses. Hard to remember.

The things you'll buy when the picking are slim!

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Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on May 17, 2015 at 21:26

Hi Jan. You actually know someone who worked at Colonial? It would be cool if he could enlighten us on "HIT USA". I was pleased at this knife's condition, the blade is tight, sharp, and after a bit of oil it snaps shut like it should. There are a few spots on the blade, but that's to be expected for it's age, (I have  a few "spots" too due to age). It's hangin' on my knife stump by it's chain right now, right up front.

Jan Carter said:

I wonder if Steve P @ Colonial would remember who HIT was

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