I'm guessing more than a few of us are also history buffs.  Which is the focus of this post which features a somewhat common knife  that maybe worth about 50¢.  The knife in question is one of those cheaply made advertising knives.  In this case, one from about 80 years ago.

Parks' Dry Goods Ad Knife

I got the knife as part of bundle of junk knives.  I think I got Five knives for around $3.  One of those was the Pink Victorinox shown in my Pen Knife photo album. 

When this knife arrived it was so corroded that the blades wouldn’t open so I soaked it for a day in Liquid Wrench and then cleaned it with WD40 and then extremely hot water.   The knife works like a charm, now.  As it was obvious that the blades had both been used and this thing was not really a collector’s item, I decided to have a go at sharpening the blades. In no time I was able to get the main blade razor sharp with a wet stone and 600 grit sand paper. Same for the little pen

The handles are inexpensive stamped metal which double as the liners. The blades snap to the half open and full open position.  They also close with a pretty good snap.  Considering its age, its intended purpose, and less than stellar quality of construction, the fit & finish, walk & talk ,  and stay & play are all quite remarkable.

Having nothing better to do and being a Student of History, I decided to find out more about the knife and the company it advertised. (More or less to get my $3 worth.)

The main blade is stamped “H RASCHNER /  GERMANY” on one side and “DIAMOND”  with a Diamond etch above the word  on the other.   I couldn’t find much of anything about the knife company.  (I'm all ears if you know about the cutler.)

Parks Dry Goods was a different story.

Knife is inscribed on both sides: 

PARKS DRY GOODS Co.

OUTFITTERS FOR ALL MANKIND

ROGERS ARK.

Parks Dry Goods was a major mercantile retailer in Rogers* Arkansas that declared bankruptcy in 1931.  These little knives were probably a giveaway or and simple item sold at the counter.  The blades and handles are early stainless steel and may have been plated at one time.

I don’t know for sure but I’m assuming that the Parks’ Dry Goods, is part of the chain of Dry Goods Stores that was founded by Albert J. Parks (A.J. Parks’ Dry Goods Company)  that were located in several states.  Otherwise it is a just  big coincidence and both went belly up in 1931.

If this is the case, I think the store was around from 1907 to 1931.

* Rogers Arkansas isn’t named after Will Rogers but he does have a connection to the community.  His wife, Betty Blake was from Rogers Arkansas and had worked at Parks Dry Goods for a while.  The town was actually named after Captain C.W. Rogers, Vice President and General manager of the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad.  Will Rogers  and Betty (Blake) Rogers  were married in Rogers, Arkansas.

Manufacturer:   H Raschner (Germany)

Date of manufacture:  pre-1931

Length:  Closed:  3 inches  Open: 4 ½  inches

Blades: 2  (Stainless Steel?)

1) 1 1/2 inch pen blade 

2) I 1 inch pen blade

Handle:  Undetermined (Stainless Steel?)

Bolsters: n/a

Lining:  n/a

Shield:  n/a

Condition:  Fair

Okay probably more than you ever wanted to know about a junk knife but as a history buff this piece of junk proved quite entertaining for me. 

Still you've got to love that tag line: "Outfitters for all mankind!"