iKnife Collector
Colonial Knife Corp
"THE KNIVES HELPING TO BUILD AMERICA SINCE 1926"
Colonial Knife was incorporated in 1926 by the Paolantonio brothers; Antonio, Domenic, Fredrick . Prior to the three brothers forming Colonial Knife, they each worked in other occupations which would hone their skills as manufactures and businessmen.
The brothers proved they had the skills needed to achieve success. Antonio handling the sales, Domenic the finances and Frederick the manufacturing process. The 20’s and 30’s would prove to be difficult times, but with hard work and determination, the brothers would overcome all obstacles.
During the next 70 years Colonial Knife grew adding new products. The 1950’s inspired such brand names as the Sure Snap (auto knife) along with the Cub Hunter and Rin Tin Tin series and other well know styles of knives that would earn the Colonial brand a reputation as “;a boy’s first knife.
In 2001, some of the employees of the former Colonial Knife started Colonial Cutlery international (CCI) and began manufacturing the M-724 auto knives and the J-316 for the military. This new interest in the Colonial brand led to additional customers such as the Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A, Cooper Tools, Stanley Works, Ideal Industries, and the General Service Administration (G.S.A.).
In 2002, CCI registered the Colonial Knife brand as a division of Colonial Cutlery International, Inc. Today, Colonial Cutlery International, Inc. brand is the imported line of knives and tools while the U.S.A.- made products fall under the Colonial Knife brand.Together, two great brands under one roof.
Colonial Fish Knives
I'm surprised there isn't a thread on Colonial Fish Knives, I've seen them all over the place for years and would expect a few to show up here, but alas I guess I'll be the one to start a discussion. These were obviously popular locally, I have seen scads of them in various states of disrepair at the local swap, but most are broken or have turned to rusticles. I found these three all together in a showcase at a thrift store, I thought it nifty to find three knives of the same maker & model at the same time, and unlike many others I've seen these were in decent condition. They are as found, no cleaning done yet, and notice the sabre grind on the black one....could that be stainless? I dunno, I just know I now have a small collection of Colonial Fish Knives to go with the camp knives I have, I guess that makes me a Colonial collector! If you have any please feel free to post photos here.
Syd Carr
I wonder if that's mentioned in the Colonial book Jan has, if true that is a great score Charles as those would be scarce and few in number, very collectible indeed! Kinda like finding a Buck Folding Hunter with a serrated blade, those were only used as salesman samples, and were never available to the general public. Great find!
Charles Sample said:
Nov 14, 2018
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Charles Sample
Also Syd, if you are contemplating expanding your fish knife collection, I have a couple of suggestions to get you started. (Well, actually you are already started with your three Colonials.) Rough Rider makes two fish knives, RR1401 and RR1597. SMKW lists them both for $12.99 plus shipping. The RR1401 is listed as Out of Stock right now.
The RR1401 has red jigged bone scales with 440A stainless steel blades, brass pins and liners, and nickel silver bolsters and shield. I have found it on eBay as low as $12.08 with free shipping.
The RR1597, part of their copper series, has smooth black bone scales with stonewashed 440A stainless steel blades with copper liners, pins, and bolsters. The neat fishhook shaped bail is also copper. The shield is a hook sharpener. I have found it on eBay for as little as $11.99 with free shipping.
Nov 14, 2018
Syd Carr
Uh oh, I think that I MUST HAVE the RR 1597, I just love the copper, and the stonewash on the blades looks like carbon with a perfect patina, just like all the carbon-only guys drool over, (sorry, I just don't get it...how can you love rust??). Thanks for the tip Charles, if you want me I'll be surfing at SMKW within minutes!
Charles Sample said:
Nov 14, 2018