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.).
When I joined this Group just a week ago I thought "I have a few Colonials ... must dig them out" As it turns out I don't have many at all ... lest ways knives actually tang stamped "Colonial". There may well be others here made by Colonial for other brands.
Top to Bottom 3 Blade Electrician, Ranger Stockman with Colonial Tang Stamp and an E2 Last week I had no idea Colonial was still producing Knives including this E2 I picked this up in an online auction and assumed it was maybe 70's - 80's vintage.
This one is Tang Stamped 'Ranger' but I an 'fairly' confident it is made by Colonial - this and the white Stockman above are 3 blades with 3 springs - nicely done too not as thick/bulky as you would think.
And these 'sort of' qualify - top 2 remodeled from a 3 blade Colonial Electrician like the one in the top pic and the Bottom knife re-made from a plastic clam-shell Colonial Barlow.
Jan Carter
Derek,
The ranger is indeed a Colonial Brand
this is a Ranger series Brand manufactured by Colonial for over 30 years-A true back bone of the Colonial brand-Colonial has only recently started dating their products with the year of manufacture beginning in 2006
This information is in our research area and was provided by Steve Paolantonio http://iknifecollector.com/group/knifechicks2/forum/topics/date-and...
May 10, 2016
Derek Wells
Thanks Jan ... just had a quick look ..... Wow had no idea all that info was there. That will fill at least a couple of hours later today.
May 10, 2016
Derek Wells
Hi Folks,
I'm a bit 'time poor' over the next couple of days so taking the lazy way out here.
The E2 pictured in my OP has the following Tang Stamp
Colonial
08
Prov., R.I.
Is the "08" significant? That is, ... does it mean made in 2008 perhaps?
Thanks in advance Derek
May 11, 2016