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Comment by Paul Mig on March 24, 2015 at 17:15

John, great info, thank you.  I have found similar information in my research as well.  Two things: you are correct that the whittling modifications wiped out the etchings so now I am really focused on the tang stamp of the penknife.  If it can be determined when Imperial (or S/W) switched from "USA Foreign Pat Pend" to simply "Stainless" that should really help.  

Second:  I have found Imperial examples both with and without the etching "Super" included - (BOTH having the "...Patent Pend" penknife tang stamp). The example with "super" is from 1964 and the model was the "846RB" - its for sale right now on eBay ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/Imperial-Stockman-Super-Razor-Blade-Stainle...).  The example without "super" is from 1965 and the model was AL-54RB (see picture below).  

So the question I have now is, whats the difference in the models and/or why did that make the model number switch? Also, what year did the penknife tang switch from "...Patent Pend" to "Stainless"? If you have access to any examples, would you mind posting pictures of the reverse sides?

Last as a bonus question, what was the actual "patent" fort & when was it granted?

Your help and expertise are appreciated!

In Memoriam Comment by John McCain on March 24, 2015 at 15:28

Paul, Schrade Walden trademarked the name Razor Blade Stainless 1964-1965- Schrade showed these in their 1964 catalog I'm told, with a stamp across the pictures stating - Not available until 1965. Schrade  probably made these knives for Imperial, as the companies later merged to form Imperial-Schrade. Imperial had Super Razor Blade Stainless etched on theirs, but both Imperial and Schrade both used the name and both used an image of a razor blade on the blade etch, and the same Sharp enough to shave with advertising. Anyhow, these were both blade etched not tang stamped, with  the Razor Blade Stainless graphics-- Your knife being so heavily reprofiled for whittling, probably lost all the blade etch in the process-Here are some first generation Schrade examples

Comment by Paul Mig on March 19, 2015 at 21:13

John, I agree on your assessment of the main tang stamp.  It's obvious that the listing of stamps we are using is not exhaustive.  I'll be on the lookout for patent number examples and let you know if I find one.  In the mean time, does anyone have an idea regarding the timing of the "patent pending...." tang stamp on the penknife?  If it can be determined when that stamp changed from "patent pending" to "stainless" (i.e. when that patent --- which I ASSUME it was for the "Razor Blade Stainless" T.M.--- was issued) then we would be much closer to a firm date.

In Memoriam Comment by John McCain on March 19, 2015 at 18:14

Paul, one more thing. Although your tang stamp most closely resembles a 1946-1956 stamp, it isn't an exact match. Don't rule out the possibility that yours may be earlier. Most note worthy difference is the lack of the crown above the Imperial name.--- Usually attributed to earlier knives. Unfortunately, Imperial was horrible at documenting tang stamps, and even after extensive searching, can not find another example like yours.

In Memoriam Comment by John McCain on March 19, 2015 at 18:07

Paul, although your knife doesn't have the patent numbers-- If  we can find an example with the numbers, a Google search can at least tell us when the patent was applied for-- I already found many Imperial patent links, just didn't have a patent # or pat. pending #.

Comment by J.J. Smith III on March 19, 2015 at 17:39

This eBay listing says the 60's...

http://m.ebay.com/itm/251574714220?nav=SEARCH

Bit higher than the $6.00 from 1974.

Comment by Paul Mig on March 19, 2015 at 17:12

John, That's a great trick - thanks!  I'm trying my best to nail down the date of manufacturer as close as I can. Here is an interesting clue: for some time period unknown to me, they stamped "Patent Pending in USA and Foreign Countries" on the tang of the penknife blade.  My knife does not have this; it simply says “stainless” in that same spot on the tang of the penknife.  Any idea how I can use this info to help in dating?  Thanks again,

In Memoriam Comment by John McCain on March 19, 2015 at 16:41

Paul, the catalog page in your link is from 1974-- If you save the image from the original link you posted, it shows the date in the jpeg info.  However, this style knife was made both earlier and later than 1974.

Comment by Paul Mig on March 19, 2015 at 15:50

John, take a look at this link: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/477689-Imperial-Su... 

In Memoriam Comment by John McCain on March 19, 2015 at 15:25

Paul, curious as to where you found the catalog page

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