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Imperial Knife Co.

If you've spent any number of years around knives, whether it be just using one, or as an avid collector of the sharp, shiny things that grab a hold of so many, then you've probably seen a few Imperial brand knives and chances are good you even have a couple hiding out in a box somewhere.

They have filled the garage sales and flea markets for years, being sold and peddled for mere pennies at a time. These knives are, cheap. But, when was the last time you saw an American made product that actually worked sell for a reasonable price? Sure, you can bring home a Case sodbuster knife for around $20.00, but for that you could own a couple dozen Imperial knives. Of course the factory is closed now, so, anything you get is going to have a little age to it.

Super thin carbon blade, thats about standard for these knives. A thin metal like material is the handle scale and often times there is no shield. Not exactly the most beautiful of choices when buying a knife, but again, they are cheap and they work.

An Imperial knife wasn't made for a rich man, it was made for an every mad.

So everyone, lets see your Imperial knife.

Tags: Imperial, Providence, R.I., USA

9 members like this

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Billy Oneale on November 13, 2012 at 20:05

Those are nice.

Steve"Hog"Hanner said:

You all have seen these but I just love these knives! One is marked as Hammer Brand which was an Imperial Brand.

Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on November 24, 2012 at 18:55

Thanks, the Imperial of many colors is celluloid and the other rather clean, green stripe is just that, green color on a metal handle.

Billy Oneale said:

Those are nice.

Steve"Hog"Hanner said:
You all have seen these but I just love these knives! One is marked as Hammer Brand which was an Imperial Brand.

FeaturedPermalink Reply by Craig Henry on November 25, 2012 at 0:33

I love that green striped Jack!

Permalink Reply by Steven Matthew on December 14, 2012 at 19:06

Love those Imperials myself! Got some when I was a kid and loved those carbon blades!

AND REALLY LOVE THOSE IMPERIAL FISHING KNIVES!

Permalink Reply by Steven Matthew on December 14, 2012 at 19:07

that green striped gem is truly a treasure!

Permalink Reply by Steven Matthew on December 14, 2012 at 19:10

I love my cases, don't get me wrong.

But nothing tickles my fancy more then finding some old Imperials laying out on someone's flea market table and they tell me, "Those cheap things there are $2 to $5 dollars, depending on the rust."

Permalink Reply by Scott Tingler on December 16, 2012 at 11:59

These are one of my most favorite brands. When I see an Imperial, I gotta have it. If you think about there not really a cheap knife by name. I believe that Albert M Baer bought the two knife companies to make (Imperial & Ulster knife company) Imperial Knife Associated Companies. Then later he bought Schrade Cultry and it also became part of the Imperial Knife Associated Companies Division. Sorry for the short history but I really like my Imperials.

Permalink Reply by Steven Matthew on December 22, 2012 at 22:29

I will add, for a "cheap" knife, they all seem to have stood the test of time!
Funny thing, they seem to be known as a use it and toss it knife, but they have been used, abused, and seem to ALWAYS turn up...ready for more!

Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on January 24, 2013 at 19:42

Well I bought another one yesterday... Carbon Steel blades and a brown celluloid scales and yes its a stockman. I can't wait to get it, bought it off eBay from a guy I know and he says the blades have good snap, possibly one a tiny wobble, not the main blade. So had to have it. I will post pictures when it gets here. But soon another Imperial comes to my house!

FeaturedPermalink Reply by Charles Sample on January 29, 2013 at 0:25

I only have one Imperial. It was a CHRISTmas present from my 38 year old son when he was a child. Obviously it is not for sale!

Permalink Reply by Billy Oneale on January 29, 2013 at 12:44

That's a unique knife. One to be treasured.

Permalink Reply by Billy Oneale on February 2, 2013 at 21:46

Well, I ran across this Imperial today at a store that had a lot of what I call junk. I had been going by it everyday for a year and finally stopped to see what they had. He only had about 7 knives. Some of them were USA made Schrades, but not worth buying. I did come across this for $10.00 and cleaned it up.