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Permalink Reply by peter force on July 22, 2013 at 8:01

hey sorry have been busy or would have jumped on this sooner!

your exact knife is this-

Imperial- AP23 2-7/8" pen & clip blade,shadow knife{no bolsters at either end}, Zytel handle .

the AP stands for APEX .. thats what IMPERIAL packaged and branded these knives. from most of what i read ,these knives were not meant so much for the USA market as they were for the EUROPEAN. they are also referred to as tradesman knives. if you just search on eBay even IMPERIAL AP23 you will find your exact knife.with tons of these knives made and their low interest in the collecting field, their are bargains to be had for a GREAT NEW EDC! and a possible IMPERIAL stamp that you dont have...if you collect IMPS like i do. you will find ENGLAND marked IMPS as well.the England ones i have seen have all been shell handled hollow knives. -HOPE I HELPED-

Permalink Reply by peter force on July 22, 2013 at 8:19

OH! and as far as dating...im not so sure on IRELAND IMP TANG STANMPS and if they ever really changed them up. i will say that i stiil a see new in the box -yes they are new old stock but i would say assembled still after 1988.you might just be able to date it within a wide range..in al the literature and writings i have SCHRADE listed and packaged this APEX series actually the first time i can find it is 1990 and they didnt change it over until about 2002 when SCHRADE picked up their International LOGO. 

 

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Permalink Reply by Bobby Horn on July 22, 2013 at 16:21

Peter thanks for the great info.