Shell Knife Legitimacy Association

[SgtTowser]

Awhile back in a what traditional folder are you carrying thread, I showed a Single blade Hammer Brand Fishknife and shared my respect for shell knives developed in response to severe affordability constraints in the Great Depression.

I decided today to dedicate a thread to these old shell knives and their hollow, stamped steel bolsters and colorful, imaginative celluloid scales in hopes of raising awareness and appreciation for what designers overcame and accomplished, as we once again sail into economic harm’s way.

These were damn good and durable knives, even if their bolsters were not solid brass, or solid nickel silver.

I will share another one I still carry from time to time and enjoy very much. It’s main blade is every bit as good of a cutter as one of my Wengers.

The knife is a Scout pattern  KAMP KING model tang stamped Imperial, Providence, R.I., USA. I don’t know if it were made in the Depression, or made affordable for boys in 1950-60s.

It is 93mm in length bolster end to bolster end.

The two layer scout is a familiar pattern, so I will let the pictures do the description. For size comparison it is posed with an 84mm Wenger Traveler and a 108mm GAK. It is lighter than the three layer Wenger and about the same Weight as the two layer GAK, but lacks its saw and back side tools.

It is a simple multi tool knife, but it’s blade cuts well and  it’s cap lifter and can opener work very well. It awl is weak and reallY more suited for undoing knots.

Either way it is durable, a very good cutter, with good walk and talk after all these years. And it is shell construction.

I also think it’s nice looking, and aesthetically solid, even if not perfectly assembled.

And it’s tough. I would not hesitate to rely on this knife out in the woods.

Collectors don’t value this knife highly, but I do. It’s light. It carries well. It’s ergonomics for work are probably better than a SAK. It’s blade is a useful shape and size. And it is as aesthetically appealing as a Stonewall, or sign, or lodge in an American National Park built by Civilian Conservation Corp workers when times were tough.

I look forward to seeing your shell knives. And reading about what is good and what is not with each example.

[SteveC]

Great idea for a thread   

[David]

I have some shell knives. I'll try to find them and post a pic.

[SgtTowser]

David,

You are a store house of knife knowledge and knives. I would really appreciate, if you would. Thanks in advance.

[SteveC]

Look forward top some pictures. I don't have any shell knives but my very first couple of knives when I was a kid in Scotland were novelty type shell knives probably made in Sheffield.

Like these

[Fuzzbucket]

I remember those! Scottish summer holiday staple! 

[pfrsantos]

I remember those! Scottish summer holiday staple! 

From what I heard, that's even a bigger oxymoron than "military intelligence"...

 

[pfrsantos]

-How can you tell if it's Summer in Scotland?

-The rain is warm...

 

[David]

Found three. Top to bottom: Hammer Brand Stockman, Colonial Cattle Knife and a Colonial Granddaddy Barlow.

[SgtTowser]

SteveC,

Those most definitely count as Shell Knives! And plaid beauties for sure.

[SgtTowser]

David,

Love the script on that Grandaddy Barlow.

Also, I am a sucker for awls on small knives and that Hammer Brand Stockman is sweet.

The Cattle Knife is handsome too. Really nice long pull main blade and the other blades are robust too.

These are more evidence that the blade quality on these shell knives stayed solid, even as they moved to stamped steel bolsters and celluloid scales..

Thanks.

[Fuzzbucket]

From what I heard, that's even a bigger oxymoron than "military intelligence"...

 

-How can you tell if it's Summer in Scotland?

-The rain is warm...

 

There's an awful lot of Scots on this forum... Just saying.

[pfrsantos]

There's an awful lot of Scots on this forum... Just saying.

C'mon, they're not so awful, after you get to know them...

 

[SgtTowser]

There were MacArthur’s on one side of the family, so I have to take it a wee bit easy on the Scots, ya see.

[SteveC]

C'mon, they're not so awful, after you get to know them...

 

Worth a read   

https://www.amazon.com/How-Scots-Invented-Modern-World/dp/0609809997

[David]

There's an awful lot of Scots on this forum... Just saying.

I think there is a some MacGregor bloodline about isnt there.      Most my bloodline comes from what is called the UK today. My middle name is Kirk which I believe is Scottish.

[SteveC]

 

[Ray S]

Shell handled knives were first sold(I believe)in 1934 or shortly after as that is when the idea was patented. They used to be looked upon with scorn by people in the knife community but of late they have come into their own as collectible.Not surprising as the demand for a good quality low priced knife will never go out of fashion.
Imperial;Colonial;Richards and several other companies cranked them out by the gazillions and they are still out there to be had for relatively cheap money;unless you live in an area where there are shell handle collectors.
I probably have a few dozen of them in various configurations(scout/utility;one and two blade pen,tickler pattern with and without fish scaler blade and Barlow to name a few)and have a couple I re-handled after the shells came off(not by me;by previous owners)and keep in my shop.The steel takes and keeps a scary sharp edge. I learned this quite painfully at the age of 8 when I was trying to open my grandfather's Kamp King and the blade snapped shut almost amputating my finger. I still have that knife;although it took a 25 year hiatus before I finally found it(a LONG story)and is one of my most cherished possessions. It is STILL scary sharp and I am always VERY cautious about opening it.
Here are a few from my accumulation;including my grandfather's.
#1 My grandfather's Kamp King.
#2 Scout/utility with unusual striped handles.
#3 Fish knife with can opener on spine.
#4 An Imperial Super Kamp King with soda can opener and regular can opener on spine.

[Ray S]

Page two:
#1 An Imperial Barlow with bent up handles and bolsters but still a very functional knife.
#2 A Barlow with unusual hammer forged blades.
#3 Imperial fishtail switchblade with guards on the front bolsters.
#4 A fixed blade Imperial with shell handles.

[Ray S]

Page last for now:
#1 An awards knife with gold emblem and jewel inset.
#2 A miniature 6 blade knife by Imperial.
#3 Small Imperial easy open.
#4 Imperial with serrated blade and fancy handle.

[SgtTowser]

That miniature 6 blader by Imperial is a wonderfully different approach; distinct from SAKs, French Pradels, various Solingen styles and American scout patterns. I have never seen one like this. 

The easy open solo is also handsome. I often wonder why all traditionals were not made as Easy Openers with that cut away for grabbing out at the end of the blade?

[SgtTowser]

Ray S,

I just saw your other knives above. OMG! I love that Kamp King of your grandpa.

And the shell handle fixed blade....WOW!

I have never seen a shell handled fixed blade. Thank YOU for sharing that one.

And those hammer forged blades look strong enough to use as pry bars, or is that kind of an illusion of the photograph?

[Ray S]

Ray S,

I just saw your other knives above. OMG! I love that Kamp King of your grandpa.

And the shell handle fixed blade....WOW!

I have never seen a shell handled fixed blade. Thank YOU for sharing that one.

And those hammer forged blades look strong enough to use as pry bars, or is that kind of an illusion of the photograph?

Thanks for the kind words;that Kamp King is a real treasure to me. It was in his house when I went into the Navy in 1964 and he passed away while I was in.When I returned in late 1967 his house had been sold and whatever possessions I had there(he raised me)were nowhere to be found.
Fast forward to 1987 when my mother passed away and I had the task of cleaning out her apartment. Much to my surprise I found the small table where I used to keep my first knife and inside the drawer was not only my first knife but my grandfather's Kamp King as well!
The hammer forged blades were more of a sales gimmick than anything else although they do take and hold a great edge as do all the Imperial knives I have come across.
The fixed blade shell handled knives aren't all that common but they exist. Here is another one that has the handle similar to a serpentine jack knife.

[SteveC]

As always Ray the depth of your collection is amazing !   

[David]

As always Ray the depth of your collection is amazing !   

  whole heartily!   

[Ray S]

As always Ray the depth of your collection is amazing !   

Thanks for the kind words Steve;I always enjoy trying to impart information about my favorite "addiction";I mean hobby. Here are a whole herd of "shells" of many different types.Hope you enjoy them.
#1 is a Colonial Electrician's knife advertising DuPont explosives.
#2 is a Colonial scout/utility with unusually colored handles.
#3 is a pair of Colonial fishtail switchblades from the 1950's
#4 is a Colonial fish knife in the original packaging.

[Ray S]

Page two
#1 is an IKCO boy's knife.
#2 is a 3 blade Imperial fob knife with a GM ignition key blank that could be cut to code.
#3 is a Hammer Brand Kamp King scout/utility.
#4 is an Imperial Barlow.

[Ray S]

Page three
#1 & #2 Imperial figural knives(bowling pins).Strangely they have the bails at different ends
#3This one was a shell knife that had one handle missing.I decided to make handles out of Lexan to make it functional again.
#4 Imperial pin back that was likely made for a Sears Roebuck salesman.

[Ray S]

Page four.
#1 Stamped,"Imperial England"
#2 Imperial equal end with screwdriver as a secondary blade.
#3 Imperial fishtail switchblade without the guards
#4 Kamp King small size scout/utility

[Ray S]

Page five.
#1 Imperial lobster advertising LockFormer
#2 Imperial lobster with ball point pen as a secondary blade.
#3 Imperial mini 2 blade equal end.
#4 Imperial mini equal end switchblade.