KNIFE COLLECTOR FROM THE NORTHWOODS

  I don't collect kitchen type cutlery, but I stopped at a little antique store in the country this morning and couldn't resist, especially for a steal.  It is from the L.C.GERMAIN Knife Company.  I picked it up for the low price of $1, yet I see that they go for $10 to $30 either as single knives or sets on the secondhand market.  According to information on the internet they are vintage, budget-friendly kitchen knives usually manufactured in Japan by Lifetime Cutlery , under the label of Rostfrei Edelstahl . They are often found today on the secondary market as pre-owned, everyday-use cutlery rather than premium kitchen tools. Rosterfrei Edelstahl translates from German as "rust-free stainless steel" or "rust-free high-grade steel" which refers to a highly refined, pure steel alloy with strict controls on impurities, usually a high carbon steel.  They were manufactured in the 1970s and 1980s, so my knife is probably somewhere betw...

 Recently I watched some videos, or portions of them, regarding why one should carry a knife.  My reasons, as with all knife carriers, will differ.  For one thing, I don't use my pocket knife to cut food.  Even if I camped I would probably bring a designated paring knife.  I would feel compelled always having to purify the knife.  Too much hassle.  I also carry simple and very affordable knives.  Just don't see the need for 'super steel' in my day-to-day needs.  Others will, especially those in the trades or in construction and such.  I'm a pastor, which is essentially a white-collar worker with a minimum of outdoor and industrial type needs.   I'm going to list these reasons in a bullet point format for ease of reading.  Primarily I carry a pocket knife to open mail. This is an every day thing. Thus, as an uban edc guy (even though I live in the country) it becomes a primary chore for the knife.  This, I would guess,...

Another affordable find at the local gun show: A fixed blade knife with, I think, the original sheath, by Imperial Knife Co, Providence, RI USA .   Founded in 1916 by Italian immigrants Felix and Michael Mirando in Providence, Rhode Island, this company was once the largest high-volume knife manufacturer in the United States known for its affordable knives. Their fixed blade knives are highly collectable vintage items.  They can be identified, in part, by their distinctive tang stamps where you have a crown above the Imperial name.  I paid $25 for mine, which is in good condition, and it seems to be a reasonable cost considering the market.  From a tang stamp guide provided online ( https://www.americanedgeknives.com/blog/dating-vintage-imperial-tang-stamps/ ), it appears that this knife was manufactured between 1946 and 1956. Imperial knives are still produced and sold widely and I have a nice, inexpensive yellow Sodbuster in my collection.  But th...

Old Timer knives, originally introduced by Schrade Cutlery Co .in 1958, were originally a US-based brand.   Old Timer was created by Schrade-Walden Cutlery Co. (a subsidiary of Imperial Knife Associated Companies) to create nostalgia for traditional, reliable pocketknives, although they also make fixed-blade knives as well.  I was fortunate to pick up two vintage Old Timer knives, one a folder, and one a fixed-blade, models 25OT and 154OT respectively.  The bonus was getting the knives with their original leather sheaths.  The tang stamp on the folder reads: SCHRADE WALDEN N.Y. U.S.A. 25OT The tang stamp on the fixed blade reads: SCHRADE U.S.A. 154OT   Fixed blade knife, also known as the Drop Point Hunter or Badger ,  is still highly regarded by knife collectors and outdoor enthusiasts for its carbon steel blade and "Sharpfinger" (152 OT) style ergonomics. These knives were made in the USA most likely between 1976 and 1988 . I spent $55 ...

 As readers of this little blog have come to know, one of the areas of my modest collection involves military knives, and specifically knives from World War II, the war in which my father fought.  Every year I try to attend the local gun show in town and the military show just south of town in search of more knives.  Yesterday I was blessed with an unexpected find.  Amazon carries the so-called "Official British Army Knife" and I have one of those; a simple one with only a blade, and obviously made for the civilian market.  But this one is the genuine article, and a real piece of history to hold in your hand.  The blade, I'm pretty sure, was a Sheepsfoot originally, but with repeated sharpening over the years has worn the blade into a different shape.  It lacks the can opener that the Army version has, but possesses the familiar Marlins Spike used in splicing ropes and untangling them and loosening tight knots.   The tang stamp on the blade r...

 I have watched a lot of videos (a lot!!!) and read more than a few articles online on EDC (Every Day Carry) since getting into my 'knife hobby'.  And my views have evolved.  There are a lot of ideas out there as to what a person should carry.  Here are a few of my evolving thoughts.... EDC is different for all people.  One size does not fit all.  Urban EDC is different than country or outdoor EDC.  And EDC differs for those in the trades vs. office workers.  And so on.  You can end up carrying more than you need.  I used to think that I needed to be prepared for any and every situation.  Screwdrivers, both Philips and flat heads were critical.  Yet now that I look at my actual daily routine and needs, do I really need all this stuff all the time?  Probably not. Most of my needs involve small tools, not large ones, and only a few at that.   I do have EDC rotations for different scenarios.  For example, my ED...

 Swiss Army Knives - or "SAK" for short - are addicting.  Part of the challenge is that they offer so many varieties  - dozens, if not over a hundred - to choose from.  Some discontinued, some still offered, some even modified.  You find yourself searching for that perfect one that will do it all.  Which won't happen.  I own the CHAMP which boasts over 30 different tools.  Great knife, but too bulky to carry for EDC.  Then there are knives that have good tools but also include some one seldom uses, if at all.  I currently own the following in my small, but burgeoning collection:  Tinker Super Tinker Classic Rambler Bantam Alox Pioneer Alox *UPDATE:  I have recently added the Explorer which is now my regular EDC, supplanting the Super Tinker. I bought some for their sheer usefulness, and some partly because they went on sale.  For example, I am expecting the Pioneer Alox to come in today.  Amazon offered a sale of over...

 I don't know if I'll use even half of the tools I've recently accumulated to accessorize my Swiss Army Knife (specifically the Super Tinker).  But it's the fascination in what you can do, and inexpensively, with a SAK without actually physically modifying it.  Two sources have helped: Nikos Doulas , known by his popular Youtube video https://www.youtube.com/@nikgyver7 , and Felix Immle r from his Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKqoiG45T1OkQkUEq5dEMzA .  There are others as well, such as Jony Fire at https://www.youtube.com/@jonyfire432 .  Without physically modifying your SAK (and thereby potentially violating the warranty!) they show you how to turn your knife into a makeshift bit driver, as well as a hack to adapt a t-shank saw blade to make your SAK into a temporary saw.  There are countless tricks and hacks to use with a SAK, and that's the reason for a lot of the interest in folks like me in discovering these lesser known uses....