Imperial Knives...Are They TRAD Enough??

[Nala]

Hey all,

Was nosing around the auction site the other day in the VINTAGE KNIVES section and ran across a few knives made by Imperial.  They look like a perfect style of knife to be on the belt of a TRAD hunter or Cowboy.  They look like something you'd see if it were 1885.  Well to me they do.

I'd like to know if you all like the looks of them and whether any of you own any of them and can tell me more about them.  They probably aren't very high quality, but you could always have one made or make one yourself like them.

What do you think?

         


The additional image I had on here started out at 640x480 and I checked Photobucket and it says 640x480, but it clearly isn't now.  I don't know what's going on with it so I'll just delete it.

Nalajr

[SHOOTO8S]

I remember buying Imperial knives for .99 cents...they would last at least until the next trip to town. Mama didn't mind me buying Imperial knives as they weren't and wouldn't get sharp enough, to cut myself too much    Your right the Bowie knife they made did look like the Bowie knives of old.

[adkmountainken]

i bought an OLD back quiver at a garage sale and in a sheath on the quiver was an Imeprial knife, rusted and beyond use but looked well used!

[Nala]

I just think they are cool old knives.  I'd love to have one that was made from top quality materials.  I'd like to see some of the artisans we have here take a turn at making this style and see what they come up with.

Maybe the blade is a tad too long at 5 inches, but if you were going to make one yourself or have one made, you could always shorten it to your desired length.

Anyone else have thoughts about these old Imperial knives?

Nalajr

[Izzy]

I have one and its deadly sharp. $3.00 well spent.

[WRV]

Looks like a good knife to me......

[Nala]

11

[Bladepeek]

Not an Imperial, and not a clip point, but one I made for a cowboy action shooter.
 

[Nala]

OOH, that's a great looking knife too...

Any others out there that are similar in shape, but modern in design and materials?

Just something about that knife that looks TRAD to me.

Nalajr

[oldpaths]

Make your own gets my vote....One of my first from a sawmill blade  

[Nala]

I have thought about making my own several times.  Every now and then I look at classifieds to see if I can find a used Belt sander, a Craftsman or other for cheap.  It would allow me to give it a try without spending too much money.

What makes me nervous is actually grinding away the material to make the edge profile.  If you look at the profile of the blade, the part where it starts to form the edge, the area that's about 3/4 of an inch above the actual edge all the way down the blade length, I don't know what the term for that area is, but I don't know how I would be able to get it straight.  It's looks so hard to do.  I have seen pics where people have made jogs to let them file all that material off, but I don't have any of those and I would be doing it freehand with a belt sander.  Just seems awfully difficult.

Nalajr

[Lin Rhea]

Nala,
       I encourage you to get your feet wet by making a knife. There is help right here. I dont speak up some because the area discussed is one I'm not familiar with or one of which I dont agree is the best course. But, I do watch and will help, speaking for myself.
    The area of grinding/filing is one that can be intimidating but it can be done. One of our members here on the forum (akaboomer) uses files a lot to shape his blades, including that difficult area you speak of. I know he'll speak up. As I've said before, get some material, post a photo or two of what you got and ask "what's next?"

[akaboomer]

I agree with Lin. Jump with both feet. Pricey tools are not required to make a fine knife. I have made several with basic tools like files. The best part of working with files over sanders/belt grinders is the the removal of material is much slower allowing you to control the direction of the project.

Remember everything comes off the Ricasso, the flat area in front of the guard. The next thing to remember is center. For most knife designs the cutting edge is centered off the Ricasso.

Knife steel is cheep compaired to the equipment most deem escential to making knives, so don't worry as much about failing as learning from every step of the process. With minimal investment you can have a go of it, a successful go of it.

Here is the second knife I made. All done with an assortment of files.
 
And the Third, again with files.

 

Any help I can give, feel free to ask.

Chris

[Bladepeek]

It's great exercise and doesn't remove knuckle skin like a nice fresh 36grit belt on a grinder either  

[Lin Rhea]

It is slow, but not as slow as one might think. Also, the results are much more reliable for the new maker.

Nala, sounds like you got folks rootin for ya.

[akaboomer]

Lin is right, good sharp Nicholson files and elbow grease removes material pretty fast.  The satisfaction of doing it with simple tools is understated as well.

Chris