Kingston U.S.A. Please post 'em!

[New_Windsor_NY]

My newly acquired Kingston USA knife.

That is a cool little knife right there. I collect those deer heads and found a Kingston version not too long ago myself. You can find that exact knife as an Ulster, Imperial, Kingston and Keen Kutter. In an old thread, Codger identified the Kingston version (called a K50D) as a Sears order c.1959-1960. It wouldn't surprise me to find a Primble or Craftsman version out there too. The knife is an Ulster 50D in its original incarnation and there are also stockman versions out there as well - the Ulster 55D. During the pattern's run Ulster migrated away from that style of clip and began using a turkish clip for those patterns (the 55D with a turkish clip and Old Timer covers is the 58OT) so that right there doubles the number of 'needed' knives for any collector whose after these deer heads - of course I may be the only one, lol. Here's a pic of the variations:
5055.jpg

Getting back on point with the topic, here are some more Kingstons. Aside from the little rope knives, these are all very common Ulster patterns:
kingstons.jpg

I know this is NOT a "KINGSTON" knife. I bought this Imperial "deer head" this morning (see last posts, previous page). The blades "should" clean up nice, hopefully. The pictures are the seller's.

[jxr1197]

I know this is NOT a "KINGSTON" knife. I bought this Imperial "deer head" this morning (see last posts, previous page). The blades "should" clean up nice, hopefully. The pictures are the seller's.

Nice pick. That knife works for me on a few levels. I do love the deer heads and I also collect wonda edges, so win-win with that knife! It's a different set up than the 50D. What you got there is the D-400ST (shell handle) from Imperial's Kameo Karved collection. The ST was for 'stagged.' That pattern was also available in faux buffalo horn (KP suffix) or imitation pearl (KP) which is the standard toilet seat fare. I'm a crazy person so of course I have 5 of 'em:

A similar version was available as a serpentine jack called the S685ST but they went outside the box on this one using a steer head instead of a deer head:

Imperial's love affair with heads extended to their fixed blades (H-50 & H-51):

And even the occasional hatchet:

For me the real fun is in finding the deer head knives that Imperial made down in old Mexico:

This rabbit hole runs deep - lol.

Now getting back on the Kingston track, as far as I know the deer head you found is the only head pattern to cross over from Imperial to Kingston.

[New_Windsor_NY]

I know this is NOT a "KINGSTON" knife. I bought this Imperial "deer head" this morning (see last posts, previous page). The blades "should" clean up nice, hopefully. The pictures are the seller's.

Nice pick. That knife works for me on a few levels. I do love the deer heads and I also collect wonda edges, so win-win with that knife! It's a different set up than the 50D. What you got there is the D-400ST (shell handle) from Imperial's Kameo Carved collection. The ST was for 'stagged.' That pattern was also available in faux buffalo horn (KP suffix) or imitation pearl (KP) which is the standard toilet seat fare. I'm a crazy person so of course I have 5 of 'em:
D400s.jpg

A similar version was available as a jack called the S685ST but they went outside the box on this one using a steer head instead of a deer head:
685.jpg

Imperial's love affair with heads extended to their fixed blades:
fixed.jpg

And even the occasional hatchet:
hatchett.jpg

For me the real fun is in finding the deer head knives that Imperial made down in old Mexico:
tresciervos.jpg

This rabbit hole runs deep - lol.

Now getting back on the Kingston track, as far as I know the deer head you found is the only head pattern to cross over from Imperial to Kingston.

VERY, VERY NICE COLLECTION!!! Thank you again for the information & education. As far as being crazy, it's all relative.

[jxr1197]

VERY, VERY NICE COLLECTION!!! Thank you again for the information & education. As far as being crazy, it's all relative.

Thanks . I appreciate that - and always glad for the opportunity to talk about weird, old knives.

[New_Windsor_NY]

VERY, VERY NICE COLLECTION!!! Thank you again for the information & education. As far as being crazy, it's all relative.

Thanks . I appreciate that - and always glad for the opportunity to talk about weird, old knives.

Hi Jason, I sent you a PM. The "deer head" topic is being continued here:
viewtopic.php?f=35&t=63410

[OLDE CUTLER]

There has not been a Kingston posted for a while, so I will show off my newly acquired Kingston all metal military pocket knife. There are no markings on the blades, only Kingston on the bail. These were post WWII issue?

[doglegg]

OC I have one exactly like yours lying here on my desk.

[OLDE CUTLER]

DSCN6918.JPGDSCN6914.JPGOC I have one exactly like yours lying here on my desk.

Do you know, were these issued about the time of the Korean War?

[Ripster]

OC and Floyd nice
Here’s one of my Kingston’s , the etch on the main is barely visible . Very well built piece
Take care .

[New_Windsor_NY]

There.....

That's a VERY good lking KINGSTON!
Well done.

OC.....

Another AWESOME MIL-K, Floyd!

OC.....

JP, that's a real BEAUTY!
Those handles are easy on the eyes.

[doglegg]

DSCN6918.JPGDSCN6914.JPGOC I have one exactly like yours lying here on my desk.

Do you know, were these issued about the time of the Korean War?

Actually they were introduced during WW 2 and we're some of the first ones with the Kingston etch. They dropped the Kingston etch after the first batch as I understand it. There were probably some unissued ones still around in Korea. I saw one of the first USMarine Corp first editions that was issued new in Vietnam. I believe they came out at the end of 1942 but I don't know for sure.

[OLDE CUTLER]

Another Kingston I just rescued from the POS pile. It had a broken pen blade which I replaced with a pen from another in the POS box. 3 5/16" OAL stockman.

[Clark23]

Hi there I am new to this and my first post, but I have seen this Kingston Page and would like to show my Kingston. I already seen one just like it, is there any information in what year it could be? I read Kingston ended in 58.

[Clark23]

OK, this thread is 8 months old and no one has mentioned the obvious, there was in reality two companies who used the Kingston name.

1. KINGSTON USA- c 1915-1958 A trademark used by D. Divine & Ulster.


2. KINGSTON CUTLERY CO.- c 1945-1947 This was an association formed during WII by Ulster (purchased in 1941 by Albert Baer) and Imperial Knife Companies. The name was used through 1958 by Schrade-Walden. Albert Baer was a real entrepreneur and organizer in the cutlery business, especially in this time frame. In January1941 Albert in partner with his brother Henry (Uncle Henry) assumed control of Ulster Knife Co. During WWII Ulster formed a co-operative with Imperial Knife Co. and between the two factories they produced more than half of the knives purchased by the US Armed Forced during WWII.

a. After the WWII, (about 1946)*, a joint company was formed called Kingston Cutlery Company of Walden NY. In 1946 or 1947 this company purchased Schrade Cut Co. and renamed it Schrade-Walden.
*EDIT-12/11/10 Further research has revealed to me that The Kingston Company was formed about 1941 or 1942.

b. In 1947 Kingston was dissolved and Imperial Knife Associated Companies was formed. The Kingston name was used through about 1958.

c. The Ulster name was used until about 1973. At that time the Schrade-Walden tang stamps were changed to Schrade N.Y. USA. About 1985 the name of the Association was changed to Imperial Schrade Corp.



I think most of the knives posted here have been from the later Kingston Cutlery Co., (post 1941) though I imagine the tang stamps are probably similar.

a) Does anyone have some earlier Kingston knives?
b) Can you post some pics?
c) Does anyone know who to tell the difference between knives made by the two different Kingston companies?
d) Does anyone have any Kingstons that just look old and might be from the pre-WWII era?


Surely with over 4,000 members of AAPK, someone has an old Ulster or two in their collection!

Let’s see them!

Dale

Footnote- My source for the above information was “Goins’ Encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings”, 1998. To find all the info you have to look up Imperial, Kingston, Schrade and Ulster and compile the data.

[Ripster]

Hi there I am new to this and my first post, but I have seen this Kingston Page and would like to show my Kingston. I already seen one just like it, is there any information in what year it could be? I read Kingston ended in 58.

Clark,welcome to the forum. Heck of a first post,nice Kingston . Nailing down the year for this brand is difficult. Have to read the knife some and look at material,construction, markings and then it’s difficult. Are you into any other brands? Hope to see you around the forum,it’s one of the best knife forums around.

[doglegg]

It's certainly in great shape. And welcome.

[rustyoldknife]

Hi there I am new to this and my first post, but I have seen this Kingston Page and would like to show my Kingston. I already seen one just like it, is there any information in what year it could be? I read Kingston ended in 58.

Welcome to the forum, for your 1st post that is a beauty

[Clark23]

Thank you gentlemen!

[Clark23]

Hi there I am new to this and my first post, but I have seen this Kingston Page and would like to show my Kingston. I already seen one just like it, is there any information in what year it could be? I read Kingston ended in 58.

Clark,welcome to the forum. Heck of a first post,nice Kingston . Nailing down the year for this brand is difficult. Have to read the knife some and look at material,construction, markings and then it’s difficult. Are you into any other brands? Hope to see you around the forum,it’s one of the best knife forums around.

I am not into any brand exactly, I honestly am getting started. But I have a good first start in some nice VTG knives, I purchased a lot couple years back and just getting started on this forum so I am limited to what I could do and need to eventually support but can’t as of right now due to lack of funds.

[Clark23]

Hey there it’s been awhile and would like to know for sure, what handle material is on the Kingston USA jack? Was it all Plastic Composition handles used? Here is a refresh of the knife in question, also could I get some pricing information?

[Cdavis1331]

Awesome thread on one of my favorite stamps to collect. My current hometown is Kingston, NY, where the company got it's namesake I believe. Kingston, NY is located about 30 miles north of Ellenville and Napanoch and maybe 50 miles from Walden. Here's some photos of most of my Kingston knives.

[Tanuki]

I had yet to hear of Kingston when I saw this 3 5/16" serpentine stockman. Decently built knife in good shape, kept sharpened but with some small flaws in the edges.

[New_Windsor_NY]

Recently, this pocket knife arrived and it now becomes the latest example to join this topic or thread and to join my general pocket knife collection. It came in a very large group or lot of pocket knives that I purchased. I am happy to have it. However, I did NOT buy the group or lot for this particular pocket knife. It turned out to be a keeper. It is an UNBRANDED, three blades, NO tang stamp(s), 3 3/8" closed, 5 7/8" main blade open, "cattleman"(?), "stockman" (?), pattern or style of pocket knife. ALL of the bolsters have pins. I could NOT find the remains of ANY type of stamp, etch, etc. But, after carefully comparing this pocket knife with other similar, three blade knives, I am 99.999% positive that this "UNBRANDED" pocket knife IS a KINGSTON, an IMPERIAL, or a ?????? pocket knife. I also posted this under two IMPERIAL topics or threads. Overall, it is in EXCELLENT condition. All I did was wipe it off. I took some pictures and here it is.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.

***** If Anyone Knows For Sure What Brand This Pocket Knife Is, PLEASE Let Me Know. *****

[Eelephant]

Recently, this pocket knife arrived and it now becomes the latest example to join this topic or thread and to join my general pocket knife collection. It came in a very large group or lot of pocket knives that I purchased. I am happy to have it. However, I did NOT buy the group or lot for this particular pocket knife. It turned out to be a keeper. It is an UNBRANDED, three blades, NO tang stamp(s), 3 3/8" closed, 5 7/8" main blade open, "cattleman"(?), "stockman" (?), pattern or style of pocket knife. ALL of the bolsters have pins. I could NOT find the remains of ANY type of stamp, etch, etc. But, after carefully comparing this pocket knife with other similar, three blade knives, I am 99.999% positive that this "UNBRANDED" pocket knife IS a KINGSTON, an IMPERIAL, or a ?????? pocket knife. I also posted this under two IMPERIAL topics or threads. Overall, it is in EXCELLENT condition. All I did was wipe it off. I took some pictures and here it is.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.

***** If Anyone Knows For Sure What Brand This Pocket Knife Is, PLEASE Let Me Know. *****

I’m no expert, but I’d be shocked if that was an Imperial. It’s a beauty, tho!

[Eelephant]

Prolly my only Kingston.