Colonial Knife Company Collector's Forum

[Miller Bro's]

I was just wondering what gives it away. I see a chance to learn something. Thanks again.

The can opener

[knifetime]

Ok I will study that and know what to look for.
Good info

[Joe Dirt]

Great eye on that can opener, MB!

Knifetime, I also noted that the Colonials only have "Stainless" in one line or two lines
stamped ONLY on the fork and NOT on the spoon.

STAIN
LESS

or

STAINLESS
COLONIAL

...... Joe

[gino]

I just picked this one up this morning

[knifetime]

Great eye on that can opener, MB!

Knifetime, I also noted that the Colonials only have "Stainless" in one line or two lines
stamped ONLY on the fork and NOT on the spoon.

STAIN
LESS

or

STAINLESS
COLONIAL

...... Joe

Joe I just checked that hobo and it is only stamped ss on the fork and not the spoon. Must be how some com did it.
It is stamped
Stain
Less

[Bonfire bob]

Yeah buddy....
The old timer's concentrated on making knives; not keeping records!!

[Bonfire bob]

Hello Gino!
Nice # 2903 Electrician Colonial!!
The second blade was a wire stripper/screw driver combo with a "Liner Lock"..!!
There weren't many liner locks out when we first flew this particular bird in the early 70's.
Particular means the hard plastic handles that are here and the plated bolster's.
We made this model with a harder "Delrin" handle in the 90's and we actually made the G I
Electrian's for the US.. Blades and springs were all 1/8'; .125 I believe...
DAM I can't believe I didn't save one of those..WAIT ! maybe I did ! I gotta' look..
We sold and made literally MILLIONS of these very popular handy "tool Box" item!!
Nice score although my friend....It's means much to me cause it's still alive and it's
actual age is at least 22 years young!
Bobby P. CKCo.

[knifetime]

Well I got one of the hobos you may have had a hand in Bobby. It is a Colonial and not in bad shape.
I realy like the little hobo' s.
Hey Bobby i noticed that the bail was missing on this one when I bought it would that be something you may have on hand to sale me?

[Bonfire bob]

Hey Phill, nice find!!
Our # 2644 Camper's Combo was made for many years in many handle styles.
This model was a "shell" style and I do have some old squeeze on bails and would be glad
to send you a couple. Just use an appropriate plier's to squeeze the bail on...
I have your address and will send you a couple Mon., or Tues...no charge of course...
Here's a shot of Colonial's last and final catalogue in 1995.. we sold them up to the end...
Bobby P..CKCo... CFE..(Cutler for ever)....

[knifetime]

Well thanks Bobby that's sure good of you and thanks for the pic, great reference material.
I hope to be gitting another Colonial hobo just about like that one in a day or to.
What would we Colonial collectors do without you. We would be a lot worse off that is for sure.

[junebug]

thats AWESOME.........very COOL of ya BOBBY

AAPK ROCKS

[Bonfire bob]

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the compliments!!
I will always be here for you all..(God willing).!!
I'm sending your bails today Phil, I hope they work for you.
I sent you two in case you mess one up...
My pleasure..Bobby P. CKCo..CFE..(Cutler for ever)..my new abreviation!!

[knifetime]

Well Bob you deserve it. You have been great help to a lot of us on hear.
Hear is another Colonial hobo i scored.
I remember from your book your dad kept a camp set on his desk. What years were those made Bobby? I have never saw one like the set your dad had. Was that a special run or a production set.

[Bonfire bob]

Hey Phil...these were very popular as you might imagine and were made from the mid 60's up to the version you have here, about late 80's to early 90's....
Bobby P., CFE...(Cutler for ever)....

[knifetime]

Got the parts and just wanted to say thanks.Went on smooth with no trouble.
I still have a question about the set from your book,the one on your dads desk,is that a 3 piece set? It looks like a 3 piece set. If so what years where those mad?

I picked this one up last week it is a knife/money clip that has the Anvil tang stamp. I believe that was a Colonial stamp Bobby,am I right in thinking that. If so can you give me any information on them. It is a great little knife,just a real cool looking finish.

[Bonfire bob]

Hey Phil, I'm glad you got the bail's and got one on with no trouble..

The three knives you are refering to are actually on grandpa Frederick's desk with his
desk sign that says "F. Paolantonio, President", for those readers that don't have my book.
This set was called the "Camp Pal" and they are three indivual shell knives; these were not mass produced and are very rare!! They were produced in the late 60's and were only available for very long. The top left little brush knife was the first knife my grandfather gave me when I was 12 or 13 years old!!
Bobby P. CFE...
Here's a pic for the gang here..

[Bonfire bob]

Ooops! Sorry Phil, I forgot all about the money clip! Yes it's ours for sure! The cat# MC-47
was in the line for many, many years! We made so many different designed shells that were blanked with these designs. They were brass and stainless steel shells and one of our biggest sellers were the Chivas Regal guys. We sold thousands every year with "Chivas Regal" stamped in solid brass with brass money clip on the back. Nice find.
Bobby..

[knifetime]

I thought it had to be rare because every since I saw it in your book I have been serching the web for a set like that and can't evan come up with another pic of one. I thought I might have miss read the pic.
I have probly 50 of the little money clips made by Zippo/Case mostly but I have to say I like the looks of that one the best. Thanks for the information Bobby.

[Bonfire bob]

Come to think of it, we also made this knife but with a unique S.S. square front, like a small frame around the outside; and we'd apply a piece of Celluloid inside the square and surface imprint on them! My dad's idea of course, if it involved ad spec...
I made some of these and I put in old Ivory piano keys in the middle!!
I gotta dig them out and take some pics!! Thanks for the reminder....
Bobby P.

[knifetime]

I thought this one was neat so I grabbed it up for cheap. 7 blades/tools you dont see many set up like this one. I can't wait to get it in hand.
I also picked up another hobo but it is not a Colonial.

[jerryd6818]

I picked up this Colonial Camp Knife (Hobo?) a few years ago and had just never taken any pictures of it. The spoon and fork are stamped Stainless. I'm guessing from the "patina" the blade and can opener are carbon steel. 1960s?? Great snap on the blades and tools.

Edit: I just noticed this knife is just like Phillip's only the condition is not as good as Phillip's knife.

[Bonfire bob]

You guys have got me busy today!! No problem, I love it.
Mr. Knifetime, (Phill), shows a nice old Swiss Master utlity knife model # 4804...
This baby has seen some action and it's still around!! This fact alone makes me proud! This one was probably made in the early 80's and we did make them up to 1995! It's original wholesale price was $ 5.73 in 1995..

Jerry has a nice old Camper # 2644, and very old!! The long pull and hand forged old fork tells it's age right off the bat! We made these up to 1995 also but with some technical changes..this one's probably made back in the mid to late 60's..Nice score!!
Great job hunting Colonial's guys; keep up the good work.
Bobby P., CKCo....

[knifetime]

I picked up this Colonial Camp Knife (Hobo?) a few years ago and had just never taken any pictures of it. The spoon and fork are stamped Stainless. I'm guessing from the "patina" the blade and can opener are carbon steel. 1960s?? Great snap on the blades and tools.

Edit: I just noticed this knife is just like Phillip's only the condition is not as good as Phillip's knife.

Great little knife jerry. Yours should have 3 backsprings and a long tang fork. The newer ones only had 2 backsprings and a short tang fork. You are right about the carbon. The one's I have are ss fork and spoon and carbon blade and can opener.

[Bonfire bob]

Spot on gents!

[Producer]

Hi guys, thanks for this forum.
Over the weekend at a local [western Mass. area] gun show I found this Colonial Electrician model with advertising. It's in pretty good shape.
This is my first Colonial and it's really neat.
I thought Bonfire Bob might possibly remember these.
Thanks for looking