Colonial knife company?

Colonial Knife was incorporated in 1926 by three brothers; Antonio, Domenic, & Fredrick Paolantonio. It grew to become one of the largest pocket knife manufacturers in the US during the 1960s. The company shut down in 1998, but was back into production under the Colonial Cutlery International Corporation in 2001. Colonial Cutlery International, Inc. brand is the imported line of knives and tools while the U.S.A.- made products fall under the Colonial Knife brand.
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TripleF
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Re: Colonial knife company?

Post by TripleF »

Yes it does Bruce! I love your backdrop and knife! Knice score BTW ::tu::
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Re: Colonial knife company?

Post by ironmage »

snorkel wrote:Anyone know anything about the Colonial Knife Company:
http://www.colonialknifecompany.net/

The have a lockback that looks exactly like a schrade LB7 and apparently it's made in the US.

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That Sr is because it prob was a schrade.“THE KNIVES THAT HELP BUILD AMERICA” SINCE 1926

Colonial Cutlery Int., Inc.
61A Dewey Avenue
Warwick, RI 02886

Email
knives@colonialknifecorp.com


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History of Colonial Cutlery International, Inc.

Colonial Knife was incorporated in 1926 by the Paolantonio brothers; Antonio, Domenic, Fredrick . Prior to the three brothers forming Colonial Knife, they each worked in other occupations which would hone their skills as manufactures and businessmen.

Antonio: upon returning from the First World War where he served as black smith with the U.S. Cavalry he started the A. Paolantonio Cutlery Company where he began making knives for the jewelry industry.

Domenic: worked for the Empire Knife Company, Meridian CT, as a foreman

Fredrick: worked for the Imperial Knife Company, Providence, Rhode Island as a department head.

The brothers proved they had the skills needed to achieve success. Antonio handling the sales, Domenic the finances and Frederick the manufacturing process.

The 20’s and 30’s would prove to be difficult times but with hard work and determination the brothers would overcome all obstacles.

When the Second World War broke out, Colonial Knife was engaged in the production of the famous Mark 1 Navy Deck Knife and the Navy Pilot Survival Knife along with a variety of military jack knives. During the, war Antonio served on the war production board in Washington D.C where he oversaw the allocation of steel to the cutlery industry.

During the next 70 years Colonial Knife grew adding new products. The 1950’s inspired such brand names as the Sure Snap (auto knife) along with the Cub Hunter and Rin Tin Tin series and other well know styles of knives that would earn the Colonial brand a reputation as “a boy’s first knife”.

The 1970’s saw the introduction of a number of better quality brands for Colonial such as the Ranger series, Master Brand, Swiss Master, and Old Cutler series. Each of these new series helped to increase demand for the Colonial brand throughout the United States.

The 1980’s and 90’s brought a new type of business to Colonial, the “private label” customer. These include Smith & Wesson, Colt, Winchester, John Russell Barlow and the riders of the silver screen with such names as Tom Mix, Roy Rogers, Hop along Cassidy, Daniel Boone, Elvis Presley, commemorative knives and Ultra Blade series and the Sharp brand (K-mart).

In 2001, some of the employees of the former Colonial Knife started Colonial Cutlery international (CCI) and began manufacturing the
M-724 auto knives and the J-316 for the military. This new interest in the Colonial brand led to additional customers such as the
Boy Scout of America, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A, Cooper Tools, Stanley Works, Ideal Industries, and the General Service Administration (G.S.A.) in 2002 CCI registered the Colonial Knife brand as a division of Colonial Cutlery International, Inc. Today (2010) Colonial Cutlery International, Inc. brand is the imported line of knives and tools while the U.S.A.- made products fall under the Colonial Knife brand.
Together, two great brands under one roof.


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313 Mike
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Re: Colonial knife company?

Post by 313 Mike »

Newly acquired Colonial, love the blade on this one! Long nail pull, nice swedge, blade extends up high enough when closed that it is almost like an easy opener. Plus the hadles are pinned, as are the bolsters which is a great score for a Colonial! Close size is 4 1/4 ", very similar to a slim trapper in style, but with a bigger, badder blade. Really liking this one.
Mike
Colonial slim trapper 004.jpg
Colonial slim trapper 001.jpg
Colonial slim trapper 001.jpg
Colonial slim trapper 003.jpg
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Re: Colonial knife company?

Post by Old Hunter »

Looks like you did very well on your Colonial Mike - they really were great knives for the money.
Deep in the guts of most men is buried the involuntary response to the hunter's horn, a prickle of the nape hairs, an acceleration of the pulse, an atavistic memory of his fathers, who killed first with stone, and then with club...Robert Ruark
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Re: Colonial knife company?

Post by 313 Mike »

Thanks OH, it was the blade on this one that was calling out to me...I was pleasantly surprised when it arrived at how solid the handle, and the walk and talk is. Seems like it is a "cut above" normal Colonial quality from that time frame. Many of my Colonials have shell handles that are loose, or coming loose, but surely not this one.
\Mike
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Re: Colonial knife company?

Post by TripleF »

Colonial Camper's Combination Hobo Knife....just came in today!
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Colonial Hobo Camper's Combination #2644 Knife (1).JPG
Colonial Hobo Camper's Combination #2644 Knife (2).JPG
SCOTT
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Colonial Knife Company History ebook:
https://gumroad.com/l/ZLDb
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Re: Colonial knife company?

Post by Joe Dirt »

Well, I told myself "NO MORE BLISTER PACKS" over a year ago after posting "the accumulation"
near the beginning of this thread.

So here's the latest...
A $9.99 special and only $3 shipping - stumbled upon it with 20 minutes left in a 7 day auction and NO bids!
An Anvil Brand 310 stockman with the wrong stamp.
It is stamped SHARPTM USA 380.

I asked Robert Paolantonio about it and he said the SHARP USA stamp belonged to Colonial
and was a "secondary stamp." He also gave an approximate date of "late 70's to early 80's."

Man, I hope this blister pack thing dosn't start over again ::facepalm:: ... as I type this - awaiting another
Imperial pack to arrive....

.... Joe
Attachments
Anvil 310 blis pak - ''SHARP USA 380'' stamp (front).JPG
Anvil 310 blis pak - ''SHARP USA 380'' stamp (back).JPG
''HONED EDGE'' etch.JPG
Anvil 310 blis pak - ''SHARP USA 380'' stamp 004.JPG
I've got a camouflage knife, but I can't find it.......

..... cardboard addicted.....

"The old timer's concentrated on making knives; not keeping records!!" ~ Bonfire bob
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313 Mike
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Re: Colonial knife company?

Post by 313 Mike »

Great find Joe! Very cool packaging as well. I don't know how you resist the temptation of ripping all those blister packs open, man I'd wanna get at that sucker!
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Re: Colonial knife company?

Post by Joe Dirt »

::rotflol:: dang near impossible, Mike... I buy one "out of the pack" to help with the temptation!
You don't need to keep these out of reach of children. It's the adults ya gotta worry about. ::nod::

....... Joe
I've got a camouflage knife, but I can't find it.......

..... cardboard addicted.....

"The old timer's concentrated on making knives; not keeping records!!" ~ Bonfire bob
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Re: Colonial knife company?

Post by TripleF »

And to think Joe, there's no medication for the sickness you have. (or should I say, WE ALL HAVE). ::rotflol:: ::rotflol::
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Colonial Knife Company History ebook:
https://gumroad.com/l/ZLDb
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Re: Colonial knife company?

Post by 313 Mike »

Here's a tiny little Colonial I recently received...anyone have any idea what years Colonial made these..? I've seen a few similar ones with the Hammer stamp as well.
Keychain knives 001.jpg
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Re: Colonial knife company?

Post by shugy »

This is the only colonial I have, it 's stamped colonial Prov usa. no idea what year? ::shrug::
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Re: Colonial knife company?

Post by TripleF »

Unfortuntely for us, Colonial didn't do much as far as differentiating with tang stamps.

Could been several million pieces made over a stretch of 30 or 40 years.......
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Re: Colonial knife company?

Post by 268bull »

Picked up a Colonial Fish - Knife yesterday at an estate sale. Unfortunately, there's a hitch in the get along with my down loading pics, so I can't show it. I believe the knife is dated to the mid - 50's. I'm saying that only because of the phone # and how it's presented ( just 4 digits ). The rest of the ad on the handle says; Stanley Garage Door Co., Seattle Wash. Considering the good condition it's in, I just don't believe it ever met the belly of a steelhead or trout. It has the appearance of having been tucked away in the previous owner's dresser drawer. ::tu:: Bull
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Re: Colonial knife company?

Post by jerryd6818 »

TripleF wrote:Colonial Camper's Combination Hobo Knife....just came in today!
I have one of those Scott. The condition is not as good as yours. There was buyers remorse when I received it in the mail (poor pictures in the listing) but I'm used to it now.
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Colonial USA.JPG
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Re: Colonial knife company?

Post by TripleF »

This Colonial Ranger Stockman arrived earlier this week. She was kinda mucked up. I oiled and cleaned her, and put a new edge on each blade. This so reminds me of a Schrade Old Timer because of the delrin handles.
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lot7.27.12 030.JPG
SCOTT
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Colonial Knife Company History ebook:
https://gumroad.com/l/ZLDb
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Re: Colonial knife company?

Post by edgy46 »

Great knives fellas, keep em coming.
Found this one Saturday. Four inch stockman wih square bolsters. Tang stamp worn off, good snap, well built economy knife.
Please correct me if I am wrong on it being a Colonial.
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colonial stockman 002.jpg
colonial stockman 005.jpg
colonial stockman 001.jpg
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Re: Colonial knife company?

Post by 313 Mike »

Nice knives everybody! Cutty I'm not sure if that one is a Colonial or not, they made such a wide variety over the years I'm constantly finding ones I haven't seen before, cool knife either way.
Check out this little 2 3/4 " yellow Colonial...I was surprised when I first handled it and found it to be a chuncky little sucker due to the fact that it has three backsprings! ...Something about the steel on this one though, I can't seem to put an edge on it for the life of me. Rarely have that problem with a Colonial
Mike
Colonial small yellow stockman 005.jpg
Colonial small yellow stockman 001.jpg
Colonial small yellow stockman 004.jpg
Colonial small yellow stockman 002.jpg
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Re: Colonial knife company?

Post by bigdaddys8ball »

here is a little colonial i picked up a few days ago for two dollars
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Re: Colonial knife company?

Post by 313 Mike »

Cool, I've got that same one but with no shield! I was amazed by it's tiny-ness...
tiny Colonial 001.jpg
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Re: Colonial knife company?

Post by bigdaddys8ball »

thats cool yours has no shield and different end bolsters and at 2 7/8 inches they are pritty small
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Re: Colonial knife company?

Post by PigSticker »

Just got this in the mail the other day bought in a lot off Ebay--Pic's were bad but figured I'd chance it and glad I did--had lots of rust spec's on all three blades but cleaned up real nice. Brass bolsters & white smooth bone.
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012.JPG
025.JPG
023.JPG
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Re: Colonial knife company?

Post by Bonfire bob »

Well folks, it looks like AAPK needs a Colonial Knife Company expert. Here I am!!
My name is Robert A Paolantonio. I am the only second or third generation cutler for that matter. I currently have a book for sale named "My Family Business", and my blog is
myfamilybusinessbook.com. I am also known by my personal custom line R.A.P. Cutler, that I established many years before Colonial went out of business after the year 2000. I spent over 40 years in the old factory of Colonial, and working in every department over the years was an incredible experience. It also makes me the most informative, experienced Colonial family owner alive.
This three blade stockman was one of my personal knives that I made at Colonial over 25 years ago. I used my companys parts but developed my own tang stamp years ago!!
The knife is actually a #530 Old Cutler customized by me. I made many of these knifes in multiple colored bone, stag, wood, Mother Of Pearl, and even scrimshawed Mammoth Ivory.
My book is an incredible story begining with my grandfather Frederick arriving in this country in 1903 and working very hard untill he incorporated Colonial with his brothers in 1926.
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Re: Colonial knife company?

Post by Bonfire bob »

This is our old "Slim Jim", two blade little cutie!! Sold tons of them from early 70's to mid 80's!!
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Re: Colonial knife company?

Post by Miller Bro's »

Image Robert
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