All About Pocket Knives

I read some of the previous conversations about these knives. I noted that E.C. Simmons bought the name Chipaway Cutlery about 1890. Apparently, he owned a hardware store in St. Louis where he sold several brands of pocket knives. The name E.C. Simmons appears on the tang for his vintage knives. I've noticed that there are some that say "Chipaway Cutlery" on the tang but do not have the name of EC. Simmons. Are these knives still sold by Simmons or are they just a knock off? If I understand correctly Frost Cutlery also sells Chipway Cutlery knives made in Pakistan. I was hoping someone might have some clarification.

J529A wrote:I read some of the previous conversations about these knives. I noted that E.C. Simmons bought the name Chipaway Cutlery about 1890. Apparently, he owned a hardware store in St. Louis where he sold several brands of pocket knives. The name E.C. Simmons appears on the tang for his vintage knives. I've noticed that there are some that say "Chipaway Cutlery" on the tang but do not have the name of EC. Simmons. Are these knives still sold by Simmons or are they just a knock off? If I understand correctly Frost Cutlery also sells Chipway Cutlery knives made in Pakistan. I was hoping someone might have some clarification.

E.C. Simmons Hardware went bankrupt in 1939. Its assets were bought at the time by St. Louis based arch-rival Shapleigh Hardware, which is no longer operating as a business. So to answer your question, there are no knives sold today by Simmons. Frost owns the rights to numerous old knife brand names and sells knives under those brand names. To the best of my knowledge most are made in China. The connotation "knock off" is probably appropriate. As is caveat emptor.

Ken

A very Big Thank You Ken!