FREE: Imperial Pocket Knife

Is the handle in as good of shape as it appears in the photos? Don't see that often.

Trust me, I rehab knives as a new hobby. As they go, this one isn't bad at all. I usually not only have to remove a ton of rust, but replace the handles, and tune up the brass pins holding it together. As they go, this one is nice. Unfortunately, most of my points are committed elsewhere at the moment. I think this one will go much higher than the small amount I have available now.

Saw a similar one on eBay for $75. From my knowledge, it only had two owners, counting myself, who kept it in good condition. It was lost for about a decade or so till I found it recently and decided to part with it. The black knife I have listed is the only loose one that would need tightened up and not entirely sure how it got that way.

Well I've got the bid for a minute. Probably not for long.

I won't get it. Some zero will snipe me at the end. They always do. These are nice knives, I have a few like it already, but the handles are not in that good of shape. In fact, the one I use for almost everything is much like this one, but has nothing where the plastic used to be. Still works great, once I diamond honed the edge. Stays sharp a long time. In fact, I have one exactly like this, but no plastic on the handles on that one either. That's the first thing to go, usually. I can replace handles, but sometimes I find myself asking why bother. Doesn't help the function, only the looks.

Imperials were first made in the US, then Japan, then ... well who knows, eventually the name became a "Made in China" type thing. Of course the original company is long gone. Back in the day, these were not expensive knives, I generally paid I think around a 1.49. I was kid, so even that was something then, that could buy you a bunch of hamburgers, they were 15 cents each, so that could buy ten. Of course, things don't stay low, tho these did for a long time. I think it was in the seventies when the prices started to rise. Funny part of it, for cheap knives, they were pretty well made, a lot have lasted a long time. Imperials are pretty easy to get hold of, but in good condition, well that's another thing. they were tools, much carried much used. I don't know how many I just flat out lost. They still do a little with us nostalgic fellas, but not a tremendous amount. The only well known brand that really has value to most guys is the ever popular Case. However, they're much harder to get your hands on, and cost a good bit, even when in rough condition. I have one, out of like sixty in my collection, and it's in rough shape. However, I won't do anything to it, because the value goes away if I do. Remington still does all right, if they're old enough.