Old "junky " knives from days past

[Ranger99]

Found a couple of old ( 50 years + -)
Imperial knives like they used to sell
at the five and ten cent stores. ( or
the variety store like my granny used
to say )
Coupla strokes on a steel, and they're
razor sharp.  $3.00 ( like they should be)

Yeah, carbon steel will rust, but I
have oil and know how to
use it

[ironglow]

  Hang on to them, they are not being made anymore.  Until recent years and the trans-Pacific deal by Clinton, Imperial was making some good knives in Ireland.  They were low cost and had black fiber handles, buy them if you find them.
   
   Those old carbon blades are to be treasured. Right now in my jeans pocket, I am carrying a German made knife that closely resembles the Victorinox line.  This one is 3.5" long, with a spear + pen blades, along with mahogany grain celluloid handles.
  Only 1/4" thick..and made in Solingen between WW1 and WW2. I enjoy carrying history..

[Graybeard]

I have small case folder from the days of my teens. It would rate as a pen knife I guess. It's small and has two blades with mother of pear scales. I used to carry it some for stuff like cleaning my finger nails or opening a letter but no longer do. I don't want to lose it.

[Ranger99]

I'd bought a Colonial folder similar
to a Buck 110 at a sale for $5.00,
and after a couple of whacks on a
steel it was razor sharp.
Steel pivot pin too

[Ranger99]

I have several old case brand from
decades ago, and they're well fitted
and good steel ( carbon of whatever
kind they used) and they're razor sharp.
I have a couple that are later manufactured
like a decade or less that are stainless
and not as well fitted and aren't near
as sharp.

Some of these old "junky " budget knives
they used to sell were some real tools
made to cut even if not as glamorous


Not many "jackknife " pattern knives
offered anymore either