Colonial knives and the
several trade names used on them has been a mainstay in the American cutlery
industry since the company’s beginning in 1926. Names such a Forest Master,
Topper, Ranger, Old Cutler, and Snappy are but a few that may be recalled from
collector’s memories.
The families that
founded and still own Colonial was experienced in cutlery manufacture prior to
establishment of their Providence, Rhode Island, company. Frederick
Paolantonio, the founder of Colonial, was first trained in the cutler’s art in
his hometown of Ftosolone, Italy. He arrived in the United States in 1903,
worked briefly in a Rhode Island cutlery shop, and then went to work for Empire
Knife Company, where he remained for five years.
He next went to work for
Miller Brothers Cutlery Company and became production foreman there in 1914.
While there, he met Edward Oefinger, and together they started their own
company named Meridian to make skeleton knives for Miller Brothers. (These
knives were not stamped “Meridian” and should not be confused with the older
Meridian Cutlery Company knives). In 1920, they started P & S Cutlery
Company in Meridian, Connecticut, but sold it the following year to Imperial, a
company also started by former Empire employees. Paolantonio’s brothers,
Dominick and Anthony, had immigrated in 1910 and worked for Empire until 1917.
At that time they started the Providence Cutlery Company, making skeleton knives.
In 1920, Anthony formed
the A. Paolantonio Cutlery Company in Providence, making gold and pearl handled
knives. Dominick sold his Providence Cutlery Company in 1925 and joined Anthony
in his business. By 1926, the three brothers joined together to form and
organize the Colonial Knife Company. The Colonial organization had taken over
the A. Paolantonio business and soon expanded the factory to manufacture a
standard line of pocketknives.
Colonial’s original
production knives were generally of moderate quality, usually with celluloid or
other synthetic handles. However, the company had the ability to produce almost
anything.
When the World War II 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 World War II,
Colonial made Mark 1 sheath knives and “Giant” Survival Kit folding knives for
the U. S. Navy: and after the collector market grew, the company was called
upon to make high-grade limited edition knives for other brands, some of them
with genuine bone and stag handles.
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 1998 Colonial Knife
Company ceased operations and left the original factory site, but in 2001 the
company was reorganized under the leadership of the founding brothers’
grandson. Today, Colonial Knife Company produces a range of different styles
for both domestic and overseas.
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 Scouts 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, 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.
Sources
And where is the factory where Colonial "manufacturers" ?
ReplyDeleteAnd where is the factory where Colonial "manufacturers" ?
ReplyDelete