Edition #17: Promotional Pocket Knives
These freebies used to be given out by everyone from car manufacturers to delis.
The pivoting pocket knife that we know of today is about 2500 years old — the oldest ever example was found was in Austria and dates back to the Iron Age. It has remained an every day carry for many ever since. Most pocket knives these days are fancy, hinged steel blades that get used to open packages or cut loose threads, so why not make them more interesting? Back when the US cared even less about safety, pocket knives were the perfect promotional item to give out. People always seemed to need them and what better wya to stay at the top of your customers minds! Below are a handful of some of my favorites out there, but there are so many more to choose from.
Advertising 2 blade pocketknife TufNut Hammer USA collectible on Etsy: Did I have to start with one that says “Demand Tuf Nut”? No, but I wanted to.
Vintage Advertising Pocket Knife on eBay: I’m not entirely sure what this is advertising for (possibly the phone type?), but the circular case and telephone graphic are just so good.
Vintage Syracuse Knife Company Advertising Knife on Etsy: You know what really screams “Enjoy Blue Bunny ice cream!”? A double-bladed pocket knife.
Vintage Say It With Flowers Advertising Camillus 100 Folding Pocket Knife on eBay: There’s no business name or brand on this knife, just “Say it with Flowers” which makes me think this was a florist’s promotional gift or something. Why does it feel oddly sinister, though?
Vintage Folding Pocket Knife. Advertising Piece for Hensel Optical Labs of Oklahoma City. Triangle Shaped. on Etsy: I love this little triangle guy from an optical lab. One side is a small blade while the other is a nail file. It even comes with a jump ring to add it to your keys.
Vintage Taylor Cutlery Tombstone Casket Co Promo Pocket Knife Memento Mori on eBay: According to the listing, less than 5,000 of these casket-shaped knives were made as a promotional knife for the Tombstone Casket Company.
Sunkist Money Clip Pocket Knife File Barlow Collectible Advertising on Etsy: I’m not sure how one organically acquired a Sunkist pocket knife, but I love it. They should really bring back this vintage logo.
Vintage Domino Club Flip Out Advertising Knife on Etsy: Okay now this is the exact knife you’d see in a movie sticking out of a guy’s back after he mentioned spending some time with the Feds, the camera zooming in on “Compliments of Domino Club”.
ANTIQUE REMINGTON UMC Drink Nehi Ladies Leg Shoe Pocket Knife & Bottle Opener Collectible Memorabilia on Etsy: Nehi was a flavored soda that debuted in 1924. It’s pronounced “nee-high,” hence the leg.
Vintage Cremex Custard Advertising Pen Pocket Folding Knife on Etsy: Started with an innuendo and ending with one. “Cream of them all” is just such a great quote.
Honorable Mentions:
What terms were searched:
Promotional pocket knife
Novelty pocket knife
Advertising pocket knife
Welcome to Finder’s Keepers
This is the newsletter dedicated to leaving no vintage stone unturned. Each edition will cater to a rabbit hole that I fell down one night and include an assortment of vintage finds that make you question “Why did anyone own this?” followed quickly by “Should I own this?”
My method is simple: I attach a keyword or phrase to the item and go digging, spending hours each week combing through hundreds of pages of Etsy and Ebay bric-a-brac. It’s chaotic but satisfactory, like looking through every rack and bin at a thrift store for those that partake in the more visceral act of going in person. I like to sit on my couch.