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By Tim Stetzer, Tactical Knives Magazine, January 2014Blackie Collins Signature SeriesAutos and Keychain blades that continue the legacy of a lost craftsmanColonial Knife has a long history of producing both commercial and military knives. It has had greatsuccess with its M‐724 autos, which are essentially updated MC‐1 parachute knives that Colonialrevamped with modern materials and construction techniques. As popular as the knives were with themilitary, Colonial’s Steve Paolantonio knew there was more potential in the design for the commercialmarket. He just needed the touch of an expert designer to bring it the next level.Fast‐forward to 2011 and a fortuitous meeting with renowned knife‐designer Walter “Blackie” Collinsduring a popular East Coast knife show. Steve and Blackie hit it off, and along...

By Mike Haskew , Blade magazine, field editorWhen Steve Paolantonio joined Colonial® he came back from a three‐year hiatus. Seems times were changing in the knife industry, and apositive response to fresh ideas would lay the foundation to futuresuccess.His family’s roots in knife manufacturing go back almost a century. Hisgrandfather, Antonio Paolantonio started the A. Paolantonio Cutlery in1919 after a stint in the U.S. Army during WWI, where he learned theblacksmith trade with the cavalry. Antonio recognized the blend oftradition and foresight that would ensure the future success of a newenterprise.Founded by Steve’s grandfather and his two brothers in 1926, ColonialKnife® had been operated by three generations of the Paolantoniofamily. By the late 1990’s, Steve was the company president.“The time...

The Paolantonio brothers came to the United States from Italy prior to 1912. They already had experience at making knives when they came to this country from one of the most famous knife producing cities in the world, Frosolone, Itlay. The brothers, Frederick, Dominick and Anthony worked for the Empire Knife Company of Winsted, CT for a few years. The Brothers all left Empire and separately formed four separate knife companies between 1914 and 1926. Finally, in 1926 the brothers united to form Colonial Knife Company, located at 9 Calendar St. Providence, Rhode Island. The business thrived and they moved to 287 Oak St. and have been manufacturing knives there until 1999 when Colonial moved once more to 61 Dewey...

By Chuck Karwan, Editor, Tactical Knives Magazine