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Norse King

image source: Facebook

In the 1950s the US market saw the introduction of the Norse king thru various Magazines for Hunters and Outdoorsman.

The Norse King brand was owned by the company Empire Mdsg. 

Empire Mdsg., (Dept. PS-766, 125 Marbledale Rd., Tuckahoe, N.Y.) was a mail-order company. It was common to see the ads on popular magazines like Popular Mechanics, Popular Science, Field and Stream etc.

The "regular" version had no guard and the "deluxe" version had a double guard. 














above: ads from various magazines from 1950-1970s period 

Thru this period, several makers made the same model.  According to Bo Eriksson (former KJE CEO),  Empire Mdsg would place the orders where he got the best price. 

Carl Andersson - Norse King stamped near the CA logo






Broderna Jonsson - It's clear in some ads the Broderna Jonsson stamp


KJ Eriksson - No KJ stamp just Norse King. Acording to Bo Eriksson, formed KJE CEO, the KJE version was made in the late 1950s









From my observation, the most frequent knife in auction sites is the CA model. 

Blade: Made out of laminated steel, the ads had some bold claims about the superior quality of the knife

- The knife could be driven through a quarter with no damage 

- The knife could penetrate a bell

- flexed almost 90 degrees without breaking

Two versions were made, without a guard the most common and with guard. 


The commercialization of this model began in 1950 and went thru the 1970s

The sheath is normally made out of leather. But there are a couple of ads (see above) that show a sheath similar no the UNICA sheath

Birchwood handles with ferrules in both ends. 

This model is very similar to others present in regular catalogs of the maker at the time. the main difference was the blade shape 

Carl Anderson 1950s catalog

Broderna Jonsson 1960's price list

KJ Eriksson 1950-1960s catalog


https://iknifecollector.com/forum/topics/broderna-jonsson-mora-camper

"" The "Broderna Jonsson" ("Brothers Jonsson") knives were common in the US in the 50's and 60's. They were sold through advertisements in magazines such as 'Boy's Life' and 'Field & Stream' under their own name as well as brand names such as "Norse King", etc. The company operated between 1936 and 1994.

For want it is worth, I think the laminated Jonsson blades are as good as anything that ever came out of Mora. A descendent of the family still make knives in a small shop, but I don't believe he makes any with laminated blades. "   "

https://books.google.pt/books?id=SKFM__EPww8C&pg=PA211&lpg=PA211&dq=%22norse+king%22+knife&source=bl&ots=z_10IzMGoK&sig=ACfU3U0FhCHPOOsWc8wLNr5xLpNIQ44_tA&hl=pt-PT&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiA676L44XxAhXHi1wKHXX_CuUQ6AEwEnoECBUQAw#v=onepage&q&f=true

https://www.lot-art.com/auction-lots/William-Rodgers-and-Norse-King-Fixed-Blade-Hunting-Knives-Vintage/itmg421460-william_rodger-21.12.19-ebth 

http://vintageknivescollectibles.com/vintage-mora-sweden-norse-king-hunting-knife-and-leather-sheath 

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Comments

  1. AnonymousAugust 1, 2022 at 10:48 AM

    Lucky me. I bought a 'Norse King' this past weekend at a gun show. Nothing on the blade except Broderna Jonsson Mora Sweden and let me tell you, it sharpened right up. The previous owner put some cryptic marks on the blade but that gives it some character

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