This firm was founded about 1868, and located in St. Louis, Missouri. The trademark “Keen Kutter” was used from the beginning. This hardware grew to be one of the giants in the industry. Simmons eventually gained control over several manufacturing firms.
One of these was the Walden Knife Company of Walden, New York. Walden had made pocket knives for Simmons for several years, and about 1911 Simmons Hardware bought the controlling interest.
In 1922, Simmons merged with the Winchester Arms Company, forming what was known as the Winchester-Simmons Company. At that time, all of the Simmons-owned manufacturing firms were turned over to the Winchester management. Winchester-owned hardware outlets were taken over by Simmons. In 1929, the Winchester-Simmons firm was dissolved, and each went its own way.
In 1940, the Shapleigh Hardware of St. Louis purchased the Simmons Hardware. Shapleigh continued to use the Simmons trademarks as a second line to their “Diamond Edge” brands. In 1960, Shapleigh was sold, and the Simmons and Shapleigh trademarks were discontinued.
(Featured image) Early box for Simmons Hardware Co. knives.
c 1868-1960