I guess corn knives are still made because the small scale (homestead) farmer prefers this tool to a machete... being a little narrower and lighter, it probably requires a little less energy to swing. After a few days cutting corn, the difference would become noticeable....
On a large scale a combine harvester is now used - but in parts of Italy, the Balkans and Eastern Europe there are still thousands of small scale 'subsistence' farmers.
Manufacturers only make tools, and hardware stores stock them, if there is a market.... The ones you have seen could be old stock, but I guess some firms are still making them...
My hypothesis, still requires proof - one way or another..... but I remain biased towards it being an agricultural tool....
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