Serialized Knives – what dose “SS3” indicate?

[koldgold]

It has been said "SS" stands for Saleman's Specile.
I would like any coments relating to knives with serial numbers... Ken

[orvet]

I don’t know about that number Ken.
I have not seen that blade etch before.
I would not be surprised if that wasn’t a prototype or a one of a handful of knives made as sort of a trial balloon. Perhaps the SS 3 stands for Sales Sample #3 or Salesman Sample #3? I really don’t know, it is totally a guess. Possibly Eric, Hal or LT have seen the etch and the SS 3 markings before, but I have not seen either before.

I really like the blade etch. Obviously it was a commemorative of the Schrade companies, maybe a sample of a proposed commemorative for the 100th Anniversary?

[koldgold]

Hi Old Mate Dale,
The lady that sold this knife to me, said her Late Father worked for Schrade.
All the knives she sold to me, where some of the best knives I have in My collection… Ken

[orvet]

Ken,
I found info on your knife. It was made in both bone & Staglon for the 80Th Anniversary of Schrade, c 1984.
LT posted a picture of one with bone handles in the Venerable Barlow thread on the 2nd page: http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... w&start=15
Scroll down about 1/3 of the way for LT’s post.

It doesn’t explain the SS 3 on the bolster, but at least it gives you more info on the knife and when it was made.

[MikeB1953]

I know I am involved it a topic that is over 3 years old but having just joined AAPK, I am going thru old Schrade posts. I worked for Schrade/Imperial as a salesman in the 80's and Indiana was my terratory. When Schrade would come out with a new product, we, as salesmen, would get one with are salesman number on it. My salesman number was 4. So when I. would get a knife, it would be stamped SS4. (Salesman Sample 4).

All the knifes I have from those days are all marked SS4.

Hope that helps.

Mike

[AREMINGTONSEDGE]

WELL THERE YA GO! IT DON'T GET ANY BETTER THAN FROM THE HORSE'S MOUTH. WELCOME ABOARD SIR YOU'VE FOUND A GREAT WEB SITE FOR THE KNIFE ADDICTED AFICIONADO. ROCKY

[koldgold]

I know I am involved it a topic that is over 3 years old but having just joined AAPK, I am going thru old Schrade posts. I worked for Schrade/Imperial as a salesman in the 80's and Indiana was my terratory. When Schrade would come out with a new product, we, as salesmen, would get one with are salesman number on it. My salesman number was 4. So when I. would get a knife, it would be stamped SS4. (Salesman Sample 4).

All the knifes I have from those days are all marked SS4.

Hope that helps.

Mike

Hi Mike from Australia,
Thank you for your time to answer my question; I hope you can stay on this forum.
This is an other "Salesman Sample knive". Schrade was hoping to release this "ACB80" in mid 2004.
Schrade never sold the "ACB sets" before they closed down, in 2004.
I have some unfinished "ACB knives" However, this is a finished "ACB80 - SS45" example.

[MikeB1953]

Hi Ken,
I love this site and will remain on forever.
Schrade will always be near and dear to my heart. In my opinion, Schrade knives are the best pocket knives that were ever built in this world. Not only are they a quality product but if you ever went through the factory in Ellenville, NY, you would understand why. The workers on those lines knew they were not only building a knife, they were building a tradition. It was like I was walking through a big family reunion. They were proud, they were happy and they knew they were doing something no one else could do. When I walked through the quality control department, they would push aside knives that if you had a microscope, you could not find anything wrong with them. But they knew. Maybe something didn't feel right or something didn't look right. That is something I will never forget. I know all the owners struggled with the decision about closing because it was a family company. But things change. Without getting into all the trade tax problems that the US has with other countries, I know Schrade stuck it out as long as they could.

I was lucky enough to meet all the main players at Schrade and at Imperial also.

That will be a company I will never forget.

Mike
Ps: the Knife you have is beautiful. I only wish I had one in my collection.

[koldgold]

Mike, I also have a strong bond with Schrade knives;
I still use the same old 881 (My every day user) I found in a gun shop back in 1973.

If you have the time,
This is only some of my Schrade knives an items, I have collected over many years.
http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... bum_id=131

This is an "unfinished Specil Order set" that was never finished.
Some of these knives were also boxed, ready to be releast.
Schrade had some good things in the pipe-line for their Anniversary. Ken

[MikeB1953]

Ken,

The wood handle set is beautiful.

As I get time, I'll go through you collection. From what I saw at a brief glance, It might be the best one i've ever seen.

Thanks for sharing.

Mike