Collecting Schrade

[Jabb]

Hello all, I am fairly new to collecting a certain brand or so. Anyways, I want to start collecting the older Schrades. Is there a method to this or just dive head first? Thanks for all the help! I do however already have a couple sharpfingers, couple 340T and an 80T.

[americanedgetech]

A fella recently answered my similar question with this...

Quote:
"I've gone through the school of hard knocks over the past 40 years and found that you can't read and study enough to learn about everything but if you invest in the right knife,gun and collectibles books and read,read and read some more '' keep your books in the john" that's where I've learned more than anywhere,away from distractions. Beat the bushes and form good relations among pawn shops and other dealers , in other words get out and search and you'll be surprised what you can find and learn." Anonymous


His summation was, If you learn enough to know WHAT questions to ask, and WHICH answers to listen to you are on your way to learning enough to enjoy this hobby/life style.

Diving in (as I am trying to reel in) will empty your pockets, and fill your closets with garbage. You need to determine if you are buying for potential investment value or just for personal satisfaction. The later is easy, the first takes knowledge, and knowledge takes time.

I hope this helps at least a little.

[KAW]

Jabb & americanedgetech

Anyways, I want to start collecting the older Schrades.

That's a great brand to choose.... lotsa history too.... perhaps too much....
there's the Schrade Cutlery Co. era (1904−1946); Schrade−Walden (1946−1958 at Walden); Schrade−Walden (1958−1972 at Ellenville);
Schrade Cutlery Corp. (1973−1985); Imperial Schrade (1985−2004).
Then there are all the different product lines: Open Stock; Old Timer; Uncle Henry; Hunters; Scrimshaw, several limited edition series, etc.
....so you may wish to decide on a particular theme that appeals to you to focus on within the Schrade brand.

To help.... scan thru the threads here. There's lotsa info here to gather & photos to help you decide the kind of collection you wish to have.
also there's a great informational website you may wish to check out: http://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/

eBay is a very good source for knives & you could post a potential buy here on the board before bidding if you want to get some expert opinion or background info on that particular knife before spending precious $$$ on it and as you spend more time here learning the more confident you will get searching at flea markets, yard sales or antique shops, etc...

Its a great hobby... have fun with it!

Oh.... if interested in the history aspect as well.... drop by the America's "Little Sheffield" thread in the Knife Lore forum.
{Edit] (Just figured out how to add a link to a thread.) viewtopic.php?f=35&t=53451

[kootenay joe]

"Schrade" from 1904 to 2004 made a vast array of knives of all sizes, shapes & patterns, which makes them one of the most interesting brands to collect. And they made these knives mostly in large numbers so there are plenty of Schrade knives 'out there' to find & collect.
Before you jump in you need to be able to tell a Schrade made knife (from 2004 & earlier) from a knife branded "Schrade" but made by some other company either in USA or China, from 2004 to the present.
Another important point is that condition is everything with collectibles. In general pass on heavily used examples and save that money for never used or lightly used examples. You spend more per knife but come ahead in the long run.
Also buying knives from other collectors often gives you the best examples. Ebay is good too as has been mentioned but the top examples are usually not there and there are lots of rather used examples many of which you would regret buying once you have more experience.
O.K., Dive !
kj

[Jabb]

Thanks for the help, everyone!

-Josh