Other Lines of Cutlery Produced by Carl Schlieper

[Paladin]

I thought it might be a good time to post some photos of Schlieper's 'other' lines. There is Eye Brand obviously, but he also produced Jim Bowie, El Gallo and Fan Brand. Jim Bowie and El Gallo were a little lower in price and I believe it was mainly because they were not mirror polished, at least for the most part. Fan Brands were primarily offered in areas other than the USA, such as Canada, Australia and Africa, though I did see a listing in an old catalog offering them at a reduced price.

[keithw]

Great Pics Paladin!

I really like German knives like Eye Brand, but I haven't had much luck finding a good reference for dating them. Do you have any recommendations? I have the Goins Encyclopedia, Knife ID guide, etc., but they don't spend alot of time on dating Eyes, H&Rs, Buck Creeks, etc.

Thanks
Keith

[Paladin]

It is very frustrating trying to date Eye Brands. Neither Goins nor Levine is any help.
The only accurate info I have found is an article authored by Joe Dobbs and it appeared in Knife World in August, 1983 and again in the Best of Knife World, 1993. It obviously does nothing on the newer Eyes but it does have good info on the older ones.
It kinda boils down to a combination of stamps and shields.
The straight line stamp is the oldest and most desirable. It was used up through 1965, though not exclusively. It shared time with the logo stamp with C. SCHLIEPER around the curved upper part of the Eye logo and this one was used into the early 1970s.
Then, in the mid to late 1970s until 1981 they used the Eye Logo (over) GERMANY. There is a gap there I cannot explain.
In 1981, they returned to the C. SCHLIEPER (over) the Eye Logo.
As to the shields, the earliest was a plain badge-type or federal. I have to admit, I am not sure of the difference in the two, if there is any.
In the early 1970s, they went to the logo (over) SOLINGEN. Clarence Risner told me that the round shield came into use in the late 1980s. I emailed James Marek, a jobber for the Cruse family who controlled all Eye Brand distribution at the time with this same question. The reply follows: From James Marek, a jobber for Cruse during the early days who keeps records on everything: The round shield was first introduced in November, 1983 on the #815 pattern (4 1/4", large spear, gut hook, saw and corkscrew on back). All stag patterns began having the round shield in January, 1984, except Baby Lima DSL. Glad to help. James
What this all goes to show is that aging Eye Brands is a perilous or maybe tricky proposition. These all overlap to accomodate existing supplies and it is not a specific process.
I did not intend to get so wound up but it hard to get it out in a few words.

Ray

One thing I failed to mention is that pattern numbers on the tang stamps first appeared in 1979.

[muskrat man]

Just got this DANDY Jim Bowie in the mail from Paladin. Thanks Ray, this is now one of my favs

[blademaker]

My EYE caught this knife also from Ray's store, and ordered one....hope you didn't get the last one MM.

Craig

[blademaker]

Recant...checked my mail and mine is on its way....thanks Ray

Craig

[Paladin]

Thanks to you guys!! All is appreciated.

Ray

[muskrat man]

Here is my only El Gallo

[keithw]

Ray,

Thanks so much, you provided more info than I've been able to find in quite a few hours of research!

Keith

[keithw]

It looks like they may be going back to old marks on the tang. SMKW has several with the Eye Logo over Germany. I wouldn't think they are selling old stock.

http://www.smkw.com/webapp/eCommerce/pr ... U=EB1409BK

[muskrat man]

That looks like one that was assembled from parts "after the fact". Another way I've noted to identify an original vintage eye is the steel pivot pins. They used them for strength, newer eyes or ones that have been assembled from parts later on will almost always have nickel pivots, here is an example picture of a vintage 3 eye (left) and a late 80's model (right) trappers. From my observations it would seem they discontinued the use of steel pivot pins sometime in the mid-late 80's. The steel pivot is especially noticeable on knives that are kept shined and do not have tarnish on the bolsters, or if the bolster was a little over buffed at the factory the pivot will be sticking a little higher than the rest of the bolster becuase it buffs different becuase of the different hardness. Also note that jigged black bone and yellow comp/cell was used exclusively on carbon steel knives, most "rustless" or "surgical" knives had jigged brown bone handles, if it has something else there is a chance it is not 100% correct and vintage. This is just for the most common of things, eye is kinda like schrade "anything is possible" there are all kinds of variations floating around out there.

[keithw]

Well, since I'm hogging the conversation anyway, let me ask another question.

What are the date ranges for knives marked "Friedrich Olbertz"?
Did they make them in conjunction with Fight'n Rooster, Eye and Bulldog, kinda like their own "store brand"?

Thanks for all the info!

[muskrat man]

ummmm. Hey Ray, you wanna answer that one? I ain't got a clue

[Paladin]

Well,, it is like Harry Callahan says "A man must know his limitations" and this exceeds mine.
My interests have never gone beyond the 'old Eyes'. In general, that means no round shields and yellow boxes and selectively, one eye etches.
Now, let me be quick to say that there is nothing whatsoever wrong with anyone liking or collecting those knives. They are just outside my area of interest. That doesn't mean we shouldn't discuss them or anything of the kind. It just means that I don't know much about them.
Maybe someone else will come along who can add information to this.

Ray

[justold52]

Paladin WOW.

Your Yellow knives are making my mouth water so bad it is dripping in my keyboard.............

[Paladin]

Ken,
I was hoping you would find those.
You better jump on 3 or 4 of them. They are hard to resist, like a red-headed woman!!

Ray