George Schrade question

[Berryb]

I have only 2 knife books, one is a second edition Parker and Voyles, 1979. I was reading about George Schrade in it. It says he left Schrade cutlery in 1910 after he invented a shielding machine. He ended up in England with that machine. While there he got into a labor beef over that machine and was forced to shut it down. My questions are: what is a "shielding machine"? and What was the problem with it other than the usual "it replaced too many workers"? Thanks
Bruce

[jxr1197]

It digs out the cavity in the scale for the shield. Going from memory so allow for a margin of error here - the British Navy ordered a huge amount of knives and the handles were specced out to be a very hard rubber that the cutlers were having a hard time working with. The shielding machine zipped right through them and when the Navy contract was fulfilled the cutlers said they would walk out if the machines weren't removed from the factories. The machines were efficient, each one did the job of several men and if they kept the machines it meant reducing the staff.

[jxr1197]

Here's the excerpt of the story as told by Bill Schrade:

[Berryb]

Interesting stuff. that answers that question. Now, what's a neck drawing machine? Thanks
Bruce

[tongueriver]

[jxr1197]

*Although I do prefer Cal's take on it.

One of George Schrade's most successful (for longevity) inventions was the drill gauge.

[Mr. Chips]

That really didn't work out that well for the British knife makers in the long run did it?

[bladecollectorr]

neckdraw.jpg

*Although I do prefer Cal's take on it.

One of George Schrade's most successful (for longevity) inventions was the drill gauge.
drill gauge3.jpg

I remember when that drill gauge was up for auction. I had no idea that simple, ubiquitous tool had been originally invented by George Schrade. I had always assumed the gauge was invented the same day the drill-bit was invented. Nice pick-up!