Schrade I*XL / Orgill Brothers Pearl Canoe Commemorative - 1981

[bladecollectorr]

In 1981 Orgill Brothers & Co. celebrated their 134th Anniversary. To commemorate this occasion they had a very special Schrade SFO made up.

In 2020 a fellow aapk member very generously sent me two of these knives to commemorate our friendship. Needless to say, I was super-happy when I got them and I am thankful to have such people in my life. Both knives came factory-bagged in their original boxes with paperwork. I gave both knives a very careful clean to remove their gummy 40-year-old factory oil coating followed by a hand polish using Brasso and Flitz as needed.

The "Orgill Brothers & Co. Commemorative I*XL Pearl Canoe Scrimshaw" is both attractive and unusual. Each knife features genuine mother of pearl handles that were scrimshawed by Bill Feeney, serialized nickel silver bolsters, brass liners and three stainless blades, two of which are etched.

As is often the case with Schrade, there is some fuzzy information regarding these knives. They were described after-the-fact in the 1982 Schrade Almanac. It states that "Only 350 of these special serialized knives were produced."

I have looked closely at pics of every example that I have come across over the years and this knife seems to come in two versions. From what I can tell...

One (my #177) is exactly as described above in the '82 Almanac. These came in a wooden display box and were paired with a matching ivory plaque (like a business card) that was also scrimshawed by Bill Feeney. These knives seem to all have engraved bolsters but neither the Schrade Almanac or COA mentions this feature.

The second version (my #133) came in the vinyl-ish fake-leather display box that most Schrade-I*XL knives came in. They do not have the added engraving and they are not paired with an ivory plaque.

How many of the 350 total were engraved? Were they engraved by Schrade or was it added to some knives by Orgill Brothers themselves? How many ivory plaques were made?

These are the questions I don't have an answer to. I can say that the engraving varies considerably. I have seen a couple with pretty simple engraving and a few with more complex engraving. The knives with the most complex type of engraving seem to be unique. They all sport the same scroll-style and cross-hatching technique but the patterns are all slightly different. I think they are hand-done. The most simple type of engraving could well be a machine applied pattern.

[bladecollectorr]

Here are some pics which focus on the differences in engraving.

First a composite of bolsters from 5 different examples:

Here is a composite comparing #149 (across the top) and #177 (across the bottom). These two have the most elaborate type of cross-hatch engraving.

This is the paperwork included with these knives:

[bladecollectorr]

I used to own one of these Orgill knives a decade ago but I ended up selling it when I suddenly needed cash more than I needed knives. I held on to my ivory Bill Feeney scrimshaw plaque though.

I've matched my old plaque with #133 so both knives have this companion when on display. I have to say I like both knives equally. The engraved one is that much more embellished and I sure do like engraved bolsters. First thing I notice is the bolsters. The one without engraving does a better job at making the scrimshaw "pop". First thing I notice is the scrim. Glad I don't have to choose!

Finally, a few more pics of them both with their matching plaques. Note that all four Feeney scrimshaws are uniquely different. It seems obvious that he was free-handing these. The basic components are all the same but sizing varies quite a bit as do the fine details of the subjects. Also note that the secondary blades on #177 are stamped "STAINLESS STEEL". #133 has no such stamping.

Awesome pair of knives from an awesome friend!

[Beavertail]

Those are beautiful!!!

[lt632ret]

These are indeed quite a pretty edition. I believe you are correct about there being two variations. The deluxe with scroled bolsters both versions numbered. I am attaching pics of my examples. I have also included a third example of this style of knife which is how the regular edition in the IXL line ( when owned by Schrade ) were sold. Scroll work, numbering, and scrim were done when Orgill picked out this style and were done on contract. I can not definitely say that Schrade did the scrim work or the engraving. However I believe they did??? These would have been made in the english plant and shipped here where I believe that at least they would have done some of the finishing work that is what they did so I do not belive they would have farmed it out. I feel the pearl scrim is hand done and if I had to guess I would say it was at least on some of them by Frank Giorgianni. I have seen him do this exact pic by hand on a bone canoe that he customized for me. It is to bad that the releationship between IXL was so short they produced some of the nicest knives ever put out by Schrade. It however was not a marriage to last very long the english cutlers did not like being owned by USA bosses. To prove that point when Henry Baer went to England to inspect the factory the employees had moved the machinery and were playing soccer in the factory just to make there point. Schrade only owned IXLa few years by memory 1979 until 81 or 82 That is only approximate. My pics are not very good sorry LT

[bladecollectorr]

Those are beautiful!!!

Thanks!

...I feel the pearl scrim is hand done and if I had to guess I would say it was at least on some of them by Frank Giorgianni...

Thanks for the great info regarding these knives! I don't think there is any mystery as to who did the scrimshaw on these Orgill knives though.

It was Bill Feeney, owner of Spouting Whale. He signed each piece "Feeney". Credit where credit is due. https://fandfinc.net/about-us/

He also did the scrimshaw on the two Schrade I*XL "Heralds of the Sea!" white bone sets that same year, 1981. (2-I*XL-SC and 2-I*XL-LB) When you add it up, Bill did 5350 knives plus the ivory plaques for Schrade that year.

I really liked these bone sets when I first saw them and they were the 1st knives I aquired with Bill Feeney scrimshaw art. I like his classic cross-hatching style and have since started to collect knives of any brand that were done by Bill. I recently had him do custom work on a 2004 white bone SC509 from my collection.

Below are three other Feeney knives I have in my collection. Note that he often signs his work with just a modified capital "F" (as opposed to "Feeney").

American Blade Scrimshaw Collection AB-11:

Another 1980's Parker knife this time with mammoth handles:

[bladecollectorr]

Finally, my pride-and-joy, one-off SC509 depicting my great-great-great-grandfather Capt. George Moodie and the historic tea clipper "Cutty Sark". This knife was discussed in some detail starting with this post: viewtopic.php?f=64&t=16116&hilit=feeney ... 30#p779529

I sent Bill this photoshop mock-up and the knife. I love how it turned out! Bill's a total pro with decades of experience behind him.

[lt632ret]

I stand corrected I it was really just a guess. Thankyou for the info. Regards LT

[lt632ret]

This is a pre Schrade IXL bone canoe. This knife was scrimed by hand by Frank Giorgianni . even with my photography you can see his initials FG at the bottom right of the scale. I gave this ( knife which was blank ) to Frank and asked him to do a nautical scene. He took the knife and while we spoke he began scrimming the picture. It was amazing to watch he was a skilled cutler and a wonderful artist. I thought he would ( if he agreed to do the piece ) take it and let me know when it was done instead he did it in front of me almost absent mindedly as we spoke. it was amazing. I thought you might find this piece interesting especially the circumstances surrounding it.

[bladecollectorr]

This is a pre Schrade IXL bone canoe. This knife was scrimed by hand by Frank Giorgianni . even with my photography you can see his initials FG at the bottom right of the scale. I gave this ( knife which was blank ) to Frank and asked him to do a nautical scene. He took the knife and while we spoke he began scrimming the picture. It was amazing to watch he was a skilled cutler and a wonderful artist. I thought he would ( if he agreed to do the piece ) take it and let me know when it was done instead he did it in front of me almost absent mindedly as we spoke. it was amazing. I thought you might find this piece interesting especially the circumstances surrounding it.

Great knife with an interesting story! Thanks for posting, LT. Bill Feeney told me he used to have similar sessions with Uncle Henry where they would chat while he demonstrated his scrimshaw technique.

Do you recall what implement Frank Giorgianni used to do your canoe knife? As in a pointed scribe versus a knife blade?

I have at least two knives scrimshawed by Frank Giorgianni. The 1987 Factory Dedication SC507 and the Moore-Handley 100th Anniversary M40.

[bladecollectorr]

I also have two more unsigned knives that Frank might have done. A LB7 with a ram scrimshaw and a Harry Gant SC507. The ram scrim is very similar to Giorgianni art on a few hot-stamped knives. I include pics of the stamped knives for comparison.

[lt632ret]

I have no idea of the tools he used. My knowledge of that procedure is severely limited. For those who may have an interest. The procedure for having a quantity of hot stamp scrimed knives was as follows . You would tell Schrade the pattern of knife you wished to use. How many you would need. Then Frank would come in. You would tell him what (pic ) you wanted on the knife and Frank would do a sketch. if you like it you would place your order. A steel die would would be ordered from a company I believe in Rhode Island. it would be cut on something I believe called a CMC ????? machine. Prices for these dies started at 600 dollars cost. Then the knives and dies were put in a heated machine. the knives were run through and stamped until the required number were made. The orignal example was often done by hand to show the customer ( not always ). When Schrade closed I acquired most of these dies. Often I would get an example of the issue and put the original die with it. I have a bunch of the knives with there dies. There might have been thousands of a knives made but usually only one steel die. This makes having a set with the die is unique. If something was wrong with a die ( worn out, broken ) a second die for that issue might be made. I am attaching pics of some of the dies and a couple of the knives with there dies. When Schrade moved to the new factory they needed the special knife of the factory to give out to various people. All of that issue were hand done as I understand due to time restrains. I mention this because that is one of the knives in your posting. LT

[jxr1197]

Just WOW!
BC and LT - incredible group of knives from you both!
The collection of dies is also unbelievable - but I'd expect no less from you, LT!

[lt632ret]

Here is a piece done by Frank for my 25 anniversary with he N.Y.S. D.O.C.S Schrade Micarta. Pictures do not do it justice. This was done in 1997. Hard to believe 23 years ago. LT

[doglegg]

Lovely knife

[bladecollectorr]

I have no idea of the tools he used. My knowledge of that procedure is severely limited. For those who may have an interest. The procedure for having a quantity of hot stamp scrimed knives was as follows . You would tell Schrade the pattern of knife you wished to use. How many you would need. Then Frank would come in. You would tell him what (pic ) you wanted on the knife and Frank would do a sketch. if you like it you would place your order. A steel die would would be ordered from a company I believe in Rhode Island. it would be cut on something I believe called a CMC ????? machine. Prices for these dies started at 600 dollars cost. Then the knives and dies were put in a heated machine. the knives were run through and stamped until the required number were made. The orignal example was often done by hand to show the customer ( not always ). When Schrade closed I acquired most of these dies. Often I would get an example of the issue and put the original die with it. I have a bunch of the knives with there dies. There might have been thousands of a knives made but usually only one steel die. This makes having a set with the die is unique. If something was wrong with a die ( worn out, broken ) a second die for that issue might be made. I am attaching pics of some of the dies and a couple of the knives with there dies. When Schrade moved to the new factory they needed the special knife of the factory to give out to various people. All of that issue were hand done as I understand due to time restrains. I mention this because that is one of the knives in your posting. LT

Thanks for adding your sea of stamps and describing their manufacturing flowchart. I believe it would have been a "CNC" machine.

Basically all that means is that a computer controls the movements of a metal cutting bit or laser. This would fall into the CNC metal die maker category. Computer would control a cutter that would reproduce whatever design you input into the "computer numerical control" or CNC device. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numerical_control

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IRlCTIukXM

Here is a piece done by Frank for my 25 anniversary with he N.Y.S. D.O.C.S Schrade Micarta. Pictures do not do it justice. This was done in 1997. Hard to believe 23 years ago. LT

Awesome fully customized knife! I'm sure it's a treasured piece.

I may as well continue the fun back and forth Those scrimshawed or stamped micarta SC504 Big Timers are a favorite of mine as well. I have these two.