A bit about Ulster

The more I hear about Albert Baer, the more impressed I am with his business acumen! It makes me wonder, if Albert were in control of Schrade & Camillus today, how different the cutlery industry in America might be? At the very least I think he would have found a way to keep Schrade solvent.

So much for my morning muse, now back to the caffeine. :D
Dale
 
His "modus operandi" was certainly to think outside the box. This is what gave him a leg up on his competition from his early days of selling faucets, which is the reason I included that particular viginette.

Yes, he definately would have handled things differently. When Albert Baer died, at age 92 on October 26, 1997, his wife, Karla was then made chairman of the board of Imperial Schrade (Helene, his first wife and mother of his daughters who was his "Jimney Cricket, died January 27, 1964). This was his second wife, a former salesperson for IKAC, and she had little interest or personal involvement with operations. In trying to think of an appropriate description of the management by the board, I am reminded of a quote from George Graff, the Wool-worth buyer, who wrote a letter to the Board that "Camillus was a ship without a rudder" explaining why their account followed Albert Baer to Ulster from Camillus. Tom Dunlap expressed similar sentiments.

Coulda, woulda, shoulda...the fact remains that Albert and Henry Baer were extrordinary men, weighed odds and gambled repeatedly, and more often than not, won.

Codger
 
No matter how you look at it, War production of cutlery or any number of things was amazing. A lot of creativity and streamlining going on there. Albert's smart bidding on the ski knife, just plain, dare I say it, sharp!

Great stuff, Codger! Keep it coming.

Orvet, nice country that Oregon! If I hadn't come back to Texas to marry my high school sweetheart after 21 yrs (10 yrs ago) I'd still be there.
 
The other company? I can't reveal it without at least one specimen to show. But I can't be the only one to know about it. Anyone else with info to add, or any corrections to make is more than welcome to do so. I invite and implore you!

Albert Baer was soon introduced to General Doriot of the OQMG and was summoned to Washington to help in the OQMG Research and Development Division procuring hard to get supplies. Issued a high level security clearance photo I.D. card,a secretary, and a coded phone, he commuted from New York to Washington and back twice weekly on the overnight sleeper train. Again, he was given a higher appointment, to the Army Advisory board. He worked with the Navy Department, the Marine Corps, and Signal Corps, and the Corps of Engineers.

He was required to make up samples of “the wierdest things you can imagine”, and moved to working with the O.S.S. The O.S.S. wanted to supply a special knife to their operators with a hidden lock pick set. He met with the officer in charge, then descended upon Louis Schrade with the full power of the OQMG and had him secretly make the knife from his pencil sketches.

Other knife projects for the O.S.S were a knives to be concealed in an operator's rectum :eek: , canes with concealed daggers, and even snow knives to make igloos.Through it all, Ulster made money. Not a windfall, but enough to meet expenses and obligations while improving machinery and processes.
 
Here's an Ulster I unearthed in a box of knives I bought. Anyone need one for their collection?
UlsterSki.jpg
 
I hope I don't get into any trouble by reviving a seven year old thread, but this history about Albert Baer and Ulster, et al is too interesting to allow to be lost in the archives. :)
-Bruce
 
Great Thread! Thanks for bumping it Ballenxj. Here's a few of my favorite Ulsters. The Ulster card of Old Timer Barlows 10OT's <the Prince Albert offer knives> was found untouched in a mid West Hardware/Fishing shop years ago....not one knife has been removed or even opened...I hope they all have Ulster Tang stamps!.....would you be tempted to look? Anyone want to offer me the original purchase price $1.50 for the mint Ulster 1502 'The Official Scout knife' in the photo...? Hoo Roo
 

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Codger_64, I really appreciate you sharing what you know about Schrade, Kastors, Albert Baer, et al. I've been reading and reading and still have only scratched the surface. I am thoroughly enjoying it all. I ran across this thread a few weeks ago. Glad to see it bumped up. I got a late start at collecting, but I feel like I can pursue my interests with more confidence thanks to your scholarly research.
 
MerryMadMonk, credit where credit is due. My research has been the result of the efforts of many fine folks. Some were former Imperial Schrade employees. Many are members of this forum. Larry Vickery (lrv) has been invaluable in his research and assistance. Visit his archive website to see many original catalogs and price lists, as well as examples from many members' collections. See "Open for viewing" at the top of this page.

And no, it is never too late to begin collecting. Welcome aboard!

Michael
 
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