Big Bad Clasp knives

textoothpk

textoothpk

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Here are two from my small collection of Clasp knives, perhaps better described as 'American Clasp knives'. Or, as Bernard Levine calls them, which is a great name and description: "Clasp-type folding hunters".

Wood handled one is a 'Star'.. more about that later. The other is a Schrade, of course, one of the 75th anniversay knives--- Schrade really pulled out all the stops that year. They must have been doing excellent business, were at the top of their form.

I've identified four Schrade clasp knives: The one sold in the set of four commemorating the NKCA, featuring knives by four manufacturers. The 13 colonies certerpiece, as contracted for by Jim Parker. And two issues of the 75th anniversay; this one shown, and a much more expensive and better packaged 'gold etched' version. All the Schrades I have seen were model '275'.

Big and Bad! Most knife companies have made these over the years. I have always called them 'Grizzly's' after Ka-Bars name for them, the first one of these I ever owned. Case calls their issue a 'Bulldog'. Such a huge knife, it makes a great platform for fancy handles, engraved bolsters, cool blade etches. Its very very hard to find a 'user' grade of these things. Most of the backsprings are like bear traps. Takes a lot of steel to make one of these, with blades over an 1 1/4" wide, by nearly 4 1/2" long and thick as well. Both of mine are 5 3/8" long closed and an impressive 9 1/2" long. Real handful of knife. BRL says the shape of these came from the first handle material used on them... the ends of cow, goat, sheep horns. You can see that easily.

I've identified four of these by Schrade; Can anyone add any more? Some limited issue I don't know about?

The Star.. 'Star Sales' is still around, but they merely sell other's knives now. Their heyday began in say the late 1970s.. early 80s, when 'collectible' knives was taking off. Knives not just collected, but made for the 'Collector' crowd. Jim Parker was a big part of that movement. Stewart Taylor played a part in it. Other names not with us anymore include 'Battle Axe' and 'Colonel Coon'. Names still around include 'Fight'n Rooster'.

Not just typing here to wear out my fingers... Schrade of course made 'real' using knives, and they found (I guess) that they could enter the collector ('Commemorative- limited edition') market by merely enhancing their stock items. With exceptions like this big puppy I show here.

The Star... Star sales imported/wholesaled knives. Country of origin stamped on the blade. All had model numbers as well. Too bad the current star could care less about their collectible past, they have been no help to me at all. This star shows no country of origin, and it is exact to the Schrade in some measurements. I dunna know...

Phil

myclaspknifes.jpg
 
Those are very nice knives,Phil !!
I assume a knife that big came with a belt sheath or am I wrong? If a guy had to carry it in his pocket,Mae West would think he was glad to see her.
Did Schrade make any plain-Jane knives in that model?
Ron
 
Hey Phil,

That Kabar Grizzly that you talked about, was that the black handled one with the molded finger grips and brass bolsters? I always drolled over that particular model when I was a lad.

Nice knives in your pic, real purty and fancy-like, compared to my rusty junk.

Thanks...

Glenn
 
I believe LT posted a picture a while ago of the Schrade Clasp knives he has. He had them customized with back spring filings by his friend and I think it cost him some of his special sausages. One that you didne mention was the town of Walden Clasp. I' ll look for his pictures.
TTYL
LArry
Try this link. I beleive the pictures have been archived.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=340780&highlight=clasp
I had a copy of the pictures of the knives I took when I visited.
clasp1.bmp

clasp3.bmp

clasp4.bmp

clasp5.bmp
 
Well the knives out grew the case. Here are some new pics. Sorry they are not better. The display case was for Craftsman Schrades Which I redid. I added the handle dies, tang stamps, and scrim dies old sheath letters of authenticity when I came across them, there were 8 editions of this clasp style ( so why are there 10 knives ) well since I had imposed upon Frank who did the original scrim and blade etchwork I had these all back filed to make a unique set. Since I was imposing and I had a blank he did a special one of a kind 100 year anniversary piece ( so that made 9 number 10 was a 125th Schrade anniversary turned the other way to show the other scrimmed side. The pics really do not do these justice.

Now I could write out each of these editions and the years they were made does anyone want to see if they can name them? Also what makes a set like this tough is that many of these issues were not sold alone ( like the 13 colonys, ). Simple just buy two sets and throw away everything but the big piece in the middle. Then of course you have to have the dies, displays ect oh yea and know Frank and of course make Venison sausage. I was really surprised when I asked around no one else on my block has a set exactly like this.

I am also including a pic of a real KA-BAR GRIZ. Please enjoy the pics they are my pleasure to post. LT
 
What was it you said to me as I reached for the Big k-bar grizzly with my pizza covered fingers... Something like touch it and your fingers will remain in the house... Absolutly mint and probably the best example in existance were words I remember. All I can remember otherwise was trying to stop the drool.
You did not have the Special 100th and 125th when I was there.
As always, Thanks for showing us.
Larry
 
Nope that was the case zipper in clasp now that is a rare knife and this may very well be the nicest one in the world no one knows how many of these were made some say as few as 50 or 60 some say as many as 125 under Case Bradford pre 1920. Its yours for 14,000. I also am attaching a pic of a baby Griz. You could buy a decent car with the money these 3 Big Griz Baby Griz and Zipper would cost. They also made a coke bottle version I guess I should post that as well. Now I guess you know why my car is an 86 Lincoln. Actually I like old cars, old knives, old whiskey, and wimmen ( young or old ). LT
 
Upon seeing Larry's post, I was sorry I had brought this subject up again, seeing as how the answer was in past threads. But then LT wouldn't have posted those great photos! Fantastic.

So eight, official Schrade issues of the big Clasp knife? Great.

A user grade of one of these would be fine to have. The 'Star' I showed off is probably the cheapest of any I have see, any quality ones, anyway. I think 'Rough Rider' /China has one that is cheap, but who wants that???

LT, we were asked about sheaths... What's the answer on that? Perhaps it's just me, I don't recall seeing a big brute like these with a sheath. Time to put Paul to work.

Ka-Bar with finger grooves? No, that was not the one I was writing about, but I would like to see one.

Phil
 
Some really stunning knives in this thread. :eek: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Thanks for sharing the pictures.

Bill
 
Actually if you look at the bottom of the case of the Schrade collection I posted you will see the handles dies for the clasp pattern liners right behind that is the sheath which was available for this and the large folding hunter models. They are pretty rare I guess I should try to find the few I have in the bin and separate them. Come on you guys someone list the eight issues otherwise I will do it and you will have another of my boring rants on your hands. I know Larry knows the answer but is being polite. LT
 
Do to the underwhelming response. The eight issues of Schrade Clasp knives were 1, 1976 13 Colonys center piece, 2, 1977 Trail of Tears , 3, 1978 Custers Last Fight 4 and 5, 1979 Delrin and Stag 75th Ann issues, 6 and 7, 1980 NKCA founders edition and Walden 125 Ann issues, 8, 1984 Amer Express presidential series scrimmed with Teddy Roosevelt. LT
 
here is one more.
6602720013
Simply a un-scrimmed.
And I had no clue about the Teddy Roosevelt.
 
That really is not an issue but rather just a blank. You can find blanks in stag as well. In fact there were two scrimmed the Walden and the Presidential, the Walden was in delrin the Presidential in Micarta. I have also found blanks in Micarta. These were leftovers and usually will not be scrimmed. Notice the sign in the ad does it look familiar? ( I know this fellow In fact I believe I may have bought a similar blank from him. One of these blanks is what Frank used to make the one of a kind in the display I posted. Attached are some pics of this one of a kind hand done file worked ( to match the rest ), This was a micarta blank ( notice no etching ). LT
 
Thank you LT for answering my question. And you've added to our knowledge base here in the forum.

I do have an affection for this big and bad blades. Seeing as how none of you regulars are bidding on the one Larry showed us on ebay... I am. 'Scuse me, gotta go put some stuff on ebay myself so I can seriously bid.

Phil
 
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