I have seen several different maple handles Schrade knives with anniversary etches and special coined shields. I do not know for certain how many patterns were being made, or if they were made in production quantities or sample quantities.
When the Sample room was emptied, and the Sample makers fired, the records and knowledge of what was planned, what was discarded, what was produced in what quantities went out the window.
Those blue bone knives we have seen that have been the subject of conjecture are a case in point. I have seen two that were completed as anniversary issues. Others think they were to be a play for the Lowe's Hardware account.
Also three different patterns of Ruger private issue knives that I doubt Ruger ever ordered or bought. Shall we say then that only knives that were purchased through distributor/dealer channels before 07/30/04 are true Schrades? Will we discount all the prototypes and custom shop items that have come to the market since? And the 2004-0? DU issues that have appeared since the closing? A bunch of NOS Walden knives have shown up from the factory as well. What exactly was found in the Imperial Schrade offices during the "Great Scavenger Hunt of '04?
You do bring up a good point. Provinance of a lot of the last product is impossible, regardless of the efforts of the late J. Parker, of Kevin Pipes to lend their guarantee with signed and dated certificates. And the word of dozens of dealers nationwide who bought crates of knives from SMKW and the other major buyers of the WIP. It leaves the door wide open for forgery, but what value for the efforts? I have seen nothing that would pay more than a craftsman's wage, certainly no windfall.
Just my own observations and opinions, of course.
Codger
