Hello,
Just was reviewing some forums (as I do not spend a lot of time in any forums as a general rule) and saw a query on my progress on the Schrade book.
I'm working on it. Books are not like magazine articles and are slow gos. My goal is to have it out and in hand for introduction at the 2008 SHOT show.
Stewart Taylor has donated some start up money to get things started, because he understands the benefits of having a historical record and guide for collectors. (Just take a look at the books on Case and you can see what I mean.)
However I think I should go on record as saying that he has no editorial control, it is my book, and I decide what is said and what goes in it.
As the owner of Schrade he has bought his ticket and paid the admission to the Schrade historial record, to the tune of several million dollars. Just as the Schrade story didn't end when George sold the company to his brothers, and it didn't end when Albert Baer bought it, and it didn't end when the Walden factory closed and moved to Ellenville, it didn't end when Schrade ceased manufacturing knives in Ellenville. All those are different chapters in the Schrade history. And Stewart owns Schrade now, there are Schrade knives being made still (some of them will again be American made I am told). If he had not bought it or had been outbid, someone else would still own the Schrade name--the name had too much value to simply vanish away. And another owner might not have been interested in promoting the history of Schrade.
Schrade has a fascinating history, it's history is so smiliar to Case in both tang mark changes, patterns, time line, that is somewhat amazing that Case has such a wider following. I have opinions on why that is on which I will elaborate in the upcoming book.
As I said earlier as I get things more lined out I will be soliciting all the help I can get from everyone, including those of you willing to help in this forum.
At the SHOT show I lined up upcoming interviews with former Schrade sales managers, plant managers, and even the son of the head of the Rodgers/Wostenholm era under Schrade management.
I'm especially looking for some vintage photos of workers inside the factories for backgrounds, endpapers in the book, etc. All contributions will be acknowledged in the book.
And thanks to each of you for your continued interest in Schrade knives and the progress of the book.
Bruce Voyles