Elusive Schrades

ea42 said:
Charlie that's an amazing example!! Those came about because there was a stash of old Schrade Cut Co skeletons in storage that sat around for decades and no one knew what to do with them. For those who don't know; a skeleton is a knife that's been completely assembled but with just the liners, no covers. The liners are countersunk so that the hammered pins can be sanded flush with the liners. A gold plated (or sterling silver) fancy cover was then snapped over this assembly and sometimes a matching shackle was then added...
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I went digging around online and was surprised to find pics of a Schrade Cut. Co. coffin-pattern skeleton itself.

I only found one other example of a completed Shaw-Leibowitz knife like the one Charlie posted. I couldn't find an example of a completed "Fox & Grapes" Cut. Co. senator.

Pics of the skeleton:

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All the material things we treasure, will someday belong to another. When it comes to old Schrade knives, the nicest ones have probably been owned by a few people over the years.

The Shaw-Leibowitz lobster, that Charlie posted previously, is no exception to this rule. Charlie very kindly passed this particular flame on to me and I was delighted to receive it.

Yesterday I polished it with cotton balls, swabs and Flitz polish. Some real stubborn corrosion was found in the deepest depressions where even a swab won't fit. I'm at least as stubborn though, so I persevered and I'm happy with the results. Blade sits dead-centre supporting the knife's stature as a carefully crafted tool. Good walk & talk to both blades.

The fabric-lined box and leather purse are in top-notch shape as well. I noticed that the Schrade Walden purse is quite a bit bigger than the old Cut Co purses for 2-1/4" lobster knives and almost seems over-sized as a result. You could stuff three of these knives in that purse if you had a mind to. Even the more commonly seen 2-1/4" lobster pattern knives seem big when placed around this tiny gem of a knife.

I took some fresh scans of the knife by itself and with my current group of 2-1/4" Schrade lobsters. One interesting detail (that Charlie may have missed?) is that the knife is serialized in ultra-small type on the edge of the handle (runs onto the liner too). My new knife is marked "43/100". Total quantity doesn't quite match the "95" stated in the memo Eric kindly posted for us. Perhaps Schrade found another 5 coffin-pattern skeletons, or not. Maybe "100" is just a nice round number.

This is my first Shaw-Leibowitz item and I'm impressed. The lost-wax casting is very thick and attractive. It's an interesting art-form that's well-suited to a fancy gent's knife.

Thanks again Charlie!

Surrounded.
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All alone.
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ea42 said:
Wow Augie what a stunner! Amazing sawcuts and a perfectly proportioned blade (look at that swedge!), you won't find better than that!

Eric
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Gus, Eric, thank you. Eric really surprised that much bone made it this long with no damage. The spine of that blade is pretty thick, lousy pic but it gives you an idea. Knife has Avery substantial feel to it.IMG_4042.jpeg
 
bladecollectorr said:
I took some fresh scans of the knife by itself and with my current group of 2-1/4" Schrade lobsters. One interesting detail (that Charlie may have missed?) is that the knife is serialized in ultra-small type on the edge of the handle (runs onto the liner too). My new knife is marked "43/100". Total quantity doesn't quite match the "95" stated in the memo Eric kindly posted for us. Perhaps Schrade found another 5 coffin-pattern skeletons, or not. Maybe "100" is just a nice round number.
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I'm glad that knife wound up in your nice collection!! It looks right at home!!
Thanks for the additional details!!

John, Eric, Frank and Hal - thanks for keeping one of my most favorite threads relevant!!
thawk thawk , Texoma Texoma , ea42 ea42 and Augie Augie !!
Knice Knives all of you!! :cool:
 
Oh man, I can't compete with yours, Charlie, but I am tickled to have picked up a second one of these.

I had my first one for years, and thought it was a bit of a unicorn, but another popped up for sale, so I had to grab it.

For years, Sears slapped Ted Williams' name on just about any kind of outdoors gear they sold.

So, the pattern isn't horribly elusive, but I think the etch may be.

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