Final Production Run Certificate

T

TedGamble

Joined
Mar 25, 2005
Messages
431
I recently purchased a 34ot that came with a "Final Production Run" certificate. Since there are no serial numbers, etc. that tie a specific knife to a specific certificate, I have to ask if there is any value actual in the documentation? There are no special markings on the knife either. I'm not complaining, and I guess under the circumstances of the foreclosure, this is better than nothing.
 
I'm of the opinion that it would be hard to "prove" that a non-serialized or non-numbered knife, and a generic certificate, could be tied together in positively identifying any particular knife. I think it is a marketing ploy to sell knives, and an attempt to cash in on the collectabilty factor, that may or may not exist in the future......for many knives, not just Schrade. (eg Frost, United, Taylor Collectables).

At least you got a good knife, Ted....... :D

Bill
 
The source for those certificates seems to be Smokey Mountain Knife Works. They have been including one with every Schrade and Imperial sold. I think El Lobo hit the nail right on the head.
Phil
 
I agree with Phil and Bill,

If anyone really needs one of these SMKW "Final Production Run" certificates let me know.
I think I have a few.
TTYL
Larry
 
To me a "Final Production Run" certificate is worthless. Who can or will "certify" that any given knife was from the "final production run"? Does it mean the knife was produced by the last shift, during the last week of production, or, the last month of production? Maybe it was in the plant for 'refurbishing' and belonged to a customer?
To me, all that it means is that the knife was amongst the "stuff" purchased at the Bankruptcy Auction.
To me, a "true Schrade" is a knife that was sold & shipped by the factory prior to July 29, 2004! Simple, really.
Your opinions may vary. :-)
 
This reminds me sorta of the China-made Buck knives that Smokey Mountain had etched: "Last Production Run, El Cajon, California."

Still, there is a little bit of history there to read on the paper, so it has some value. It is the knife your bought that is important, Ted.

Phil
 
Some of the present buyers of Schrades are quite new to the field. They represent perhapes the most important segment for future collectability and value of these items. They remind me very much of the new breed of poker players who now saturate the tournament circuit. However it is the fresh blood that keeps the old alive. The naviety of the questions and items they are seeking are those presented by people who know how to make the most out of any circumstance. There are however some collectors out there who really have some great pieces of history. As time goes on what is rare and valuable will become obvious to those who persue this bit of the past. Those who are new will mature. When they do it will be them who carry on the memories of this history. Schrade goes back to 1904 not 1959 when the old timer line was introduced. It seems that many of the new collectors seem to find this a hard concept to understand since they do not go back as far as the knives. The other side of the coin is that old Farts like myself find it difficult being enthralled with an 8OT. Unless it is marked Schrade Walden and made in smooth bone. I guess in addition to growing old I have also become a snob Good hunting LT
 
you're a wealth of precious information, LT.
As for there being a life(Schrade) prior to the Old Timer & Uncle Henry, you're absolutely correct, however, many (self included) were only 'introduced' to Schrade by these two lines and therefore, Schrade means these to us.
Maybe there is history, recent history and then ancient history?
 
The automatics of the prewar Schrade were pretty much off the market to the general public by the time I received my first Schrade. Thanks to the movies and press, they had the reputation later given to small concealable revolvers, "Saturday Night Specials".

A relatively new collector, longtime user of Schrades, I am slowly working my way back to prewar knives. If I live long enough, I hope to have a small but representative collection from all the years. Er... at least decades! I do seem to have a problem addressed in an editorial in Blade recently...namely FOCUS!

Oh, and the certificate might have had some meaning if Schrade had produced them. IMHO.

Codger
 
The wealth of automatics, Schrade Cut 04 to 46 Approx and the Schrade walden 46 to 72 line is approximately 20 percent of there line of knives. Granted these were there largest sellers the other real gems were also regular non automatic simple folders. Please check the archives, or Russell reprint of the Schrade catalogue also Jim Sargeant 1 and 2. since by virtue of being the last ass==== at the table I own most of them in original period display cases. Of course my autos are in my book and CD. Most of the patterns of the OT and UH line were in the original Schrade Cut line only a bit different in that they had regular numbers the OT and UH designation came with the change of handle materials ect they represent and are a natural evolution of this history but the patterns are repeats. It is a misconception to think that Schrade knives prior to the OT And UH line are the total representation of the company however they are a major part of the over all understanding of this history Good Hunting LT
 
correct me please but I read somewhere that during the early years there were about 300 patterns available per year from Schrade. Most of the knives were offered in multiple handle material including pearl. Beautiful stuff.
I have seen some of these early blades and I think drooled on the display case. The black and white pictures in the books cannot do justice to the real things. Until you actually pick up one of the old "Hunters" you have no idea how big and heavy these tools are.
So like Codger I'm starting down the long road of the older Schrade styles.
Some one help me, please! Is there a collectors anonymous?
TTYL
Larry
 
No problem Larry just drop enough money off and You can have one of the largest collections in the world in an instant. You know I remember over the years seeing all these great collections of Winchesters and old artifacts and always wondered how the owners had amassed such treasures the answer is simple some dingbat was there when they were not treasures and simply appreciated what no one else could see. LT
 
The real purpose of what I would like to see be remembered is the history of this subject . Not its financial possibilities.
 
LT,

You are correct by your comments of new collectors. There are those that have never collected before and see this as an opportunity to capitalize on Schrade's misfortune for their own personal gain. There will also be those who just want to look cool and boast that they have something that no one else can get anymore. I liken both of these to folks that ride Harley's either on the weekends, or simply keep them in their garage because they don't appreciate what they truly have. Although I ride a Goldwing daily (and over 20,000 miles annually) I have ZERO respect for these types. (Sorry to get sidetracked there, but this seemed to be the best way to draw similarities between what you said and how I too feel.) Although I am not a collector by the standards of this board, I would like to share why I became interested in Schrade.

As can be read in my very first post in Bladeforums.com, I recently found my deceased dad's 61OT while going through some stuff at my mom's house. When I returned home, I Googled 61OT in an attempt to find out anything that I could about the knife (specifically when it was manufactured, etc). Google pointed me to this excellent forum. After only a few minutes of reading here, the history of Schrade began to unfold for me. The more I learned, the more saddened I became. It saddens (and angers) me to hear about the proud heritage of Schrade and how this company, so steeped in American history, was literally cut off at the knees when it quite possibly could have survived if it had been given more time. I have been the victim of company buyouts and mergers, so I truly do appreciate what the Shrade employees went (and are still going) through.

So, after finding out some information about Schrade, I determined that I favor the 3-blade folders (108OT, 34OT, and the 8OT). The 8OT is basically a new version of my dad's old 61OT. So, after having found that out, I simply set out to get one of each to put away "for old times sake". I also decided to get another 34OT as my EDC. Lastly, I purchased a 7OT because it represents the largest folder in the Old Timer line.

Now, back to the original topic of the Last Run certificates. I suspected that the certificates were part of an attempt to capitalize on the plant closing. Someone got a little extra money from me for a piece of paper that may or may not have any significant value. That's OK - I won't make that mistake again. But, everytime that I look at my Old Timers, kept safe by their pristine boxes, I smile and also am saddened at what they represent. As Phil stated, they ARE excellent knives and I'm damned proud to own a few of them.

So, there you have it. I'm sorry to be so long winded on this reply, but I felt that I should clarify how and why I found this forum, and why I will continue to participate here as long as you will have me around.
 
Thankyou for taking the time to respond. what is even better is that in this case we seem to agree which is always pleasent albeit not always the case with everyone. Trouble with rice burners ( far eastern bikes ) is that they are like people who have alternate sexual preferences nobody minds being with them but many people do not want to be seen with them.

Some of the regular contributors have gotten nicknames over the years, Codger is Blademeister, Larry is Big Dog, Lobo is the woofer. If you do not mind I would like to make you Hogman ( done with admiration ). I hope you are not offended.

RIDE FREE OR DIE. LT
 
Wow is my face red now you know why I should stick to knives I thought a goldwing was a harley. Now you can see how being a bigot has its drawbacks. Sorry if I offended. Obviously the nickname is wrong as was I. Thankyou for responding as a true gentleman. LT. PS if ever there is anything ( in my specific limited field of knowledge ) that I may assist in please feel free to let me know.
 
LT, How about "wingman" for a handle for Ted?

My dad rides a wing in AZ to the Ford testing grounds almost daily.
He's also had that Polish bike, "kow-ow-ski" when in Dallas. Also known as a "Crotch Rocket"
When I was a kid he had Harley's.
TTYL
Big Dog, Dew
:D
 
LT, we expect you to know your Schrades, not your motorbikes. Most likely, neither you nor I even belong on one anymore.

Nice to see emerging interest in the older Schrade products here. I think we have snagged some great new members lately, like Del and Ted. Hopefully more will show up with one question or another about a Schrade they just bought for old time's sake, and their interest will grow in learning more about them.

Nice Mint conditon in the box knives are nice... but here is what I carried on the last day of hunting season this year in Michigan. As luck would have it, I didn't get the knife bloody; I am sorta saddened by that....
 
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