GEC/Schrade autos?

CoffeeCat2112 · Feb 1, 2013

In the "What are you carrying today" thread, flatblackcapo posted some vintage automatics. Earlier in the day, I had seen on another site that apparently GEC makes a limited SFO series of Schrade Cut Co. branded vintage autos. (I took a lot from context only, as there weren't many production details in the thread, so please correct me if I'm wrong) Does anyone here know anything about these? I apologize if this doesn't belong, but I think it does, as they are based on a vintage pattern (Jaeger Bros., Wisconsin, 1920's, apparently) and apparently now made by GEC.

Boggs · Feb 1, 2013

Blaine......

Sure enough.....this is one pattern that you need to be in the know on since they're not mentioned anywhere ....the fame is based on the #73 and so far there have been 6-7 different handle versions released over the past 5 years all being very limited........I'll send you a link...

flatblackcapo · Feb 2, 2013

Honestly I know almost nothing about that old auto I posted . This is what I do know of the orange handled auto besides the lock is NOT to be trusted.It was supposedly issued to paratroopers in WW2 and it was made by Shrade Walden.I found it in a tackle box that was given to me.That knife was filthy,dull and it stunk!The knife on the left was my Grandmother's.I do find joy in the fact that my Grandmother carried a switchblade.The knife in the middle came from Tijuana and is claimed to of been made in Italy,I'm not so sure I believe that.If you guys have info on the Shrade Walden I would like to read it.

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CoffeeCat2112 · Feb 2, 2013

Boggs said:
Blaine......

Sure enough.....this is one pattern that you need to be in the know on since they're not mentioned anywhere ....the fame is based on the #73 and so far there have been 6-7 different handle versions released over the past 5 years all being very limited........I'll send you a link...

Thanks for the link!

flatblackcapo said:
Honestly I know almost nothing about that old auto I posted . This is what I do know of the orange handled auto besides the lock is NOT to be trusted.It was supposedly issued to paratroopers in WW2 and it was made by Shrade Walden.I found it in a tackle box that was given to me.That knife was filthy,dull and it stunk!The knife on the left was my Grandmother's.I do find joy in the fact that my Grandmother carried a switchblade.The knife in the middle came from Tijuana and is claimed to of been made in Italy,I'm not so sure I believe that.If you guys have info on the Shrade Walden I would like to read it.

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Neat! What is on the blade of your grandma's switchblade? (Ha - that does sound funny in my head when I wrote it!)

eisman · Feb 2, 2013

Does anyone know where I can get one of these (Schrade/GEC) knives? PM me with info. Thanks.

2Dead · Feb 2, 2013

Jim, I think they're up to at least 11 cover types now. The SFO dealer (non-bf dealer so no links) has 10 pictured with the numbers of each but it doesn't include an ebony version that sold out between Thursday night and Friday morning. I know there was a thread here a few months ago but I can't find it at the moment. Here is my only one but I'm expecting one of the ebony versions next week.

flatblackcapo · Feb 2, 2013

bwperdue said:
Thanks for the link!

Neat! What is on the blade of your grandma's switchblade? (Ha - that does sound funny in my head when I wrote it!)

It is labeled with the blade steel.It is some super steel called "stainless"

2Dead,that is a very cool knife!:thumbup:

CoffeeCat2112 · Feb 2, 2013

flatblackcapo, that's funny!

Trand, that looks awesome! Please post pics of the ebony one when it arrives, too! Maybe even a video of it, even, please... :beguiled:

Curtis_Lowe · Feb 2, 2013

flatblackcapo said:
Honestly I know almost nothing about that old auto I posted . This is what I do know of the orange handled auto besides the lock is NOT to be trusted.It was supposedly issued to paratroopers in WW2 and it was made by Shrade Walden.I found it in a tackle box that was given to me.That knife was filthy,dull and it stunk!The knife on the left was my Grandmother's.I do find joy in the fact that my Grandmother carried a switchblade.The knife in the middle came from Tijuana and is claimed to of been made in Italy,I'm not so sure I believe that.If you guys have info on the Shrade Walden I would like to read it.

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Schrade, Colonial and Camillus all made those orange handled paratrooper autos for the air force. I've read and heard that they were Vietnam era not WWII. My mother was gifted a Camillus made one, from someone she knew in the air force, back in the early '80s. I think they were still standard issue at the time. Colonial still makes them for around $50 bucks.

whetrock · Feb 2, 2013

Had no clue GEC dabbled in traditional automatics. Very interesting to say the least. As to the "paratrooper switchblades" I've got a Camillus specimen and it's certainly a bit shoddy. It's got a great deal of blade play, though I've read it was intentional to help reduce recoil, so whoever's using it won't drop it. Even at that it's not something I'd want to trust my life to.

CoffeeCat2112 · Feb 2, 2013

It's a shame about the legal issues involved for a lot of members, because those GECs would make a heck of a unique forum knife...

jazub · Feb 3, 2013

These are very interesting looking knives. I also have not been able to discover the retailer. An ebony version sounds incredible!

LKJW · Feb 3, 2013

My Dad was a naval pilot and he has a Camillus Orange. I LOVED it when I was a kid. Not one of their better knives, though. I agree. Seen others. The lock always seem broken. My Dad hates it. Opened in his pocket a few too many times.

KrisNZ · Feb 3, 2013

2Dead said:
Jim, I think they're up to at least 11 cover types now. The SFO dealer (non-bf dealer so no links) has 10 pictured with the numbers of each but it doesn't include an ebony version that sold out between Thursday night and Friday morning. I know there was a thread here a few months ago but I can't find it at the moment. Here is my only one but I'm expecting one of the ebony versions next week.

Cool knife, but were's the button, how do you fire it?

jackknife · Feb 3, 2013

Hey guys, on the quality of the WW2 Schrade made issue switchblades the airborne troops had, they were never intended to be a good long lasting knife. It was designed to be, literally, a throw away knife to be used one time if you got hung up in a tree by your parachute lines. It was presumed that the soldier in question would have a MK2, or a 'real' knife on him in his gear bag, and the orange handled auto was only to be used on landing, if needed. They were made cheap, because it was a one time use deal by design. The locks were enough to keep it open for one use.

Carl.

Rusty1 · Feb 3, 2013

I know a few years back when the GEC autos came on the market, GEC were very reluctant to talk about these knives. For several reasons I'm sure!

Russell

2Dead · Feb 3, 2013

Thanks guys!!

KrisNZ said:
Cool knife, but were's the button, how do you fire it?

Not really a button. Rather you push up on the screw/lever like in the first pic.

Gec fan · Feb 4, 2013

Very nice 2 dead,here is my ebony not as good of pictures as trand but it will do till he can take pics

CoffeeCat2112 · Feb 4, 2013

Oh, wow...

I love the ebony combined with the switch mechanism and shield. :rapture:

Rick · Feb 4, 2013

This pic might help to illustrate how the knife is fired. It's a surprisingly handy release mechanism in terms of ergos and safety; very crisp action, and as a bonus, it has a unique *swish* firing sound. I used to collect custom autos and I've never heard anything quite like it.

These knives give GEC's regular lockbacks some serious competition in the lockup department. I have six #72s and all of them have a bit of blade play (the #65LBs are an improvement); not so with the "Schrade," which is rock-solid. One caveat though: IMO, they're extremely expensive for what they are at around $250, give or take. OTOH, most variants sold out in a few days (or hours, in some cases), so they should hold their value.