Geo Schrade Wire Jack Guard

oregon

oregon

Joined
Jan 12, 2005
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5,874
A few photos of the guard removed, easily popped out with a small screw driver since it was held in place by compression fit and the insert is flexible, from a pat. '42 Geo Schrade scout Wire Jack for your amusement:

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I wonder what this brilliant folder would be like with a titanium or aluminum wire handle, adjustable pivot, PB washers and S30V blade (with caplifter cutout, of course) in various sizes (guilding the Lily) ...
 
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Blaze orange painted insert? Too bold or not bold enough. Anodized and jeweled titanium insert perhaps.

The guard is not necessary for my sized fingers and this small folder but it could be eye-catching. And, it could be blasphemous alteration/mangling of a beloved antique.
 
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The guard was actually added because you could cut your finger in your pocket when you reached for your knife. Got that from Dad.
 
Ouch! Injury is something you don't want from your tools from the end user's point of view. And also not good from a manufacturer's risk/liability POV.

Do photos of your GGF, his workers and his factories/shops exist? I love the stories and photos that bring the past to life before my eyes.
 
Guard is now primed and awaiting "rescue me" orange top coat of enamel paint.

After removing the remnants of the original red paint and polishing the surface of the guard I put a paperclip into the fold and suspended the guard from a strong magnet in order to spray paint it on all sides.

10-11-2012primedguardWireJack001.jpg
 
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The orange enamel paint is curing now.

When the paint has hardened I will slip it into place, in the handle, using a small envelope of wax paper to pave the way. Maybe I can find a volunteer to hold a flat-bladed screw driver inside the handle to spread it a bit. When the guard is in place I will remove the wax paper sleeve. Hopefully the waxed paper will protect the paint while the guard is compressed into the handle. I'll see how this technique works.

I wonder how the employees fitted the painted guards back when they were first made? If I had to guess: Bottom side, pivot side, of handle was held open with the open knife held in a jig, guard was dropped into place, guard was spread open to fit, maybe by a chisel and handle wire was let close. So the painted surface of the guard didn't have to scrape past the interior of the handle so it had a good chance of remaining pristine.

If the last Wire Jack was made in 1958 someone who fitted the guards could still be alive today. If you are reading this how was it done thank you? :)
 
Hey Oregon, looking good so far! From a collector standpoint I'd have left the original paint, but for a user knife the sky's the limit! (Say, what's a NY subway token doing way out there? :D )

Eric
 
Thank you for the kind words Eric.

I most always enthusiastically honor collector value by shepherding vintage cutlery thru time without letting them age more than absolutely necessary with most knives I come into contact with. This one. This particular one and only this one spoke to me and it said "paint me loud knife boy paint me like a scream in the night." No, not really. :)

I'd like to see an updated version of the Wire Jack. A tribute to George Schrade. Something with modern materials. Heck, I'd like to see a naked automatic knife with a wire handle (spring load the handle to act as the stored energy to open the blade). Painting the guard is a baby step.

The Wire Jack is a delight to me. Simple and interesting: Genius. WTG George Schrade. WTG.

The "good for one fare" token was acquired by my wife's Grandmother while living in NYC. I keep it on my desk as a remembrance of her.
 
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The orange guard, using the wax paper, went back into position in the handle without issue.
 
Thank you for the kind words Ed.

I need to find some thin titanium sheet that I can bend & shape into a guard then jewel the outer surface. You can use the eraser end of a wooden pencil dressed in valve grinding compound and spin "jewels" (circular scratches) into the surface. Anodizing the Ti adds color (I have a terrific DC power supply and the bath, for bath style anodizing, is as simple as a little battery acid in water).
 
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I'm so happy to have found your post. I always carry my wire-scout in the coin pocket of my jeans. I have collected several over the years, and painting them alternative colors has crossed my mind many times. I'm always amazed at the internet, and the ability of like-minded folks to share their projects. I would have sworn I was the only one, so to find a tutorial is just awesome. Thanks!

^o,o^
 
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