Help identifying Schrade+ Lockback

[Humppa]

Hi guys,

I went to a weapon store in the town next to my hometown just for looking a little bit. I didn´t want to buy anyhting and just talk to the ownerm that I already know now for more than 10 years.

In a display he has shown knives from several makers/cutleries. Wenger, Vic, Roselli, Hartkopf, Hubertus etc etc etc... and I also found a Schrade + stamped knife I have never seen before

Here are some pics:







I´m interessted in the time of it was manufactured and if it was something a little special or just a plain ordinary lockback folder.

What´s the handle material - any synthetics; I don´t think it´s Delrin.

Thanks in advance, gentlemen!!

 

[Codger_64]

Hi Andi! Welcome to the forum! What you have there is a SP3 Firebird lockback. The color tells me that it was made in the first year or so of production. After that, the standard production color was black and shortly the shield was discontinued. Eventually these were made in many different colors of handle materials and also different sizes comprising the Schrade Lightweight series. The handle material is Zytel. Here is my early gift set, SGS-5 which has a MSRP of $39.95 in 1987, the first year I see them listed in catalogs. As you can see, it included the tiny SP1 Nighthawk keychain knife and a color matched nylon sheath for the SP3.

The SP3 Firebird listed at $24.95. It continued in the lineup through 2004 when it was used as a clampacked inexpensive 100th anniversary edition. It appears that the knife was designed after the slightly earlier Gerber LST knife. I keep one in my fishing tackle box or life vest when canoeing.

For reference, here is the Gerber LST:

 

[Humppa]

Thanks for the information. I´ve seen that smaller Firebird in the shop, too. The guy there told me, they were sets but I hadn´t the moneay with me to buy the small one, too. Maybe soon. (They were there almost such a long time, so I think I can wait a little.)

Thank for giving me information about its age and the the fact about it´s production state (I hope you know what I mean, I don´t know the word for that).

Have a nice sunday!