How can I tell?

gajinoz

gajinoz

Joined
Sep 2, 2003
Messages
11,650
There is a hardware store down the road from me and behind the counter is an old (looking) wooden box with a glass front and a bunch of knives in it. A couple of them are Schrades.

How do I easily tell, if possible, whether they are the old Schrade knives or the "new" ones? Is there a simple, easy way to tell, even without getting them out of the display box?

I know nothing about these knives so I have no idea what I'm looking at.

Thanks.
 
Without getting them out of the box, it can be tough to tell, usually. The best way is to check the tang stamp. The good ones have "U.S.A." on the tang. If they are the new ones, SOMEWHERE you will find "CHINA" on the knife.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.
 
gajinoz said:
There is a hardware store down the road from me and behind the counter is an old (looking) wooden box with a glass front and a bunch of knives in it. A couple of them are Schrades.

How do I easily tell, if possible, whether they are the old Schrade knives or the "new" ones? Is there a simple, easy way to tell, even without getting them out of the display box?

I know nothing about these knives so I have no idea what I'm looking at.

Thanks.
Click to expand...


If you can see the master blade is will have USA on the tang stamp. If the knives are closed it is tough to say. I'd ask to get them out anyway, to check snap, and other side of the knife.

HAL ADDED: Someone trained us at the same time Dave. GMTA
 
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OK, great, if that's all it takes my problem might be solved. I'm sure I remember seeing USA on the tang of one of them.

Thanks for the info guys.

BTW, what sort of price range should I be expecting to pay for one of these? Yeah, I know, could be anything but a rough max / min price range could be helpful. Thanks.
 
If they are genuine USA Schrades (pre-2005), prices here would range from $20 to $65 or more depending on age, condition and pattern.

The box is your frst clue if they are still boxed. The later Taylor boxes do have Taylor Brands LLC on the side. The pre-2005 Schrades will have Schrade or Schrade Walden, Ellenville NY USA on them. Papers in the box give copyright dates. If you can snap spy cam pics we can help you from here.:D

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Of course it all depends on what model. If it's a hardware store and they're in a display case, you might be at the mercy of the proprietor. If they have a price tag on them, ask if he'll knock a few bucks off for you.

Good Luck!

PS- sorry Michael, didn't know you were posting too!
 
Thanks guys, I might wander down there tomorrow and see what I can negotiate. :)

I very much doubt I'm going to get boxes and papers, these things look like they've been sitting there for a while, boxes probably got thrown out a generation ago.
 
All the original Old Timers or Uncle Henry knives, the most popular Schrade brands, were made in the USA and marked so. So unless the tang stamp clearly reads SCHRADE USA, they're new imports.

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If any of the Old Timer or Uncle Henry tang stamps read simply SCHRADE or SCHRADE HANDMADE, they're imports.

(photo borrowed)
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If anything on the packaging or display case says, "Taylor," they're post-2004.

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Many of the Taylor-Chinese Old Timers are being produced in patterns and materials that the originals never were. They stick out like a sore thumb to anyone familiar with the originals.

SCT129OT.jpg


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Learn to identify the packaging styles used for the new imports.

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I hope this is a good start towards answering your question.

Best Wishes,
-Bob
 
You most likely are looking at Old Timer (Left) or Uncle Henry (Right).

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The open stock knife in the center is in the center. Most stores I saw them in would have more Old Timers. Were the ones you saw Old Timers?
 
The pic were great. I have a strong feeling the ones down the road are the original USA made knives. If I get one I'll take some pics and see what you guys think.
 
I never bid anything, 'cause I've never seen one for sale. :(

I'd guess though that Tongueriver should take his $15 estimate, add a zero, and then double it.
 
:eek: NOBODY'S getting those, they're mine!:D:D
 
Sorry about using someone else's photos; I couldn't help myself. Besides which a photograph is all that I will ever see. I hope the gentleman who has discovered some American Schrades is able to take some home with him. I am wondering about that wooden case. That could be nice, also.
 
No problem at all Tongueriver, doesn't bother me in the least. I consider it a compliment if someone uses my pics.:cool:

I was wondering about that case as well, and moreso just what vintage those Schrades are. With Larry combing the countryside out there, I doubt he's leaving much in his wake:D

Eric
 
Bad news unfortunately.

The knives I remembered seeing with USA on the tang were Camillus knives. The Schrades were the new Chinese versions. Bummer.

Such is life, there is another big hardware store in a country town not far from me. This place has been there for a very long time too. Might go for a wander through there and see what I can find.
 
gajinoz said:
The Schrades were the new Chinese versions. Bummer.
Click to expand...

Good that you came in and asked rather than be stuck with junk. Great group of folks here on BF and I've learned a TON!

I would love to do a side-by-side with one of my USA 165s and a Chinese one, but I will not spend the $25 to buy one. In addition, I would rather pay double or better (and have frequently) for a used US built blade and send a message to the conglomerates that ship all of our jobs overseas in search of more profit.

Dang, gotta get off this soap box and hit the sack.

Just my 2-cents.
 
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