Imperial Schrade Closed?

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For my part, I never really minded that Old Timers weren't really finely finished, I sort of enjoy tuning a new one up when I get it. It may sound kind of silly, but I guess in a way you bond with the knife when you put a little of your own effort into it.
 
TennKnifeman said:
So we learn we have had a death in our little family.
At this point in my mind it doesn't matter why--maybe the analysis of why will be clearer later. If a family member passes it is tragic, whether they stupidly stepped into the path of an oncoming train or are taken from us in a manner totally out of their control.
No matter whether you ever carried a Schrade knife, liked them, didn't like them, competed with them, they are gone just the same, and for that alone it is a sad, sad day.

Bruce Voyles, Editor
Knives Illustrated
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Bruce, that covers my feelings perfectly. Very well stated, sir.
 
Like many others, my first quality pocketknife (in fact, the first knife I ever bought) was a large stockman with the shield stamped "Schrade" (not Old Timer nor Uncle Henry) back in 1977 at age 13. I bought several more knives that year, including a Sharpfinger. I learned about quality and care of a good knife then.

That said, I agree with others who mention the havoc that 9/11 and the reactive laws have played with the knife industry. In fact, years before 9/11, I envisioned just this very scenario happening and affecting the knife industry. It turns out that the first manufacturer to close in this wake is the company that was probably the slowest to adapt to different tastes in the knife world, such as popularity of modern one-handers, etc.

Although I haven't purchased any Schrades for years, it truly hurts my heart to hear of its demise and the loss of the workers' jobs. Schrade was one of those old-line companies that, regardless what changed, was always there, and buy them or not, that was a reassuring thing.

This is also a wake-up call to us American knife users (who are a very tiny minority of the U.S.) to watch these new security measures. I do believe that those people whose pocketknives got confiscated at events as mentioned earlier, did not retrieve their knives because they either thought it wasn't worth the bother; or that they thought the police had a monopoly on their property once confiscated; or that maybe--they feared they might have been "profiled" by the authorities had they tried to retrieve their knives...? If they aren't knife knuts, chances are they may not ever carry another pocketknife again and join the anti-knife majority themselves.
Jim
 
A. G. Russell said:
SDouglas

I do not see how Spyderco a company selling moderate and high priced imported knives shows us anythng about Schrade. I think that companies usually fail for more than one reason, the silly reaction of the administration to 9/11 has played hell with the entire knife industry, not just Schrade.

Schrade will be back! some of the players may change but the company will come back!

A. G.
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A.G.

There are a number of American Cutlery Companies surviving in the same environment Schrade blamed for their demise. Spyderco has several models that are produced in the USA, Benchmade also has several models made in the USA, Buck and Camillus are I believe totally made in the USA but I won't swear to that.

My point is that although the environment is harsh strong, creative companies are surviving and in fact there is demand for all of the above American Brands overseas.

I do not wish to diminish the tragedy of losing Schrade or the severity of the current environment but if we want Schrade to come back or prevent other American Cutlery Companies from joining them we must learn from their mistakes at dealing with this environment.
 
SDouglas - Buck has some of its knives made in Japan whilst Camillus has knives made in Taiwan. I doubt whether there is one US company that does not have at least some of its range made off-shore maybe that's why they are surviving.
 
JDBLADE said:
I doubt whether there is one US company that does not have at least some of its range made off-shore maybe that's why they are surviving.
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Chris Reeve
Strider
Bark River
Microtech
Masters of Defense
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Chris Reeve
Strider
Bark River
Microtech
Masters of Defense
Click to expand...

CASE - ever since Zippo bought them, and the leadership swears that this will continue. They intend to be "The American Made Knife Company"

QUEEN - I do not think that they have ever outsourced parts, even in this country.

CAMILLUS ? - I do not know of any outsourced parts except from Schrade, their sister company and usually it was the other way. JDe which of their knives are made in Taiwan?

all the best, A. G.
 
SDouglas wrote:
"There are a number of American Cutlery Companies surviving in the same environment Schrade blamed for their demise."

=========================

Is Schrade "blaming" their demise on anything? Maybe I've missed it but I don't think there's been any official reaction from the Schrade brass.

I do agree with SDouglas' point, however, that Schrade was having a hard time trying to tread water in a very deep pool. Despite this being far from a "golden age" for pocketknife use, there is an astounding selection from which consumers can choose. Think about it, the average Joe User can choose to purchase a quality low-to-medium priced pocketknife from: Buck, Camillus, Kershaw, Queen, Kabar, Wenger, Victorinox, Spyderco, Benchmade, Boker, Case, Browning, Buck Creek, Gerber, CRKT, Puma and Opinel just to name a few off the top of my head.
 
I read an article a week ago, or so. It said that a tire company is interested in buying schrade. Anyone heard anything about this?
 
Like Case a few years back, there will probably be another white knight like Zippo to rescue what remains of Schrade.

And we'll have OTs and UHs for years to come.

I did, however, buy a UH trapper for posterity. It's a nice knife.

The OTs have been a bit rough but entirely useful and the price certainly right.

I wonder if Schrade didn't try too fast too insert more modern designs. There has been a pretty rapid turnover in their designs, etc.

Camillus, on the other hand, and Buck, have been a bit more selective in their modernizations. Same is true of Ka Bar, although I think the nice Dozier's are from the ROC.

In the end, cheap stuff is far better for the economy and protecting jobs. Eventually, Asian economies will catch up, theyll get unions and an EPA and OSHA. And we'll be set! :D
 
DrShame: Could you tell me where you got the article on the demise of Schrade which you have posted? I'm a knife writer researching factors leading up to this tragedy.
Thanks so much.
 
DrShame: Could you tell me where you got the article on the demise of Schrade which you have posted? I'm a knife writer researching factors leading up to this tragedy.
Thanks so much.
 
Markpintx, just for the record, the basic FRN Dozier Hunters from KaBar are made in Taiwan. The Thorn liner lock and aluminum Folding Hunter models are from Japan. Excuse for any interruption.

N2
 
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