Imperial Schrade out of business????

T

thesouthernguitarist

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Aug 19, 2010
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I just read on wikipedia that "Schrade" is out of business. Is this true? Because they have a 2010 catalog out, and there website mentions nothing about it. Am i missing something?
 
The American company went out of business. We have a subforum for collectors of these original Schrade knives: Schrade Knives Collectors Forum.

The company name was bought out and is now used on knives, some of which match the original production models. There has been some bitterness over the new ownership seeming to fuzz over the difference between the originals and the foreign imports.
 
I don't know. I feel the deception they've used speaks against the quality I might expect.
 
It seems to be general opinion that the ones made in China are not made as well as the ones made in the US. I personally cannot say because I have not purchased one and probably won't.

Ed
 
As everyone has already said, the Schrade Imperial Corporation went out of business in 2004. The current production Schrade knives are manufactured for Taylor Brands, who bought the rights to use the Schrade name at the foreclosure auction.

Because they have a 2010 catalog out, and there website mentions nothing about it.
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I'm certain that if you re-check the website and catalog you will find that both are owned by Taylor Brands, with no mention of the Imperial-Schrade Corporation.

Some of the new Schrade knives have been made in the USA, but most are imported from China. Interestingly, or not, before going out of business Schrade themselves were beginning China production of their Imperial line, since the Irish factory was already closed.

Not much controversy any longer since this is all old news, but it something to be aware of if collecting the original Imperial-Schrade products. How to distinguish the originals from the modern production, the methods used by both Taylor and sellers to confuse buyers, and other Schrade lookalikes are common topics in the Schrade Collectors sub-forum.

Welcome to BladeForums!
 
To make things a little more confusing -
Schrade closed its doors in 2004. However, that did not stop its employees from producing knives. Wally Gardiner and Joe Hufnagel, top executives at Schrade, took a number of the master cutlers and started a new company, Canal St Cutlery, located at the old address in the Schrade custom shop from what I understand. So, while the Schrade name has been sold off to purveyors of cheap foreign knives, quality knves are still being made in the factory by Schrade employees under a new name.
 
thesouthernguitarist said:
o i see. I am relatively new on the knife scene. So sorry for asking about old news :o
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No need to apologize whatsoever. Hopefully you'll have enough information with which to go forward and make good choices for yourself.
 
thesouthernguitarist you have come to a place w/ some of the MOST knowledgeable;) collectors and makers IMHO in the around!!!

Shawn
 
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