Isn't researching fun? One of the problems with using the catalogs as a primary research source is that they often contain errors in the pictures or descriptions, some knives listed ran into production problems and were delayed in their introduction beyond their catalog listings, some never produced at all, some were produced but never listed, and some were produced well before they appeared in the catalogs, and some after they were dropped from the catalogs. And then there are mock-ups, pre-prototypes, prototypes, photo samples, salesman samples, limited editions, SFO's (special private factory orders like Sears, etc.), outright errors, rejects, and the now imfamous "end of days" knives.
Perhaps the definiative list won't be compiled for another twenty five years, if ever. But assembling the lists, arranging and rearranging them by different attributes reveals some interesting information. And it gives a bit of insight into the goings-on behind the scenes at Imperial Schrade. It may also be twenty five years before we have more than a cursory glimpse at that. Possibly by then, some of the former workers will feel the need to talk about it, and write "memoires" and such. Right now they are, I am sure, still stinging and struggling to put their lives back together. After all, as the old saying goes:
"It is hard to remember that your objective is to drain the swamp when you are up to your butt in alligators."
I look forward to the day when such fine folks as Ms. Chase and a hundred others feel the need to look at their recollections and records and put down some Schrade history. Until then, collector compositions of lists and reviews, old catalogs and advertisments, examples seen in our own collections, and the few un-pruned remaining posts in our archive and pictures from eBay will have to suffice.
Codger
