- Joined
- Jan 21, 2001
- Messages
- 1,634
Over the years Schrade has been affiliated with many companies and firms They of course made knives for Sears ( under Craftsman among other lines as well). They also have made knives on contract to almost all of the older companies and just about all the hardware and private tangs that have come and gone. At one time Schrade was owned by the BAER family who also owned the ULSTER knife company. During the hundred years Schrade has been around they have tried various advertising promotions one of these took place in the 1960 tys ( When the old timer knife line was really just starting out. ) This entailed The R J Reynolds tobacco CO and a product they sold called Prince Albert Tobacco. This was a well known tobacco at that time it was sold in a tin, and it was a big deal prank for a kid to call up the stores that sold it and ask them if they had Prince Albert in the can and when the storekeeper said yes the kid would say WELL LET HIM OUT. ( Wow am I getting old anyway ). Schrade put an ad on the tin and a coupon in it, which offered an Old Timer knife ( one of 3 styles) for 2 dollars and I forget how many coupons. So your dad would give you the empty tin, where you then kept you spending money until you had 2 dollars and sent away for your knife. These 3 knives carried the Old Timer Shield and the Ulster tang. If you ever find one of these you should be aware of what it is. Knifeworld did an article on this a while back. I am attaching a picture of a full set.
A few years ago I found out that every so often someone still sends in a coupon and 2 dollars Schrade still sends them a knife. I also miss that we have not heard the Schrade rep for a while I also feel that it is each persons right to there opinion. However there are always circumstances which might not be apparent. Strangly enough when someone says there is a bit to much play or a knife might not be correct, when you talk about Schrades the first thing you are told is send it back they will fix it or send you a new one. I wonder if a buyer gets sloppy import if they send it back to the third world country it came from.
Schrade is attempting to compete in a market that in other countrys virtually uses slave labor. They do it while paying a living wage using American labor and parts. They attempt to do it without cheapening the product nickel silver bolsters and pins. They still make there own sheaths when they could be buying imports made cheaper than they a buy the parts and employ americans to put them together. Presently boatloads of import automatics (switchblades ) are flooding into this country. For years automatics were one of Schrades greatest money makers still they adhere to the law and continue to comply with it. Hopefully some day these laws will be amended . How about leveling the playing field I promise you if you do American labor and spirit will do the rest.
I have read terms like bottom feeders of the industry etc. Ok like I said we all get an opinion. Also perhapes there should be no credit given for some of the things I have pointed out free enterprise says the best least expensive product gets the contract.
All I know is when the community needs a hand Schrade is always there. So are those third world countrys ( with there hand out). All Schrade is guilty of is making a good product that they have to sell in a market that prefers junk at a lower price. The affect of this is obvious in order to survive they must cheapen the product something they have fought off for 100 years. By the way check out where some of those big name so called american companies buy there parts. Believe me if they were totally American they would proudly claim to be.
I sure hope Schrade survives there aren't many like her left. Those who forget the past are destined to repeat it. BUY AMERICAN LT PS I submit this hoping it will be given the courtesy of any other opinion it is ment as that and nothing more.
A few years ago I found out that every so often someone still sends in a coupon and 2 dollars Schrade still sends them a knife. I also miss that we have not heard the Schrade rep for a while I also feel that it is each persons right to there opinion. However there are always circumstances which might not be apparent. Strangly enough when someone says there is a bit to much play or a knife might not be correct, when you talk about Schrades the first thing you are told is send it back they will fix it or send you a new one. I wonder if a buyer gets sloppy import if they send it back to the third world country it came from.
Schrade is attempting to compete in a market that in other countrys virtually uses slave labor. They do it while paying a living wage using American labor and parts. They attempt to do it without cheapening the product nickel silver bolsters and pins. They still make there own sheaths when they could be buying imports made cheaper than they a buy the parts and employ americans to put them together. Presently boatloads of import automatics (switchblades ) are flooding into this country. For years automatics were one of Schrades greatest money makers still they adhere to the law and continue to comply with it. Hopefully some day these laws will be amended . How about leveling the playing field I promise you if you do American labor and spirit will do the rest.
I have read terms like bottom feeders of the industry etc. Ok like I said we all get an opinion. Also perhapes there should be no credit given for some of the things I have pointed out free enterprise says the best least expensive product gets the contract.
All I know is when the community needs a hand Schrade is always there. So are those third world countrys ( with there hand out). All Schrade is guilty of is making a good product that they have to sell in a market that prefers junk at a lower price. The affect of this is obvious in order to survive they must cheapen the product something they have fought off for 100 years. By the way check out where some of those big name so called american companies buy there parts. Believe me if they were totally American they would proudly claim to be.
I sure hope Schrade survives there aren't many like her left. Those who forget the past are destined to repeat it. BUY AMERICAN LT PS I submit this hoping it will be given the courtesy of any other opinion it is ment as that and nothing more.
