Parker Edwards questions

[Rupestris]

Could someone tell me about Parker Edwards knives?

I've had an old Taylor/Seto butterfly knife that I've been trying to get rid of for a while now. I finally took it down to a local trade center/flea market and offered it to a vendor. I ended up trading for a Parker Edwards Mini Trapper. It was marked $30

I looked the knife over and was impressed by the initial quality. F&F was there, half-stops are amazing, and the knife is in new condition. Spey blade is razor sharp.

The blade is stamped "PARKER-EDWARDS ALABAMA,USA" on one side and "A95155S MADE IN USA 1986" on the other. Bolsters are nickle and polished, blades have a brushed finish. Scales are white/ivory color but have some faint brown spots that lead me to believe they are stag?

I assume the "S" at the end of the number denotes Stainless?

The camera needs batteries so no pic for now. I'll try to put some up later.

Thanks for any history/info,

Chris

 

[El Lobo]

Short version...

Parker-Edwards was a short lived ('84-'86?) partnership between knifemaker Fain Edwards and Jim Parker...probably more famous for making commercial damascus steel, than their knives. Edwards sold out to Parker in '86...and the entity eventually morphed into Bear MGC.
Others may have some more to add.

If your knife is 3 1/2" closed, it sounds like the smooth bone Trapper
mentioned in Parker's Price Guide. But, pictures might tell differently.

Bill

 

[sunnyd]

Short version...

Parker-Edwards was a short lived ('84-'86?) partnership between knifemaker Fain Edwards and Jim Parker...probably more famous for making commercial damascus steel, than their knives. Edwards sold out to Parker in '86...and the entity eventually morphed into Bear MGC.
Others may have some more to add.

If your knife is 3 1/2" closed, it sounds like the smooth bone Trapper
mentioned in Parker's Price Guide. But, pictures might tell differently.

Bill

As usual, great information by El Lobo!.. Thanks Bill!!

 

[Rupestris]

Thanks folks.

I did a little digging on-line and found some info as well. Found a few on ebay too.

I figure I'm still ahead. The butterfly knife was acquired in a trade back in '89 or '90. I traded a co-worker for a cheap bootknife dagger that I picked up for $10.

Bill, it is 3 1/2" closed and from what I've found it does look like the smooth bone models. It has the short bolster as opposed to the longer bolster on the other trapper models.

Still haven't gone out for batteries so no pic's yet.

Thanks again.:thumbup:

 

[Rupestris]

Finally got a couple pics. Not the best but they'll work.

I assume the "S" at the end of the number denotes Stainless?

Anyone able to confirm? What steel would they have used if, in fact, stainless?

 

[El Lobo]

The price guide lists 8 different versions of that (95155) Trapper...with various handle materials...some blades in Damascus, some listed as 440 (no further designation) steel. There is no mention of the letter S.

You could try asking the younger James Parker here...

http://bulldogbrandknives.com/

Don't know if he'll answer...but it might be worth a try.

Bill

 

[Rupestris]

Bill, you are a wealth of information. Thanks again.

As for asking Mr. Parker, I think my curiosity has been bed down for now. I'll just keep grinning over this one 'til my next purchase.

With the lack of a box and some minor handling marks, I don't think anyone will mind if I carry/use this one.

 

[John Edwards]

Looks like my initial $10. to join this party was worth it.
I've carried a Parker-Edwards since the 1980s.
Still a great knife.
The description matches yours, Chris, except mine has a single blade, no date, and tan bone scales (be gentle with me - it has been a long time since I read a knife magazine, and I'll have to re-learn the terms!).
Also, on the P-E side of the blade, I have an etched eagle with outstretched wings.
- John