Putting together a display panel?

Codger_64

Codger_64

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I am putting together a display panel of Schrade X-Timers. The frame is a NOS Schrade wooden affair, and cloth for the background is easy to choose, definately red to set off the X-Timer's black on black. Labeling I can handle, and a X-Timer box will be sacrificed for it's holographic X emblem. Arrangement is easy enough, but I am stuck on mounting means for the knives. The most obvious is to use brass wire loops through the backing board. The frames of OT slipjoints Larry posted here have no visible mounting means though. How you do dat?

Also, most X-Timers are easily placed in that catagory by their model numbers. Here are the ones I have scoped out so far:
XT1B
XT2B
XT3B
XT7B
6OTX
7OTX
24OTX

The question is, would you include the Badgers series (SX4, SX4B, SX4S, SX21, SX23), or would you catagorize them with the "Q" series (Silhouette, 4x4, Nitro, Cable Lock).

"Any way you want" is the obvious answer, but I want specific opinions. The more the merrier.

Codger

PS- Did they produce all of the Badger variations listed in the '04 catalog?
PS-PS- I don't have a Badger, but noticed that the boxes and clampacks have the flag removed. One Ebay seller says they are China imports. Is this the case?
 
Codger,
I use a foam backing under a colored matting to set the knives on. The foam pushes the knives against the glass on the display holding the knives in place.
An elastic band is used by some of the displays as well as metal bands.
These displays can be purchased at places like Indian River. Their foam is a little stiff and the ones I posted from another user are mounted on a memory type of foam.

As for the X display or any display its up to your eye. What ever makes you happy is what you should do.

I like themes and a series put together. I would not put the Q's with the X's
just for shapes and sizes.

The Badgers were imports. I think Ireland first then China.

Hope that helps.
TTYL
Larry
 
Thanks guys! I'm getting some ideas. Keep them coming!

Right now I have five matching frames to fill. I may need to make two of the frames more shallow by adding spacers behind the foam for the smaller slipjoints and flat handled knives. The heavier, fatter Old Timer, Uncle Henry and X-Timer fixed blades may need the wire (coated wire from a toy package?) retainers. I even thought of the elastic poneytail holders my daughter uses. Anyone tried these? I also thought of the German silver wire I can get from my muzzleloading supplier. And maybe postit stick wax for blanks.

I don't think the Chinese and Irish Schrades will be a part of my "Proud American" displays. I don't have any now, and will continue to make an effort to avoid them. I have considered making a display of the Sharpfinger, first and last originals, and the knockoffs and a "New Generation" just to show the odyssey of what is for me one of the flagships of the fixed blade Old Timer line. I definately would have added Canadian and Mexican Schrades though. Oh well, when I get to be king I'll......

Codger
 
I just gotta mention that LT's pictures and many many more like those can be seen on his CD.
TTYL
Larry
 
I was wondering the same thing for an Old Timer wall display. I'm pretty sure I don't want the glass pressing against the knives to hold them in place, but aren't the bands distracting?

-Bob
 
Here are a few other examples I just snapped at random ( pardon the photography ). They are only to offer some alternatives to think about. I can only list 5 at a time. As you can see the straps are only one possibility and I really do not find them distracting however that of course is up to the displayer. It is only limited by the imagination. I hope you find this helpful or at least interesting. LT PS most of these are wall displays I really like the original table type displays and I keep my Schrade cuts, Waldens, and regular Schrades in this type of display ( of the correct period for the particular knives ) in either floor or table versions of these types. Getting a bit pricy even when you can find them a Schrade cut display case 1903-1946 can go 1000 if you can find it.
 
The support strip of plexi for the fixed blades is a neat idea. I like that. I don't see the supports in the bayonet picture. Fine wires?

Codger
 
Well don't shoot me if this doesn't work. But when someone above mentioned they couldn't see the retainers for the Bayonets, this different idea popped into my head. Now before I share this brainstorm (or brain hiccup) with you, let me remind everyone of a short Will Rodgers story.
Brother Will said he could solve the German U-boat problem, just drain the Atlantic Ocean and no more submarine attack problems. A reporter asked him how he proposed to do that? WIll answered "I'm just the idea man I don't handle the details."
In that spirit, I offer this idea with no details and no "distracting bands" either.
I propose magnetic retainers. Hidden behind the background fabric. Now I don't know if these are strong enough, but how about those magnetic signs they make for vehicles? Will a knife stick to the back of those? If so, just get some of that magnetic sign material and fasten it to the backboard w/ magnetic side out, then cover with thin fabric or foam whatever long as knives will still "stick" to board!! If knives are too heavy for the magnetic sign theory, well then you are getting over my head with electonic magnetic force fields, etc. But magnetic force just popped into my head when others were wanting to do away with any visible means of support. If you can get a patent for it I'd appreciate a percentage. Just ask Phil, he knows how to get in touch with me. LOL :D
 
Magnetics. Hmmmm. I had actually thought of that and discarded the idea. There are magnetic tool holder strips for mechanics tool boxes. But it tends to magnetize the tools.

Then gravity, but the kids would step on the frames if I laid them flat. Artificial gravity? Someone would REALLY have to want to see my knives to enter the centrafuge.

Force field? Perhaps that will be standard with the "Next Generation" Schrades. And maybe a clokeing feature to hide them as well.

Sticky stuff? I am afraid various adhesives would react with the metal and or plastic/bone/wood/leather of the handles.

Keep 'em coming guys! No idea is too far out for consideration or a grin! :D

Codger
 
Yes wire on the bayos, actually the magnetic displays are sold I do not know where to get them but, I have seen them. LT
 
Here are a few more types of displays. As you may notice on the contemporary ( modern Schrades ) I found the easiest way to collect them was simply to get an entire display. Then it is done. It is the older stuff I prefer in natural materials. I included some of the later high end stuff Schrade stuff that I acquired only to have an example my interest in these is only for reference. There is a small case with Turquoise. A set of IXL pearl canoes and a couple of engraved early Frank Giorgiani practice pieces ( from when he was just starting out. There is a small case with a flop over ( no backspring penny knives )collection starting from eagles to Allen, Walden , G Schrade ect which shows the progression of these knives from early american patents on through the various companies. Some novelty knives Marilyn Monroe cowboys ect are also in there. I mention this so that the reader will have an idea of what they are looking at I posted them to show some further alternatives of wall displays. I hope you enjoy the pics ( even though the photography is not so great ).
 
LT,
Those are AWESOME......Plenty creative and very well done, as always of course.

OK, trivia re: "The Duke"........did he carry a Schrade??? I'm sure it would've been a custom shop job, and larger than life, just like "The Duke" standup I saw in one of your postings. Perhaps you sent him one in your earlier days of collecting?
I, have no idea......but I thought I'd ask.....anything for a round for "Uncle Henry's Lost Souls" :D


Codger,
When attacking a "Sticky" problem, remember..........


"Use the FORCE, Codger...Use the FORCE"....apologies to Obi-Wan Kenobi.

bill
 
The first frame with the stags looks like the knives are deeply nested and not pressed into the glass. Rigid foam with fitted recesses for the knives? Nice. Like what you would expect from a factory display. I could do that. Maybe a real use for my Dremmel destructor after all.

The second frame for the folders with strip shelves: Are they angled backward with the backboard to keep the knives from falling forward? My current flat shelf cabinet is subject to letting the knives fall over when a door slams or the washing machine goes out of balance with a load of jeans.

The first frame (left) in the third picture look like the background velvet may be overlaying the soft foam as mentioned by others? But I think I see clear pushpins, so maybe no foam, or thin foam. Works nicely in those frames. The velvet wrinkles add interest, a definate drawback to the cheap felt I was considering. Yep, material cost just went up, but the effect is really nice. The second frame I can't see the mount means. Screws or pushpins?

I like those small cases in the fourth picture. Obviously they are shallow enough for the knives to simply sit on the bottom of the frame with a spacer under them to lift them up into the glass area so no part is hidden.

Factory fitted displays would be nice, but I have neither the floor nor counter space for them. Not to mention the funds to purchase them filled or unfilled.

I had thought of spraying a frame with formaldehyde foam and topping it with stretch wrap, bedding the knives and adding material after the foam sets up. I'm afraid of the gasses that might affect the plastics later though.

Very nice knives by the way. And nicely displayed. Is that a monster dealer American Wildlife folder? Interesting! I have seen huge slipjoints made like that, but never a lockback!

My interest in gathering and displaying the more modern "space debris", as I call it, is as you stated, for reference. I really do not like them very much, but they do show a portion of the evolution that ended in July of Schrade's 100th year. Somehow I feel like the story would not be complete without them, as they illustrate the last struggle to keep up with an evolving market even as we codgers were catered to by the continuing and reissue of traditional patterns, and nice collaborations like the Loveless, Kious, D'Holder, and Barnett knives.

As an aside, Jim Zumbo could have done much better in materials, even keeping the same design. Coulda, woulda, shoulda. Again I circle back to "if a frog had wings he wouldn't bust his butt every time he jumped"!

Codger "ramble on"
 
The Duke carried an automatic custom in the movie Big Jake which he threw into a tree to be used to cut down a sheepherder ( who he was trying to keep from being hung.) When I saw the movie many years ago I whinced and thought to myself that was a good way to break a knife like that. Years after that I read that he had indeed broken the knife when it was thrown. it had been his favorite carry piece. ( I do not know if he actually threw it but it was a dandy toss.) Wayne also used a switch in one of his later detective movies. MCcue, Brannigan?? I am pretty old now, the memory is barely a memory. He used a knife to open a pablum box in Sands of Iwo paid for with the extra money left when he had the girl he had picked up by a bottle of whiskey when he learned she had a son. I am happy when I remember to change my Under---- er I mean socks. That may be more info than you need. LT Sorry I just noticed the reply from Codger. The frame is on folding legs and leans back. The push pins ( on the one you mention) help a bit keeping in place. I have the displays and price or payment is ( well you know how I feel we have talked in the past ). However the problem is shipping man some of these babys are heavy. I have a couple of buildings full. Some amazing stuff almost as interesting as the knives. I (spelling mistake on purpose) wove old knife display cases. In fact I may choose to be buried in one. LT
 
El Lobo, this one claims to be a real "Marion Michael Morrison" Bowie knife. Is it? By the way, the "Duke" was named after a dog. :D

Description: John Wayne's bowie knife, made by Jonathan Crookes. The 9.5" blade is etched "DEATH TO ALL YANKEES". Ivory hilt panels, with "TEXAS" on the left panel and "JOHN WAYNE" on the right panel. Knife is 14 & 7/8" overall length, with a fish-shaped hand guard. Heavy leather sheath, with "CROOKES" embossed on the front. Very good condition. Documentation. $4,995 + shipping & insurance;

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976480281.htm

An entry in the logbook of director John Ford's yacht "Araner", during a voyage along the Baja peninsula, made a reference to one of Wayne's pranks on Ward Bond: "Caught the first mate [Wayne] pissing in [Ward] Bond's flask this morning - must remember to give him a raise."

He and his drinking buddy, actor Ward Bond, frequently played practical jokes on each other. In one incident, Bond bet Wayne that they could stand on opposite sides of a newspaper and Wayne wouldn't be able to hit him. Bond set a sheet of newspaper down in a doorway, Wayne stood on one end, and Bond slammed the door in his face, shouting "Try and hit me now!" Wayne responded by sending his fist through the door, flooring Bond (and winning the bet).

His favorite drink was Sauza Commemorativo Tequila, and often served it with ice that he had chipped from an iceberg during one of his voyages on his yacht, "The Wild Goose". (I bet he chipped it with a Schrade....Content)

Codger - a trivial kinda guy :D
 
I will not be led into a Wayne trivia conversation. I am familiar with all of the quotes episodes history and just about everything ever written on him. If there is a place where old drunks go when they pass on ( and i doubt there is anything ). But if I am wrong and there is a table for the last round. There are many I would like to meet and see there. John Wayne and Babe Ruth are two of them. I always liked the idea of a man who could drink all night and then be the best there is the next day. My last contribution to the topic of Wayne is the same as his last entry Feo, Fuerte y Formal. LT
 
For those of you too young to remember John wayne, or not versed in the language:

"I would like to be remembered, well...the Mexicans have a phrase, 'Feo fuerte y formal'. Which means; he was ugly, strong and had dignity." (Time Magazine interview, 1969)

Codger
 
The Duke also said: "I don't act, I REACT"

LT... love the display cases! Especially those Frontiers.

Phil
 
Rather than start a new thread about a display I am working on, I thought I'd revive this excellent one. What I have here is a great old dealer display case that unfortunately has spaces for some of the later Schrades most of us don't value much; the Clip-its and such. But I'm doing something a little different with this one as I fill it up, one by one.

I'm seeking standard model (that's brown sawcut delrin or staglon) OTs and UHs that have a blade etch of some kind, or a different shield. For example, the Sharpfinger has a 'Guns and Ammo' (magazine) shield. A few of the Old Timers have ''Compliments of Schrade' and the year presented, etched on the blades. A couple of the UHs are NRA etched knives, peddled to members or given away when one made a hefty contribution. And of course, I am keeping my eye open for advertisers. I've got a 'Quail Unlimited' knife in there and a National Wild Turkey Federation knife. Those two organizations, unlike Ducks Unlimited, used some of those lesser desirable models.

I've written before about the simple pleasures of knife collecting, things that make it fun. Here I am not spending large amounts of money, and can just enjoy finding something ordinary, but a bit different. It would be easy and cheap for me to fill in some of the remaining holes, but more enjoyable to find that elusive 'pheasants forever' blade-etched UH folder. Or even the cruddy little CH3 with something on it. Oh, one that was a slam-dunk was the 'Improved Muskrat', as it's already got a standard blade etch.

Hope you all have a great Memorial Day. Nice to be here among people who know what this day commemorates.

Phil
 

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