Questions on irish schrades.

S

SouthDakotan

Joined
Sep 5, 2005
Messages
58
Well for several years I've been carrying a schrade folder that is 4 1/8 long, has the half serrated blade, and has the half serrated handle. It says Ireland on it and was wondering, are they really made in Ireland or that just stamped on there. Also how did you guys like the AP35 schrade knife? I've been thinking about getting one while I still can. I know they're a cheap knife but the one I've had has been a decent one.
 
Scrade did own a factory in Ireland. Many/most of their Imperial brand and Tradesman brand knives were made there.

I have two of the AP35 (Apex) knives. The first one is made in Ireland and the second one was made in China. The quality of the two is similar. Just a wee bit of side-to-side blade play and otherwise OK.

Honest, I wouldn't buy the Chinese Apex today, not for collecting anyway. They're still being made in China and imported today by Taylor. However, if you could find an older Irish Apex for a couple of dollars, I'd do it just for the interest value. The Irish Schrade factory has been closed for some time and there won't be any more.

Best Wishes, and Wecome to our little corner of BladeForums,
-Bob
 
Welcome SouthDakotan.
You pose an interesting question. The quality of the Irish made Schrade's may vary a bit. I noticed that especially on the stuff that hit the market from Smokey. I bought a broad spectrum of them from Smokey last year. Some I really like and some will set in the box they came in and probably never even be displayed. It may be that some of the stuff I got from Smokey was the dregs or perhaps seconds. Some were missing insets in the handles.
I like the fixed blades, the AP12, AP13, & AP16 are good users for inexpensive knives. I also like the AP5 folder. It is the first knife my youngest son ever bought with his own money. It proved to be a good first knife for a young boy. It sort of put him on the road to collecting. I also like the AP55, though I have never used any of the AP series as an EDC.
I did use the TM-45, putty knife with large knife blade in the handle. What a great concept tool! I had to repair two holes in the bathroom wall where a towel bar had pulled out. The knife blade worked great to clean up the broken edge of the sheet rock, and the putty knife is just the right stiffness to apply the wall patch. I really liked the way it preformed. Glad I have a couple.
The bottom line is, if you like the AP35 you should get some while they are relatively inexpensive. The value of the knife is something you establish for yourself. There hundreds of knives on ebay that other people place far more value on than I do. If the AP35 works well for you then buy them, use them and most of all enjoy them, that is what collecting is all about (at least to me).

Enjoy your collecting,
Dale
 
In the mid 80 tys Schrade moved much of the Imperial stuff that was in Providence RI to the Ellenville plant. I have a lot of it and some of the stuff is amazing. They opened the plant in Ireland ( Listow ) I believe ( it is from memory ). However even though this was a outlet for Schrade in Europe and even though there stuff used Schrade as an outlet in this country and even thought both companies were owned by the same people in reality they were individual companies or entitys. LT
 
They sell the Irish Schrades at the WalMart in my area.Haven't the foggiest which types. :)
 
The name of the Irish facility was Imperial Stag Ltd. It was closed in 2004 several months before the Ellenville factory.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. I was looking at AP35 because in smoky mountain knifeworks's catalog they look like they might be the ones made in Ireland and for 3.99 apiece they look good. Orvet I kinda started out like your son did with a similar knife except mine had serrations on the back of the blade. It has been a good knife and after several years of use I'd like to retire it and replace it with an AP35 or the ap511s smoky mountain has. Well looks like it's time to make out and order.:D
 
Shortly before going out of business, Schrade was having the Apex made in China. If you order from SMKW you're likely to get one of those. I did.

If you want to ensure that your Apex is made in Ireland, eBay is probably your best bet.

Of the few remaining Schrade items at SMKW, the Imperial Drop Point Hunter with Black Zytel Handle is made in Ireland. So is the Imperial Pen Knife and probably any of the Tradesman items (except the scissors, China).

Best Wishes,
Bob
 
By the way orvet, is the ap12 you bought made in Ireland? Sorry to ask but I want to make sure I'm not buying a chinese knife.
 
The AP12 I got from Smokey is Irish. It did not come with a sheath, but Smokey has the 3-1/2 in. sheath (which is the sheath that comes with that knife) for $.99, but you have to order it separately. Most of the AP13s I have I have bought from local stores. I still occasionally find them in a store with old stock.

If you are in doubt as to where a knife is made, just call in your order and ask the girl who takes your order where it is made. They can look it up on their computer and tell you. I do that often and if it is chinese I don't order it.

Dale
 
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