Schrade desert ironwood slippies

silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

Slipjoint Addict
Joined
Feb 2, 2005
Messages
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Saw some Schrade desert ironwood slippies in a Smokey Mountain Knife works catalog. The ad didn't really confirm or deny that they were of Chinese origin. Called and sat on hold for awhile. Anyone familiar with what I'm talking about? Look like regular Schrade slipjoints, but with ironwood scales. 34OT, trapper etc.
 
Yeah, they are Chinese, although of better fit and finish than I've seen from them recently. I picked one up just for kicks, and the walk and talk is there too.
For the price, not bad at all. Of course it's still a Chinese Schrade so......

Syn
 
I never saw a Schrade 340 middleman or any other Old Timer in anything but saw cut brown delrin. I'll bet dollars to doughnuts they're Chinese.
 
Yes, the new Chinese/Taylor Old Timers are available in 'exotic' materials like desert ironwood and sheep horn. To my knowledge, Schrade never used those materials on the original Old Timers, although some limited edition Old Timers had wood or bone handles.

One big hint, if the Old Timer packaging or advertising mentions "Taylor Brands", the knife is imported from China. Taylor is having some Schrade-brand knives contract-made in the USA, but not the Old Timers.

Here's a relevent topic in the Schrade Collectors section, "How to Spot Chinese Old Timers":
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=462222

Best Wishes,
-Bob
 
I'm guessing they purposefully did not include Imported in their catalog description of these knives. Any chance they are pieces from the Schrade USA inventory that were completed with different handle materials?
 
There's probably some chance, but given the popularity and rarity of the American made ones, and given SMKW's knowledge on the subject, I'm pretty sure they'd identify them as such and charge a premium for them...

-- Sam
 
Any chance they are pieces from the Schrade USA inventory that were completed with different handle materials?
Click to expand...
Chances are slim to none. I've seen a lot of the desert ironwood, sheep horn, and even turquois Old Timer knives advertised and none have had the correct tang stamp to be a genuine Schrade product.

Smoky Mountain Knife works has a good selection of the Desert Ironwood and Sheep Horn models, and each is clearly advertised as "Taylor Brands, LLC." An example:

http://www.eknifeworks.com/webapp/e...rade&Mode=Text&Brand=&PriceStart=&SKU=SCT6OTW

-Bob
 
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