Schrade Generations of Knives

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Oct 27, 2006
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While going through Ebay sales, the sellers sometimes refer to 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation of the knife. Just what is the differences, and is the 3rd generation China made? Might be a dumb question, but I just don't know the difference. Dave
 
I really have no way of knowing what the particular sellers were refering to by "generation". Some knives were changed over the years resulting in what I personally call "type 1, Type 2" etc. For instance there were three distinct "types" of honesteels. And I've grouped the Sharpfingers chronologically into three different tangstamps by the type faces. There were three productions of the 165UH, and each has some distinct features.

Perhaps they are calling Schrade Cut Co. knives "Generation 1", Schrade Waldens "Generation 2" and Imperial Schrades "Generation 3".

I won't go into what I call the Chinese copies people seem to be buying on purpose these days. They are obviously being made by someone, but that someone is not "Schrade". Or Taylor. Is the name of the manufacturer even known? Taylor did announce their knives as "New Generation" not long after they took over the Imperial Schrade website.

Michael
 
Michael, the tang stamp differences makes the most sense. I will have to take a closer look at the photos, but most of the time I have to email the seller to ask just what is marked on the tang. Thanks for your help. Confused in NY

OBTW. the new tang stamp for China knives is PRC, whatever that means.
 
Dave,
Here are a couple of shots of actual 3rd Generation knives. Of course this doesn't help explain the 1st and 2nd generations, can't say as I've ever heard of those.
47buk3r.jpg
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44bu29s.jpg
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Eric
 
Nice knife Eric, so the Schrade + and Imperial Schrade would be the third generation?


No, 3rd generation refers to the model, Like Uncle Henry or Old Timer. There were seven patterns, two of which were stainless. The others had cocobolo handles like the above knives. Kind of a modernized style. The two stainless knives came out in 2000, but I'm not sure when production began on the others. There were I think four others that were done in staglon with UH tangs, but I think they were intended for the European market, and were very limited.

Eric
 
Thanks Eric, I think I've got it. 3rd generation is just one model of knife, new generation is Taylor Brand. Sounds like they skipped a generation somewhere. We have a few towns back in the hollows that we have had our suspicions of the same thing happening.:eek:
 
This is from Larry's information over on AAPK.

In 1980 Schrade produced a new knife, which they initially named the I.V.L.B. that in fact was the LB4. The knife was produced until 1985 with a total of 5107 knives being shipped. In 1983 Schrade introduced a pattern line called the “3rd Generation” consisting of 7 knives one of which was the C641 built on the same frame as the I.V.L.B. I cannot find any I.V.L.B. having been built that year.
 
Nice!!! That's a fine looking set!
 
I have a real soft spot of these knives. (and am generally just soft!)

The 3rd Generation name is based on the number of gereration of knife makers/cutlers that had worked at Schrade. If you look at the flyer on the link above the it kind of explains their thinking.

Great set of knives.
In 1999 they re-released one of the stainless handled models as well as a single bladed version but they were not called 3rd generations.
SC99-CP141.jpg

The LB4 was actually made a year or so prior to the 3Rd gens.
Both way too short lived but as I said I have a real soft spot for this pattern.
TTYL
Larry
 
I can't speak for anyone but myself of course, but I'll always have a soft spot ( thanks Larry :D ) for this forum, and this one that rests at my desk...

2s7gwue.jpg


Bill
 
I have a real soft spot of these knives. (and am generally just soft!)

The LB4 was actually made a year or so prior to the 3Rd gens.
Both way too short lived but as I said I have a real soft spot for this pattern.
TTYL
Larry

The 3rd Gens are just cool knives. Maybe it's those stubby blades. Maybe because they feel so nice in your palm, but also because no other manufacturers made the pattern. I guess they weren't big sellers, but it makes them somewhat uncommon.

I have managed to obtain the other two "Lost UH" patterns, but still searching for that elusive LB-4.
 
Robert Clemente makes some mention of the LB4 being made for the European market. One could show up in UK or German Ebay listings.
 
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