Some advice for a newbie collector?

[Kestrel64]

I am relatively new to knife collecting, and very new to collecting Schrades which I really like. I am confused about the quality difference/value between:
Schrade, Walden NY
Schrade USA
Schrade Imperial Ireland

I am not interested in the new Chinese Shrades at all.

Any information would be much appreciated...I love this forum...I have already learned much and would love to learn more.

Thanks!

 

[lt632ret]

There are others here who will evaluate quality ect. However collector wise the monetary value is higher for the original Schrade Waldens 46-72 and the Schrade Cutlery Company 03-46. MUCH HIGHER. LT PS even though the copany was Imperial Schrade they were either Imperial or Schrade not Schrade Imperial Ireland. In reality they were like two different companies yet still releated. Of course there are always exceptions when dealing with Schrade like this little knife Tang marked Imperial Ireland stainless with a DE ( diamond edge ) shield and SCHRADE CUTLERY on the other side. Are you confused yet? Anyway welcome aboard. LT

 

[glennbad]

Good luck on your new endeavour.

Hope you weren't planning on having any money for retirement...

As for collecting, I don't collect for value, but more for craftsmanship and variety.

The OT and UH lines are great, and have many, many models to choose from. Although the waters are a little muddy, the trained eye can usually spot the genuine ones.

The open stock are fun to collect, cause there are many handle variations and patterns. Finding pristine specimens is tougher, though. Watch out, there are new schrades out there with the old SW tang stamp on them, that look just like the original, except maybe for fit/finish issues.


Well, good luck, collect what you like!

Glenn

 

[dragontat]

ya im new to it my self, ive been on ebay for the past week looking at the knive and ive pick up 5 so far for like 80 buck which i dont think is bad, ive spent that on a new gerber last year that i use for hunting. ive picked up a 293Y trapper yellow, a riggers knife #735 i think, #175, and a electrians knife, and a thumb lock 2 blade i done know the number. ive already gotten the trapper in the mail it a great looking knife never sharpened. and im going to the flea market right now to look for some treasures, so wish me luck. And good luck glenn bad finding your own treasures, it is addicting RYAN

 

[textoothpk]

I collect a few diffent knife patterns/types, mostly texas toothpicks and boot knives. And some things that would suprise some people here. But as for Schrades, I concentrate on the Schrade Walden and early 70's Schrade Old Timers (brown woodgrain boxes), new in the box, preferably with the outer white sleeve. And of course old pre-1946 Schrade Cuts pen knives. Important for me is to find something that is a bit of a challenge to find, and lots of different patterns. Only as a bonus do I THINK these will not only hold their value but possibly increase.

But collect what you like. Try and buy wisely until you know for sure what you will specialize in. Once you have your sights set on something you know you like, which meets all of your personal criteria, then you can run off full bore, damn the expense.