Something Different

lt632ret

lt632ret

Joined
Jan 21, 2001
Messages
1,634
It does seem a bit difficult to generate some traffic on this site so I thought I would put something a bit different on that will show some various forms of jigging, handle materials, and knives that you do not see to often. George Schrade had a hand in the production and or the invention (ie patent) of all of these. They include Schrade Cuts, Schrade Walden, Pressbutton Knife ( where Schrade was the manager in the 1890tys until he and his brothers went into business in 1904. ) It also has Flylocks ( from the Challenge knife company of which Schrade also affiliated.) Presto knives ( the George Schrade Knife company)In fact many of the machines used by Schrade in his last company (PRESTO) came from the Flylock company when they closed. It also has Shapleighs which were made on contract by Schrade.While most of the models are similar there were many companys which carried the same model of knives but tanged different because they were made on contract. Some of these were Remington, Sears, Case, JJ Bean, Torrey, among others. If you look close you will see that a few of these are in Cell ( marine Pearl ) one is in ONXY cell. There are others as well however I thought this was a nice sampling and were about all I could get in the pic. These knives and there history are my primary interest and collection, in this field of study ( CUTLERY). They are the subject of both my book and CD. These knives are usually classified as hunters (STYLE). By the way there are no doubles in this group they may be the same model but they are all marked or in some way different from each other.

Since some of the readers of this forum seem to enjoy a test, tonights question is which of these is the rarest and has become the toughest to find. ( also what was the name of the model). Hint the last one on ebay was in poor condition and went for over 2000 dollars. The reason there are so few of them is because the were only produced for seven years (in that model)and were not a big seller. ( by the way the owner of that knife bought it at a sale near the Canadian border for 30 dollars. He had no idea what he had until it was explained to him, he told me that he had felt when he bought it that is was rare and might bring 100 dollars or more.) So they are out there.

Now that Christmas is over I am looking forward to being able to say the same about New Years. LT
 
Okay, my SWAG (Simple Wild *ss Guess) is the double guard in the last column, 3rd from the bottom.

Quote from LT:

"Now that Christmas is over I am looking forward to being able to say the same about New Years. LT"

LT, you gotta stop playing with your knives and go out to find yourself a good woman. ;)
 
I had one for 40 years. I signed on as a lifer. By the way thankyou for the response no one else has commented on this posting. I suppose they are out doing dumb stuff like drinking, celebrating and enjoying life I on the other hand am pursuing in a purely theoretical intellectual vein, the study of ballistical effects of various pistol calibers upon cranial matter. I lean toward the 41 mag revolver messy but efficient ( kind of makes a statment for the cleanup crew.) I knew a state trooper who used his 357 service revolver for that purpose. He stood in front of his wifes favorite antique tapistry and pulled the trigger. He left a note asking what she thought his splattered puree of brains would do for the value.

I knew a fellow in Sing Sing once ( I was a officer with NYS correction for 26 years ). Who was on trial and when his conviction seemed eminent he shot himself with a 45 colt auto. However his hand was shaking so badly from nerves that he just half missed and blew off the front of his face. Then his finger pulled the trigger again from the recoil and blew off his chin and mouth. Sadly he lived. Upon his conviction things got worse he was found to have cancer of the throat. All of these things did not do much for his looks and he always made strange noises when he ate which was pretty interesting in itself. No never pick an automatic and certainly not the 45.

In my case I have miles to go before I sleep ( unless God in his wisdom sees other wise. )besides I hate the taste of gunmetal. I just wanted to impart a nice folksy story to show my holiday spirit. By the way I can send the address if you wish to send over that good woman you spoke about. Until then I will continue to play with my knives ( and only my knives). I wish I were 25 for only one reason so that I could enlist and go to war. It is not fair that young people should have to leave there familys when people like me would love to take there place. LT
 
We certainly can't replace a loved one,LT.

We do enjoy your knowledge, and most of your stories, here in cyberspace. We appear to be a small group and wouldn't want it to shrink any more. I would think most of us here think of you as a
"Guru" (apologies to Col. Jeff Cooper) of knives and their historical importance and value to us and to this great country.

I hope you can think of us as friends as well, and maybe we can continue to add a certain little bit of value to each other's lives as we move forward.

Please take care.

Bill
 
I second Bill's guess. The third from the bottom, far left. And OMG, what a collection you have, LT! I am always impressed, always enjoy your postings.

I haven't posted for a while, been busy on a last ditch attempt to bag a deer with a bow. Today is the last day of hunting for the wily whitetail, but I have heard the fat lady sing... I'm done for the year. I'll stay home today.

Since we bring up firearms... I've also been busy culling my texas toothpick collection, peddling the excess on Ebay. Finally found the German Luger p08 I've always wanted, and I have a deposit down on it. However, despite my long yearning for the P-08, I'm a wheel gun guy. I first read Elmer Keith in high school, and that forever made me a fan of the six gun. Well, my concealed piece is a five-shooter snub, but you get the idea. While in Vietnam over half my lifetime ago, I was a squad leader in the combat engineers. I made myself the m-79 grenade launcher man, but I disliked the .45 ACP that was issued along with it. Dad sent me (tucked in a care package of Mom's cookies and brownies- they always arrived moldy- but that scraped off) a SW 38 special. No, I do not want a firearm where my hand, wrist and arm are all part of the gun's action. A simple pull of the trigger, please. Sorry, Col. Cooper

And yes, LT, I feel the same way as you do about the youngsters fighting in the present conflicts. Would make for a quick war if only we older guys had to fight it. Have to stop and take a nap.

But back to knives...

Happy new year, LT, and all you guys.

Phil
 
Alrighty then first of all thankyou all for all the nice sentiments. I do get a bit maudlin I was much happier when I used to drink. Anyway the knife you picked is the one in question it was called a Guardian model. These were made from 1917 until around 1923. These have become so rare that they are often given names mine is the New Hampshire knife it was found on a farm in that state and passed through the hands of two dealers who I will not mention since I do not have there permission and is now part of ( the Langston collection) believe it or not fanatic collectors of these items ( such as myself) would know the knife by that name . It is kind of like saying the Hope diamond in jewelery as a means of identification or recognition.

These knifes had an electric etched blade ( which means that it was inexpensive to do and if you used the knife to any extent it came off ). Mine actually still has a very light etch ( the moon must be in the correct phase and the light just so and you have to squint but it is there.) It is a picture of an Eagle with wings spread on a ribbon that says guardian. Now here is the interesting part First it is almost the same picture the local paper during that vintage used as a logo but, they also stole it. You see Walden was also the home of the Bordens milk companies home farm during this period. In fact if I look way off out the back of my house high on a hill I can see the old Borden Mansion in fact my house was once a carriage house on the farthest corner of that very property nearest the hamlet of Wallkill. ( So yes the answer is my kids were brought up in a barn). Meanwhile back to this useless bit of history. This farm and the factory produced most of the condensed milk sold everywhere from NY to California. Now did you ever look at a can of Eagle brand ( Bordens condensed milk ) well there is the original use of that Eagle. Why an eagle? you may ask ( but probably not,) I will tell you anyway. Marian Borden once took a trip out West during that trip he shot a bald eagle ( I do not know if that was legal back then or not). He had it stuffed and one night while in a poker game he was showing it off to his pals one of whom suggested he use an eagle as his logo. Now to make this story even more weird that eagle disappeared until a few years ago when the great grandson of one of Bordens cronys and card pals ( who by the way Borden talked into opening a department store in Walden back then). Well any way the great grandson bought the family house from a maiden aunt guess what he found when he started cleaning the place out sure enough Mr Eagle but before the great grandson could decide what to do with it. ( It is the kind of junk that I have spent a fortune on over the years ). Auntie called and said she wanted her Eagle. So that is the whole boring story well almost when he started cleaning out under the front porch he also found a secret brick underground room accessable only by lowering a ladder into it. It seems it was part of the underground railroad at one time. In fact even the aunt did not know it was there ( to bad it was not filled with old knives) Oh one more thing about ten years ago a neighbors house caught fire when they opened the walls guess what the found for insulation flattened condensed milk cans it seem the original owner used to work for Bordens. By the way my book is the only one I know of to have an actual photo ( see attached pic) of an example of this knife. While there are several books that have drawn copies of this style taken from catalogues of the period. So that is tonights useless info. It is now 3 AM I wonder if I will finally be able to fall asleep. LT PS I know nothing about Elsie except chances are she lived out back.
 
To my knowledge, Elmer Kieth and Jeff Cooper, champions of the six gun and 'government .45', respectively, never had a shoot off; their careers did not exactly interlap. Too bad.

But back to knives, OK sarge? And this spring, when Rona and I make our early trip up north, we'll stop by.

Useless information, LT? OK. But fascinating! Thank you. thank you very much for making this one of my daily (when I am not hunting too hard) must-stop-bys on the web.

Phil
 
Hang in there LT. I'm new to this forum but it is apparent to me that you are well-respected and appreciated. I look forward to good times ahead learning much from you.

"What appears to be an obstacle is merely an opportunity for a change in your direction on your path to happpiness. Be happy. Enjoy life!"

Actually, this isn't a quote from a notable person--I just thought about it on my way home from work yesterday. I was thinking about you. :)
 
Hey, you have a happy new year too, LT!

Thanks for the pics, very cool! Sorry about not posting sooner, I've been too busy to surf very much lately.

BTW, your stories are never boring. I always feel like I'm getting historical Schrade inside information. Keep-em comming, please (except for the "splattering" ones :( )

Take care now,
 
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