Tales of the Knife

[kirch]

Last night I watched a show on the History Channel called "Tales of the Gun." I recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest in firearms. For those who aren't familiar with the series, it looks at firearms history from many different perspectives. Several episodes have covered the history of some of the country's (and world's) most prominent firearms manufacturers.

Last night's episode covered Smith & Wesson and I learned some fascinating things from the country's past (back off, all you S&W haters -- this is history, not current events). For example I learned that Colt, Winchester, Henry and Sharps all had some interaction with S&W in its early years and the Russian army was primarily responsible for the company's early success.

Anyway, it got me to thinking about the history of some big names in the knife world and I did a little web surfing. I found that Camillus's web site has a great, comprehensive history of the company. Case's site's history is OK, but a little thin. United has none to speak of. I'm still planning to check out some others like Imperial-Schrade, Buck, etc. Does anyone know of any book or publication that has been written on this topic? I think it would be very interesting to read about how some of these companies got their start, what interactions there were between manufacturers, corporate rivalries, etc.

 

[ARtsig1]

Great series and great idea!

------------------
Art Sigmon
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
Php. 4:13

 

[Raptor]

I too love this show!!

Too bad that my wife doesn't always show my enthusiasm towards this program.

Anyway, I don't know of any books on this subject, but I think that it would make a great series for TV.
"Tales Of The Knife". I can see it know.

Maybe there is a TV producer lurking out there who would be interested??

Let's here some opinions!!!

--The Raptor--

 

[Disco Stu]

If I saw a show like that come on I wet my recliner.

 

[Moving Target]

Yeah, too bad the only knife-related show on TV is the shop-at-home thing and the POS that they're pushing...

------------------
It is Us against Them. Whoever they are.

 

[Jeff O]

Buck has some history on their web site that I found to be interesting. http://www.buckknives.com/Pages/history.html

 

[fisk]

I liked the concept also. I also did contact them about doing a run on the history of cutlery to and including modern times. They have been slow in answering back but I will try again. I think it would be good for us.
jf

 

[Old Knife Guy]

This is a great idea, as long as Peter Jennings doesn't do the reporting! I can see it now, "The History of Cutlery." Six hours of historical data on 'West Side Story,' 'The Asphalt Jungle,' and the use of the 'shiv' in prison rehabilitation programs. ("Tell me, Mr. De Asis, was the Marquis de Sade one of your boyhood heros when you were bilking the unsuspecting public to start Pacific Cutlery...?") You can always tell the liberal slant by the titles: "Knives in America--Useful Tools, or Unrepentant Ice-Picks From Hell--You Be The Judge!" Still, it would be better than that new Bette Midler show...--OKG

 

[kirch]

OKG - methinks you're a bit jaded.

It would seem to me that the Outdoor Channel might also consider something like this. I have a contact there that I do some business with -- I'll ask him about it when I talk to him next.

Not too sure about the Outdoor Life Network, they seem to cater a little too much to the mountain biking/skiiing/equestrian crowd to be interested in something like a show about (gasp!) knives.

BTW, I checked out the Buck history and WOW, talk about comprehensive. I'm only on chapter 3 so far. Any other web sites out there with good company histories? I'm most interested in companies WITH a history -- Spyderco makes great products, but not many years under the belt yet.