Update Canal St Cutlery

An excellent article. And don't forget to click the "related photographs" link.

The first picture shows the cutler using a pantograph jigging tool to inlet a shield.
The next is Jason Berger at his sanding table.
Then Wally Gardiner and Robert Buley checking out shielding jig bits.
Randall VanWaganen gluing Shields in to the jigged caveties.
A row of black jigged stockmen awaiting final inspection.
A preassembly row of Canal Street tangstamped clip blades.
And a finished bone two blade trapper.
A picture of Wally and five craftsmen in the assembly room.
Another at the shield jigging table.
Russell Gray counter sinking rivet holes on an old vertical milling machine like the one we still use at Martin Machine Works.
Robert Buley examining a shield jigging tool. Alex Hupalo pinning pocket knives.
Final blade assembly.
Chuck VanAken assembling and pinning pocket Knife.
Another row of finished clip blades awaiting assembly on the table.
And a shot of the speys.
A finished stag congress two blade custom for a collector club on a background of the cyustomer's order specification notes (DROOL!).
A row of Canal Street Cutlery "Finest Outdoor Cutlery" boxes awaiting their contents.

What? You missed the whole roll of pictures? Go back young man, go back!!!!!

Codger (wiping my chin with a Schrade knife care cloth) :D
 
Thanks for sharing this article. I wish the folks at Canal Street the best. They are a few of the folks that hold true to hand-crafted, made in the USA, extremely proud to put their name on their products lineage.
 
I've come to the conclusion that we have a wonderful, rare opportunity here to begin at the literal beginning, support a company that is devoted to doing things the old fashioned way and making quality products. I would like to play a little catch-up and collect one of everything Canal Street puts out. Financially I won't be able to, but it could be fun to try. So what's the general opinion here about CS and is anyone else collecting them?

Casey
 
Wondeful article.

And ok... doesn't this blow the idea that these things are made by Queen Cutlery right out of the water? I mean, we are seeing pics of these things being made, the old way, right there in the CSC factory. I think for the good of this great new venture, this 'Queen' BS (and Queen is a fine knife manufacturer) ought to be ended.

Thanks LT for keeping us up on these things.

And oh yeah, Casey, these are something we should buy, as users, collectibles, gifts.

Phil

Edited to add:

I just put my money where my mouth is. I bought the big folding swingguard. The other day, as LT and Larry know (and with their encouragement--what a cheering section) I was on ebay, bidding on one of the first Old Timers ever made-- the 2OT. My $200 bid was trumped by someone that put a higher value on it than I did. Nope, I couldn't really afford it, and my own Ebay sales have sucked lately, but some things just seem to be worth a little sacrifice.

And I am somehow in my mind putting this CSC product right up there with the 2OT I lost out on. I wonder, did the fact that the guys making these things are doing so in the old style ways (and without air conditioning) make a difference to me in deciding to buy the knife? Am I thrilled to be a small contributer to their success? Do I think such an enterprise ought to be encouraged? Yes to all. And most important, the knife - Sambar stag handles and all-- is beautiful. Worth it? Oh yeah...
 
That was to be my next question, Phil, as a newbie to Schrade-Love (kinda 60s, don'tcha think?? :D )...I too have been reading mostly unsolicited opinions that "that one sure has Queen written all over it" and such comments which have made me wonder. The pics speak for themselves. And as a Queen/Schatt & Morgan collector too, I now add Canal street to my list of must-have manufacturers that I intend to support fully. That list, by the way, has just two names on it. Queen and Canal Street.

Now, I wonder if my wife will let me buy one of everything they've released today just to catch me up?? Hmmmm.... :eek:
 
Whhoooppss. Casey, I was editing my post while you made your post. Go on back and see what I really think of these knives.

Regards,
Phil
 
...right outta my mouth. And I think that swing guard is the one I'm about to order too. Great minds, and all that! :thumbup:

I shall do my part to squelch those Queen rumors by posting links to this article.
 
Canal put out a couple of special edition sets a trapper and a sheath knife ( check the archives ) they are producing a regular line now of 9 patterns. My set is on order I also have one each of the matching first sets . The other sets I bought for reserve I had friends who told me they would not talk to me if I didn't sell them the extras I had. So I am down to one of everything. Of each of the 9 patterns now being produced there will only be 400 of each pattern made. These will be serial numbered. When these are gone as they well already be. The same ( at least, perhapes one or two more patterns) will be issued in a different handle material.

They have also sold a couple contract editions like the pearl issue made for Schlatt and Morgan. When you contract you get the whole order so I do not have that one. However they can be had through Russell and Schlatt ect. But if you want them all prepare to shell out some bread. Also be prepared to cry for happy when you put that baby in your hand. I am in the process of having a small special edition contracted it will be if all goes right an LT LTD ED and so etched. There won't be many but I have always wanted to put out a knife with my brand but, never found one that met my specifications. Until Now. LT PS Dang I betcha Taylor and them billion chinese are scaird now. Time to light that candle I am tired of cursing the darkness.
 
Looks good, wow I saw no big presses and someone using a hammer to pin the rivets, so at least for now lets not expect large volumes but do expect great knives. I feel they are doing right hitting a market that the big mass producers from China wont and maybe cannot touch, lets hope it all works well.

Luis
 
Ive looked at some of the ones Bill has at his store (cumberland knife works), but I just cant "stomach" 420.
 
I just cant "stomach" 420.
Click to expand...
Not for that price anyway. I know that with their old-school production methods it'd be impossible to sell knives at Case or CRKT prices. Still, it seems a shame to go to all the trouble of handcrafting such beautiful knives and use low-end steel.

I wonder how that will affect sales, and their brand finding it's 'place' in the market. It seems to me that a 420HC shopper and a $70 shopper are two different people.

The $80 drop point hunter is D-2. That'd be my choice if buying a Canal Street today.

Would carbon steel be a good match for those patterns? It wouldn't cost any more than 420, but would hold an edge better. Or do you suppose that buyers would prefer a blade that stays bright and shiny?

-Bob
 
I think 1095 would be a real winner on these! The part that bothers me is the 420 for the money they cost.
 
ISC_RIP said:
Is CSC blanking and grinding their own blades?
Click to expand...

I'm still hearing from some knowledgeable sources that, while Queen and Canal Street will not outright confirm it, they will not deny it either, that Queen is supplying CSC with some parts, including some blades. That would fit with the materials we're seeing Canal Street using, as Queen/Schatt has become very fond of 420 in recent years, as well as D2. I see nothing wrong with Queen supplying some parts for CSC, especially not in this early stage of their lives. They certainly picked a great company to work with if it's true.
 
Lt... Your own limited edition? Wow. That's great and yep, it paid off for you to wait for just the right manufacturer to come along to make them for you. Any hints for us-- pattern, handle, ect, or are you gonna just surprise us? Can't wait to see the finished product.

Phil
 
A LT LTD mounted on the dash of a big old Ford LTD. :)
Cant wait to see these!
Please give us some more info when you can.
TTYL
Larry
 
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