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The Schrade~Jernigan Story
Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2022 9:30 pm
by Schradenut
As the older members of this group will remember Tom Chase was very fortunate to acquire the original Prototype knife from Steve Jernigan.
Tom was the custodian of the knife for some 6-7 years when he decided to pass it on to me.
In the bundle was the knife, a large hard-backed Poster (2' 1" x 1' 8"), a wooden Plaque and a Schrade Jernigan zippered pouch.
The Poster made it to Australia first before USPS ceased shipping to Oz. While I waited, what ended up being 8 months for the rest to arrive, the Poster looked rather drab on its own, so I had it framed which really lifter the item and presented it in a much more professional manner.
When the knife and other bits arrived I was in a quandary as to what to do with the knife. Seeing that the Poster looked so darn good I had no option but to have it framed. This was done by the same framer, and I must say he did a stupendous job, lifting that knife off the frame and presenting it in the light it deserved....the knife was now the hero.
I consider this knife to be the 2nd or 3rd most important knife in the Schrade stable, and also considered it my responsibility to preserve it for posterity for what I hope is a very long and illustrious life, passing through many hands along the way. My job is now done, and it was all made possible thanks to the generosity of my friend Tom Chase who entrusted this amazing piece of historic cutlery to me.
Check out the pics and the Jernigan Story as this knife has had a very checkered past and it is quite amazing that this historic knife ever surfaced again.
Re: The Schrade~Jernigan Story
Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2022 9:41 pm
by tongueriver
Wonderful post; I will be saving it in its (note correct spelling LOL) entirety, as that is as close as I will get to the real deal! Thanks so much! Stay warm!
Re: The Schrade~Jernigan Story
Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2022 10:55 pm
by Schradenut
Than you Cal. That one was a long journey, but on completion....worth every hour and Dollar.
You are right about the cold...and rain. We have has a foot in 3 days and there is no sign of it stopping any time soon. Flooding and damage everywhere up and down the East Coast.
Re: The Schrade~Jernigan Story
Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2022 11:14 pm
by tongueriver
"...I consider this knife to be the 2nd or 3rd most important knife in the Schrade stable..."
What, pray tell, are the other two?
Re: The Schrade~Jernigan Story
Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 12:13 am
by Schradenut
Cal, I would say that the Diamond encrusted Bowie would have to be #1 and a toss up between the Jernigan and the 100th Anniversary Bowie with the Rams Horn scales/Stag scales for #2. That statement would receive some conjecture from some of the boys, I am sure.
Re: The Schrade~Jernigan Story
Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 12:57 am
by tongueriver
I would like to see those.
Re: The Schrade~Jernigan Story
Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 1:20 am
by ea42
Tony that's got to be the finest executed Schrade display I've ever seen! Museum quality my friend, I'm totally amazed.
I've saved those pictures as well since they tell the story better than anything. Thanks for sharing it!
BTW you bear a striking resemblance to Mr Jernigan. Maybe somewhere back in your family tree you're related. Might have some red hot knifemaking blood in you!
Geez the diamond encrusted bowie, I'd almost forgotten about that guy. I had saved a picture of it way back in 2005 but it was lost along with the contents of the computer I had back then. Haven't seen a pic since. THAT was a stunning knife for sure! Last I heard it wound its way to Italy if I recall correctly. That was right around 2005-2006 so who knows where it is now.
Eric
Re: The Schrade~Jernigan Story
Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 9:45 am
by Schradenut
I am pleased that you like it Eric. Between you and me (and the rest of AAPK) that process took a lot of time and money, but when it was all done and I stood back and had a good look at it, I was quite pleased with myself. That set could stand tall in any collection now.
What appealed to me the most was that I had a Poster, knife and plaque and by themselves they weren't overly spectacular, but being in that display the set will be preserved and be a big standout forever.
Steve and I looking similar...in the hair department maybe, but as you know his cutlery skill level was way up there. An incredible cutler that worked with the finest tolerances and that is probably why he got so upset when he saw the effort Schrade went to replicating the SSJ1.....rubbish.
Re: The Schrade~Jernigan Story
Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 9:50 am
by Schradenut
Cal, this is the 100th Anniversary Bowie that was fitted with Stag scales in Texas. Eric has made mention of the Diamond encrusted Bowie now being in Europe.
Eric has one of the original 6 with Rams Horn scales.
Re: The Schrade~Jernigan Story
Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 1:21 pm
by tongueriver
Thanks for showing that, Tony; I think I saw one for sale, out of my class at the time.
Re: The Schrade~Jernigan Story
Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 3:00 pm
by ea42
I actually found a couple of pics of the diamond Bowie that I had squirreled away in my files. They're small though, must have copied them off another posting at some point. There are ten diamonds inset in an arc above "100", the writing on the blade including that "100" was done in gold leaf. I believe Baron's did all that etching. They were Schrade's go-to company for the high end stuff :
Eric
Re: The Schrade~Jernigan Story
Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 3:12 pm
by tongueriver
Amazing! Thanks, Eric.
Re: The Schrade~Jernigan Story
Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 6:59 pm
by Schradenut
Hal, you have one of the biggest Schrade collections around and know more than most about Schrade knives, in your opinion what would you class the 3 most important Schrade knives produced to be?
Re: The Schrade~Jernigan Story
Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 7:27 pm
by tongueriver
I think that the most important knives to Schrade after 1946 until their demise would be their breadnbutter knives, the full size stockman and the Sharpfinger. Me, I am just ga ga over anything made before the Delrin/Swinden revolution. Way too many to narrow down for a question like this. I love the fixed blades (except for the Sharpfinger [my bad]) and any of the collaboration knives. I have maybe 400 Schrade CutCo knives and love them all. I am fond of the celluloid ones as well as covers in bone and ebony. So, you see, I am just unable to answer the question. -CAL
Re: The Schrade~Jernigan Story
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2022 12:17 pm
by Chase
Tony,
I love what you have done with the Schrade-Jernigan Collaboration. I had no doubt in my mind, when I released that beauty to you, that you would do something Stupendous with it. You have certainly hit the High Marks with that display.
I have been very fortunate to have owned and continue to own some of Schrade's most sought after knives. To me it was a lot about the hunt but also the thrill of owning them and then passing them on to other Schrade Collectors, ones that truly want to Collect and Preserve them.
Outstanding!
Respectfully,
Tom
Re: The Schrade~Jernigan Story
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2022 12:22 pm
by 1967redrider
Re: The Schrade~Jernigan Story
Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2022 7:07 am
by Schradenut
Thank you Tom. It is always good to get the 'nod' from the original owner of the Jernigan. As you might remember, I was quite surprised that you would part with such a prestigious knife, but particularly excited that you did.
I am also aware of some of the enormous collection of knife you possess and it is quite stunning. I was also super pleased to be able to acquire some that you were prepared to pass on. All amazing knives and they are now all displayed in good company.
Tony.
Re: The Schrade~Jernigan Story
Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2022 10:26 pm
by jxr1197
That display is simply amazing. Thank you for assembling all the pics and info and sharing the complete story with us! I always wondered what the inlay material was - Picasso Marble Wafers, indeed.
Re: The Schrade~Jernigan Story
Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2022 12:26 pm
by ozzie marie
Tony, That is an incredible display of the Schrade Jernigan
I found this photo of Tom & Steve at the Blade Show in 2017
Keith