What's old is new again Old Timer

[Gr8Scout]

Shortly after Stewart Taylor took control of Schrade, I posted in another forum a short essay about the knives of Taylor, as he was mostly known as the maker of newer Smith and Wesson knives and John Deere 'collectibles'. In that brief history, I described what had been my favorite Taylor product, an "Elk Horn" (one of his brands) called the 'Shark'. Just a simple cheapie, but I did like it for some reason, probably 'cause of the blade shape.

Lo and behold, the shark is back, with the familiar sawcut delrin handles and Old Timer Shield, now called the 'Land Shark' or 19OT. Photos of both below.

Not starting this as a 'Slam China Schrade Thread', as there has been enough of that. Just explaining the origin of the newest of the Old Timers. And I wanna make the point that the story of Schrade is not over yet. Yes, most are made in China, but there was been some nice ones made in the USA by Bear, I think. Those yellow handled ones with the 'everlastingly sharp' blade etch, packaged in the original old clear plastic tubes-- now that was a good marketing scheme, and perhaps would have sold well for the old USA Imperial Schrade.

I won't buy one of these new 'Sharks', but I am looking at Taylor's ownership of Schrade in a new light. I don't think it is just cheap Oriental labor that will make or break Taylor's Schrade efforts; but new designs, fresh handle choices, sharp new marketing ideas. Think of how Albert Baer ran the businesses and the successes he had with cool designs; The Sharpfinger for example. I'm hopeful that Stewart Taylor can do the same, perhaps moving the production of special issues-- or just high quality User Knives, back to the USA.

Phil

[glennbad]

Good info, Phil...

I am sad to some extent that old patterns, familiar materials, and trade names are "recycled" in this way. However, that is their right as a company, afterall, they are in the business to make money.

If the quality is there, then more power to them. Hopefully, there will be more American workers making them. The trained eye will spot these a mile away, but the inexperienced consumer will buy alot of these and think of Schrade.

I will not bash, I just hope that the good name of Schrade is not synonymous with cheaply-made junk.

Glenn

[justold52]

Well my eyes are not trained real well yet.

I have some Schrade 153UH Golden Spikes.
I bought one Schrade 153UH Golden Spike First Production Run made in China. For only $20.00. Just to look and hold and compare. I have not use any of them so I can not say much other than they both look the same except for the red lines in the handles. The Etching is different too. Now I see more China made with out the Red lines too. They fell the same in the hand. I hope the steel holds up like the USA does.

[Gr8Scout]

Thanks for not bashing me guys for bringing up a sensitive subject: Fine old American knife brands now made in China. Fact is, I don't like it, but another fact is that is way things are.

Wonder what knife buyers back in the late 1930s thought when Imperial brought out knives that were a mere shell of the late New York Knife Comany's 'Hammer Brand'?

Hard telling what the future of the Schrade brand will be like.

Phil

[orvet]

An interesting point about Hammer Brand, Phil!
I am sure when they first came out they were a mere shadow of a "real" Hammer to the old timers (people not knives). Now, 75 years later, I actually look of Hammer Brands and love to add them to my collection. With the stiff bidding I am encountering on ebay, so do others.

Dale

[smiling-knife]

Hi, I won't be rushing out to buy one of those green shark knives. Like music, there seems to be whole lot of 'covers' these days..but they never quite live up to the originals. Just my opinion s-k