Craftsman Knives

Schrade Cutlery Company was founded in 1904 by George Schrade, and his brothers Jacob and William Schrade. In 1946 Imperial Knife Associated Companies, (IKAC; an association of Ulster Knife Co and Imperial Knife Co) purchased controlling interest in Schrade Cut Co and changed the name to Schrade Walden Cutlery. In 1973 the name was changed to Schrade Cutlery. In 2004 Schrade closed due to bankruptcy.

This forum is dedicated to the knives that are the legacy of this company. This forum is not the place to discuss the replica knives currently being imported using the Schrade name.
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jxr1197
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Craftsman Knives

Post by jxr1197 »

This beauty showed up today - an Ulster 45 with cap lifter instead of a spey blade and it's got a 3rd spring with flip up beer can opener. I try to grab these church key knives whenever I come across one. They typically have 'CAN PIERCER' or 'BEVERAGE CAN OPENER' on the piercer but this is one of the few I've seen with nothing at all.
churchkeycraftsman.jpg
- Jason
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Re: Craftsman Knives

Post by jerryd6818 »

I've never seen one with a built in church key. I'll have to keep an eye out for one.
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Meridian_Mike
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Re: Craftsman Knives

Post by Meridian_Mike »

MAN.... now that is a cool one!
Very nice find... Congrats!

::tu::
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Re: Craftsman Knives

Post by tnorton »

Very Nice ::tu::
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jxr1197
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Re: Craftsman Knives

Post by jxr1197 »

jerryd6818 wrote: Mon Dec 09, 2019 11:03 pm I've never seen one with a built in church key. I'll have to keep an eye out for one.
They surface once in a while, mostly as Imperials. They had a short run because they weren't made until the late 50s and by the very early 60s pop tops made them obsolete. In the pic you can see there were actually two styles made. I have no idea which was first.
churchkeys.jpg
churchkeysclosed.jpg
- Jason
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KnifeSlinger#81
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Re: Craftsman Knives

Post by KnifeSlinger#81 »

That is interesting Jason. Thanks for showing.

Judging by the title, are you starting a schrade/ulster made craftsman thread? I don't think there is one but I could definitely get behind that.
-Paul T.

WANTED: Shapleigh Diamond Edge branded Schrades in good condition.
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Re: Craftsman Knives

Post by tongueriver »

Fishy.
Ulster fish002.jpg
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jxr1197
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Re: Craftsman Knives

Post by jxr1197 »

KnifeSlinger#81 wrote: Tue Dec 10, 2019 12:17 amJudging by the title, are you starting a schrade/ulster made craftsman thread? I don't think there is one but I could definitely get behind that.
Definitely the intent - would be great to see some Craftsmans! I looked for a thread but couldn't find one. I read somewhere (probably quoting Codger here) that Albert Baer used to use Sears as a litmus test for new ideas, so many of the 'new' features were first tried out on Craftsman knives and if they sold well it trickled down to the non-Craftsmans. I have wondered if that is the explanation for this Craftsman version 148 with blood grooves. ::shrug::
craftsman148.jpg
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herbva
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Re: Craftsman Knives

Post by herbva »

Wow, very cool! That's what I love about AAPK! Just when I think I've seen it all, or just what I need - something else to collect! ::tu:: ::tu::
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Re: Craftsman Knives

Post by KnifeSlinger#81 »

I just loooove the craftsman's. Here is one of my 9554's.

IMG_4317.JPG
IMG_4318_Original.JPG

Craftsman etched SW 881.

IMG_3881.JPG
-Paul T.

WANTED: Shapleigh Diamond Edge branded Schrades in good condition.
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Re: Craftsman Knives

Post by kootenay joe »

The Craftsman knives were purposely ordered to have certain design features that the same pattern Schrade or Camillus does not have.
I had thought the tool on the backside was for piercing tin cans, not for opening bottles ("cap lifter").
jxr, nice display of knives with this 'extra' tool. It is the only time i have seen a group of these knives. Neat ! :)
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Re: Craftsman Knives

Post by jxr1197 »

Paul - that 9554 - wow!

kootenay joe wrote: Tue Dec 10, 2019 4:46 amI had thought the tool on the backside was for piercing tin cans, not for opening bottles ("cap lifter").

You're right - it is for piercing beer cans. I have a tendency to type quick and hit 'submit' a little too fast and sometimes the content doesn't come across to the reader as intended. Perhaps I've got a bit of late onset ADHD going on here. ::shrug::

In this pic the Craftsman is next to an Ulster 45. The 3rd blade on the 45 is a spey but on the Craftsman it's been replaced with a cap lifter. The piercing tool on the back is in addition to the cap lifter. They added a third spring for the piercer.
craftsman45.jpg
craftsman45back.jpg
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jxr1197
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Re: Craftsman Knives

Post by jxr1197 »

A personal favorite
craftsman2ot.jpg
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Re: Craftsman Knives

Post by KnifeSlinger#81 »

jxr1197 wrote: Tue Dec 10, 2019 1:11 pm A personal favorite
craftsman2ot.jpg
I can see why. ::tu::
-Paul T.

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Re: Craftsman Knives

Post by Meridian_Mike »

jxr1197 wrote: Tue Dec 10, 2019 1:11 pm A personal favorite
craftsman2ot.jpg
WOW.... Jason, you are killing me man!

THAT right there is a real beauty!!
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Re: Craftsman Knives

Post by Meridian_Mike »

If we are gonna show off some Craftsman knives....
I have a few...
Old Crafty Barlow.....
Ulster Old Crafty 9548.JPG
A 9523....
9523 craftsman old timer 1.jpg
A 9545....
(Bad picture)
Old Crafty 9545 1.jpg
A 9547....
Old Crafty 9547.JPG
And a 95071....
Old Crafty 95071.jpg
These are among my favorites since they are Old Craftys.
::tu::
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Re: Craftsman Knives

Post by Meridian_Mike »

AND... of course I had to have one of these guys that has the saw blade....

Craftsman 9555....
Craftsman 9555 with saw blade 1.jpg
Craftsman 9555 with saw blade 2.jpg
Sorry for the poor photography everyone.
::doh::
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Re: Craftsman Knives

Post by doglegg »

Cool knives Mike. ::tu::
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Re: Craftsman Knives

Post by rea1eye »

Really like that knife Jason!

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Re: Craftsman Knives

Post by KnifeSlinger#81 »

Another craftsman 9514 (SW 881).

IMG_5719_Original.JPG
-Paul T.

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Re: Craftsman Knives

Post by Meridian_Mike »

WOW....
That is a real sho' 'nuff beauty Paul!!!
And again I say.... WOW.

:shock:
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Re: Craftsman Knives

Post by saltwaterebel »

jxr1197 wrote: Tue Dec 10, 2019 1:11 pm A personal favorite
craftsman2ot.jpg
Wow! If you ever consider selling it, let me know!
blade objective

Re: Craftsman Knives

Post by blade objective »

Are or were most or all these knives made by major knife companies for craftsman for (Sears}?
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Re: Craftsman Knives

Post by doglegg »

blade objective wrote: Tue Dec 10, 2019 7:10 pm Are or were most or all these knives made by major knife companies for craftsman for (Sears}?
Sears made nothing but contracted with companies for all their products. ::nod::
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Re: Craftsman Knives

Post by jxr1197 »

KnifeSlinger#81 wrote: Tue Dec 10, 2019 5:33 pm Another craftsman 9514 (SW 881).
The color of that bone is unbelievable.

Mike - great show! You've got some good ones there.

I appreciate the comments on the 2OT - that one is on the 'taking it with me' pile.
blade objective wrote: Tue Dec 10, 2019 7:10 pm Are or were most or all these knives made by major knife companies for craftsman for (Sears}?
The ones in this thread are all made by Schrade/Ulster/Imperial. Sears never made a knife - they were all on contract. Camillus was another big supplier. There were others - I don't know all the companies they bought from.
- Jason
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