Page 1 of 1
Parker bought the I*XL Wostenholm name from Schrade ??
Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 11:31 am
by ilikeknives
Would one of you folks please go look at this auction:
Ebay # 110019431323
Following is a cut/pasted claim from his description. If so,,, can you offer any more details,,,year and so on???
Quote:Parker bought out the Westenholm name which was a schrade company in England.
I never heard that before,,,true??
Another c/p claim: Maybe the pics are just bad?? Comments??
Quote: This is a 1-blade knife with a very sharp blade and is in new unused condition.
Thanks much,,ILK
Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 2:20 pm
by El Lobo
If you have Levine's Guide (#4), there is detail on page 105.
If not..... Parker did acquire the name, but not directly from Imperial Schrade. It hadn't been used in some time, so Parker began having knives made with the I*XL logo. Here is an eBay shot of one that I've had, that was made in Japan.
Bill
Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 7:11 pm
by smiling-knife
Hi, The I*XL trademark has existed for about 220 years. The I*XL mark was was originally granted to W.A Smith 1787. It became the Wolstenholme trademark in 1826; the name shortly after reduced to Wostenholm. Though some controversy exists, it is reported that a pearl-handled I*XL knife was found on James Bowie at the Alamo in 1836... hence the original 'Bowie' knife. Skipping ahead, Wostenholm was bought by Rodgers in 1971, Richards in 1975, and the Imperial Knife co in 1977. . This American-UK joint venture went bankrupt in 1983. Thus, Schrade-Wostenholm knives were made 1977 to about 1982. I assume that Parker acquired the rights later in the 1980s sometime. The the I*XL trademark is currently (since at least mid 1990s) back in Sheffield and owned by the Egginton Bros Company. Far removed from the historic Wostenholm knives, one can buy a Sheffiled made 'Wostenholm I*XL' knife to this date. Buyers can even order their choice of historic marks on their new Wostenholm 'Bowie knife'. I hope this is of interest.
s-k
Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2006 11:19 pm
by El Lobo
Houston Price's Guide says Parker had the I*XL trademark for 12 years, between 1984-1996. Then it must have reverted back to the folks in Sheffield, as S/K has said. Sometimes it's a confusing hobby/business.
Bill