CANAL STREET CUTLERY

[lt632ret]

I have received a few questions regarding Canal Street Cutlery as you may or may or may not know Canal Street cut began when upon the demise of Schrade a small group of employees with nothing but a few old machines purchased at the Schrade Bankrupcy auction, a meager bankroll, and the hearts and determination of the American Cutler decided to buck the tide and start a new AMERICAN knife company. This handful of people began producing what I feel are some of the nicest and best made, pocketknives in the world. Some of these people have 60 years experience and are among the most knowledgable in the world. I know most of these people and have been lucky enough to be able to watch them work. In fact I used to do customer shows ( on the east coast) with some of them when we were associated with Schrade. It is like watching an artist create a fine masterpiece. For a layman such as myself it is simply a wonder to see a man by a simple touch to a belt transform an average action into a syncronized fluid mechanism which seems almost alive when it responds. The company is in the old original building where Ulster and Schrades used to be made. On Canal Street in Ellenville NY. ( I can still look out the window and see the rock I used to fish off of but then again I guess you would expect that since rocks don't move much) ) Presently they have just started production on a ring turn model which was introduced at the SHOT show in Las Vegas last year. Before they left for the show I was lucky enough to be present and even help when the first one was etched with the word proto ( it was the one used at the show for prospective buyers. ) The knife made the Las Vegas paper due to its old pattern and inovative style. The first ones are starting to roll off and as soon as I can I will be showing it right here . Also there is another surprise which I hope to show here in the near future. This year Canal introduced some new models so for those who have an interest I will post some pics of there regular stock and new issues, from my personal collection. The pic with the red backround is there regular line of knives from last year. The other two pics are of factory fliers one is for the ring turn model which is just going into production. The other is there new line of pockets notice the gunstock and reverse gunstock as well as what has become my present ( I change every so often ) carry piece which is the sunfish ( or elephant toe ) model in the middle all of these I feel are devastating however the Toenail a model not produced in the Hudson Valley since around 1930 is something special. If there is an interest in this thread I will post these actual knives since I have a new unopened set. They also produced a one year anniversary double set of 200 pieces this was gobbled up so quick most people did not know it existed I also have not even opened mine so if anyone wants to see this stuff let me know. I can only post 3 pics at a time so here are the three I mentioned. Again I hope to be going over to Canal Street within a week or 2 and hopefully may have a real surprise . I hope you enjoy the pics .

[orvet]

Of course we want to see more pictures. (Ya gotta love the new emoticons).

Dale

[Bryan]

I can only post 3 pics at a time so here are the three I mentioned. Again I hope to be going over to Canal Street within a week or 2 and hopefully may have a real surprise

It's just not right for us to be holding you down like that. I fixed it so you can attach 10 pictures per post. I sure don't want to miss out on any surprises.

I really like CSC's story. I personally don't keep many new factory knives back as collector's items, but I see a lot of potential at Canal Street. Much more than most other US manufacturers IMO.

I'd like to see a line with pinned on shields (I have a big hang up with that for some reason ). I think it's from seeing them fall out of countless Case and other recent productions when they get used.

Bryan

[El Lobo]

Doggone it...that is mighty good service Bryan.

I'll bet LT could fill a CD with pictures of knives.

Bill

[Bryan]

Doggone it...that is mighty good service Bryan.

I'll bet LT could fill a CD with pictures of knives.

Bill

Awe shucks

Maybe we should make it 100? LT's computer is probably like a virtual museum ?

Bryan

[lt632ret]

Now that is amazing I felt that even less than when the pretty nurse in my doctors office gave me my annual flu shot. I am again in your debt. Thankyou now I must just find time. LT

[orvet]

CD............Did someone say CD?
I happen to have a CD of the Langston Collection. I believe the price used to be $10. If you sent LT an email you too could own one.

I know LT doesn't do that make a lot of money on them (I just had one made of something else & I know how much it costs), but if you ask him nice he might send you one.

Dale

[Hukk]

I really like the Canal Street Cutlery knives. I have been fortunate enough to get a set of the first years production with matching serial numbers amongst some others. I must say, I really like the D2 fixed blade with my initials engraved in it. I may use that one, there is a fixed blade in the first year set, not D2 though. I did get some with Buffalo Horn, Sheephorn, a mint set of Red Stag, and I keep looking at some pearl ones. IMO, they have made some great knives with more to come.

[lt632ret]

Here are some not so great pics of five of this years models. I agree HUKK. LT PS I just added this years sheath knife and then a pic of its specs. Enjoy the pics. PPS here is a pic of last years special edition sets unfortunately these pics are not great since I had to go to a different room these knives are high shine and just beautiful one set is bone one is a stabilized some kind of burl. I also included a pic of the factory fliers which may set a new standard in terrible photography. The last pic is another not so great pic of a display of case automatics since I was standing there I took the shot in hopes it will bring some case collectors over for a peak. Case bradford zippers in coke and clasp, large and small hunters , cell double, fishtail and a set of levers I believe even the most cynical of Case collector will agree these are fairly rare. Once again enjoy these horrible pics. I need a new camera my old mav is a bit dated and I have a room full of floppys but it is an old friend and I understand it.

[lt632ret]

Well alrighty then I promised an update from Canal and here it is. I just got home from the factory. First I have included a couple of pics of the new ring turn which is being talked about. A small number of these in pearl and in stag and sterling made soon be available through several well know companies. I also promised a surprise so here it is Canal has been considering a watch to sell under there name. They more or less have reached a decision that a watch is a bit wider market than they wish to access now. However one shipment of these were already ordered. Most again have gone to a company who sells knives. ( I do not wish to promote any company which is why I have not named any sellers of these items ) A few have been kept for personal use. Now normally a watch with a company logo while nice is not a new item. This particular one is however a bit different. While the pictures I added may just confuse things the way it works is that there is a button on the watch which if you press causes a magnifyer or loop optic to spring up which is just perfect to look at knife tangs, it also has a high power pointer light which can be activated by another button to illuminate the magnified item. I know I always try to carry a magnifier for old knives and sometimes at my age for simple stuff like being able to see a menu. So I flipped when i saw the proto last summer. That is the only reason i managed to get one. The order just came in. I understand that there are similar style watches being made by other companies perhapes that also played into the decision not to continue to sell these on a regular basis. Frankly I think that it is great idea if you do to let them know perhapes they will change there mind.

I also added some pics of the first year special edition anniversary set which even though I got a few months ago I just opened for these pics. It is rather nice looks like I have to find a spot for another display. They issued 200 of these and they were gone in a flash luckily my regular number is 200 and I screamed like a little girl until they saved it for me. I hope you enjoy the pics LT PS the hat I stole and they would only give me my #200 ring turn the dangthings are in such demand but I have more on order which they will probably get to me ASAP to get me out of the way since all I do when I get in there is walk around google eyed like a kid in a candy store.

[smiling-knife]

Hi lt. Thanks for sharing that. I am intrigued by the fiddleback whittler. Is it a split-spring design? If possible would you show us a close-up or two? ...please. Thanks and have a great weekend. s-k

[orvet]

Great stuff LT!
I would like to see some close-ups of the whittler also, especially the springs.
The watch looks like just the ticket for an old knife collector such ad myself. I am always forgetting my glass when I go knife hunting. Guess I better send them an email.

Have a great weekend.
Dale

[muskrat man]

good stuff LT, as always! It's nice to see CS moving on, even after the schrade flop. Looks like they are turning out some nice stuff too!

[ribbedbumpers]

SK & orvet… Hope these pictures help… I was lucky enough to get one of the 1st Anniversary CS sets and when I received it I was so impressed with the quality of both knives I bought another one of the Fiddleback’s to add to my edc’s.. (One of my favorite patterns for carry) When it came it had the sharpest factory edges of any ‘production’ folder I’ve ever purchased as a carry.. I’ve carried it every day for almost 2 months and it’s excellent at holding an edge… Fit and finish are first rate.. No doubt more CS cutlery will end up in my stock… In my humble opinion – these guys do seem to know what they’re doin’…

[orvet]

I have really come to appreciate the split back whittler just recently. My Dad gave me an old Hibbard, Spencer & Bartlett split back whittler just last month. It has been one of my EDCs every since. I love the feel and the way it cuts.

Thanks for the pics.........looks like I will have to get one. The main reason I haven't got one yet is that I am a carbon steel lover. Aren't most of the Canal Streets made of 440?

Thanks,
Dale

[smiling-knife]

Thanks for the photos rb. She is a real beauty. s-k

[sunburst]

You guys keep the whittler...I want that watch, that is about one nifty item...Thanks for sharing...

Sunburst

[Hukk]

I have really come to appreciate the split back whittler just recently. My Dad gave me an old Hibbard, Spencer & Bartlett split back whittler just last month. It has been one of my EDCs every since. I love the feel and the way it cuts.

Thanks for the pics.........looks like I will have to get one. The main reason I haven't got one yet is that I am a carbon steel lover. Aren't most of the Canal Streets made of 440?

Thanks,
Dale

The majority are 420 stainless I believe, though the D'Holder drop point is a super tough alloy, 19C27 Sandvik. They make another fixed blade in D2 tool steel. The ring knife is A2 steel, which is also a tool steel with 5% chromium. That 19C27 Sandvik is one tough piece of steel, comes in at 60-63 Rc. D2 can have 11% to 13% chromium, so it is on the edge of being stainless or carbon (minimum 12% is needed for stainless), which is why I guess it is classified as tool steel.
I'm lucky, I have all the ones I mentioned above.

[lt632ret]

Hi I have been really jammed up and i just went to get the whittler to post some pics and it has been done thankyou one less thing I appreciate it. I also really like the watch. I also appreciate the help on the specs on the knives it is not my forte that is why when possible I post the little sheets with the specs that come with each issue. LT

[smiling-knife]

Thanks guys. Is that fiddleback whittler currently available? I'm thinking i should buy one. s-k

[orvet]

S-K,
They are still listed on their web site, $90.00 US.
http://www.canalstreetcutlery.com/tradi ... lders.html

Dale

[Hukk]

Here are a few that I have, one's that I have pictures of anyway.
I also have the Ring knife in Amber Bone, a D2 steel fixed blade with my initials engraved on it, and a pair of Buffalo Horn, 1 fixed blade and 1 muskrat and those are 1 of 25. I also have a spare whittler in Red Stag that I do carry, in it's pouch. I do like to carry quality.
I don't have pictures of some of those yet.

[cccxiv]

my pictures are horrible but here are some of mine.

[lt632ret]

I see you have amassed most (all I know of) of the ring turn variations very nice. Thankyou for posting LT PS SK on the whittler when I was up there the whittler was backlogged for a bit ( perhapes a few weeks I was told ).

[Hukk]

I see you have amassed most (all I know of) of the ring turn variations very nice. Thankyou for posting LT PS SK on the whittler when I was up there the whittler was backlogged for a bit ( perhapes a few weeks I was told ).

I have to second that, the Ring Turn knives really caught my attention. I love those 2 pearl knives, I wouldn't mind getting my hands on a couple of those. Very nice selection of Canal Street Cutlery Knives. Where was I when those came out.