All About Pocket Knives

Hey guys - I've never seen a C Street in person; just pics on the web. If I've read the descriptions correctly, only the mark side of the blades is polished? I'm really curious about how different the pile side looks. If this is true, can anyone post some pics showing the different sides? Why does CSC only polish one side?

ok..... just checked out a picture of a trapper that Bryan has listed in his AAPK store. Still curious why only one side would be polished though.

I've read that it is a tradition to show that the knife is handmade, because having only one side mirror polished thusly cannot be achieved with a machine.

I'll link to wherever I read that if I ever find it again.

Thanks redward

Welcome to the site!

I thought it might have something to do with the way older knives had been made, but then you have to ask why would the older ones have started that tradition. I also thought maybe since most of these knives are probably just collected and displayed, that CS decided to only polish the side that would be seen.

I always thought it had to do with the cost of making a hand finished knife. Since alot of the knife making process was hand-work way back then, it was more laborious to put a polished finish on both sides of the blade. It would be nice and shiny at face value, but still just a regular knife.

But then again, that's just my .02

Glenn

Here's a couple pics of the only 2 CS knives that I own and the only 2 I've ever handled,the trapper is polished on both sides,the muskrat isn't,you can see a difference in the muskrat,it isn't that big.

Found it. Apologies if linking to other forum posts is frowned upon:

http://www.knifeforums.com/forums/showp ... t/1425638/

Only polishing one side of the blade was the way that Schrade Cut. Co. had traditionally made their knives. Schrade Cut. Co. became Schrade Walden, which eventually became International Schrade Corp.

The people who make up Canal Street are from Schrade.
I believe they choose to polish only one side of the blade as a tribute to the company from which they come, as well as to emulate the historical style of the Schrade Cut. Co. knives.

If we took this question to the Knife Lore forum, I know LT could further enlighten us with his historical knowledge of Schrade, his knowledge of Canal Street and his friendship with the people who own and operate it.

Dale

I spoke to LT this morning about the reason that blades are polished only on one side. His answer was essentially as follows:

Most knives did not have the blades polished. Polishing takes time and time is money. Some knives were polished on one side to look nicer & display better. If you wanted a deluxe knife you bought one with one side polished for a slightly higher price.

Many of the Canal Street knives find their way into the hands of collectors (us). A large number of their knives are never used, but many are put on display. The mark sides of the blades are polished to display better.


The simplicity of his answer was almost disappointing.

Dale

You made me look..... My one Canal St is Polished on Both sides!!!!!

Now I am wondering about the two Vintage Schrade knives that I bought recently...and don't have in my hands yet.