Schrade Old Timer KnifeSince 1904 Schrade has been the largest selling brand of cutlery in the United States, according to the brand’s current owner, Taylor Brands, LLC. At its peak, Imperial Schrade Corp. produced folding pocket knives, fixed blade knives for hunters and other outdoorsmen, lockbacks and multi-tools. This venerable American cutlery firm would have observed its 100th birthday in 2004, had the factory not closed shortly before the centennial celebration.

Company History

Schrade began as Schrade Cutlery Company, opening its doors in 1904 and starting out by producing cutlery with quality unique for its time. Imperial Knife Company — a separate firm — started business in 1916 in Providence, Rhode Island, manufacturing folding pocket knives. Ulster Knife Company and Imperial blended into one corporation much later in 1942, with the temporary mission of war knife production for the American military. Owner Alfred M. Baer purchased Schrade Cutlery after the war’s end and in 1946 renamed it the Schrade Walden Cutlery Corporation. As Schrade Walden, manufacturing moved to Ellenville, New York in 1958. Albert Baer bought out all other stockholders in 1983 and as sole owner changed the name of the parent company to Imperial Schrade Corporation. All assets moved to Ellenville. Baer died in 1997 and his widow, Karla B. Baer, briefly held the reigns as company C.E.O. On July 30th, 2004, the Schrade facility finished its final production run and closed down for good. Taylor Brands, LLC., purchased the rights to the brand name and still produces knives in the Schrade patterns, but all current Schrade knives are made in China.

Knives

If you’re lucky enough to stumble across a new Schrade, still in the box on the dusty shelf of some old general store, you might find a certificate inside that makes it even more valuable. Schrade’s last production run included a statement of authenticity which summarized the company history and certified those knives as the last of their kind. Older Schrade knives certainly have potential as collectibles even without that documentation. Today’s Schrade’s are a different breed, built with the Schrade look but using cheaper synthetics for handle materials and using 400 series high carbon stainless steel blades. If it’s your first Schrade you should find it a good knife, serviceable and backed by a limited lifetime warranty. If you’re replacing an old Schrade you’ll notice the difference. But get over it, many Chinese companies do good work.

See all of our Schrade knife reviews below


Schrade

Schrade Extream Survival Knife | Fixed Dagger Blade by Taylor Cutlery, 12 1/4 Inch

Survival knives usually try to do everything with one tool and wind up not being very good at any of it....
JT Hats
1 min read

Schrade Deerslayer Hunting, Skinning Knife | Full Tang Stainless Steel Fixed Blade

A traditional design with a little purposeful flair, the Schrade Deerslayer’s 10 1/2″ full tang construction is both strong and big...
Ken
1 min read

Schrade Guthook Skinner Hunting Knife | Full Tang Stainless Steel Fixed Blade

This versatile and economical skinning knife is big enough for deer and not too big for small game, so it’s a...
Ken
52 sec read

Schrade Jackmaster Barlow Pocket Knife, Two Blades

It’s interesting to me that certain styles of knife have withstood the tests of time. Or, more appropriately, the tests of...
Ken
1 min read

Schrade Water Rat Blunt Tip Serrated Dive Knife

I have mixed feelings about this Schrade Water Rat dive knife. First the good feelings: I think the orange nylon handle...
Ken
1 min read

Schrade Tough Tool Multi-Tool Review | Stainless Steel, 21 Function

Schrade knives have been around for over a hundred years. Originally manufactured by the Schrade Cutlery Company, which was then bought...
Ken
1 min read

Schrade Minuteman 2 Old Timer Pocket Knife

Pocket knives are tools, legally not considered to be weapons at all unless over a certain blade length, and even today...
Ken
47 sec read

Schrade Old Timer Knife | Folding Cave Bear | 5″ Lockback

This is the Cave Bear pocketknife from Schrade’s immortalized Old Timer product line. And again, it’s another example of a high-quality...
Ken
36 sec read

Schrade Old Timer Sharpfinger Fixed Blade Skinning Knife

Schrade has always been known for providing high-quality knives at reasonable prices. This knife is a great example of that. Schrade...
Ken
28 sec read