The Golden Age of Old Timer Knives

As you might expect, Old Timers became increasingly popular with each year and were considered a prime example of quality and craftsmanship in a knife. At a time when stainless steels were becoming all the rage, Old Timers featured high carbon steels that would hold an edge and sharpen easily.

Schrade continued introducing new models into the Old Timer line, and the knives were always made to meet the high standards laid out by the company. (Schrade even released a Bill of Rights on what makes a great Schrade knife that included notes on the finish and craftsmanship.) The handles were consistently made of durable materials like Delrin and Staglon and featured liners made from solid brass.

Knives Like Grandad’s.

The good times persisted for Old Timer through the next few decades and the brand became firmly established as a go-to for superior knives that were the true definition of gentleman’s folders or as their slogan went: ‘Knives Like Grandad’s.’

Then, in July of 2004, on the 100th year anniversary of manufacturing knives like Old Timer, Schrade Cutlery Company closed the doors to its factories and ceased production. During the months leading up to the closure, a mad rush to buy up the last original knives took place because people were unsure of the fate of Schrade and its brands. Many thought the Schrade brands would be lost forever.

About Old Timer Knives

Old Timer Knives manufactured by the Imperial Schrade Corporation closed their doors July 30, 2004, after 100 years of business. There will be no more original Schrade Old Timer knives produced. However popular name brands and designs are in demand by the public, and as Mark Twain once said, “Reports of my Demise are Greatly Exaggerated”.

Thanks to Taylor Brands LLC, which purchased the intellectual property rights to all of the Old Timer, Schrade, and Uncle Henry Knives, these great classics live again. Taylor has recreated the original patterns, and made these Classics available to the public once more. The only sad note is that they are now imported from China to keep the prices low.

Old Timer Knives are genuine classics. The Old Timer knife line, made by the new Schrade, is a selection of pocket knives, lock blades, fixed blade hunters, etc. that are built for use, with saw-cut Delrin handles, brass liners, nickel silver bolsters, and stainless steel blades.

For almost 100 years, since 1904, the Schrade and Old Timer name products have been manufactured with superior materials and expert craftsmanship. Made Schrade Tough, Schrade’s Uncle Henry and Old Timer knife products have been carried by generations of knife owners, and prized for their reliability, durability and value.

Deeply rooted in the Old Timer tradition, the Schrade Knife family tree includes: Old Timer Knives and Uncle Henry Knives.