Schrade USA 152

[know what i mean]

What yrs of production were the Shrade USA 152OT manufactured?

 

[orvet]

The 152OT first appeared in the Schrade catalogs in 1973.
I do have a copy of a 1972 price list in which the 152 is hand written in.
Not sure what that means, but perhaps some were available in late 1972.
If they were available at the first of the year in 1973, no doubt production started in 1972.

Perhaps Michael has more info on this.

Dale

 

[know what i mean]

Dale' Thanks for the information. Been learning a lot about Schrade the past few months. Dale H.

 

[Codger_64]

From what I can tell, it began shipping in mid-1973. 9,533 were shipped by year's end of that year. 1974 was the first full year of production and 36,093 shipped. That figure almost doubled in 1975 with 69,554 pieces shipped. By the end of 2002, over three million of the Sharpfingers had been sold.

I've never seen one with the Schrade Walden marking. If someone does, I would like to see it.

Michael

Edit to add: Mr. Levine was correct with his answer of 1974, in that this is the most commonly accepted introduction year, and it was the first full year of production and advertising.

 

[know what i mean]

Michael, Thank you for furthering the information. Dale H.

 

[lrv]

1974 price list.
http://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/pricelist/images/1974-PRICELIST.pdf
1973
http://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/pricelist/images/1973-PRICELIST.pdf
1972 (with writing!)
http://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/pricelist/images/1972-SW-PRICELIST.pdf

 

[Codger_64]

For quite some time we collectors have speculated and researched to find exactly when certain Schrade knife patterns were first introduced. Just when we think we have them pegged, along comes another old catalog, advertisement or knife example which changes what we previously thought we knew with some certainty.

Such was the case with our understanding of the time of the introduction of the 152OT Sharpfinger. Until recently, the earliest catalog appearance of the pattern was in the September 1973 revision of the Schrade catalog which, along with the 152OT, also introduced several other new patterns such as the ‘49er series and the 153UH Golden Spike. But then a “new” January 1st, 1973 dated distributor’s catalog was uncovered showing the 152OT. However, the consolidation of Ulster and Schrade Walden was amended on September 17th, 1973 changing the name to Schrade Cutlery Corp., the name on these catalogs.

Still further catalog sheets dated September 1st, 1972 have the 152OT penciled in. Does this indicate the probability of a SW tangstamped Sharpfinger? A week ago I would have said no. The handwritten inclusion could have been added at any time after the publication, even up into 1973 by a staff or sales person to allow continued use of an old price list. But now I am not so sure. Note the inclusion of the handwritten addition of the 153UH.

As you can see, all components match, the box, the brochure, warranty and tang. All Schrade Walden. Serial number #01666 on the guard strongly suggests that at least that many were made with the Schrade Walden tang stamp, though this one, belonging to forum member Jackie, is the only one I have seen to date. And besides it’s obvious rarity, this example is in prime condition and complete down to it’s properly stamped slip cover for the correct box with the gold foil label.

So we may yet find one or more of the 9,533 152OT Sharpfingers shipped in 1973 with the Schrade Walden marks.

Thanks for bringing these lists to light Larry! Now find me a SW 152OT! :thumbup:

 

[know what i mean]

Irv, Michael, Thank you both for the additional information. Dale H.

 

[lrv]

Just to let you all know these price lists and a lot more have been available on the web site for quite a while.
Please do come an spend some time in the library.
There is a bunch of older Imperial stuff yet to be published. Will post a note when its ready.
TTYL
Larry

 

[tongueriver]

I hope this is not too badly off topic. You have been discussing Schrades in the transitional era of 1972 to 197(4?), so I thought this one might be of interest. The 127UH first shows up in catalogs, to my weak knowledge, in 1972. This example, with very dark scales, would probably be in 1972 or 1973 (?) The serial number is 04565. Ho hum. Well, I was very surprised, when I received this knife, at the thickness of the staglon scales. This should show in the third photo. Comments? I did an earlier post to show the same phenomenon regarding the 260 SC and the 261 SC scrimshaw hunters. They were the first hunters in Schrade's scrimshaw line, and they also had these monster thick scales, not to be seen again. But these latter introductions were much later. Now I am wondering if there was a very early 227UH with the same thick scales. I have yet to see one. I hope I am not boring anyone.