Some Schrade Scrimshaw

Thanks so much Dale.

Here is my post from the other thread.

Hello! New to the forum but I can tell I've found the right place. My grandfather passed away in 2002 and I've had a lot of his old stuff laying about ever since. He was a bit of a knife collector it seems and so his "collection" has lead me to you all.

I might sell some of it and I might not. My memories of him aren't really tied to these knifes, honestly I never shared his enjoyment of them, but none the less they belonged to my Grandpa so it would be hard to part with them.

Withou further ado(I am emailing pics to mod):

There is a set of 7 knives in a wooden box, blue background and a picture of an eagle. It simply says "S S of the Great American Outdoors." The handles say "J Duffy '93" and the blades all are SC 50xxx. The entire set seem are numberd 0600 and have never been out of the box or used to the best of my knowledge.


The other piece is in a small cardboard box and says National Park Service 1916-1991. Inside is a green background and a knife with a buffalo on it. This handle does not bear any signature.There is also a proper use and care pamphlet inside. The blade appears to say "515 SC" at the base and says 75th anniverary out on the blade itself.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I would like to know the official nomenclature of each and anything else you all might know about them.

He had a bunch more but I'd like to start here and see whats what. Thanks
Click to expand...

I am not soliciting these in any way, just want some info on them. Thanks
 
In 1975, the resident Schrade graphic artist had an idea. Melding the commercial artform of hotstamping advertising on knives, and etching blades for special factory orders with his own interest in wildlife art, he presented Henry Baer with examples of the first knives with what would become known as "Schrade Scrimshaw" art. These were not the fruit samplers and horticulture knives, or sailor's hawser knives with the names and logos of mills and packing houses, florist suppliers and such, but a small fixed hunting knife, and a folding hunter. Thus the Schrade Scrimshaw series was born, and it became a mainstay for many years. Usually produced in quantities of 10,000 or less, with fewer sets being sold than single knives, the Scrimshaw line was a marketing success.

In the early nineties, the Schrade artist, Frank Giogianni retired, doing only occasional pieces for Schrade. Tom Duffy was his successor. Later, a few special pieces were produced by other artists outside the company. Linda Karst (Stone) was one such artist. By 1997, buyer interest in the Scrimshaws was beginning to wane, and the offerings became fewer, and more oriented toward SFOs such as Ducks Unlimited. Blade etches became more ornate, being done by several outside specialty housed such as Baron and Aurium (sp). The final years saw a near complete cessation of the sets, and the SC50297 was sold for several more years, being the sole remaining small hunting knife bearing the scrimshaw art, a bust of a buck deer.

I'll see what info I can dig up on those particular knives tonight when I have more time. Meanwhile, ponder the fact that those knives were special to someone who was special to you. Once you dispose of them, there will be no gettng those knives back, and their provenance to your own children and grandchildren will be lost forever. Therein lies their true value, not in the few dollars they might bring.

Codger needs more coffee
 
RBL,
There are a lot of us here who are rather fond of the art work of Frank Georgianni. He was kind enough, with the help of his son Tom, to make knives for members of our forum. We are fortunate to have his son, Tom, as a member of our forum. I thought you might like to see some of his original art work.

Dale

Here is a link to the 2006 Blade Forum Knife thread:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=406854
 
Nice knives for sure. I can't add a whole lot as I am not very framiliar with these knives. Shoot me an email if you do decide to sell the nationaql park service model.
 
The National Park Service 75th Anniversary Commemorative was begun in early 1990, and as a special project, really was developed and produced quickly. First samples sent for ideas were off the shelf items.

50DU
TV90 (A true Value special scrim)
An unidentified ebony handled knife with special blade etch
DS2 The 2nd Federal Duck Stamp commemorative knife.

By June, the design and specs were coming together, with prototype approval request needed by the end of the month to make a fall delivery deadline. The first number assigned was 50NP, as the 5OT pattern was chosen. It was first specified to have brass bolsters, changed to nickle silver. Sample orders call for three fibron (impregnated wood) samples, one in burnt orange, golden brown, and oak. Two samples were also ordered in genuine stag, one natural and one burnt. By mid August, the new product information sheet was issued detailing the order. By then the artwork for the etch, shield, and packaging had been sampled and approved. The order was for 6,500 serialized pieces (later changed to 6,000) in presentation boxes with tiled lids. As you know, golden brown fibron handles were selected, and the production number for the issue was changed to NPS1. Brass linings were initially specified, but later changed to nickle silver, then back I believe. This issue was to have a antiqued silver coined shield.. First 500 knives were due to be shipped by late October, with the balance by January of 1991. Retail was listed at $129.99.

A second order of 3,000 serialized knives was ordered with natural stag handles, and blade etch. These were to have a gold plated coined shield. These were to be shipped by January 1991.

In November, a silver and black medallion was added to the packaging tray of the NPS1, and a gold and black medallion to the NPS2. The latter was dubbed "The Ranger", and bore a special etch done by Baron Tech, and was to be direct sales to Park Service employees only.

During the development stages, a 515SC (NPS515) was discussed, to be a scrimshaw edition with art patterned after the fancier box lid tiles, a bison, and a blade etch done inhouse. NPS3 was a working name for this issue, and 5,000 were estimated. They were scheduled to begin shipping in December of 1990. These were to be clampacked in a gift box. Another 5,000 were listed in January 1991 to be boxed instead of clampacked, given the number NPS3B.

In March of 1991, yet another issue was listed, the NPS4. These 1,000 were to be serialized 5OT pattern with golden brown fibron handles, gold filled blade etch, and coined nickle silver shield to match the NS bolsters and linings. These were to be packed in polybags with brochures and shipped in bulk boxes of fifty knives each.

Well, there you are. Here is the picture of yours, hopefully a closer view.

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Codger
 
1993 would have been the first full year for the scrimshaw artwork of John Duffy at Schrade, Mr. Giorgianni having retired in 1992, according to his son, Tom.

The 1993 Scrimshaw set continued the series begun with the first two knives in 1976. The set came in a custom presentation box with molded blue felted tray, and paperwork describing the set. While earlier knives had pattern numbers of 155, 260, 205, etc., by 1993 the "500 series" had been settled upon as the numbers used to denote the scrimshaw line. The 1993 set consisted of the following seven patterns/ art:

502SC - Sharpfinger pattern with buck deer head bust art
503SC - 3 7/8" Gunstock Trapper pattern with Pike fish art
505SC - 4" Premium Stockman pattern with two loons art
507SC - 5" Bear Paw lockback pattern with bobcat art
511SC - 2 3/8" Cub Lockback pattern with snipe art
513SC - 3" Bearhead Lockback pattern with rattlesnake art
515SC - 4" Bruin Lockback pattern with owl art

24c9y5f.jpg
24c9z4j.jpg

As always, corrections and additions welcomed.

Codger
 
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