Taylor Japan Surgical Steel?

[Ballard_st]

I picked up this little guy at a flea market last weekend, and I love the design (traditional look, deep thumb groove for easy opening, single sheepsfoot blade). Of course I bought it out of state and had to ship it home to myself so even though I bought it in person I'm still anxiously waiting for the mailman.

After doing some research it looks like Taylor isn't a manufacturer so much as a brand name other companies manufacturer and sell blades under. Was this the same back in 1981? Is anyone familiar with the "surgical stainless" Japanese steel? Was there any stainless back in 1981 we'd consider halfway decent today? If anyone's familiar with what to expect of love to hear it.

 

[abbydaddy]

I have never heard of the term "surgical steel" being used for decent steel. It can pretty much mean any corrosion resistant steel. At the very least, your knife shouldn't rust.

That said, regardless of the steel, it is a nice looking lambsfoot.

 

[Neko2]

Land Shark!

They still make that model today, or in the last few years, as an Old Timer branded.

 

[Jack Black]

I didn't realise they had been doing the Landshark that long, interesting knife.

 

[Railsplitter]

I didn't realise they had been doing the Landshark that long, interesting knife.

I didn't either Jack. I don't know much about them in the first place but I had just assumed that it was a pattern that was developed after Schrade closed their doors. Interesting indeed.

 

[Ballard_st]

Thanks for the tip! They're marketing the Landshark under Schrade now, with 7cr17MOV steel and mixed to negative quality reviews. With that tip I was able to find the original Taylor Shark "Elk Horn" line from the 80's. So, now I know what it was.

On my knife, there is a bit of lateral play (but it's not terrible and I'm not a sticker), the scales and bolster aren't flush and would disappointing on a new knife (which I had originally chalked up to age, but who knows), a hairline fracture in one scale, and satisfying walk and talk. It seems to have been well taken care of in regards to rust, joint cleanliness, etc. Maybe it was just someone's shelf queen as a World's Fair collectible, or maybe the guy at the knife tent restored it (he seemed the type).

When I found the knife I thought Taylor was a quality old school brand, like Case or original Schrade, and it was cheap enough I didn't do my on the spot research. I'm now curious if the non-flush scales were just lower QA or if it actually was caused by age and wear (as I choose to think).

Long story short, I paid about what you can find the new ones for on ebay and less than what the vintage ones are going for on the same site, for a somewhat banged up, medium quality knife in substandard, but probably highly stainless, steel, in a design I love with good walk and talk and a longer history than I have. I'm well satisfied. I like to pick things apart and critique, but I'm happy with my purchase and my new knife.

(Ninja edit for grammar)

 

[yablanowitz]

From what I see in the pictures, fit and finish are typical for the early 80s Taylors. The steel was nothing to write home about, but it wasn't terrible, either.

 

[Rich S]

Typically, "surgical steel" means a 440 type; generally 440A or 440C.

Rich

 

[Bartleby]

With the benefit of hindsight, Taylor Brands is perhaps the one of the greatest success stories in sales and marketing to the American cutlery consumer during the second half of the 20th century. They led the way in the movement to outsource much of the industry's production of user type knives during the 80's and 90's. There may well come a time when their early production under their own brand will be collected, as most examples were used until destruction or discarded, during a time when fewer people collected knives. This may or may not translate into rarity in the future. Interesting to ponder.