Why not more discussion about eye brand?

[BJE]

It seems German knives get the short end of the stick around here, Boker get a fair amount of discussion, though nothing like case, GEC, or even opinel. But buck creek, hen and rooster, eye brand, bull dog, ect. Don't get to be the thread topic too often.

I really like German cutlery, most patterns are offered in carbon steel, and there is a lot of history in the brands. I have one whole knife roll dedicated to German cutlery only.
Eye brand makes a fine product, though a little on the pricey side, comparable to GEC in price, sometimes more and sometimes less. They have excellant stag and I love the matchstrike pulls.

those pics are several years old, the blades have taken a nice gray patina now, need to shoot some new ones soon.
The stag is uniform and not overly thick, the blades don't rub and are well centered, no gaps in springs or liners, blades are tight and walk and talk is great, they pull about a 6 on a scale of 1 to 10. Nice thin blades taper towards the edge and tip.
It's about as good a knife as I own. Also the blades are hammer forged instead of stamped, which I find interesting.

 

[PocketKnifeJimmy]

I am 47 years old, and remember German products (then from West Germany) were pretty highly thought of and sought out. I have noticed that not being much the case at all anymore. With US and European products taking a backseat to China made and lower price. I believe I will start adding in knives from other areas of the world, and German made should obviously be included

 

[WoodenChicken]

I am curious to know if they are Freemasons because that all seeing eye shows up in masonic lodges a lot.

 

[pipedreams308]

I've used this one a bit.

 

[Woodrow F Call]

I don't know. I've seen a few that I would like to own.

 

[jackknife]

The base of their popularity in the U.S. seems to be Texas, I'm not sure why, but then things are different in Texas. My better half is Texan, and in visits back home, I do see a lot of Eye-Brand and Moore Maker in working mans hands.

 

[Don Hanson III]

We sold a bunch of Eye brand knives in our store in N Florida back in the 80s'.

Very good knives but the temper a bit softer than I like.

New Eye Brands are china, so be careful out there.

 

[black mamba]

Good point in bringing up Moore Maker, Carl. They don't get a lot of play here either, although all of their Queen made knives that I have had are excellent. Maybe it's because they don't actually make them themselves. I don't think Schlieper does anymore, either.

 

[jackknife]

Good point in bringing up Moore Maker, Carl. They don't get a lot of play here either, although all of their Queen made knives that I have had are excellent. Maybe it's because they don't actually make them themselves. I don't think Schlieper does anymore, either.

Are the Schlieper knives being made under a contract? I now here in the U.S. the old Camillus company was called the contract king, and I've heard Boker referred to as the same. Names change as fortunes come and go. Like the Hen and Rooster name being sold, or the Mercator being made by someone else. It's a sad thought to me that Schlieper may have gone the same way. I've had two Eye-Brand knives and they were great knives. But that was over 20 years ago.

Carl.

 

[mnblade]

New Eye Brands are china, so be careful out there.

All of them, or do they just have an import line like Buck?

-- Mark

 

[fatcorgi]

Carl Schlieper closed down in the '90s sometime, the ones made at the moment are made by Olbertz. Apparently the originals were better, though the Olbertz are respectable makers. It would be great to have some way of dating the construction of these guys, they have enough symbols on the blades and tangs and shields, so there should be a way.

 

[Beard&Owl]

The base of their popularity in the U.S. seems to be Texas, I'm not sure why, but then things are different in Texas. My better half is Texan, and in visits back home, I do see a lot of Eye-Brand and Moore Maker in working mans hands.

There is lots of German heritage here in Texas, especially in the more central region. I know of a few hardware stores and western stores that sell boat loads of Eye Brand knives. They have been on my radar for a while now and one of these days Im sure Ill pull the trigger on a pattern I cant live without.

 

[Don Hanson III]

All of them, or do they just have an import line like Buck?

-- Mark

Not sure, but all the new ones I've seen in the last few years had 'made in china' on them. Price is also a good indication of where they are made.

 

[tongueriver]

Here are two older German Eye stockman knives. The yellow one is probably celluloid and is 4 3/4 inches closed. The black jigged bone knife is just shy of 5 1/2 inches. The biggest stockman knife I have ever seen. These are quality knives, with very good fit and finish.

 

[Will Power]

We sold a bunch of Eye brand knives in our store in N Florida back in the 80s'.

Very good knives but the temper a bit softer than I like.

New Eye Brands are china, so be careful out there.

Interesting.

A small Barehead Jack I own is frankly poor: raised springs on open, blades touching liner. Could be an Olbertz effort though as it's carbon. Rather put me off, but other Olbertz knives (Weidmannsheil, can be quite good).

 

[crazyengineer]

Here are two older German Eye stockman knives. The yellow one is probably celluloid and is 4 3/4 inches closed. The black jigged bone knife is just shy of 5 1/2 inches. The biggest stockman knife I have ever seen. These are quality knives, with very good fit and finish.

I have an eye brand very similar to this, though mine has a bit more wear and color and not etching left if there ever was one. Unfortunately, it has disappeared recently, I have some ideas where it is and will go looking for it next time I am home from school. the knife is great, I ahve carried it for a while with my sebenza.

 

[ptradeco]

Here are a couple of not your everyday pieces:

Top Two

Don't know about the masonic connection but here is a look at the two "eye" images:

 

[zippofan]

I have a few Eye Brand, including a new, marked made in Solingen Germany half Congress that arrived today.

I picked up this older stag muskrat earlier this summer, it is a terrific knife:

 

[Don Hanson III]

I have a few Eye Brand, including a new, marked made in Solingen Germany half Congress that arrived today.

I picked up this older stag muskrat earlier this summer, it is a terrific knife:

That's good to hear!

 

[whetrock]

They're immensely popular in this part of the world. They're held in much higher regard than Case, but I'm skeptical of what exactly you're receiving for the price, I don't think they're the best value, but I'll likely wind up with one due to the influence I've received. Moore Maker is also commended a great deal here, I really don't see the appeal of MM, but the cowboy types can't get enough of them.