Schrade is an iconic American knife brand founded by George Schrade in 1904 in Walden, New York — though the company's roots go back to 1892, when Schrade patented a spring-operated automatic-opening knife. For over 130 years, through market upheavals, economic crises, wartime contracts, and industrialization, Schrade has endured as a symbol of innovation, durability, and everyday affordability in American cutlery. Today, Schrade is experiencing a revival under American Outdoor Brands, which has brought select models back to US production.
History — From the Spring-Knife to an Icon
George Schrade was an English inventor who, in 1892, patented a spring-mechanism folding knife — an innovation that revolutionized the cutlery industry and laid the groundwork for the entire category of button-actuated pocket knives. Schrade Cutlery Company officially launched in 1904 in Walden, New York, quickly building a reputation as a precision cutlery manufacturer delivering quality for both professionals and outdoor sportsmen.
In the mid-20th century, the company merged with Imperial Knife Company to form Imperial Schrade Corp. — one of the largest knife manufacturers in the United States. The Ellenville, New York facility produced millions of knives for the US military during World War II and throughout the Cold War. In 2004, the original Imperial Schrade filed for bankruptcy; brand rights were acquired and production moved overseas. In 2022, American Outdoor Brands announced the return of premium models to US production using premium materials.
Iconic Product Lines
Schrade is known for several iconic product series that have defined the classic American knife category across generations. Old Timer is a line of traditional pocket and hunting knives produced since the 1950s in classic designs featuring bone and wood handle scales — a staple for generations of hunters and outdoorsmen, and still sought after by collectors of original pieces. Uncle Henry is a series of knives with carefully finished leather and wood handles, prized for their refined aesthetics and solid construction.
Schrade's newer lines include tactical fixed blades and folders with tanto, drop point, and clip point grinds in a variety of configurations, while the Full Tang Bushcraft series addresses growing demand from survivalists looking for a rugged field knife. The new Alpha Class and Beta Class lines are made in the USA from premium steels (S35VN, CPM-3V) with upgraded handle materials — a return to the brand's roots with a new standard of quality.
Who Schrade Knives Are For
Schrade targets hunters and outdoorsmen looking for a dependable field knife at an attractive price point, collectors of classic pocket and hunting knife patterns, enthusiasts of American cutlery heritage who value brands with over a century of tradition, and a broad audience of users seeking a solid, functional EDC (everyday carry) blade. History, value, and reliability — that is Schrade.
Schrade at Militaria.pl
Militaria.pl carries the full Schrade lineup — 130 years of American spirit in every blade. Old Timer, Uncle Henry, and Schrade tactical knives are the choice for anyone who values functional, hard-wearing knives with a heritage stretching back to the early 20th century. Iconic patterns, proven blades, and field-tested reliability — that is Schrade.
