10 Facts About Imperial Schrade

The consolidation of five forerunner companies, including its namesakes, the Imperial Knife Company, founded 1916, and the Schrade Cutlery Company, founded in 1904, Imperial Schrade manufactured its products in the United States and Ireland and sold through hardware stores, department stores, and on military bases.

Imperial Schrade developed a number of successful innovations in the manufacture of commercial value-priced folding pocket knives.

Tang stamps bearing the Imperial name appeared until 1988, when they were discontinued and replaced by the Schrade name.

Unable to raise sufficient capital to begin knife production, Imperial Schrade sold a partial interest in the company to the Walden Knife Company.

In 1903, Imperial Schrade sold all of his interest in the New York Press Button Knife Co.

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Imperial Schrade returned to the United States, though his Springer switchblade would live on; now unprotected by patent, the type was manufactured by several Solingen shops for many years thereafter.

In 1917, Imperial Schrade licensed a flylock switchblade design to the Challenge Cutlery Company, which he then joined.

Imperial Schrade pursued his knifemaking interests at both Challenge and at Imperial Schrade, where his brother George now managed one of the company's factories.

At the new company Imperial Schrade made Presto switchblades as well as Wire Jack jackknives, and other low-end pocket knives.

Imperial Schrade Knife had positive economic growth up to the late 1970s, but as the conglomerate entered the 1980s, a consolidation took place and the company divested itself of various holdings in order to streamline management.