Sharpfinger...

[Murphy Slaw]

My uncle Bill died recently, and I inherited this old Schrade. I remember and knew the original owner of it, a biker from the east Mesa/Apache Jct. (Phoenix) area who was a very close friend of the family. There were many bikers hanging around my dad and uncle in the 70's and this guy was a big-hearted soul. He died in an accident in the very early 80's and my uncle has had this knife ever since, until now. I actually wore a Sharpfinger later in life because of him for many years.

He wore it in front, the sheath is notched so it can be removed without un-snapping. The tip is broken. It's brought back many memories in a way that only a man's knife can do.

[Naperville]

I like the profile of the blade. Now I have to be on the lookout for something 3.5 to 4 inches long just like it.

I think SouthNarc had them but they were too expensive.

[Halfneck]

First fixed blade I ever had. My Grandfather gave me one to use as a fishing knife. Dummy kid that I was I put it in my tacklebox wet & forgot about it for a while. Next time I pulled it out it was rusted badly. Chucked it to hide the fact I didn't properly care for it from my Grandfather.

I have one sitting over in my knife pile in my home office. Bought it off ebay due to nostalgia. As a kid in the 70s Shrade Sharpfingers were all over the place. There's a member over on Bladeforums that worked at Schrade. He talked about how you would see some with melted Delrin around the lanyard holes because people were using them like a roach clip to smoke joints - I got a chuckle out of that.

Looking back on them as an adult, they're a great little fixed blade. The handle is very comfortable in-hand, and a useful blade length in good carbon steel. The only negatives to me are: The blade grind near the ricasso is too thick and robs you of almost an inch of cutting edge. The leather sheath was thin & floppy - I stabbed through it and into my hip re-sheathing it. To be fair, it was old & worn, and soaking wet, but that pointy tip easily went through.

[James Y]

I have a Schrade/Old Timer Sharpfinger. There was (and still is) a small, local, family-owned hardware store down the street that used to have an old Schrade/Old Timer knife display case. I bought my Sharpfinger when I was 13 or 14; I remember it cost about $13 back then (1976/77). Admittedly, I never really used it. I bought it mainly to wear on my belt while doing my early morning (5:00 a.m.) paper route, in case I ever encountered a stray dog or a human perv. Neither ever happened during the years I had that paper route.

I also never used it because I thought it was beautiful, and I knew from previous experience with Schrade's pocketknives that their carbon steel rusted very easily. Thinking back, it's kind of surprising that a few stores like that were willing to sell knives to a 13 or 14 year old kid.

Jim

[Murphy Slaw]

Thinking back, it's kind of surprising that a few stores like that were willing to sell knives to a 13 or 14 year old kid.

Jim

I bought many pocket knives at that age. I was also known to own a .22 rifle at age 11. It was a different time, indeed.

[Doc Dan]

Those were innovative for the time and very capable knives in the field. A lot of hunters carried those. Are you going to fix the tip and use it?

[Murphy Slaw]

Are you going to fix the tip and use it?

I'm torn. I actually have my own, and it too is a scrimshaw and has been used gutting and skinning deer and rabbit.

This one is kind of sentimental because the original owner was a very close family friend. Part of me wants to fix it, and part of me says to leave it the way it was when he was killed in the wreck.

I haven't even sharpened it.

[Doc Dan]

Are you going to fix the tip and use it?

I'm torn. I actually have my own, and it too is a scrimshaw and has been used gutting and skinning deer and rabbit.

This one is kind of sentimental because the original owner was a very close family friend. Part of me wants to fix it, and part of me says to leave it the way it was when he was killed in the wreck.

I haven't even sharpened it.

That is a tough decision. I'd ask myself what he'd want to do.

[Murphy Slaw]

in the 70s Shrade Sharpfingers were all over the place. There's a member over on Bladeforums that worked at Schrade.

After reading this, I found a thread there with a wealth of information by a guy "Codger". I don't know if that's who you were referencing, but it was a fascinating read.

I knew they were popular back in the day, but I had no idea they were THAT popular. Even Sonny Barger wore one.

Thanks.

[Halfneck]

in the 70s Shrade Sharpfingers were all over the place. There's a member over on Bladeforums that worked at Schrade.

After reading this, I found a thread there with a wealth of information by a guy "Codger". I don't know if that's who you were referencing, but it was a fascinating read.

I knew they were popular back in the day, but I had no idea they were THAT popular. Even Sonny Barger wore one.

Thanks.

Yes that is his forum name there.