schrade tang stamps

[nmikash]

Does anyone know how to date a Schrade based on tang stamps? Schrade+, schrade, schrade NY, Schrade Walden? I would appreciate any help. Thanks. Nick

[El Lobo]

This is a basic list:

SCHRADE CUT. CO.
WALDEN N.Y. (1904-46)

SCHRADE-WALDEN
N.Y. (1946-73) (U.S.A. added around 1954)

SCHRADE
N.Y. U.S.A. (1973-2004)

Schrade+ is a designation for a stainless blade.

There are some other variations from the Schrade Custom shop like:

SCHRADE+
U.S.A. LTD (c. 1990-)

Old Timers introduced in 1959...Uncle Henry line in 1967.

Hope that helps a little.

Bill

[smiling-knife]

As El Lobo says. s-k see photos for e.g.s

[nmikash]

Thanks for the help. I purchased a lot of Old Timers and Uncle Henry's and I'm cleaning them up with WD-40. Does anyone know when they switched to Schrade+ steel? Also does anyone know when they switched from stamping NY USA to just USA. Thanks again...Nick

[El Lobo]

Things just happened over time with Schrade. No really good records were kept, unlike some companies. Except for Debbie Chase, the unofficial historian, few remember exactly how all things changed.
I believe the stamps with only U.S.A. (no N.Y.) were later... (late '90s on)...knives that were not Old Timers or Uncle Henrys. The Uncle Henry line was considered the premium line and was pretty much always stainless steel...first 440A, then from the late '90s, 420HC, because it came coiled/rolled, and could be fine blanked less expensively. Even some Old Timers were stainless near the end of the line.

Bill

EDITED: For clarity.

[Gr8Scout]

Nice to see Schrades being discussed here.
Hiya Bill!
Phil

[El Lobo]

Greetings Phil!

It's nice to have someone drop in who really knows and uses his Schrades..... and other knives as well.

Bill