Western blades

[OLDE CUTLER]

I have come into a supply of blades for Western pocket knives for a very reasonable price (like free) that I will never be able to use up in several lifetimes. If any of you knife mechanics are in need of something like this, PM me.

From left:
Marked Western USA M on mark side, Stainless 381 on pile side, 2 11/16" overall length, not beveled or sharpened, so basically a blade blank. Tang hole is for a 3/32" pin. I have 31 of these!
Marked Western USA M mark side, Stainless W652 on pile side, 2 7/8" overall length, not beveled or sharpened, a blade blank. Tang hole is for a .086" pin. Have 3 of these.
Marked Western USA mark side, 6504E on pile side, 2 15/16" overall length, not beveled or sharpened, a blade blank. Tang hole is for a .086" pin. Have 3 of these.

NOTE: Two of these are marked "stainless", however they are all coated in light rust, so they may be mismarked? All will need to have the bevel ground on them.

[zzyzzogeton]

The "M" on the first two are date codes for 1989.

Still trying to track down a 6504E is. With a 4 digit model number on it, it is pre-1954. 1953 is when Western changed the model number structure to 3 digits.

The stainless steel that Coleman-Western used in the late 1980s was 440x, either 440A or 440C.

If improperly stored, e.g., wet, or in a damp environment, stainless will rust. "Stainless" doesn't mean rust free. It just means it will "stain less" than regular HC steel.

[OLDE CUTLER]

Thanks for your additional info on these.