Not thrilled with my new Schrade 787

cstricklen · Post by **cstricklen** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 2:39 pm

Well, here is another case of trusting fuzzy photos on eBay. This Muskrat was described as Mint.

Couple questons:
1) Is this crimping of the bolsters typical when the jigging extends all the way to the bolster?

2) What happened on this backspring pin? (Both handles are gouged like this.)

Also, the blades--although they look perfect--make no effort whatsoever to snap half-open. Is this typical of this knife? The springs are rather narrow, allowing for a nice thin profile. Don't know much about Schrades; am I expecting too much of this old work knife?

Sorry, looks like my pictures are fuzzy, too!

At least they're close-ups. Hope you can see what I'm talking about.

Charlie

orvet · Post by **orvet** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 3:48 pm

Hey Charlie,

The first thing to remember is that these knives were made to be shoved in a pocket with keys, change, nails, a can of Copenhagen and anything else the owner wanted to put in there. It was not built to be a “Safe Queen.” It was made to be a working knife. It sold for $15.50 in 1983, the last year it was made.

cstricklen wrote:Couple questons:
1) Is this crimping of the bolsters typical when the jigging extends all the way to the bolster?

2) What happened on this backspring pin? (Both handles are gouged like this.)
Charlie

1- The handles were not jigged on the knife. The probable cause for this is a mis-stamped bolster.

2- The rocker pin has such a nice big head because it is spun in place. The head spinner often touched the Delrin and melted a bit of it. This is a common phenomenon, even in custom made knives. That is why I prefer to peen the rocker pins on knives I customize.

A lot of the Schrades were not made with half stops. I think they were designed to open smoothly in a single pull.

I don’t know what you paid for the knife, but it appears to be a good serviceable knife, even of it isn’t perfect. It is probably just as it came from the box, and that is probably what the seller meant by “Mint.” Many production knives are not “Mint” as they come from the factory. They were meant to be used, not displayed. Some of the Schrade special issues were meant to be displayed & admired………..this knife is not one of those.

I hope this helps,
Dale

El Lobo · Post by **El Lobo** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 4:25 pm

To me, the marks on the bolster appear to be "sucking out marks" or marks also known as "jig hafts." These occur near the end of the hafting process, as the buffing wheel may follow the contours into the bolsters. There was quite a discussion about this issue in one of the original Great Eastern threads. Many folks feel it is a sign of a well finished knife, rather than a flaw. YMMV of course.

Looks like a good workhorse, just as Dale mentioned.

Bill

cstricklen · Post by **cstricklen** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 5:25 pm

Thanks for the replies, guys, and your insight. I realize this knife wasn't meant to be a showpiece. On the other hand, a big part of my collection consists of examples of "old workhorses" that came off the line gorgeous and stayed that way. In most cases, I have another example of the same knife that I carry and use.

My favorite such knife is my old Kabar 1002 Liner Lock, a utilitarian if there ever was one, with wood handles and brass bolsters, but perfectly crafted and finished.

Anyway, what I was looking for was a fine example of a 787. If the lack of a half-stop is intentional and the slightly botched handle is typical, maybe I actually have what I was looking for.

Bill, the bolsters are exactly as you describe. I didn't mention before that all four of them show these "jig hafts" that you mention. They do, in fact, follow the contours of the jigging. I think I'll call them a sign of a well finished knife rather than a flaw.

Since everything else about the knife is perfect, I think she's a keeper. (I just gotta smooth out that mess around the pin, though.)

To be fair to the old girl, here's how she looks when not exposed to a microscope. She still wouldn't want to be photographed beside my Queen Muskrat, but she does look pretty good.

Charlie

muskrat man · Post by **muskrat man** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 5:31 pm

these knives didn't have half stops, and the bolster grooves from hafting is typical of any knife that the jig extends to the bolsters, however if you choose to rehandle it the hafting marks on the bolsters won't come out. If you are displeased with it, I'm sure we can work out a trade

Edit: that gives me an idea, next muskrat I pick up and tear down, I'll have to add some half stops to it

cstricklen · Post by **cstricklen** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 5:57 pm

Nice try, MM.

I'm still looking for the perfect candidate to send you, though. I did buy another 787, a Case Slimline Trapper and a really nice 194OT this week. Maybe one of them. The 194 is begging to have it's ugly, smooth Delrin handles replaced. (Maybe not--you don't like to work on linerlocks, right?)

Charlie

cstricklen · Post by **cstricklen** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 6:03 pm

Hey Dale, I just found your Schrade Old Timer Knife List. Nice piece of work. When you get a minute, please add photos and a detailed description of each model and then get started on that Uncle Henry list ASAP.

muskrat man · Post by **muskrat man** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 6:08 pm

cstricklen wrote:Nice try, MM. I'm still looking for the perfect candidate to send you, though. I did buy another 787, a Case Slimline Trapper and a really nice 194OT this week. Maybe one of them. The 194 is begging to have it's ugly, smooth Delrin handles replaced. (Maybe not--you don't like to work on linerlocks, right?)

Charlie

the 194 sounds like a good candidate to me, it's the "tactical" style linerlocks and framelocks I don't like messing with

orvet · Post by **orvet** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 11:11 pm

cstricklen wrote:Hey Dale, I just found your Schrade Old Timer Knife List. Nice piece of work. When you get a minute, please add photos and a detailed description of each model and then get started on that Uncle Henry list ASAP.

That has already been done in a manner far better than I could. Check out Larry's site. You have both low & high resolution pics to choose from.
Larry did a fine job!

http://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/

Dale

PS- I agree with Kaleb, the 194 is a great candidate for customizing. I love them.

redferd · Post by **redferd** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 1:09 pm

Hi Charlie and welcome to the forum. I like the last photo you posted of the whole knife. It looks in like new condition. I would be a happy fellow to get one like it. I am a happy fellow to get mostly any knife that is in fine shape. Nice.

cstricklen · Post by **cstricklen** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 1:13 pm

Holy Crap, Dale! I thought I was kidding about adding all that info. "Larry did a fine job" is an understatement! Thanks for the link. --Charlie

cstricklen · Post by **cstricklen** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 1:27 pm

Thanks for the welcome, redferd. Yes, the 787 is just like new--it just wasn't quite perfect when it was new. Maybe I'm too picky? Now that I'm more well informed, she's growing on me. (I'm still kinda lookin' for a better one, though. Sorry, can't help it.)

muskrat man · Post by **muskrat man** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 5:29 pm

here is one of my better ones

cstricklen · Post by **cstricklen** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 5:36 pm

See there? A better one! That's a beauty. (Better lighting on the photo, too, MM.) You're the one who mentioned a trade; I'll trade ya even up.

I picked up an absolutely gorgeous KA-BAR Trapper today. I'll rub the bolsters on my t-shirt a little and post a picture of it.