Imperial & Schrade/Walden H15

[eveled]

I’ve always seen these Schrade Walden H15 knives around. Sometimes called pilot survival knives. But I’ve also read they were never issued and are actually budget hunting knives. I never really gave them much thought.

Then I bought a mixed lot of knives the others I really wanted. The odd one was a worn out oversharpened H15 pattern.

After some light cleaning I see the tang stamp it is an Imperial also that it has steel pommel and guard. It is a lot thicker spine than the Schrade.

It just has an overall feeling of being older and more robust than the Schrade. Even with its blade loss it is noticeably heavier. When were these heavy Imperials made? Do they have any military connections?