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SHOW YOUR 5 FAVORITE SCHRADES

Ken Spielvogel started "Show us your 5 favorite knives" in 2013 under General Knife Discussions. I'm just bring his idea to the Schrade Group and re-posting my favorites here.

SHOW OFF YOUR SCHRADES.

I am going to revise the rules here. I picked my 5 favorite Herman Williams Schrades...I collect the muskrat pattern so what about my 5 favorite Muskrats. Post as many 5 Favorite Groups as you are inclined to...by pattern, handle material, gifts, best deals...whatever..just so they are Schrades, made by Schrade...some Ulsters for example, or even made for Schrade..GEC made the fixed blade Trail of Tears knife.

There are quite a few knives in my collection that are pretty special to me, some because of the circumstances of the deal, some for what they remind me of, and some just because the knife sparks something inside me. Herman Williams has not only greatly influenced my collection, but has become a very good friend. Here are my 5 favorite Herman Williams Schrades

This Schrade Walden 233 in Sambar Stag is a customized version of my very first knife..a birthday present from my Dad, and the first knife that Herman re-handled for me.

This 897UH in jigged bone was 1 of 5 Schrades that Herman customized in the 80's for Uncle Henry's birthday. It was in Irv Trachtenberg's collection, who was the Assistant Production Manager for Schrade Cutlery. The file work and attention to detail on this one hooked me as a fan.

This Schrade Bowie in Sambar Stag was my first full custom knife from Herman.

This Schrade Heritage 2941 trapper started my White Bone collection

This 227UH was a gift from Herman. He rejigged a set of Schrade's 100 Anniv. rope jigged blue bone handles.

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Replies to This Discussion

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Doug Webber on September 29, 2015 at 13:19

Tom,

I understand your dilema. Some knives are special because I've hunted a long time for them, or because of the great deal I got, or because of someone who was involved with the knife. That's why I picked my favorite Herman Williams knives, and I'm still second guessing that selection. I'd bet that most everyone with 11 or more Schrades could pick out at least 2 sets of 5 favorites. Since I started this thread, I guess I can revise it. Let's not limit this, post your 5 favorite fixed blades, folders, gifts, bone handles, whatever category seems right. I've collected some by pattern, so I could post my top 5 muskrats. Let's get some pictures on here and have a little fun. I know there are Schrades out there I need in my collection, I just don't know what they are yet.

Doug

Permalink Reply by Ricky L McConnell on October 2, 2015 at 0:28

The tang stamp says 708, but on the end of the tube it says 708B. It says Schrade Walden on the tube also.

Doug Webber said:

Ricky,

At first I thought the 2nd one down was a 766, but the 766 was only made until 1969. Enlighten me please.

As to the question of the "improved" muskrat. After quite a bit of reading it appears there are at least 2 schools of thought. Around 1934 - 1936 the muskrat got a Hawbaker blade, described in the 1936 catalog as an improved skinning blade. After that, with or without the hawbaker blade the knife was referred to, and marked, as an "Improved Muskrat". Another plausible explanation is that "Improved Muskrat" was simply a marketing ploy...as in New and Improved. A combination of the two explanations seems likely. Someone trying to boost sales saw the description in the 1936 catalog and suggested that they etch Improved on the muskrats. In 1936, a pocket knife was a tool, just as it is today. If someone says they have an improved version of a tool I use...

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Doug Webber on October 2, 2015 at 4:10

Rickey,

It would seem that tube is not original to your knife on the basis of Schrade Walden on the box and Schrade on the tang stamp. The name was changed in 1973 from Schrade Walden to Schrade. The 708 was made from 1952-79 and originally came with stag handles. Any 708 made after the early 60's most likely came with jigged Delrin as Schrade quit using bone on their open stock knives due to regulations passed by New York. They would have used the Stag until their stock for that particular pattern ran out. The 708B was made from 1970 to 1988 and came with smooth black handles. With the Schrade tang stamp, your knife would date between 1973 and 1988. I have not seen a 708B tang stamp on a Schrade or Schrade Walden. When I said that it would seem that the tube was not original to your knife, there is the very likely possibility that it was shipped from the factory in a leftover Schrade Walden 708B box. The older Schrade Walden 708B had a long pull on the clip blade while yours has the nail mark. With all that said, your Schrade 708B is a real nice looker.

Permalink Reply by Tom Chase on October 4, 2015 at 10:20

This morning I selected some of my Favorite Schrades and here they are in no particular order! These are the 2 OT and 3 OT from the Schrade Factory Collection, these were originally owned by Mr. Herman Williams.

Permalink Reply by Tom Chase on October 4, 2015 at 10:23

aThis one is a 15 OT that my Dad had the scene acid etched on. We went Pheasant hunting and on this particular hunt, the dog was faster than the shotgun. Each time he flushed a bird he grabbed it in flight before we had a shot....LOL Dad made this one up to remind me of this hunt.

Permalink Reply by Tom Chase on October 4, 2015 at 10:24

These are the "LOST" Uncle Henry's

Permalink Reply by Tom Chase on October 4, 2015 at 10:26

These are three 152 OT's that Dad rehandled using different types of horn and filed the tops of the blades for me.

Permalink Reply by Tom Chase on October 4, 2015 at 11:35

This is one of six Schrade USA 100th Anniversary Bowies that were assembled for samples prior to the closing of Schrade. I took this to my Uncle who verified that it is one that he assembled days before they went Bankrupt. The six knives were left in the front office and never seen again until I happen to come across this one. There are some being offered on eBay, however, they were put together after the closure and also with Stag handles. This is an original with Oiled Rams Horn

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on October 4, 2015 at 20:22

Tom,

The pheasant hunt is just my favorite but I have to admit, having one of six samples assembled by your uncle is also spectacular!

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Doug Webber on October 6, 2015 at 6:20

Tom.

What a great selection of knives. The rarity of the 2OT and 3OT, plus the fact that they were Herman's knives would put them on the top for me. Then again, that Bowie is nothing short of spectacular, as Jan said. What is the length of the blade on the Bowie, is there any etching on the pile side? Looking on Ebay for a replacement Sharpfinger I had lost got me started collecting knives. Having 3 your Dad did would sure be special. What a wonderful collection you have, family history intertwined with Schrade history.

Permalink Reply by Tom Chase on October 6, 2015 at 10:54

The Blade Length is 10" and the overall length of the knife is 15-1/4"

It is definitely a handful, no etching on the pile side. The 100th Anniversary banner is gold inlay as well. She sure is a beauty. There were only 6 of these assembled prior to the closing, however, I understand that there were an additional 50 blades in inventory that were bought up by someone. The ones I have seen on ebay, were going for $1600, yet they were assembled after the closure and with Stag handles. The seller stated that they were assembled after the closing.

Tom

Permalink Reply by Anthony Moat on November 10, 2015 at 19:55