Schrade 855 question

[us2]

I bought this knife on “the Bay” and received it today. I looked on all the lists provided by Orvet on this site but cannot find this number. I found a pattern number 842 and 865 but nothing in between. I thought this was an older knife that Schrade put a “stainless “ shield on. Now that I see the knife in person it looks like a much more recent edition that maybe came from China. I’m not out much money so it may be a lesson to make sure I understand what I’m bidding on before I push that button. Any help is appreciated.

[ea42]

Greetings us2! The stainless open stock knives (Razor Blade Stainless was the coined name) had their own numbers. 855 was the 4" stockman of that group. They were made from the mid 60's into the late 1970's. Definitely a legit knife.

Here's a minty later one circa approx. 1978:

Eric

[us2]

Thanks ea42 ! I prefer the carbon steel (1095?) they put on these knives. They sharpen so well and seem to hold a good edge for me. It has helped since they have oil in screw top cans these days .... I digress. I’m always on the look out for Schrade/OT knives and thought this might be good in my collection. I doubt I will carry it much but will be fine in the safe. I have less than $20 in the knife so I’m happy all around.

[us2]

I suppose I would be even happier if someone hadn’t sharpened or ground that pen blade into a punch.

[kootenay joe]

The 855 is a fine older Schrade knife. Keep looking and eventually you will find a never used example and they still sell for reasonable prices even when 'minty'.
kj

[us2]

Thanks Joe ... sounds like good advice.

[oldtools]

Here is a link to a 1974 Schrade catalog with a 855 knife listed
http://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/ ... 4-CATS.pdf

[us2]

Thanks oldtools...that is terrific !! The catalog says that knife cost $8.80 in 1974. Adjusted for inflation that is $49.61 in 2021 dollars. Today a Schrade 104OT lists for $15.95 on KnifeCenter.com made in China. There is a point there somewhere but I think I’m just going to go sharpen my new (to me) knife and remember some things I did in 1974 .... it was a pretty good year. like this forum !!

[Mustanger]

Thanks Joe ... sounds like good advice.

The 855 was sold from 1964 to 1979. You can get some sense of how old the knife is by the tang stamp. Before '73 it will have a Schrade Walden stamp, like yours. After that would come a 4 line Schrade Ny. USA Stainless stamp. Then Schrade, Ny. 3 line stamp. Some examples of what you can find if you set up an ebay 'saved search' with email notifications are below. This is a favorite pattern of mine. There are many more by Ulster, Imperial and more, plus variants of the pattern. And since you prefer carbon steel blades, take a look at the Ulster 58OT and #55. Good luck and happy hunting.

[kootenay joe]

Mustanger, great knives ! The very low prices paid to get these knives show how under appreciated the Schrade USA knives are.
Every one of your mint Schrade knives 'should' be worth a minimum of $50. Ten and more years ago Schrade knives got much better prices. As a 'Schrade 'lover' i hope prices recover to better reflect how fine these older knives are.
kj

[us2]

Thanks mustanger !! Maybe I can find several as good as you have and THEN the prices will rise. Actually that is not a priority... I don’t plan to sell knives .... just leave them for the grandkids.