Schrade Walden 863Y - Yellow Handles?

[knifeaholic]

This is the first example of this one that I have seen - the Schrade Walden 863 with yellow handles so pattern number 863Y.

Does anyone know what years this variation was made? I have never seen them in the older Schrade catalogs.

[tongueriver]

Yet one more non-catalog Schrade Walden. I have never seen one either. These anomalies keep surfacing lately. We know its approximate age as the 1950s because it has celluloid handles? I can't read the whole mark side stamp, but because it has the pattern number stamp we know that it is not a VERY early Schrade Walden.

[bladecollectorr]

edit: TR beat me to it but...

Interesting knife. Am I seeing celluloid or delrin? Maybe Fostarene?

I can't recall ever seeing one either. If those handles aren't delrin it would narrow down the mfg date somewhat. I'm thinking any non-delrin handle material might be the best way to try and date it.

I'm thinking '50s but maybe that's the condition talking. Most of the "Y" suffix knives were first listed in 1957. Maybe they ran a bunch of patterns with those handles to get a look at them. Sample? SFO?

What's a #864 or #865 as listed on the 1953 pricelist but not in the catalog? It's possible they used a different nomenclature than a "Y" suffix at that point. There are still a bunch of mystery knives on those pricelists that aren't pictured in the catalogs. Maybe it's one of them, like a 876 with celluloid handles vs an 877 with pearl from the same 1953 pricelist.

Sorry I can't offer anything more definitive after digging through the catalogs and pricelists. Was kinda fun though lol

[knifeaholic]

Thanks for the replies. Definitely celluloid or at least definitely not Delrin.

[Shearer]

It the first one I've seen
If you can see pins through the bolster made before 1959-60.

Grant

[bladecollectorr]

It the first one I've seen
If you can see pins through the bolster made before 1959-60.

Grant

Good point! Swinden key construction vs normal pin-through-bolster is a variable I forget to check when dating Schrades sometimes.

[KnifeSlinger#81]

That is interesting. I have never seen one either but it definitely looks like a 1950’s schrade.

Schrade made more yellow celluloid knives than they let on in the 1950’s, because there are very few in catalogs yet I continue to see more non listed patterns pop up. Here is another you won’t find in the catalogs but it showed up one day. It’s an 861Y but with no pattern stamp.

[tongueriver]

I want that one, Paul!

[KnifeSlinger#81]

You do have good taste Cal!

[Dan In MI]

It’s an 861Y but with no pattern stamp.

Though it's the color of a lemon, it is a real peach!

[KnifeSlinger#81]

Thank you Dan.

Cal, if I recall you have a rather nice 890Y? I don’t believe those are listed either.

[tongueriver]

896Y, 890Y, 881Y Keen Kutter.

[doglegg]

Steve, Paul, Tongueriver, some sweet yellow knives.

[Dan In MI]

I agree wholeheartedly.

[KnifeSlinger#81]

All three are excellent Cal. Something about a bright yellow handle on a pocket knife just seems appropriate.

Thanks Floyd and Dan.

[black mamba]

There's no yella like yella cell! Paul, that 861 is a treasure!