The only Shrade I own

[oldblinddog]

This belonged to my former father-in-law (now deceased). The main blade is marked SHRADE over WALDEN over NY USA. On the reverse it is marked 834Y. The scales, presumably celluloid, are gassed out and the shield is missing.

[bronco2]

still a good pc. of schrade history. i would be proud to own it. thanks ddenny

[orvet]

The 834Y appears in the Schrade catalogs from 1965 to 1975. Yours was made no later than 1973; the last year they used the Schrade-Walden tang stamp.

I would date yours closer to 1965 for two reasons; first the fact that I can see a pivot pin in the bolster. That means that it was without the Swinden rivet. Schrade started using the Swinden construction around 1962 from what I have been able to establish in my research. I think the process of changing all the patterns over to Swinden production was likely slow, with some more popular patterns being changed first. This knife appears to be built with pin-through-bolster construction. This makes me think it was closer to 1965.

Secondly, the handle material itself appears to have lost moisture and shrunk, like it dried out. Usually when celluloid shrinks it gets crumbly and causes significant damage to the knife itself, especially the carbon steel blades. I think this handle was made with some early plastic Schrade was experimenting with before they settled on DuPont Delrin for their plastic handles. In the 1965 catalog pages they list the handle material for the other yellow knives as “Maize (yellow) Plastic.” I cannot find the 834Y listing but there are several other patterns including the 835Y, 881Y & 882Y. There were other types of plastic listed also; “Ivory Plastic,” Black Plastic,” “K-horn,” Marine Pearl Plastic,” as well as “Staglon” which was on most of the patterns. Unlike the Staglon associated with the Uncle Henry knives of later years, which has a distinct look of stag, this appears to be dark brown colored jigged Delrin.

I would say your knife is a very early 843Y within the first couple years that the pattern was introduced, about 1965 or 1966.
It is in good condition considering the state of the handles. The knife itself without handles appears quite intact and ready to use.

I hope this helps,
Dale

[oldblinddog]

Thanks Dale! Sorry for the late reply, I just now saw yours. I really appreciate it. The knife is in pretty good shape, other than the handles.