Evolution of the Schrade 917

[jxr1197]

The 917 Sportster was made from 1950-1954 and based on how many you see out there it doesn't seem like it was a real big seller. I saw a picture of one here on AAPK some years back but that was the only one I had ever seen. I searched google using every phrase I could think of and just couldn't find another. Then about a year ago I found one and was super excited to finally add a 917 to the pile. I never imagined I would find a second one but lightning struck again last week so now I have a pair of them. The cool thing is one was made at the beginning of its lifecycle and the other was built at the end. So not only do I have two 917s, but I can actually observe the evolution of the pattern. If that excites you, you just may be as much of a geek as me.

The toilet seat knife is the earlier of the two. It's got the NY stamp (no USA) and no pattern number. The 'Red Fibre' (fibestos) knife has got the USA and the reverse tang is stamped '917'. Right off the bat you can see that the spear blade was swapped to a fatter version. Both are crocus polished on one side.

Both knives have a milled back and when you look at them from that angle you can see the red knife was slimmed down a bit thanks to thinner liners.

Another primo feature they both share is the springs are highly polished on both sides. In the old catalogs they called that 'cleaned inside'.

At some point the thumbnail groove for the punch was repositioned.

Here's the 1953 catalog cut courtesy of COSRUS.

If anyone here has got one please post it!

[tongueriver]

Very well-done post on an interesting knife!

[Dinadan]

Very good post about a rather obscure knife, Jason. I always like a thread where I learn something! Nice photos, too.

[royal0014]

Great little show n tell there ....

[Beavertail]

Those are two little gems!

[jxr1197]

Thanks for the feedback guys
I hope there are a few more 917's among the collectors here. It would be great to see some pics!