All About Pocket Knives

The title is pretty much self-explanatory. I have here a 2-spring muskrat that has only a Schrade Walden tang stamp. It is in remarkable condition, but I have a lot of questions. None of the metal seems to be polished in any meaningful way, and the bone is in pristine condition as are the surfaces of the blades. However, I'm almost positive this bone is not Schrade-original (the pivot pin is not ground and the end pins are sunken) and I have to wonder if this is actually a Walden era knife at all. Overall it's a well-made knife, but the jigging on the bone hints at Pacific rim to me, and there are no other markings on the knife such as a model number or etching. My read of this knife is that it's not an actual Schrade Walden, but I'm far from an expert on Schrade. Anyone with more experience than me care to weigh in?

The blades and their respective stampings are legitimate for the latter years of Imperial Schrade, when they had resurrected that stamp (in a different font) from the good old pre-1973 days. The bone looks to me like that on the Tennessee Trapper (for instance), also a late run. Whether that knife was a 'put together' from the last days or some other deal, I do not know. But the parts are pre 2004 Schrade, I believe. There are 2 or 3 other guys that will show up sometime soon which probably have better information on the subject.

Looks like an unfinished cigar box classic.


Considering these are listed as new in the 2004 catalog it stands to reason some were not finished when schrade closed.

Thar ya go.

Glad to see that what I have here is most likely a genuine end-of-days USA Schrade. It will proudly be added to my carry rotation. Thanks a lot, guys!