171UH A few differences

[tobyrogers]

A while back Michael noticed a difference in his 171 and the one Rusty had bought.It got me to checking mine.I found a few differences just in the short time the birdsheads were made.The main difference I found was the result of changing the handle from a two piece handle to a one piece in what I quess was preparing for the change to the square end pommel.If you look at the group picture you'll see the difference between the birdsheads to the left and the one on the right.The one on the right is like the square ends.The change caused the handle to not fit the birdshead right so they had to add a spacer as you can see in the close-up of the birdsheads.Since the handle on the new style is larger than the old they had to grind the handles at the top to make them fit the pommel.It makes the fit more angular at the top and doesn't seem to flow into the pommel like the older style.They also changed the dye pattern on the newer ones.All this in a span of 11/2 years.The change over happened somewhere between 03688 and 07998 I am trying to pin it down but can't find a lot of these to check.Michael for your records Rusty 1 has the highest number I found in the birdsheads at 08881.I also think they started over with the serial numbers when they brought out the square ends since I have almost the same numbers in both series of these knives.Arnold

 

[Codger_64]

Very interesting Arnold! Thanks! I'm beginning to think that the early 165UH serial numbers were a seperate series from the 165OT series as well. I wish I knew the story behind that handle change on the 171UH. Maybe it was an attempt to modernize the styling, or had to do with production problems. The addition of the extra spacer could have been a factory repair for a loose handle I suppose.

Michael

 

[tobyrogers]

What made me think it was in preparation for the change over is it is on both mine #7998 and Rusty's #88881.Since these appear to be close to when the change happened.Arnold

 

[tobyrogers]

In one of the threads on these you said the pommels were either aluminum or nickle silver.My question is does n/s pit.I don't know if you can see it in these bad pictures but the pommel on this one is badly pitted.I have some old beater knives with alum.pommels that don't have any pitting on them so I wonder if this is n/s.Always questions.Arnold

 

[tobyrogers]

I just missed an anomaly on Ebay connected to these knives.It is a 171UH square end tang stamped Shrade-Walden.No big deal since they they did not change to Schrade till after the change over to square ends.What makes this one strange is the serial number is 135554.I have 5 with lower numbers stamped just Schrade.This is either a blade that laid around for a wlile or a rehandle from the factory.Either way the high bidder had 0 feedback and had joined the day he started bidding.Looked too much like a shill to me since the bid was moving to high.Arnold

 

[Rusty1]

Nice knives the 171UH Arnold, Very interesting information, Thanks for posting, I am now in posession of, 1 birdshead pommel, which you mentioned above. Square end type, one with no tang stamp, one with etched tang stamp, and one regular stamped Schrade tang. At the moment, looking out for a square end Schrade-Walden.
A few weeks ago, I was in contact with, someone who was selling a birds head 171, brand new in box, $450.00 very nice if you can get that much, for one.

Rusty1

 

[tobyrogers]

Yeah, these went for a lot more not that long ago.Hope I can get acouple of more before they go back up.As it is the square end In my last post went for 81.00.Thats why I let it go.By the way did you see anything wrong with my post as to the way they made the latter B/Hs.Arnold

 

[Rusty1]

Arnold, was it maybe the 11/2 years?

Rusty1

 

[tobyrogers]

According to the records they only used the B/H pommel for 11/2 years or so I've read,but the records seem to not always be right.Arnold