171UH Confusion

[ky40601]

I've been doing some research on the S-W 171UH in the Catalogs and the Forum Archives. I found three blade dimensions on the 171UH. Plus, two first production dates. Now, I'm talking about the Schrade-Walden's not the post 1973s.

On the OAL, both 9 1/2" and 10 1/2" are listed.

On Blade lengths, they're three listed 5 5/8", 5 1/2", and 5 1/4".

1970 and 1971 are both listed as the first year of production.

With this confusion, I measured the two 171UHs I have. Both are unused and near mint.

The 1970/71 - 1972 measurements are OAL: 10 1/2", Blade: 5 1/2".

The 1973's are OAL: 10" Blade: 5 1/2".

Will the real 171UH please stand up. It's pulling my hair out. Well, if I had any.

Jackie

 

[Codger_64]

The blades on the 171UH did vary in length and grind lines. Also, it is pretty apparent that blades were not always measured for length in the same way. Survey the catalog listings for the 165OT Woodsman (1967-1991).

As to the dates of production, until I was able to examine the actual Schrade production records, the best we had on dating production was their appearance in the Schrade Walden catalogs, as in Robert Clemente's excellent work on a catalog history of Uncle Henry and Old Timer knives. But the actual records reveal production sometimes a year or more before their catalog appearance. Evidence including actual production records for the 165OT suggest that it was sold earlier during 1966. 1,237 pcs. shipped (#0001 - #01237)

And we have noted several patterns which were cataloged but never reached production.

Michael

 

[ky40601]

Michael,

Thanks. Researching Schrade-Walden for my data sheets is driving me mad. I was just venting some frustration! Nothing personal.

I can only imagine what you and Larry V. went through gathering all the great research you two have done.

Jackie

 

[Codger_64]

No offense taken at all. Yes, it can be frustrating. Schrade was not in the business of recording history, they were in business to make money by making and selling knives. No one took the time to do a detailed history of the company or the knife production other than as incidental to their day-to-day operations and end of the year production and shipping records. Luckily for all of us, Dave Swinden Sr. did have the forethought to preserve records, and Ms. Debbie Chase was the historian among her other duties. Thanks to their efforts, a lot of material survives for us to research for answers to the questions that plague us, questions that no one thought important at the time.