204s?

Moondrop

Moondrop

Joined
Sep 19, 2001
Messages
817
I posted this question to the general knife discussion forum and it was suggested that I post this here, so here goes...
I have an old Schrade knife that spent I don't know how long around the house being used and abused until I got my hands on it. It seems to me to be almost identical to the Camillus Electrician knife (http://store.knifecenter.com/pgi-ProductSpec?CM27B ).

I've been wondering when Schrade made this knife and why they stopped (considering Camillus is still making theirs) and I haven't been able to find any information about it.

This is the knife I have, stamped Schrade Walden N.Y. U.S.A one one side and 204s on the other side:

schrade204s.jpg


I tried emailing Schrade once about this knife but never heard back. Does anyone here know anything about this knife?

Thanks in advance
 
LT, LT, LT.......

Help this man out!

Bill

PS
Could this chant replace J.E.T.S, Jets, Jets, Jets....:D
 
The marking on your knife denotes it being made pre 1972 (APPROX) since the handle appears to be the delrin version It would have been made in the 60 tys or early 70 tys. prior to that most of these were still made with wood handles. These are as I am sure you are aware the standard electricians style knife which were made by many companies ( expecially during the WWII years ) this pattern was called the TL29 ( during that period). I am enclosing a picture of a No 204 from a catalogue of just about around the time the tang marking was changed from Schrade Walden Cut Co to Schrade Walden ( or around the mid 1940 tys). I do not know if you will be able to read it. It states No 204 (Old No C2041SD)electrician's Knife ( Lock-back), 3,3/4 inches long, Cocabola Handle 2 Blades (Spear Blade and Screwdriver - wire scraper Blade), Center Lock, Brass Linings, Nickle Silver Bolsters and Shield, Large Blade Polished on one side. No 2045SHA Same as above with Shakle Weight Per Dozen, 3lbs, 0 oz. (NOTE the old number referred to is the Schrade Cut Co model number) (Note the SHA referring to shakle was shortened to just the S later on hence your number 204S.)

After the move to Ellenville in 58 most natural materials were phased out to various similar materials in forms of plastic. It was then that the handle material went to the delrin version. I have also included a picture of a card ( these cards were given to the employees so that they could learn the models of the knives and be sure of what they were working on there is a whole set of them.) If you look closly you will see that the 204 pictured is the model you have with the Delrin handles the small date on the bottom left is 6/20/71 . As for how long they continued to make them this way I do not know however they are listed in the 1975 line and are not listed in the 1980 line.

By the way a couple of years later they changed the little cards they gave the employees ( to identify the models) and instead gave them a pocket pen type holder which had 2 paper sheets with all the items in the line on it to serve the same purpose. The camillus knife looks like the same pattern. They are an excellent pattern I know one collector who specializes in just this pattern especially the early models. As to why they stopped making them I have no idea. Except to say that over the years they have stopped making a lot of models that I would love to see in production again.I hope this helps LT
 
I have here in front of me a great old Shrade Walden 204S with cocobolo handles. Just missing the shield, and I've been searching for a junker knife with one to replace it.

As for why Schrade no longer makes this, and seeing as how I am the only electrician who still actually carries not only one of these, but a big Camillus Hawkbill Pruner, maybe I can answer:

No market for them, or it is such a small market it's not worth the bother. This knife has a flat screwdriver blade.. and every screw I come into contact with, it seems, has the much better Phillips head nowadays. And Multi-tools have taken over. Also, everyone seems to use a disposable blade utility knive anymore, despite the fact that when stripping larger wires, those flimsy little blades often break, sometimes zipping through the air close to one's eyes.

Cause I get them cheap, all the electricians at my shop carry a big Camillus locking Pruner, and I spend lots of time sharpening them for the guys. Sharp, they work well; unsharpened, not good at all. Whenever an apprentice gets his Journeyman card, I get him a Camillus 'Journeyman' knife, with his name engraved on the blade.

I do this 'cause I like knives, like giving them away, and to keep an old electrician tradition (Carrying these classic patterns) alive.

As usual, LT, thanks for being here for us.


Phil
 
Thank you very much guys. I should have posted here way back when I first came across Bladeforums - at this point I can't even remember how I found this place.

I actually carried the knife for a while after I cleaned it up but now it mostly stays in the box I use to store my knives. It's become part of my 3-Schrade-knife collection. Schrade knives seem to just come to me. I didn't buy any of them. (No, I didn't lift 'em from a store :) )

So it seems this knife is about my age, maybe a teeny bit older. I'm not sure which of us is aging better. :D
 
Stick around, Moondrop, this is an interesting little place, tucked away here in Bladeforums. Check out the past posted messages and you'll see lots of beautiful old Schrades owned by our very own LT.

Phil
 
I just picked Camillus's version of the Electrician's knife for a measly $5 canadian today at the flea market.
It was in great shape and I just gave it a clean up and sharpening!
Great handy little knife but I am sure TexasToothpicks comments were bang on......the knife has fallen out of use big time.
But I am very happy about my little scoop!

Cheers,
Kap
 
I know some collectors who only collect the TL-29 or electricians knifes and rightly so they are a history as rich and interesting as any pattern. I have a tendency to pick various pattern styles or brands and go off on tangents. Fish knives, Scout, you name it I seem to have a case full of each brand or style. Of course autos ride point upon my interest. Strangly I just got off the phone with a fellow collector and we both commented that knives we passed over only a few years ago seem to be appreciating quite quickly. It is a strange field for once a brand becomes well known and prices go up, other previously not as sought after tangs start being gobbled up. The same is true of patterns, Fish knives are a classic always sought example. In fact any pattern. The important point is that the interest is booming and will continue to soar. I bought a collection about 7 years ago for 2000 dollars about 700. 1970 tys Schrades. I sold most of it ( except the good stuff ) for about 6,000 today It would bring twice that at least. Compare that with the stock market and don't forget to subtract taxes that other investments bring. Ok you do not always hit a home run and I am sure I would not pick this field of endeaver as a main source of income. However over time as a collector field, if you have any acumen it is hard to lose a lot of money and fairly easy to see a profit. Irregardless of a profit motivation old cold steel, a lock with a pat hand ( poker ), and the gentlemanly appreciation of the opposite sex. Are dang near as good as cold beer and a day fishing. LT
 
I used to buy an electrician knife every once in a while to give to my father in law, he was originally a welder but also worked as a car mechanic and in general industrial maintenance, such as motors and all kinds of machinery.

He likes them but wears them down fast (well, not so much since he retired), he sharpens on a grinder despite me protesting and offering to do it for him.

I used to get them at the local Sears but haven´t seen any in a while. I believe it´s a handy knife and a good one to carry if you want a large strong folder that won´t raise eyebrows and you can say it´s a tool not a weapon.
 
Irregardless of a profit motivation old cold steel, a lock with a pat hand ( poker ), and the gentlemanly appreciation of the opposite sex. Are dang near as good as cold beer and a day fishing. LT
Click to expand...

I have to say one of the great pleasures of this site is the eloquence with which its denizens express themselves. Having taught English at a Big Ten university for many years, I can tell you not one undergraduate in 100 can write a sentence as well turned as that one of LT's.
 
Wow what a great compliment. Hold your hats . I AM SPEECHLESS. Humbly and sincerely Thankyou. LT PS It kind of scares you when you think about it, if my writing is tolerable what kind of people are our educational institutions turning out. Or to use the vernacular WHAT UP WIT DAT. By the way I accept no responsibility for spelling. I consider spelling a { fprm pr} ( EDITED to read ( form of ) poetic license for the lazy. Whoops I guess I wasen't speechless.
 
Hey GRMike........

Who you callin' a Den of Zens????

We don't do no chantin' or stuff like that here.....

We just like to come to this particular forum to learn about Schrade stuff....well maybe about socks.....and ping pong balls. :eek:

Plus........ (thereisnomoderator) :D

Bill
 
LT, if I'd had you in my classes those kids might've learned something. But I have to ask--spelling is a what??

PHP: 
I consider spelling a fprm pr poetic license for the lazy.

That's either way too funny or way profound, and I'm not prepared to say which.

Lobo, I missed the one about ping pong balls but I've sure learned a lot about socks. And Schrades. OK, no chants.

Phil, information like you gave us about electricians' knives doesn't grow on trees. I'm thinking it's a lucky apprentice who goes to work in your shop.

Moondrop, you probably think this is all way off course, but I hope you can see there's more to knives than knives.
 
GRMike,
We all know that is LT's way of spelling "form of". He likes to keep us on our toes here!
He even has a CD! :D

Bill

P.S.
Sorry Moondrop for falling off course here. I 'm just undisciplined rabble. :)
 
Whoops "form of" was what I meant to write. Nothing profound here. Speak for thyself Wolfman I always liked the chant YAMI YAMI YAMI. it was a popular chant in the sixtys for those drafted. That is until a DI gave me his translation. according to him it means I WANT MY MOMMY. The ping pong issue is related to a past posting in which for some reason now alien to me. I had mentioned a rather unique physical act of dexterity performed by a young lady in a difficult act which I had witnessed some years ago on R&R while on TDA, In Charleston SC. It was similar to the firing of a mortar, as you may know a mortar has no sights it instead uses windage and elevation for determining the target. both of these factors in this case seemed to increase the olefactory and visual factor of this learning experience. The sock issue is a bit beyond me and I have only been trying to get into the spirit of the thing however I must say that I find it difficult to establish any more than a person to garment relationship with them. However I am alone now and I do have Glenns sock. However I think something lasting is a long shot. For one thing it is a bit small. Congratulations you are now up to what is current. As far as Schrade believe it or not some of these guys know there stuff so while we do engage in useless banter regarding a myriad of subjects we do endeaver to further the understanding of the history and related information surrounding this company and these items. I just noticed another post as I completed this . ( Your quick wolfman you posted first but, you knew what I was saying you should meet my bartender he sometimes has trouble understanding similiar verbal mistakes ). I have just reread this response and I must add it was not written to be risque and is not meant to construed as such by inuendo, ( This word is not used in this context, as the directions for putting on a shoe. ). LT
 
LT,
There are few things I think I would enjoy as much as having a "POP" with you and your favorite bartender. Desert Dog and River Rat. :D

"I won't, I won't, the hell I won't"
THE DUKE

Bill
 
hey guys i just got my second electrians knife in the mail from you know were(ebay) and it a schrade walden with the sheild on the handle and its wood so what is the date on this any ideas, im going to get the digital camera right now so i will put the picture on in a few later guys
 
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