Ancestor Patterns

[Codger_64]

One interesting aspect of collecting is searching for ancestor knives, pattern predecessors of the more familiar knife patterns. Some knives lead to a dead end, having a definate beginning point as the final pattern, such as the 15OT. Others, like the 41OT can be traced through some interesting changes. The 41OT and the 491L/S '49er both came from the root "bird and trout patterns" of the '50s, the 140, 141, 142, 145, which also rose from the George Schrade Stagbrand/Schradebrand knives (IMHO). Here is a knife recently found which I think is a transition knife. It has the appearance of a 491S from the '49er Benchmade series. but retains the older 141 Walden tangstamp.

A Sears 41OT SFO circa 1976


Codger
Still playing catch up...well, playing anyway!
Maybe Arnold will add a picture of his bearhead pommel "Tall Tale" 141.