The #137 "Camper's Favorite" had an overall length of 8 1/2", a carbon steel saber ground 4 1/2" blade with thumbrest and upswept trailing point, leather washer handle with spacers, aluminum guard, and aluminum birdshead pommel. It was cataloged in 1957 and in 1961 called Campers Favorite. In 1962, it was listed as 137L at $3.95. They were discontinued in 1973 ½ with the introduction of the 49er Series.
The #137WE "Camper's Favorite" had an overall length of 8 1/2", a carbon steel saber ground 4 1/2" blade with thumbrest and upswept tip and the serrated "Wonda-Edge", leather washer handle with spacers, aluminum guard, and aluminum birdshead pommel. The Wonda-Edge was patented in 1958.
According to the Schrade Walden production records, there were only 62 of these made and shipped during the period 1957-1962. This one is in the Codger collection.
The idea of adding scalloped serrations to one side of a knife blade was patented by Albert H. Baer, USPTO utility patent #2,825,968. The patent was filed in September of 1956, and issued in March of 1958, and assigned to Imperial Associated Companies, Inc. The name Wonda-Edge associated with Mr. Baers invention was trademarked as well, #72,023,627, in February 1958.
This Wonda-Edge feature was used for the next few decades on a variety of hunting knives, pocket knives, and horticultural and sampler knives. As the assignment of the patent indicates, knives of all three of the associated companies, Schrade Walden, Ulster, and Imperial at one time or another made use of this patent.
Serrated blades were not unheard of prior to the Wonda-Edge, but they more resembled saws in that they were toothed, with angular serrations, and usually symetrically groved evenly on both sides. Mr. Baers invention used rounded scallops to increase the length of the cutting surface, and placed the scallops all on one side of the blade to facilitate easy sharpening from the back, or plain side, rather than trying to sharpen the scallops themselves.
The very earliest mention I have found of the use of the Wonda-Edge feature is on the Schrade Walden 1957 price list, SW157JA. There I find listed 145WE, 147LWE,148LWE, all fixed blade hunting knives. Two pocket knives were also listed, both with stagged bone covers, 3 7/8" Serpentine Jack (we now call a two blade gunstock trapper pattern) 293WE, and the 4" Muskrat pattern 787WE with one blade serrated.
In the1959 price list, SW159J, the hunting knives listed were the H-15WE (Utility hunter), 147LWE, and 148LWE. No pocket knives with the Wonda-Edge were listed, nor in the catalog. The same hunting knives were listed in the 1960 catalog as well.
Hourins Notes (circa 1957):
#137
13 Ga. Saber Grd. Blades
Aluminum Butt
Aluminum Guard
Aluminum Pins
Handles: 16 Leather Wash. P. Kn.
6 Thin Black Fibre W.
4 Thin White Fibre W.
Last edited by Codger_64; 07-07-2007 at 09:10 PM.
The #144 Hunters Pride (144L) appeared in the 1957 price list, but with no description or illustration. In the 1959 catalog, it is illustrated, but not described. Finally, in 1961 we find a complete description and viewable illustration.
The 144 has an overall length of 9 3/4", a plain ground carbon steel clip point blade, grooved leather washer handle with plastic spacers front and rear, symetrical upper and lower guard, and flat metal butt plate. It listed for $3.95 in 1962, $4.65 in 1964, and $6.75 in 1969, the last year listed. It was an H-15 Variant.
Hourins Notes (Circa 1956):
#144
5 1/8" Hunter with Flat Round Butt (Steel)
__________________________________
Blades - Same as H-5
(7 Ga. Carbon - Plain Ground) from Imperial
Guards (H-5) bought fr. Imperial
Caps (H-5) bought fr. Imperial
Tang Branding - Schrade-Walden
to be filled in with Gold
Etched HUNTERS PRIDE
Handles: (H-5 - Navy Survival Kn.)
17 #4 Leather Washers per Kn.
6 #3 Leather Washers per Kn.
2 #2 Leather Washers per Kn.
1 #3 Pr. Of Plas. Ends (Grooved)
The #147 was first seen in 1953, 8 1/2" overall with a saber ground carbon steel 4 1/2" blade, aluminum alloy guard, Stratawood handles, birdshead pommel. Listed in 1955 at $3.95, in 1957 it is noted as three variants, the #147, #147L (Leather),and #147LWE (Wonda-Edge serrated blade), and in 1959, #147LWE, #147WW (Wonda-Wood).
In 1961, the #147L was offered in an X47" outdoorsmans hunting knife and ax combination set (listed for $11.95 in 1962). Also, it was listed singley as the #147 Hunters Companion, overall length 8 3/4", carbon steel sabre ground 4 ½" blade, WondaWood handle with black and whitedecorative discs on each end. And the #147LWE was given the name Bar Knife. While the 147LWE and 147WW were also listed in 1962, the 147S was added at $3.95. It has an early stag appearing handle with the birdshead pommel.
In 1963 the material is first identified as Genuine Unbreakable Staglon. The 147S is also offered in a gift set #8147S with a 881 stockman. The 147WW and 147LWE are still offered. The 147L, 147S are offered in 1964, along with the gift set #8147S, but the X47S combo set now had the 147S and a matching staglon handled ax, still $11.95.
In 1965, the same models were offered, but in 1966, the 147RB was added with razor blade stainless blade. It listed for $8.75 while the 147L and 147S were $5.00 and $4.75 respectively. The 147RB was replaced in 1967 by the 147STC, stainless tungsten carbide blade. In 1968, the 147 pattern knives received names. The 147L Hunters Companion was joined by the 147S Pioneer, the 147STC Pioneer tungsten carbide. The knife/ax X47S combo continued, now $12.00. In 1969, the SS147L was listed as high carbon stainless steel, the 147S and 147L continued, and the tungsten carbide was dropped. The combo continued.
In 1970, only the SS147L and the 147S remained.. 1971 shows the 147L Cougar , 147S Pioneer, and SS147L Hunters Companion (changed in 1972 to Companion). The 1973 Walden Cutlery catalog was the last listing for several patterns. The 147L, 147S, and SS147L among them. The 73 ½ Schrade cutlery catalog introduced the 49er Series, and with it, the 147 pattern became the 497S and 497L knives.
Hourins Notes (Circa 1957)
#147
4 ½ Fixed Blade Hunter with Plain Aluminum Butt
___________________________________________
13 Ga. Saber Ground Blade
Aluminum Guards
Fiber Lock Washers
Plain Strata Wood Handle
not Grooved with
6 Black Fiber Washers
4 White Fiber Washers
#147A -SR9508
Same as above except leather handle:
16 Leather Washers p. Kn.
4 Thick Red Pl. Washers p. Kn.
2 Thin White Fibre Washers p. Kn.
Tang Stamped: S-W (Do Not Number Tangs)
Etched: CRAFTSMAN 9508 CUSTOM MADE
#X398 - 147A (Pliar-Set)
Same as above exc. Handles:
13 Red & 12 Acetate Washers p. Kn.
#147B (Impl W-40)
4 ½ Canadian Boy Scout
Woodcraft Knife with Plain
Aluminum Butt
13 Ga. Saber Ground Blade
Etched with Canada Boy Scout Emblem
Handles:
4 Thick Black Pl. Wash. P. Kn.
4 Thin White Fiber Wash. P. Kn.
2 Thick Brown Plas. Wash. P. Kn.
16 Leather Washers P. Kn.
Sheath - Emb. With Boy Scout Emblem
stamped on back: U.S.A.
#147L
4 ½" Fixed Blade Hunter
with Plain Aluminum Butt
________________________
13 Ga. Saber Ground Blade
Aluminum Guards
Leather Handles with
4 Thick Black Pl. Wash. P. Kn.
4 Thin Fiber Wash. P. Kn.
2 Thick Brown Plas. Wash. P. Kn.
Last edited by Codger_64; 12-22-2007 at 05:16 AM.
One more... The #148
The #148 "Hunter's Mate" was 9 1/4" overall with a saber ground carbon steel 5" blade, aluminum guard, Stratawood handles, birdshead pommel.
First listed in 1954, it sold for $4.50 in 1955. The #148L "Huntsman" had a 9 3/4" overall length, 5" carbon steel saber ground blade with grooved thumbrest and upswept tip, "Wonda-Wood" handle with black and white spacers, aluminum guard, and aluminum birdshead pommel. It was cataloged in 1959.
The #148LWE "Huntsman" had a 9 1/4" overall length, 5" carbon steel saber ground blade with grooved thumbrest and upswept tip with the serrated "Wonda-Edge", leather washer handle with spacers, aluminum guard, and aluminum birdshead pommel. It was cataloged in 1959.
The 148S made its debut in 1963. Also called Huntsman, it has a Genuine unbreakable Staglon handle. Added to the 148S and 148L in 1967 was the 148STC, Staglon handled with Tungsten carbide blade. It listed at $8.75 while the 148S and 148L were $4.74 and $5.00 respectively.
The 148 also came as a G3148-STC Gaucho Set with special riveted fold over sheath for $15.00. In 1968, the knives received names. 148STC Deer Skinner, 148S Deer Skinner, and 148L Huntsman.
In 1971, the 148S was offered in a set with matching handled axe, the X48S for $15.00. In 1972, the 148STC was dropped, leaving the 148L and 148S. In 1973 ½, these were dropped as the 498L and 498S were introduced in the 49er Series.
Hourins Notes (Circa 1956)
#148
5" Fixed Blade Hunter with
Plain Aluminum Butt
13 Ga. Saber Ground Blade
Aluminum Guards
Fiber Lock Washers
Plain Strata Wood Handles Not
Grooved with
6 Black Fiber Washers p. Knife
4 White Fiber Washers p. Knife
#148B - X393 Axe Set
Same as above except Handles:
1 ea. Red, White, Red & 8 Bl. Washers
1 ea. White, Red, White & 8 Bl. Washers
1 ea. Red, White, Red Washers
(Thick Washers)
#148L
5" Fixed Blade Hunter with
Plain Aluminum Butt
13 Ga. Saber Ground Blade
Aluminum Guards
Leather Handles with
4 Thick Bl. Pl. Washer p. Kn.
4 Thin Fiber Washer p. Kn.
2 Thick Brown Pl. Washer p. Kn.
SR No. 9510 - 148A
Saber Ground Blade 13 Ga.
Handles: All Plastic Washers (like X393)
