Easy Analysis!

[waynorth]

Well (he says munching a fairly large piece of Crow) I've learned a lot in this exercise.
There is fairly compelling evidence that Schrade produced this knife, and over a period of time. A stainless single-blade EO teardrop, with the less expensive but durable Ebony handles, but a shield for a nice appearance. I say over a period of time, because the change in the rear tang stamp suggests at least two production runs is a possibility.
A rare single blade knife, it may have been intended for a special purpose, possibly even ordered that way. Or, it was produced to test the usefulness or acceptability of stainless blades. Will we ever know for sure?
Why does Roland's example have a slightly poorer blade fit? Who knows. The thickness of the blade, and a very slight "rise" in the backspring (closed) led me down the "changed blade" path. Barry's shows more typical wear, despite the poorly ground blade.
If they were made in short/special runs they may be the rarest Schrades we know of!!!
I want to thank all who contributed to my schooling here (burp/Caw!)! I've learned a few things for sure, and hope you have too! The cool thing is, maybe another will show up, or another piece of the puzzle somehow - can't wait!
If anyone gets more info, don't forget to wake up this thread, and add it in!!
Time to send these little treasures back to their rightful owners . . .sigh!

 

[waynorth]

P.S. I managed to get a shot of the raised backspring, with my trusty red fuse puller as a prop. I know that was missing in the early posts.
You can see it is quite noticeable.

I've never seen an old production knife with this feature unless the blade was replaced, but I guess it could be a second.

 

[ea42]

I'll toss in a chime

They're both oddballs for sure. Both blades have seen some abuse for sure, Barry's looks like it had some action with a grinder and an unsteady hand for sure, Roland's appears to have gotten some scotchbrite action. The blade on that particular knife is a bit narrower than the spring, but I don't think I'd say that makes it a bogus blade. Barry's handle is short a pin, which does strike me as a bit odd as I don't recall seeing any Schrade EO's without that upper pin. I'm still not convinced that these were an outright production model, seems more like some obscure experiment, or maybe a short run. Whatever it was they didn't seem too particular about matching parts.

Eric

PS- OOPS, Charlie, I completely missed this last page 'till after I posted! Haven't changed anything after reading your posts though as I agree with what you've said. That spring is odd, I always thought it protruded near the blosters only, not all the way across the back. Almost like someone forgot to give it a final pass on the grinding wheel. Maybe these knives were training pieces for newbie cutlers

 

[rprocter]

Well, Thank You Charlie for all the time and effort you've put in on this analysis. I like 'my' knife and am pleased to learn that it's origin was more likely at the Schrade factory than in some bogus faker's shop.
I don't know how cutlery plants operated but the story i will tell myself is along the lines Eric suggests. Perhaps an employee took the idea of a single blade EO to 'management' who said: "well o.k., make up a couple (or few) and show them to me and we'll see if it merits full production." This would fit with the fact that many here are very experienced Schrade collectors and until now, no others have been seen.
I was offered this knife for $50 (i think, memory loss occurs at times) and based on Charlie's advice i said yes, and am pleased i did.
roland

 

[waynorth]

Eric, you have brought up some more interesting possibilities.
Never have I had so much fun with a couple of worn old knives!
We may never know the whole story, but do we ever??

 

[1fartsmella]

My first thoughts on looking at the pics (prior to reading the text) were:

No knife company in the old days ever made a single blade teardrop EO jack...two blades, yes, single blades, no.

Schrade made a number of stainless pocket knives circa 1920's to 1930's in bone and celluloid but none in ebony and stainless.

Then looking at the pic, the main backspring pin is not tarnished like the handle pins indicating that it may be of newer vintage, consistent with a knife that was taken apart and rebuilt.

Steve, As we just learned from this thread's analysis "Never say Never" Especially when it comes to knives. Here's a page from an old G. KNAUTH catalog I found in the KNIFE ALBUM by Colonel Robert Mayes-page 88.....note the bottom knife, a One Blade Easy Open Jack Knife. I wonder if SCHRADE ever made knives for this wholesaler? Barry

 

[1fartsmella]

 

[cutlersedge]

.....note the bottom knife, a One Blade Easy Open Jack Knife. I wonder if SCHRADE ever made knives for this wholesaler? Barry

Supposedly they made their own knives and imported some as well. Looking at the picture the jigged bone handles do not look like they are from Schrade. Does anyone have a G. Knauth with jigged bone handles they can post a picture of?

CE

 

[waynorth]

Hey Steve! I have a little Crow left over; care to join me??