Help with this item. Factory artifact?

B

Bob W

Joined
Dec 31, 2000
Messages
17,079
Some sort of a factory artifact, I would guess. Perhaps created to demonstrate the Swinden Key assembly method?

I might have guessed a prototype or sample for the patent processing, but the tang stamp isn't that old:

SCHRADE
USA 34OT
​

The blades have never been sharpened.
Each blade is bead-blasted, even the interior tang surfaces. It was bead-blasted after the tang stamp was struck, but before assembly.

ENDED eBay auction: http://www.ebay.com/itm/311494537533

s-l1600.jpg
 
Bob,

I think what you have there are some parts someone threw together from the auction pieces...that would be my guess.

Tom
 
Tchase said:
Bob,

I think what you have there are some parts someone threw together from the auction pieces...that would be my guess.

Tom
Click to expand...

It definitely could be that. The seller has a lot of factory parts. They could have assembled it from their parts stock. Or they could have acquired it as-is along with all of their other factory stuff.

But the center spring ping sure looks like a factory job to me. I'd like to get an expert opinion on that. I'll ask the seller too.
 
Here is what the seller says about that item, and also some insight into how all of the Schrade parts are finding their way into the marketplace:

No I did not assemble it. That one came (assembled as I sold it) in one of the parts lots that I bought from my wholesaler. Most of what I purchased was loose misc parts but occasionally I found oddball stuff like your knife. Sorry that I don't know much more about it.
Click to expand...
 
Bob W said:
Some sort of a factory artifact, I would guess. Perhaps created to demonstrate the Swinden Key assembly method?
Click to expand...
Bob, your guess is what I'm thinking too.
The fact that it has never had sharp blades;
Indicates to me it was made to be handle, without any chance of cuts from a blade.
I found it hard to understand what the Swindgen Key assembly was, until I dismantled an old knife... Ken
 
That looks like a setup knife of some sort. When fixtures, punches, etc. had to be re-done, a few samples were assembled to make sure that everything was still lined up and properly fitted. If I were to guess I'd say that was a setup knife to check hole alignment. All the holes in the scales were punched out at the same time by a fixture in a press. Here's an example:

dg5mci.jpg
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If the fixture had to be re-built or new punches had to be made, it's possible that hole alignment would be skewed. Whenever a fixture was altered you'd want a few sample knives made up just to be sure everything was still lined up properly.

Eric
 
Thanks Ken, and a Merry Christmas to you as well!
 
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