The first listing that I can find for the 880 KON-KAV is in 1953. That does not mean that was the year they were first produced though. The early 1950's is just when my catalog resources begin to peter out, with gaps between there and the Catalog E reprints.
In 1953 they are listed in one of the earliest "series", seperately identified from the other offerings (the way UH and OT knives would be later). The name "KON-KAV" is trademarked, but I don't have a copy of that one to verify the year for you.
"KON-KAV"
CONCAVE GROUND RAZOR KEEN BLADES
The three patterns first listed are the #863, #805, and #880. The #880 listing is thus:
Premium Stock Knife, Texas Pattern; 4 inches long; Bone Stag Handle; 3 Blade (Large Clip, KON-KAV ground) Spey and Sheepfoot; Brass Linings; Nickle Silver Bolsters and Shield; Large Blade Polished on One Side.
All three are illustrated with the KON-KAV blade etch on the master blade. By the late fifties, they were still illustrated with the blade etch, but numbered
"880-ST", indicating "Stagged", or jigged. They sold for $4.35 then. By 1961 they cost another dollar, $5.35. In 1962 the handles changed to
"Unbreakable Staglon". Price was $6.50 in 1968, then $7.50 in 1969, and $8.50 in the early 1973 catalog, the last showing knives which would bear the
Schrade Walden tangstamp. They were listed in the revised
Schrade 1973 1/2 catalog for $9.25, $10.75 in 1974. I do not see them listed in the Open Stock after that. Sorry I couldn't fing more for you.
(Illustration from 1961)
Codger
