Kudos and 153UH questions

[ZOXXO]

First I'd like to say hi and thanks for the info I have already garnered from reading the forum. Knowledgeable and courteous conversation on the internet, what a concept.:thumbup:

Now for what brought me here.

I recently found a 153UH around some refrigeration units that I was removing from a closed down grocery store. It is in quite rough condition but it appears the original quality of build and materials will allow for it to be worthwhile to recondition the knife.

The blade is stamped:
SCHRADE
U.S.A. 153UH
with the Uncle Henry script stamped into the guard directly below.

After some reading here and a cursory ebay search I have some questions which may better date and identify this knife.

My copy has no + designation after the Schrade stamping, does this have any significance other than it may not be stainless? Does this help date the knife?

I see that some of the 153UHs have a number stamped into the guard on the opposite side of the UH script. What significance does this have and when did Schrade discontinue stamping the numbers?

The blade is too rusted to see if it has any etching on it but if at some point I can read any etching what might it or it's absence signify?

Thanks
ZOXXO

 

[Codger_64]

I love a good mystery..knife. There is a good chance your knife never had an etch. Being that rusted, it likely was a carbon steel blade. With no + mark, this is probably an early seventies knife. They made a few carbon ones then, and started using the "+" mark to denote stainless shortly thereafter. I haven't a clue of when they used/didn't use the serial numbers on the Golden Spike. It seemed to vary from model to model when they started and stopped. Maybe someone else here has done a more indepth study of the pattern and can tell you more. But it does sound like you have a starting place for a collection!

Codger

 

[ZOXXO]

Thanks for the info.

Odd how a glimpse of brass peeking from under a bed of leaves has rekindled a life-long interest.

From the ubiquitous folder used to cut any and everything to the machetes and tobacco blades used on the farm, knives have always been an integral part of my life. Some of my fondest memories involve watching the old timers show, trade and drop knives around the courthouse or country store and of course the fine art of honing an edge to shave worthy sharpness or peeling off that fine curly shaving from a stick of cedar was a thing of beauty and wonderment to a young boy.

I'm not necessarily a collector, though I do have a barely used Case Sharks Tooth and never used Sodbuster Jr. that I like to unwrap and show from time to time.

Have never bought a Schrade for show but a little SP2 has been my daily packer for over ten years now. However, thanks to the old rusty UH and this forum, I will now have an eye out for a bargain on a couple of Schrade patterns that have piqued my interest.

As always, enjoy.
ZOXXO

 

[Codger_64]

An accumulator is simply a new collector (or old) in denial. Collections vary from one pattern, to one brand, from new in the box to old users. Buy up a couple of Old Timers and Uncle Henrys while they are cheap. Most of the working variety of knives still sell below their retail of a few years ago. And there were a multitude of fancy art knives to see, should you want one to make the old men admire your knife. The smaller stockmen are a delight to carry and use, but better yet, a joy to turn over to a youngster as a first knife.

Hang around and enjoy the fun and learning here!

Codger