My first 897UH

P

Pocketknife

Joined
Jul 27, 2005
Messages
322
Okay, all you experienced Schrade-ites, don't laugh at this post, please! I know many of you have very extensive collections, but not me, and I'm really happy with this new addition to it.

Okay, here it is...tada! I just bought my first Schrade Uncle Henry 897, from a fellow BladeForum member. It is as new, in original box, with paperwork copyrighted 2002. The tang of the main blade is stamped: Scrade+ USA 897UH.

This piece has great fit and finish. Solid back spring action, and absolutely zero blade play. All the materials look great, as well. I really like the look of the polished nickel silver bolsters, and also the handle scales.

I think this knife has an excellent overall design. It has 3 different blades, to cover a multitude of cutting tasks, and the double-curved handle shape fits the hand just right. Just the right size, too. No wonder this model seems to be an old favourite.

I think this knife sold in 2002 for around $20; is this correct? If so, I think it was underpriced by Schrade, considering all the work put into it. Maybe other knives that Schrade made were also underpriced, contributing to the company's bankruptcy? Just a guess, as I really don't know much about that subject.

One quick question for you experts: when was this model first produced?

By the way, here's a little thank-you, to all of you on this Schrade forum. The knowledge you share here is really valuable to us new Schrade collectors! :thumbup:
 
Nice of you to stop in and see us, pocketknife.

You have a great knife, as you know. Interesting history, too. According to my references, this was the first Uncle Henry model... possibly the 'test model' for Schrade. First listed in the catalog in 1967, but produced a few years earlier than that. Who knows how many tens of thousands of these were made... Wish we had access to the production records. You must have got a heck of a price break back in 2002, as the MSRP was around $37.

Stick around here too long and you'll be sorry! Like you must, I mean you really MUST have an 8OT, and of course a 34OT. But that won't be enough... (sigh) it never is.

Phil
 
For a fellow with the moniker Pocketknife, you made a good choice. Before I had a collection, I had a knife. It was a Schrade fixed blade (they called them Rigid Blades then). Then I bought a couple more for different tasks, mostly hunting and camping related. Then I bought a pocketknife. An 897UH, by the way. And I have carried one ever since. I have a dozen or more now. And several predecessors. The pattern has been popular with other handle materials since LT was a pup. It was an open stock knife, in several variants and with just about any handle material Schrade thought of. Yes, it is the oldest UH, and while I don't have the production records, I would imagine it was one of their top sellers for a long time. Just a hint....buy at least one spare. No, make that two. Go ahead and buy them new...they're still inexpensive for the value. Then get a couple of beaters. Everyone needs a knife that can scrape paint, cut wire when the wire cutters aren't around. And read this:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343968&highlight=897UH

Codger
 
Thanks a lot for the knife history, Textoothpk, and for setting me straight on the retail price. I don't know where in my feeble memory cells I came up with that $20, but now I know!

I now have these 4 Schrades:
Old Timer fixed blade, green rubber handle, model 142OT
Uncle Henry lockback folder, model LB7
Old Timer liner lock folder, model 18OT
Uncle Henry three-blade folder, model 897UH

(I actually also "bought" a fifth Schrade: a beautiful little Uncle Henry LB5 for my daughter, at this forum's Hurricane Katrina relief fundraiser, last fall.)

So, the 8OT and of the 34OT are good guys, too? Will check them out!:)

Thanks again!
 
The 897UH has always been my benchmark for what a knife should be in terms of usefulness and "feel." Great for whittling, with the least amount of hand fatigue and most useful blades. The more you use it, the more you'll be satisfied with it. I too think that they were underpriced, as they often sold for way below retail (not that this bothered me at the time). Hope you enjoy it for many years to come!
 
Thanks, Bartelby, and I agree with your assessment of this knife. It's a good 'un!

Codger, thanks for that great read....and you might recall that it was you who suggested the 897UH to me, last fall! Well, I finally got around to getting one, and it was nice to get it here on Bladeforums (from a good fellow called Silenthunterstudios).
 
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