Need info on Schrade Model H15

[JayHawk]

This knife was given to me over 20 years ago. I would like to know the steel used, the years it was produced, and anything else I can find out. It has a 5" blade and is 10" overall. The handle is stacked leather.

Thanks in advance,
Jay

 

[Tim Faust]

The H-15 was first manufactured in 1959, when the suggested retail was $1.25. We continued to manufacture it until 1975, when a retailed for $7.50. It was called the "Utility Hunter", and the blade was made from high carbon cutlery steel.

------------------
Tim Faust
Product Manager
www.schradeknives.com

 

[Codger_64]

While Tim Faust was technically correct with his answer to the question, Paul Harvey would tell you to stay tuned for the REST of the story.

I know that most of you who don't actually own an H15 have seen them in pawn shops and on eBay, and usually with some "Rambo" description like fighting knife, military knife, etc. This is not really true though. The H15 does have design roots with the Imperial military knives, and there are a few common details, but they were never intended for military contract sales, but rather as a civillian hunting knife.

The story is not so simple as "Schrade made an H15 Utility Hunter from 1959 thru 1975". But when were things ever so simple with Schrade? Phil has shown us his Craftsman SFO H15 variant, and here is the Imperial variant. The Imperial is stainless, not carbon steel (though at the time they called it "High Carbon Stainless"). It also has a stainless guard and pommel, as fits Schrade Walden Cutlery's own catalog description of the Schrade H15 from 1961.



So.... they did make them in carbon steel though. And some interesting varients with their own numbers and names (138 Bowie Hunter, 144 Hunter's Pride). And they may be seen with different guards, blade grinds, and spacers of brown (as above), Red, or Black.

They do have a military flavor, as you can see, but are definately hunting knives. I may post a rant on these one of these days, once I have gathered a representative frame of them for illustration.

Anyone notice the oddity of the sheath? (besides the dufus inked name)

Codger

#144 Hunter's Pride


Imperial M-3 Military contract

 

[redshanks]

Obviously for a leftie, was that standard?

 

[orvet]

Oh goody! Another Codger rant a-brewing!

Seriously Mike, we do enjoy your rants, very informative!

 

[redshanks]

This is a US Navy Mark I Combat knife from WWII. There are some strong similarities with the H15:

 

[Codger_64]

Here is the thread I misremembered, and intended to tag to when I found Tim's post. As you are aware, I just had yet another birthday, and I now find myself repeating myself. Repeating myself. Re...

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=370340&highlight=Utility

Codgerrrrrrr

 

[tobyrogers]

The Hunters Pride I have has the steel pommel and guard as shown but the handle is stacked like the usual H-15.I did notice the blade on the Hunters Pride is twice as thick as the H-15's.Toby

 

[lostrider]

I have a Schrade H-15, marked "SCHRADE N.Y. U.S.A. H-15", and has a black stacked leather handle, no sheath. I would like to know how to determine its age and its value. It has some use on it, wear on blade and small nick.

 

[glennbad]

Welcome Lostrider!

There are others who can provide more detailed info than I.

However, I can tell you that your particular tang stamp is indicative of a knife made post 1973. They are still quite commonly found on ebay. A quick search of closed auctions on this pattern may give you an idea of what they are going for. As far as value, I can't say. Someone else may be able to determine that better. My guess, used $15 - $40, but I may be totally wet on that...

Glenn

 

[Codger_64]

I don't know what more I can tell you that Glenn hasn't already. As he said, your knife was produced post 1973, and fewer were made from 1974 thru 1975 than from 1959 thru 1973, so yours is a bit more uncommon than the earlier Schrade Walden marked knives, but few collectors recognize this fact, so it really doesn't figure into the market value today. A brief search of current and completed eBay listings shows an average of about $20-35 for an excellent used example, and probably $50 or more for a mint one complete with mint sheath, box, papers, etc., though you will see a few listed at $75-100, they will be slow to find buyers at those prices, if at all.

All that said, it would be a good user for a hunting knife. Afterall, that is what it was designed for!

Codger

 

[orvet]

Welcome Lostrider! :thumbup:

It only takes one and then you are on your way to Schraditius!

Welcome aboard.

Dale