Need Tang Stamp Guidance -- 735 Sailor

[Shepherd Jim]

I've been trying to read up on all the different blade markings used pre and post Schrade's shutdown and Taylor Brands' "re"-manufacture and brand licensing. I think everyone will admit it DOES get CONFUSING!

I collect "rigging knives" and so have sort of zeroed in on the Schrade 735. I have one of the new ones I bought through Amazon -- it has the circular escutcheon on the red jigged plastic handle and is actually a very nice knife -- especially for the money.

I'm looking to get a PRE-Taylor 735 for my collection -- want to show the "before and after".

I see a 735 on eBay that looks to have Delrin red jigged scales and its tang is stamped "SCHRADE / U.S.A. / 735 SS", where most of the older 735s I've seen have the stamp "SCHRADE / WALDEN / NY USA / STAINLESS"

Is anyone enough up Schrade's timeline to know what's going on.

Tnx Jim

 

[lwt210]

http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/schrade_knives/price_list/open_stock.php

That specific model is listed there.


Schrade changed from Schrade Walden on their tang stamps back in the early 70s IIRC. Went to Schrade NY USA after that and then onto just Schrade USA in 1980.

All of this is from memory. I claim no accuracy whatsoever. I also didn't find the one on the bay when I searched for it. Got a link?

Edited: I found this one. Tang is stamped Schrade Walden.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Schrade-Walden-...tem&pt=Collectible_Knives&hash=item439edc70ee

 

[Shepherd Jim]

...<snip>...

Schrade changed from Schrade Walden on their tang stamps back in the early 70s IIRC. Went to Schrade NY USA after that and then onto just Schrade USA in 1980.

All of this is from memory. I claim no accuracy whatsoever.
...<snip>..

1955/56 - 1973 ???

1973 - 1980 ???

1980 - today

So, is it possible to date the knives going by the tang stamps?

Jim

 

[tongueriver]

In the 1936 supplement to Schrade Cutlery Co. catalog is found the same knife with bonestag handles (meaning jigged bone), pattern 7353, 4 1/8 inches long. The tang stamp would have been SCHRADE CUTCO WALDEN USA. The ownership and tang stamps changed in (about) 1947. In 1960 almost all knives went from celluloid and bone to Delrin. There may have been other man-made materials as well before the 1960 Delrin revolution. Interestingly, there was a thread somewhere on Bladeforums this year, in which a long-time sailor went to lengths to explain that the professional sailors usually carried a heavy rope knife (or other), and one or more fids, instead of this marlinspike pattern. The reasoning was that they needed the knife to use while also using the fid at the same time. I have seen belt sheaths designed to accomodate both a knife and a fid.

 

[Shepherd Jim]

In the 1936 supplement to Schrade Cutlery Co. catalog is found the same knife with bonestag handles (meaning jigged bone), pattern 7353, 4 1/8 inches long. The tang stamp would have been SCHRADE CUTCO WALDEN USA.....<snip>...

I'll be keeping my eye out for one of those! The earliest folding riggers I've managed to collect so far are English. Though, I do have an early Camillus stamped "CAMILLUS / CUTLERY CO / CAMILLUS, NY / U.S.A." that might be from the same time-frame as the Schrade 7353.

.... a long-time sailor went to lengths to explain that the professional sailors usually carried a heavy rope knife (or other), and one or more fids, instead of this marlinspike pattern. The reasoning was that they needed the knife to use while also using the fid at the same time. I have seen belt sheaths designed to accommodate both a knife and a fid.

Yep, truth is that a folding rigger, sheepfoot master blade and a spike, is just real convenient to have in the bottom of your pocket at all times; whether you're on a boat or not.

While actively splicing rope it IS easier to have BOTH a knife AND a separate spike, but not absolutely necessary. But, WHEN you ARE aboard and sailing, a fixed blade, even MORE convenient in a sheath on your belt than in a pocket, is better to have than that folding knife.

The old sailor's adage is "One hand for the ship and one for yourself." When you're hanging in a bosun's chair half way up a mast in a heavy sea you will seldom have the TWO hands free that it takes to extract a folder's blade.

Jim