Question For Rich About Older Schrades

K

knifeaholic

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Rich;

I thought you may know the answer to this. In the early part of the "Schrade Walden" tang stamp era, Schrade made a number of their standard slipjoint patterns in a nice classy looking smooth wood handle. They called it "Wonda Wood".

I was thinking of trying to put together a collection of these and was wondering what all patterns they offered in Wonda Wood. My 1963 catalog shows the 805 junior stockman and the 832 medium stockman. Do you know of any others? Thanks
 
Wonda Wood was a synthetic material made to look like wood, used as a handling material. During this period of time post 1958 after the move from Walden to Ellenville several alternative handling materials were experimented with some are still being used ( sawcut delrin OT line ) ( staglon UH line ). some did not do as well, such as a plastic K horn to replace the original celluloid version.

Think of it this way Staglon was to real stag as sawcut delrin was to sawcut bone ( as used in barlows ), as cell K horn was to plastic K horn, as jigged plastic was to jigged bone, as wonda wood was to real wood.

There were several reasons for this attempt at change as usual the main reason was production cost. In the cases of failures there were several reasons. Cell K horn was prettier than cell ( even though plastic was more durable ). Jigged plastic lasted a while then faded from public favor. Staglon and sawcut delrin are still around. However in the case of wonda wood there are several reasons it did not make it. First of all during this period Schrade was not making a lot of wood knives second wood unlike bone or cell cost the same or less to produce than the synthetic. Frankly which would you rather own a coco bolo handled knife or one in plastic wood.

As I recall the few models made in this material were the middle sized knives like you mentioned. I remember the 832 frankly I had forgotten the 805. If researching these knives check models made by Schrade for Sears ( craftsman ) I believe there may have been some.

I hope this helps. LT
 
Rich;

Thanks for the info. I think that there were two variations of the "Wonda Wood" - the early one was an actual wood, probably resin-impregnated - the later one a delrin substitute that (at least Schrade thought) looked like wood.

I just picked up a BEAUTIFUL whittler pattern, Schrade Walden, the # is hard to read but may be 831, a 3-1/2" serpentine with nice looking real wood scales. I have this pattern in smooth black and in bone, so this will be a nice addition to my Schrade collection.

This particular whittler has to be my #1 or #2 favorite pattern of all time - it is a real classic, well made, with a nice saber-ground master blade. Sad that really elegant, practical patterns like this fell by the wayside long ago.
 
I totally agree. The nice thing about old pocket knives is that they
are like a wise old man. They have both been just about
everywhere. Still they never burden you with the current problems and just continue on there journey in time. They will let you learn a little of what they are and ask only to be treated right and left in peace. No demands, no arguments, and just being around them helps you forget your problems. Also if you treat them right they will never let you down. Good Hunting LT.
 
I really enjoy the schrade waldens such as 855, 881, 896K. I have a couple 899's (with the punch), they are hard to find though. I just like the feel of them, and the carbon steel is nice as well.

I collect in and around the 70's for schrades, waldens and otherwise, and occasionally a schrade+ if the price is right. The 3-blade serpentine is my favorite pattern.

I agree that quality like that is dying out to mass production and light weight plastics. It's a shame...
 
I cannot agree more, it seems like everything being made now is a "tactical" or high tech, or Rambo, etc. The good old pocket knife is a dying breed. I am not a fan of these space age plastics and futuristic blades. Give me a stag or bone handled stockman or a muskrat anyday. The old knives all have superior quality and superior craftsmanship, we all know that, but they also have something else, "character". Just my two cents.

Dan
 
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