Schrade Cut. Co. Premium Stock Knife

[rprocter]

I'd like some help in assessing/understanding this 4" Premium Stock knife with all blades marked:Schrade/Cut. Co./Walden,N.Y.
The front jigged bone scale has the often seen jigging which is parallel to the knife. Backside scale is a different color with different jigging running at an angle to the knife.

It's been cleaned but looks all original to me.

Is this a replaced scale done after manufacture, or were knives actually made with differing scales to serve as "salesman samples' ?

 

[tongueriver]

I don't know the answer to your question, but I would hazard this guess: If a fellow sent in a knife to have a broken handle replaced, he would be rather amazed if it came back in a different pattern. I would lean towards the salesman's sample answer, or a repair by a shade tree cutler.

 

[thawk]

I've seen a few with jig patterns running different directions, and after at least 55 years, hard to say what may have happened to a knife. The darker side has some provenance in the rivets, whatever it may be. The jigging was not as deep as some, hard to tell how pocket worn. Sure would be fun if the old knives could talk. That is a cool old knife, that's for sure. Hows the action on it Roland? I like it when the old ones still snap.

 

[rprocter]

"Hows the action on it ?"
Master blade is perfect, other 2 have no closing snap but good opening.
it's what i call "a nice knife". i may sharpen it and make it an occasional carry.
Here's another knife with differing scales, Schrade/Walden 236:

as these knives with differing scales show up from time to time and do not look 'worked on', i wonder if some were actually made like this.
roland

 

[thawk]

Interesting. I would think the front side is composite plastic, same with the back side, or is it bone? Never seen one with that color if it is plastic. I like that pattern.

 

[waynorth]

Often, a scale will look the same until the hafting/polishing stages, and then the color will change drastically as the surface goes away. Every piece of bone takes the dye differently, or some pieces are left in the dye longer than others. Color differences can be drastic like black and white.
Jigging is less likely to vary a lot, side to side, IMO.
Roland, I think your dark scale (OP knife) was (poorly) replaced. The wear pattern alone suggests differing ages, and the rivets are suggestive of patching/repairing. A nice old knife to carry around without worrying about it!

 

[rprocter]

Charlie thanks for the scale info and knife assessment. v. helpful info for these 2 knives and in assessing other knives with mismatched scales. your expertise is much appreciated by all of us Traditional collectors.
roland

 

[waynorth]

It's been around the block, handle is cracked; but you can see the dye penetrated deeper on one side. The jigging shows the identical pattern, and roughly the same wear. 4" knife (1/32" shy)