Schrade Cut Co. Walden NY Electricians lock mystery?

[KYenglish]

hey all,

I was hoping someone could help me with a problem, I picked up this Schrade Cut Co. Walden NY Electricians from a certain auction site. I love this pattern in all different kinds and have been having a fun time with older Schrades as well so couldn't help it. it need some TLC and a new pair of edges but the scales are good and it just caught my eye (for $9, most old knives will ) besides it helps while I stew over all the new GECs I need and can't get right now

I don't have my own pictures yet so I'm swiping them from the sale post if that's okay till i can snap some;

Anyway it arrived as described, have nice ebony scales, very happy (I like the blade mod on the screwdriver bit, reminds me of an awl.

Anyway the "problem" came when i tried to close the blades, the main blade went down like a good slipjoint but the screwdriver blade wouldn't budge. i thought it might have a rusted spring but the more i played with it the more convinced i became that it was in fact locked...with no apparent locking mechanism.

I sent the seller a message but since the transaction is now closed don't expect a reply back. I don't want rid of it, I'd just like to know how it works. Anyway I carefully got it back open (don't ask, I was careful enough not the damage it, that's all I want to say) and found what looks to be distinctly like a lockback system on the "tang" of the knife. In fact I'd go as far as to say it is, and this seems confirmed by page 100 (page 8 on the pdf file though) on this Scharde catalog I found with a few simple searches:

http://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/Catalogs/images/1936_Schrade_supplements.pdf

Or it could just be pointing to a more typically liner lock system ("center lock") that i can't make out in the picture.

Anyway, anyone have any ideas? My new knife seems to lock with no apparent mechanism for unlocking it, it doesn't seem modded past the blade mod and a slight angle cut into the bolsters:

Anyway, it's kinda of made my day, and it was pretty good day anyway, I like mystery, i like knives, but I seem to have struck out solving it so i'm appealing for help (anyone wanna be Watson to my Holmes? or I'll be Watson, I don't mind either way )

thanks for checking ti out anyway

 

[KYenglish]

ah ha!

is this it? I'll have to check tomorrow, bed now

Anyone know who posted this one, it seems to be form a blade forums but can't find it in the thread itself, thanks whoever you are!

 

[Sonnemann]

I believe you would depress the closed spear blade to unlock the screwdriver. Here is a post by Dale Orvet from another forum (hope that's ok.)

"I have been searching for a Winchester TL-29 for about 8 years. I finally found one on ebay that I considered affordable, so I bought it.

It is the WWI version of the US Army Signal Corps knife; TL-29. There is no liner lock for the screwdriver blade.
The screwdriver blade does lock, but to unlock it you must press down on the spear blade in the closed position.

While examining this knife I think I figured out how the locking mechanism works. Note the cutout at the bottom of the screwdriver blade; I believe that is to clear the locking release mechanism on the spring for the screwdriver blade. I had always heard that that was there for use as a wire stripper to remove the insulation, and no doubt it can be used as such, but it is also necessary to clear the bar on the spring that is depressed by the kick of the spear blade to unlock the screwdriver blade. Quite an interesting system."

 

[richard thurman]

yes that is there knife made for electricains. a friend has them brand new.

 

[thawk]

The Ebony version, which is a 2042SD is described in the 1926 E Supplement catalog on pg 12. It too describes the center "liner lock" mechanism that has no instructions etched on the screwdriver blade like the C2041SD does in the 1938. I'm sure you were not the first person stumped by the spear blade depressor for the blade release. I don't find an example with this type of lock in any of the other Cut Co catalogs. Nice find!

 

[greg c]

I had the honor of having a custom electrician made by Ken Erickson and although the model piece was an Ulster, the lock mechanisms are the same as on the Schrade. You may find this portion of Ken's retrospective thread interesting- start here.

Enjoy the old workhorse!

 

[Woodrow F Call]

Neat lock.

 

[KYenglish]

I've seen your customa nd rooled over it a time or two as well thanks for the links, I'll enjoy reading them through

I had the honor of having a custom electrician made by Ken Erickson and although the model piece was an Ulster, the lock mechanisms are the same as on the Schrade. You may find this portion of Ken's retrospective thread interesting- start here.

Thanks for all the helpful posts!

Enjoy the old workhorse!