Schrade Uncle Henry LB7 Buff horn

mountaineergoldnblue

mountaineergoldnblue

Joined
Feb 8, 2006
Messages
91
Please check out ebay auction 6618308199. Is this one for real??


8816608_tp.jpg
 
The knife is real. That is, it will do the basic job of a knife and that is to cut. But the only one in existence? We didn't even know about this one, so how do we know it's the only one? 440C steel? The only way to tell would be to put the blade in a device made for the purpose and vaporize the steel, then anayalize the vapors. Can we take the seller's word for anythng? Brand new to Ebay, no sales or buys under his belt. This is his only item up for sale. 'Prototype'?? Does it have that marked on t? Any proof?

I'm suspicious. But I could be convinced.

Thanks for posting this one. Interesting.
 
I'd like to establish what is a prototype!

Does changing the handle material make it a prototype? Not in my book!

Does changing the blade material make it a prototype? Not in my book!

Does changing the bolster material make it a prototype? Not in my book!

Does creating a new model(not produced before) to set up the parameters for a new production knife make it a prototype? Yes in my book!

Huge differences!!!
 
Maybe it is a prototype, a Taylor prototype. I don't see any mention of "USA" on the tang stamp, the blade shape and the grind are not right. Even the blade finish appears different.
 
It looks like a custom with jigged horn or bone covers. See the pins? Ruff?






OK, from a manufacturing prospective:
1. Design drawing
2. Mockup
3. Preprototype
4. Prototype
5. Production
Engineering change orders can happen at any point and might result in a new sample, but not a prototype. There are also machine setup pieces, usually trashed after use. ISC_RIP, BK420, or another former employee can be more specific to the ISC plant proceedure, but I don't think this one is a factory issue. However... the "unknown seller" guarantees it to be an authentic proto, so maybe he has some proof of some sort. Ask if you are interested.

They do sell this jigged handle material on eBay all the time.

Codger
 
I agree the blade shape and the grind are wrong. If it is supposed to be a recent prototype it did not come from Ellenville. It almost looks like a hollow grind. The grind does not follow the edge it basically runs straight out. In Ellenville, these were run on a CNC hollow grinder the program had not been changed in some time. The most recent stamp read First Line: "Uncle Henry" second line: "SCHRADE +" Third Line: "LB7 U.S.A.", It appears that this knife does have a tang stamp not an etch or laser mark. Schrade would not have made a custom stamp for the prototype nor dropped the USA from the stamp.
 
It has the right proportions for a LB7, I would discount the sellers measurements, those mistakes are made all the time. The lighting makes the blade look odd, like maybe it's not hollow ground as it should be. When I turn one of mine in the light, I can get the same effect.

I believe it to be a legit LB7. What's not known is whether it was an actual prototype or just a knife with different handle material made by a Schrade employee for himself or customized by someone else after it left the factory. I have a Schrade 165 with Sheep Horn handles that has the same problem with its provenance.

As for the rough appearance of the pins, I have other knives by several different makers with horn handles and the uneven texture of the horn seems to keep the pins from being flush with the scales and to have a nice smooth finished look as it would with flat material.

This is my kind of knife, I always fall for stuff like this, especially in a LB7; it just depends upon the price.
 
ISC_RIP said:
The most recent stamp read First Line: "Uncle Henry" second line: "SCHRADE +" Third Line: "LB7 U.S.A.", It appears that this knife does have a tang stamp not an etch or laser mark. Schrade would not have made a custom stamp for the prototype nor dropped the USA from the stamp.
Click to expand...

There is no "+" after the Schrade on this tang stamp, which alone is highly irregular. Having LB7 stamped on the other side of the blade makes it VERY unusual.
 
If the edge thickness is correct (from the edging I would think it is) then this knife is most likely not hollow ground. Look at the panel height near the tip, it should be the full width of the blade there (at least to the swedge). If this were hollow ground this would cause the edge to be thicker which would most likely show on the edging of the blade. Schrade had not taper ground an LB7 in years.

Codger, in recent years Schrade went from drawings to prototype. This type of "prototype" would have come out of the model shop without any drawings most likely. The big question in my mind would be why use an old knfe for this level of knife to prototype it? I don't know the old tang stamps but I still don't believe that is a US made Schrade.
 
Looking at the enlarged photo, my first impression was that it wasn't hollow ground, but the grind and finish of a blade often don't show up accurately in a scan. This knife isn't worth faking unless his reserve price is something like $300.00, and maybe not even then.

8816608_o.jpg
 
Codger, does the stamp on this knife resemble the one on the Taylor knife you had? Maybe you guys have nailed it as a Taylor prototype.
 
I never said it was a fake, just not a recent blade made in Ellenville, nor a tang stamp I've seen before.
 
Follow the link and compare the backspring pin location. It is a Taylor contracted chinese knife. Prototype/altered/worm eaten, who knows. Ask the seller the story and let us hear it.
 
First let me say how honored I am to be part of this forum. The wealth of knowledge here is awesome and your dedication to the truth when it comes to Schrade is overwhelming. I have asked the seller if the knife is stamped USA anywhere on the tang/blade and if so where. I have also asked where the knife was made. The one thing that caught my eye was where the seller is located, Kingsport TN. the home of Taylor Cutlery. I will let you know what their response is. Thanks. Jamie.
 
Codger_64 said:
Follow the link and compare the backspring pin location. It is a Taylor contracted chinese knife. Prototype/altered/worm eaten, who knows. Ask the seller the story and let us hear it.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's it, it's a Taylor knife for sure. If you look close at the Buff knife, it says "Uncle Kenny" not "Uncle Henry." Just kidding, but it's not a Schrade.

Good work guys.
 
Just as my gut told me. Here is the owners response to my questions:



Subject: Re: Question for item #6618308199 - Schrade Uncle Henry LB7 Buff horn only one ever made!



This is an authentic LB7 100% money back guareenteed. I am new to Ebay but my
knife is the real deal and you will be seeing more of my items in the future
with nothing but positive responses. And to answer your question, this knife
was made in China, so there is no USA stamp on the blade but LB7 is engraved on
the other side. I would be happy to email you a picture of the other side
tomorrow if you would like.
 
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