Schrade Walden 236

[thawk]

Serpentine Jack Knife. Is it a Dog Leg Jack?
Not a very common pattern. 3 5/8"
Clip blade is polished like a mirror on front side. In old documentation, Schrade described this polishing as "full crocus".

 

[knifeaholic]

Technically that would be a "Wharncliffe Jack"...as I understand it the term Wharncliffe actually refers to the handle shape not (necessarily) the main blade shape.

 

[Codger_64]

... In old documentation, Schrade described this polishing as "full crocus".
QUOTE]

Full Crocus was a rough finish with a crocus wheel, striated either verticaly (usual on small pocket blades) or horizontaly (usual on larger hunting blades). Methinks someone Bretted your knife to make it pretty.

Michael

 

[waynorth]

... In old documentation, Schrade described this polishing as "full crocus".
QUOTE]

Full Crocus was a rough finish with a crocus wheel, striated either verticaly (usual on small pocket blades) or horizontaly (usual on larger hunting blades). Methinks someone Bretted your knife to make it pretty.

Michael

Actually, crocus, a fine oxide paste, was used for mirror polishing the main blade mark side. The striated finish is called a "glaze" finish. The terms in modern usage are not intuitive, and often confused.

 

[thawk]

I hope it wasn't bretted (love the term). I have a couple other unsharpened Schrade Walden knives polished to a mirror finish on the mark side of the master blade only. The 236, and a 233, both delrin handles, and a peachseed Schrade Walden 893. All three look the same. The other side and remaining blades look like the rest of my Schrade Walden knives.

I read this in a Keen Kutter catalog: BLADES are made from the Highest Grade of English Crucible Steel imported espceially for the purpose. They are Forged by hand from the Bar and not stamped out from sheet steel ( the method employed by many makers of knives) They have an absolutely Uniform TEmper, and are Whetted by Hand on an Oil Stone to a Sharp Cutting Edge, Ready for Use. As specified in the description, the Blades are either Full Crocus Polished ( i.e. each Blade Polished on Both Sides) or Half Polished ( i.e. large Blade Polished on One Side and other Blades Glazed Finish)

In the past, I had read in Schrade Walden catalogs, the term "polished on one side of main blade", and in the Schrade Cut Co catalog, "polished full or half crocus" were used in many knife descriptions. I figured they were talking about the same polishing term, but had not heard of crocus, except as a flower. At that time I googled crocus, and found several references to knife collecting books that said crocus finish = mirror finish or shiny finish.

I do know about the term bretted, and certainly have obtained a few knives that were described as mint, only to find they had been cleaned. This 236 however, appears to me to be unused. I don't know enough about Schrades 1960's polishing techniques, and it's damned hard to photograph a polished blade. With my eye in person, I can't tell when the polishing took place. It is a purty knife for sure, whether it was factory crocused or post factory bretted.

What is it, a wharncliffe, dogleg, big peanut? I know its a jack knife. Any other opinions? What do you think Waynorth?

 

[Rusty1]

In the Schrade catalogue E and supplements reprint there is a knife within the book pattern 23643/4B, 3 9/16 long, Page 94 if you have the book, this is listed as a Serpentine Jack It's the only knife I could find that looks the same, and it does start with 236.

Rusty1

 

[waynorth]

I think you can call it a wharcliffe jack. It has also been referred to as a serpentine sleeveboard jack. I think of a dogleg as having a wider bolster at the bottom, curving the opposite way from a saddlehorn. A peanut sort of looks like an foreshortened wharcliffe jack turned end for end.
The jig bone connected to the hiiiip bone, now heed the word of the . . . . .where was I????
11p.m. and I'm leaving at 5 a.m. for Oregon. Hold the fort and I'll report back!!
Good night!!

 

[Codger_64]

Actually, crocus, a fine oxide paste, was used for mirror polishing the main blade mark side. The striated finish is called a "glaze" finish. The terms in modern usage are not intuitive, and often confused.

Then I stand corrected. Not intuitive is right. I've always thought it was the other way around with glazed meaning full polish.

 

[Rusty1]

Rusty1

 

[thawk]

Thanks for the input guys. Rusty, I've seen more black SW 236 in black plastic than jigged delrin. I saw where this pattern was discontinued around 1965. The one I have is probably one of the last years produced, given the handle material, and shape of the shield.

Most of the Schrades patterns I have in my collection continued on into the Uncle Henry and Old Timer line, or maybe offered as Open Stock. I have a smaller 766 that has a similar shape, but smaller, and a single spring. It is a black plastic. It was another one that was discontinued around the same time frame.

 

[El Lobo]

Good thread, and informative discussion!

Just for fun, this first knife is glazed on all sides of all blades.....

This knife has been polished on the mark/etched side of the master blade only.....

...I hope you can still see the glazed finish on the back of the sheepsfoot blade.

Bill

 

[thawk]

Good job of showing the difference Bill.

I never really knew the true definition of glazed and crocus, until this thread. I get to looking, and actually have a few more factory polished knives. Some with etches, so it is easy to tell what it really looks like. Of course, now I know almost all of the recent (70's to close) Schrades are glazed.

The 58OT Ulsters have that polished look too.