Schrade Walden 272 ?

[rprocter]

the knife in question is the upper one in pic. 1. the only marking is: Schrade/Walden/N.Y. U.S.A. the bottom knife in pic 1 is a Schrade/U.S.A./272
it also has Schrade on the shield.
pic 2 shows the tang stampings of knife in question and a very sweet Schrade/Walden/N.Y. U.S.A. 766 is on pile side tang, for comparison of letters used in stampings.
the size of letters is much smaller and more closely spaced, particularly between the lines on the questionable knife. none of my other small Schrade Waldens have this miniscule type.
so, i'm fairly sure this is a Schrade Walden 272, but is it ? and have you got examples of knives with this very small font ? roland

 

[thawk]

No problem on the small font. I find this very commonly on different patterns.

 

[rprocter]

thanks Hal. what about the absence of a pattern # ? also common ? roland

 

[Codger_64]

When Schrade Cutlery became Schrade Walden, many of the product lines were continued as were the pattern numbers used to describe them. Schrade Cut Co rarely put the pattern number on a knife. Doing so limited the use of that particular blade to that pattern. It was some time before Schrade Walden shortened the pattern numbers, and a bit longer before they began adding pattern numbers to the pile side of the master blades. And even that wasn't always consistant.

As to the size of the font, the stamping dies were not cheap. Generally sized to fit on similar sized patterns, I would imagine that if one broke or wore out, rather than stop production, they would just grab one that fit from the die drawer and continue production until their die sinker could fashion a new one of the correct size.

This is just my non-cutler opinion. It would be a good thing if a knife maker, formerly from Schrade or Camillus or any other company, could pop in here and either confirm this or apply egg to my face. Either one would be acceptable to me.

Michael

 

[thawk]

thanks Hal. what about the absence of a pattern # ? also common ? roland

If it is a Schrade Walden stamped knife, I would be cautious if the pattern stamp is absent. This is one of the first signs of a Taylor. Especially on new unused knives.

 

[rprocter]

Thanks Michael & Hal. yep, the small font and absence of pattern # and it's untarnished condition, made me think about Taylor possibility. but i think Codger's explanation is probably correct for this knife. it just "vibes" real Schrade and matches the Schrade N.Y. 272 exactly.
but as a cautionary "rule", i agree that "Schrade Walden" appearing new, no pattern #s; rule out Taylor before proceeding. roland

 

[Codger_64]

The knife might also have been produced for a jobber like Belknap or Kresge. In that case, they would not put a Schrade Walden pattern number on it. During some years, Belknap had knives stamped with their own marks and pattern numbers, and sometimes with the maker marks. Sears did the same thing. The knife might have originally had a faint jobber/merchant etch, long since rubbed away.

Nothing positive here, just further possibilities.

Michael

 

[thawk]

I did not realize the top knife of yours was unstamped on the back. My Taylor warning sign does not apply to that one. The knife is a Schrade for sure. It looks like the delrin mold was the same one.

I think mine matches up with yours as well.​

 

[rprocter]

Actually Hal, it doesn't. i just realized that my Schrade/U.S.A./272 (bottom knife, pic. #1 in my opening post) and your Schrade/Walden/N.Y. U.S.A. 272, both have nail nick cutouts. my knife in question with the small font, has no cutout. so, what does that mean ? holding the 2 knives in pic #1, side by side, they seem identical otherwise. roland

 

[thawk]

I think it just means they are different. Here is a three line example like yours:

Mine has a cut out, and a more pronounced swedge than any of the examples. Both of your nail pulls are longer. Someone else probably has one with a tang stamp on two lines. After all, they are Schrades. Cookie cutter knives they were not famous for.