Schrade Walden 787--"Flared" tang?

[Frostyfingers]

I have an old Schrade Walden 787 (muskrat) that I bought off the 'bay. I bought it on a whim as it was cheap and I'm a fan of the old Schrades. The question I have is this: When I got the knife, it had literally NO walk and talk. No snap, weak springs, etc. After washing it out thoroughly, the action feels more smooth, but the knife still has no snap. The blades are good and solid, no play, but I have to open and close the blades all the way with no help from the springs.

Upon looking a little closer, I see what looks like a "rim" or flared section at the bottom of each tang. As the knife is opened, this "rim" seems to travel in a channel in the brass liner on either side. Is this actually what I'm seeing? Is this a peculiarity of the 787? Could it be contributing to the lazy action or is that another matter entirely?

Thanks,

Frosty

 

[Rsmith_77]

As the knife is opened, this "rim" seems to travel in a channel in the brass liner on either side.

i certainly dont know anything about the knife in question
but this part struck me as..odd

did the tang have some extra metal that formed channels/grooves into the liners? is that what your describing?

 

[Frostyfingers]

i certainly dont know anything about the knife in question
but this part struck me as..odd

did the tang have some extra metal that formed channels/grooves into the liners? is that what your describing?

That's what it looks like to me! When you look at the tang straight on with the knife open (looking down into the channel) the tang looks flat (as is typical) except for at the very bottom, where it seems like there is a "flare" or edge sticking out to either side. If I could take pictures that were good enough to show the inside of the knife, I would...but I'm not that good.

Frosty

ETA: The flared section travels in a groove in the brass liners. I can't tell if the grooves are machined or if they have been created by the tang.

 

[Rsmith_77]

hrm, sounds like manufacturing defect to me
but i'll let someone with some knowledge of the knife in question respond

i think if it were me i would send it back
but what do i know :/

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I wouldn't be surprised if that 'flare' in the tang is excess wear. The mention of a complete lack of snap/walk & talk makes that seem all the more likely. Very old knives that've been used hard, and perhaps not maintained well (joints not kept lubricated) will often have a lot of wear on the tang and inside face of the springs. Are the backsprings sunken in (lower than flush, with the liners/scales)? If so, that's another siqn of excess wear.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Pics would be very, very helpful. If the tang is worn, it should be easy to see in a pic. Here's an example of what I'm talking about, linked from an old thread in the Maint forum:

( picture linked from this thread -->: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/922369-Adjusting-a-backspring-on-an-old-slip-joint )

Notice the edge of the tang on the left-most blade, adjacent to the center liner, as well as the sunken spring on the same side:

 

[Frostyfingers]

Pics would be very, very helpful. If the tang is worn, it should be easy to see in a pic. Here's an example of what I'm talking about, linked from an old thread in the Maint forum:

( picture linked from this thread -->: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/922369-Adjusting-a-backspring-on-an-old-slip-joint )

Notice the edge of the tang on the left-most blade, adjacent to the center liner, as well as the sunken spring on the same side:

Mystery solved! Upon first noticing it on my knife, it looked as though the tangs were machined that way. Looking more closely now, I can see that it IS because of wear and tear. My knife has taken it a step further than the one pictured, however; the "lip" created by the excess wear, located on each side of the tang, has deformed or spread into the liners, creating the groove. Thanks for solving the mystery, OWE.

Its a shame, really, as I'm loving the knife. Even though the blades are 40% gone, and there is no snap...the sucker gets SHARP. I picked it up for a song and on a whim, but it's been my constant companion and a fine office edc. I'll have to look for an affordable replacement for the day when this one finally gives up the ghost. Until then, I'm gonna use it just as much as it's previous owner.

Thanks, all.

Frosty

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Mystery solved! Upon first noticing it on my knife, it looked as though the tangs were machined that way. Looking more closely now, I can see that it IS because of wear and tear. My knife has taken it a step further than the one pictured, however; the "lip" created by the excess wear, located on each side of the tang, has deformed or spread into the liners, creating the groove. Thanks for solving the mystery, OWE.

Its a shame, really, as I'm loving the knife. Even though the blades are 40% gone, and there is no snap...the sucker gets SHARP. I picked it up for a song and on a whim, but it's been my constant companion and a fine office edc. I'll have to look for an affordable replacement for the day when this one finally gives up the ghost. Until then, I'm gonna use it just as much as it's previous owner.

Thanks, all.

Frosty

:thumbup:
It's good to know this helped. Too bad about the wear on your knife. I agree, the steel on these was first-rate. I have a Schrade-Walden 25OT Folding Hunter, and was equally impressed with the edge it takes. These are great old knives.