What to look for in an LB7?

B

brians

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Apr 22, 2006
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Looking for an LB7 for EDC. What should I look for to ensure authenticity? Also, was it made with a 1095 carbon blade?

Thx

brian
 
If I'm not mistaken the steel in the LB7 is 420HC stainless. All the LB7s that I've ever seen had a serial number on them on the front bolster looking down into the folder but some of the older ones might not. I really am not sure there. Seems that I recall reading the steel is the same as the Buck 110s are using.

I have an old LB7 my mother gave me as a gift years and years and years ago that I've never carried. Its a real tank but I just don't ever have need for a sheath knife. Other than the tarnish its just like new I think. Come to think of it I haven't seen it in a few. I might have to dig it out just to check it out. It may need cleaned up again.

STR
 
Oh yeah. As for what to look for. I can't say I'm an expert or anything but as I said most LB7s will have a serial number on the front bolster. Mine reads P4349. The writing on the blade will be different and the placement of the pins as well as how many can be different depending on the age of the knife and I've read that four pins is older and some say that three is older. Also the sheaths come in several different colors and styles. I've never seen another one with the sheath mine has. All of the ones on ebay are always tan but not this dark.

Back to the pins. Do a simple search on Ebay and check those. Also, look at the position of the stainless lock bar pin on mine and compare that to the later ones. Mine is, going from memory from like circa 1984 85 and who knows how long it was on the shelf in the store in my very small home town Army Navy store when my mom bought it for me? Some have printed letters on the blades, some have script like hand writing. I am pretty sure my mother gave me this when I still lived in Illinois. I moved from there in 1986 but it could be that I'm mistaken. I may have recieved it in the early 90s and just forgot. The ones like mine will be older though because I am pretty sure I've had this knife for at least 20 years.

Hope that helps.

STR
SchradeLB7.jpg
 
Also, I found this if you want to look at it. Based on this info my knife may be even older than I thought it was with one letter designation and only four numbers following it. Based on what I've read over my time the pins are an ok way to get a rough idea of age but not fool proof because one thing about Schrade Walden; anything was possible. They stuck LB7 blades in the wrong handles at times as well as mistamp and other things that can add to collectible knives. The serial number seems logical to me because the younger the knife the longer the serial number will be in both letters and numbers.

If they stopped serializing the LB7s in 1989 that confirms right there that mine is certainly earlier than the mid 1980s regardless of the pin configuration.

STR

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2834635&postcount=15
 
The newer LB7's were made with 440A. I woudl jsut question the person sellign it and ask it if is a mint USA made version, and if the lockup is good.

There were allot of parts sold off from the factory sale, and I have seen some "interesting" specimens out there. There were also, older ones from the factory that were never completely finished, or sat around and were sold off. I would just use ""discretion" and ask lots of questions.

The older ones were serial numbered, I believe there was a time they stopped doing that (?).

The serial number had the purpose of tracking it (on the warranty card you sent in), as the old warranty was you could have it replaced in the 1st year if it was lost for free.
 
Just looking in here for the first time and wanted to put my 2 cents in, I am no expert at all, just like good knives of any brand, I have an LB7 bought new in 1980-82. The serial # is Q70313, so if the higher # than the one STR has, indicates the age, STR's would be older than mine. Mine looks exactly like the one STR pitured. My blade is marked SCHRADE+ U.S.A. LB7. Hope this helps.
 
STR said:
Back to the pins. Do a simple search on Ebay and check those. Also, look at the position of the stainless lock bar pin on mine and compare that to the later ones. Mine is, going from memory from like circa 1984 85 and who knows how long it was on the shelf in the store in my very small home town Army Navy store when my mom bought it for me? Some have printed letters on the blades, some have script like hand writing. I am pretty sure my mother gave me this when I still lived in Illinois. I moved from there in 1986 but it could be that I'm mistaken. I may have recieved it in the early 90s and just forgot. The ones like mine will be older though because I am pretty sure I've had this knife for at least 20 years.

Hope that helps.

STR
SchradeLB7.jpg
Click to expand...




That is a sweet knife! :thumbup: I had bought one new in 1981, and don't recall the 2 pins. I wish I still had that knife.
 
I suggest you check the search at the top of the forum.There is a lot of good information there on both USA and China LB7s.Arnold
 
All were stainless. 420HC was not used on the LB7 before 1998. It would have been 440A before that. The first ones were all numerics, then they used alpha prefixes, then double alphas, and then none. ALmost all four pin knives were serialized, few of the three pin. I'm referring to the regular production Fibron wood handled ones. Four pins continued to be used on the knives with smooth delrin, ivory, brown, black, or whatever.

As for finding a good user, just check for up and down blade play when locked. There should be none, regardless if it is dry or properly lubed. A lube job can bring a lazy blade back to a proper walk, talk and pop in most cases. There are plenty on eBay to choose from. A new one will set you back about $30-35. Still quite reasonable, IMHO.

Codger
 
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