What's your latest Schrade? END DATE 8/12

[thawk]

Nice jacks Eric. You gotta love a fat spear with a healthy swedge and a long pull. Almost sounds erotic!

 

[ea42]

Thanks guys!

Larry, none of them are from local folks unfortunately, in fact I've only gotten a handful of knives through local sources, and those were the modern ones. I know there has to be some old Schrades squirreled away in an attic or two around here, but I haven't found 'em yet!

I did hear from an antique dealer some years ago about an old timer who worked for Walden Knife/Keen Kutter for most of his life. At the time he was living with his daughter, and she showed the dealer a trunk that was FULL of Waldens in their original boxes! The guy had tried to snag one of every model they made during his time there, and apparently he had done a pretty good job. The dealer offered them $8000 for the lot, to which his daughter just laughed. He apparently never went back, but I sure wish I could have seen some of those artifacts!

Eric

 

[rprocter]

Here's a 3 5/8" Teardrop Jack with celluloid tortoise shell handles, both blades marked: SCHRADE/CUT. CO./WALDEN, N.Y.

the master blade sits a bit low, making it difficult to open without opening the Pen blade first.
is it the "rule" to mark both blades on these old Cut. Co. Jacks ?
i think this one is original, but all observations will be much appreciated.
thanks, roland

 

[Dave Thinkstoomuch]

I recently snagged a minty uncarried, unsharpened etc. MA-6 online. My first love is the the Steelhead 167, my fillet knife of choice but I remember well weighing the pros and cons of both models when they first came out. When removing the skin from the fillet I place a lot of pressure on that flexible blade fully utilizing that flex to keep the skin flat as I shave off the meat. Back in the '80s I thought the design of the MA-6 might make it prone to loosening and blade wobble when used in my manner due to the long lever effect of the 6" blade on the pivot area and so I went with the Steelhead's full-tang construction but the Mighty Angler is one mighty-large lock-back indeed and deserves it's place in Schrade history of innovation. They were also marketed as being handy in "The Garden" and I've always been somewhat bemused as to what use a razor sharp 6" fillet knife could be in the backyard but then again, I'm no gardener really. Any clue? I will post some pics when it arrives but for now I was wondering what people think is the "fair price" for one of these mint without box or sheath and to solve my old chuckle around it's garden "handiness". I know from Larry's good work they listed for $39.95 in '85 and I know they only lasted a few years. I think I did pretty well. Am I right to think that these are somewhat uncommon in mint condition? Just wonderin'... Thanks!

 

[thawk]

That is a good price for the MA5 and I can't comment on how well it works. Joel Sandeno (gradall520) is well versed on using Schrade filet knives. From experience I have, the Grafillet Littlemouth GF45 is the best I have used for a filet knife on crappie, white bass, and trout. For real small fish I like the smallest Rapala knife with a wood handle. I could only hope to catch a fish that would need a 167UH.

Anyway, here is a couple of catalog pictures of the filet knives.

 

[lrv]

Dave,
As time goes by finding these in mint or unused condition is becoming rarer.
Both the MA-5 and MA-6 are unique as you have stated.

Thawk, You'll have to go salt water to get the best use of a 167. A Bluefish or a big Cod calls for one.

 

[Dave Thinkstoomuch]

That is a good price for the MA5 and I can't comment on how well it works. Joel Sandeno (gradall520) is well versed on using Schrade filet knives. From experience I have, the Grafillet Littlemouth GF45 is the best I have used for a filet knife on crappie, white bass, and trout. For real small fish I like the smallest Rapala knife with a wood handle. I could only hope to catch a fish that would need a 167UH.

"That is a good price for the MA5" it was a 6 the biggest one no worries. Thanks a lot for responding. I like the design of those Grafillet, maybe I'll try to snag one. Back in the day Uncle Henry's guarantee against loss and staglon look was what sold me on the 167 in the end. My first fillet I got when I was maybe 8, can't really recall, was one of those Rapala "J Martini Finland Stainless" birch handled jobs too and it worked for a decade or more before I was given my 1st Steelhead as a gift. My Rapala was the big 6" model too though so I guess that's why I never even thought of the steelhead as a big knife. I just thought it was bass-sized. Cheers!

 

[Dave Thinkstoomuch]

Dave,
As time goes by finding these in mint or unused condition is becoming rarer.
Both the MA-5 and MA-6 are unique as you have stated.

Thawk, You'll have to go salt water to get the best use of a 167. A Bluefish or a big Cod calls for one.

Thanks a lot for your response. I find that blade length useful for the first and last steps in preparing big bass fillets. I have been fishing and eating smallies all my life and they are my specialty though I've caught my share of largemouth as well. I have caught innumerable 3 lb small-mouth bass, lots over 4 and my 2 biggest so far in Canada were well over 5 lbs each. Now the bar is raised to a 6lb+ smallmouth and that's kinda my Holy Grail lol. I know where to get them though . I've had them on and lost em before. For the 1st step you have to make 2 long starter cuts running down the full length of the bass from gills to tail on both sides of the spine. If these are accurate things go well. Bass skin is kinda tough I guess so razor sharp comes in here and if your fish is 14" or more in length laying that whole long blade against the dorsal fin/spines with knife-tip at head and sawing down creates one long, smooth, dead-straight and accurate starter cut that you can then extend with subsequent cuts the rest of the way to the tail. In final step with anything of this same size you end up with a fillet maybe 5" wide at its widest point. Having the extra inch of blade length allows you to easily place the fillet skin side down and run the full width of that blade pressed tight to the board removing only the skin and no meat. The 1" extra length allows you to saw at fillet somewhat during this procedure while never taking the blade out of the initial "slot" so-to-speak and achieving skin removal in one smooth long cut. When I do trout I just gut them and take off the heads just behind pectoral fins and tails so yeah a shorter blade can do up a big trout and the Steelhead is often overkill it's true.

 

[Larry303]

G'day...whilst they are not knives I have just acquired... these Schrade Fillet knives direct off my boat 'Orca' have performed thousands of tasks filleting,cutting over many years.....and are the best in the business. I have even supplied over 30 ,147OT's Pro Fisherman to Charter Boat Operators on Kangaroo Island and here in South Australia.They cant get enough of them as they hold a superior edge and they reckon are ideal in a novice's hands, and they dont readily slip....I have used several GF 45's and GF 65's for fine work for years...the 167UH in the photo has literally filleted hundreds of King George Whiting and still hold perfect edge, and I also use the shorter UH 168....the top photo is actually a 246OT Max Flex..which has just the required flex......I also use 143OT and the 141OT......all capable workers in the correct fishing situation...I have not used the MA5 in front but may do shortly....for cutting squid on the bough......little wonder I have been sold on USA Schrades for many years.....for the record a chinese Schrade stainless was left in my fishing tool boat basket exposed to the elements like the rest and its encrusted in corrosion and rust..utter garbage!...the 147OT Pro Fisherman were still in the cabin and didnt make the photos......Hoo Roo

 

[Larry303]

...and the photos......

 

[Larry303]

G'day Roland, In answer to your query re the Schrade Cut Co Jacks..I dug out a few of mine and they all have tang stamps to both blades..photos for comparison to yours....I love the celluloid colours they achieved in those days even if these have to spend their time in solitary confinement in their own drawer..........P.S. I never see any fresh shrinkage or corrosion caused by celluloid....and I've had these a number of years.....Hoo Roo
P.S. the brown and black is known as a Tigers Eye and is really stunning and I originally got it from a Deceased Estate in U.K......never seen one come up on US Ebay....the deceased's son told me his Dad got it on a business trip to USA and kept it for years....<his son sold it immediately>.......

 

[Larry303]

...more photos of the Schrade Cut Co's.....

 

[Dave Thinkstoomuch]

G'day...whilst they are not knives I have just acquired... these Schrade Fillet knives direct off my boat 'Orca' have performed thousands of tasks filleting,cutting over many years.....and are the best in the business. I have even supplied over 30 ,147OT's Pro Fisherman to Charter Boat Operators on Kangaroo Island and here in South Australia.They cant get enough of them as they hold a superior edge and they reckon are ideal in a novice's hands, and they dont readily slip....I have used several GF 45's and GF 65's for fine work for years...the 167UH in the photo has literally filleted hundreds of King George Whiting and still hold perfect edge, and I also use the shorter UH 168....the top photo is actually a 246OT Max Flex..which has just the required flex......I also use 143OT and the 141OT......all capable workers in the correct fishing situation...I have not used the MA5 in front but may do shortly....for cutting squid on the bough......little wonder I have been sold on USA Schrades for many years.....for the record a chinese Schrade stainless was left in my fishing tool boat basket exposed to the elements like the rest and its encrusted in corrosion and rust..utter garbage!...the 147OT Pro Fisherman were still in the cabin and didnt make the photos......Hoo Roo

Nice bunch of fillet knives there Larry! Interesting real-life test showing Chinese Schrade to be crap. Doesn't surprise me. I am not a fan of 440C in general: too hard to sharpen. Anything short of a diamond hone and you work on em forever. Schrade+ (440A) fillets do, as you say, keep a great edge.That NIB MA-5 looks somewhat over-qualified to me for use as a squid-cutter but hey, using these knives we have is surely the best way to enjoy their quality and why we learned to love them in the first place. Cheers!

 

[jsims999]

Had a good couple of months and decieded to treat myself. Finaly got the 172uh walden. Been looking for a long time. Wasnt an easy find... Thanks..jerod

 

[Dave Thinkstoomuch]

Had a good couple of months and decieded to treat myself. Finaly got the 172uh walden. Been looking for a long time. Wasn't an easy find... Thanks..jerod

That's a beautiful set of knives to be sure. Only thing missing from that picture to my mind is my personal favourite Uncle Henry fixed blade all-round: The 144 "Guide's Choice". When the Guide's Choice came out in '78 it seemed like my dreams of the perfect user had suddenly come true. Cheers!

 

[jsims999]

Yes i agree, it is on my list. Probably try and pick one up this month. I love the 144.

 

[Larry303]

G'day, original Mint in Box Schrade Walden 147 & 148 just as they left the Walden factory together with friends..<all 147 & 148> Several including the 147 still have original factory protective coating..I dont clean my knives when they are mint....The 148 has the Tungston Carbide Everlast Edge and they are quite scarce MIB....Original paperwork is oil paper and quite fine as depicted.. my 172S Jerod is not Walden..just Schrade. Hoo Roo

 

[tongueriver]

Here is an early Schrade Orvetco, a short collaboration which resulted in one which I have promised to take hunting in a few days. It has been refitted in amber stag. I asked to leave the grungy old blade pretty much alone.

[/IMG]

 

[jsims999]

Larry, once again i am amazed. I had never seen the old walden boxes untill just now. a beautiful sight.... i would love to see more of your collection...... thanks...Jerod

 

[delmas2nd]

those are some of the prettiest knives i have seen. love the tiger one. Son didn't know or care what he had i guess. i still have my dad's knives.

...more photos of the Schrade Cut Co's.....