One for the knife know-abouters

[Bwana]

Twas a rainy day yesterday so the missus decided I should go through my closet, etc. and clean a few things out. While doing so, very reluctantly, I stumbled upon a box of items that was given to me when my grandfather passed away. The one item that really caught my eye was a unique looking pocket knife so I thought I would post some pictures for the fun of it.

Here she is:
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I need to do a bit of cleaning so I can attempt to read the markings on the blade.

I have a bunch of Grandpa's old jack knives but most of them are promotional types advertising some bar, garage, etc. This one really caught my eye as I have never seen one like it before.

Anyway, happy Monday.

[Thumper]

My bet is an old ('50's era?) Schrade Walden. Very unique multi-color scales ... never seen one like it.

[Thumper]

Well, I had to finish up with some eBay stuff, then decided to try a net search. These are very similar, but both are 3-blade knives (both Schrade Walden). Camillus had some very similar looking knives, but I'm still leaning toward the Schrade. Maybe some more experienced knife know-abouters can throw in their 2-cents.

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[BarryBobPosthole]

Isn’t Schrade the only one that used that shield?

BKB

[Thumper]

Some of the early Camillus' had a very similar shield, but I think they were a bit shorter ... more "squat" looking. Here's an early Camillus.

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[quercus alba]

Schrade is made in China now

[Thumper]

Yeppers ... key word "now". Actually, most all the manufacturers have all, or some models made in China these days .... Browning, Buck, Böker, Camillus, Case, Smith & Wesson and Kershaw to name a few. Ha! I sell a ton of kitchen knives on eBay ... it may sound ironic, but even modern Chicago Cutlery is made in China now.

[Bwana]

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Scrubbed a little bit last night so now on the larger blade I can see:
Imperial U
S
PROV RI A

[quercus alba]

Schrade Cutlery Co., was sold in 1946 to the Imperial Knife Associated Companies, becoming the Schrade-Walden Cutlery Co., Inc. The company changed names in 1985 to Imperial Schrade Corp

[Bwana]

Thanks qa

[Bwana]

Following qa's lead it appears the knife is of the 1956-1988 era but I have not been able to find a table to track down the serial numbers though I am guessing it is closer to the 1956 end of the scale than the 1988 side.

[Thumper]

You're correct about the '56-'88 vintage. I can't actually see the numbers in your pic very well, but I believe those are actually patent numbers.

[Thumper]

I don't think this will be of any real help, but it's interesting anyway if you want to scan through it. It's an old Imperial catalog from 1959.

http://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/Imperial/1959-Imperial.pdf

[BarryBobPosthole]

‘Jackmaster’ sounds like it must have been the key word in your search.

BKB

[Thumper]

And you sir, need to do a key word search for "Bite Me". ;)