G'day, The first Schrade I ever used was an LB8 Papa Bear and still use the same one today, so I am partial to arguably the prettiest large folder Schrade produced,and I'm certain was responsible for a number of collectors being initially interested in USA Schrade.
There have been a few variances through the years <besides the Nickel Silver Bolsters and brass bolster examples which are numerous> from the first ones produced in 1978 being part of the Limited Edition Uncle Henry 'Dixie Collection Series',and I will try and list my examples chronologically.
1.This example with the 144UH Guides Choice, is the 1978 North Carolina 'Dixie' with 4 pins <later versions had 3 >, brass Uncle Henry Shield and the LB7 blade stamp. <Schrade+ with no Uncle Henry>#NC474... Its ironic that Schrade started out making this earliest version with LB7 Tang Stamped blade and finished sometime in the late 90's near the end of production using the LB7 blades again in lieu of the LB8 blades. <Had they run out of LB8 stamped blades at that stage?>The paperwork is Schrade Cutlery Corp,later were Schrade Cutlery and LB8 without the later dash LB-8
2.LB-8 Brown Box with the dark sheath with Schrade on Sheath Stud and original paperwork LB-8. 3 handle pin with earliest position placement of the second pin. #96612. Schrade + <No Uncle Henry> If the LB'8s were bolster numbered at the same time as the LB7's then this example would also have been produced in 1978 as Codger has already established that Numbers 17694 to 334585 were produced in 1978. Comment please Codger?
3.Limited Edition Uncle Henry 1980, Gold Rush with the 153UH Golden Spike. Earliest position 3 pin, blade stamping Schrade+ <with no Uncle Henry> Gold Rush Etch.#20131 bolster etch <early production held over for this 1980 series?> Comment Codger?
4.Uncle Henry 6 knife Presentation Set. Features several UH knives that were only produced 85 to 88 being the 705UH Chairman, and the 124UH Tradesman/Maverick, plus the scarce 197UH Cat Paw. It is reasonable to assume the LB8 in this set is from 85 to 88 also.This LB8 features 'Uncle Henry' Schrade+ on Tang stamp and has the same earlier 3 pin configuration.
5. 1990's Uncle Henry 'A Sharp Idea' box. LB8 still with earlier 3 pin configuration, Tang Stamp 'Uncle Henry' Schrade +.
6Circa2000 Ducks Unlimited Stamping 'Uncle Henry' Schrade + LB8..Ducks Unlimited blade etch.Modern 3 pin configuration.Refer photos for variance>
7. C2000 Buckskin 'Uncle Henry' tang stamp. Modern 3 pin handle configuration. Refer photos for variance>
This is by no means a conclusive study of the variances however these examples give the dates produced with reasonable certainty .<who can ever be really certain with Schrade production>
Submitted for anyone interested in LB8's like me. Hoo Roo
There have been a few variances through the years <besides the Nickel Silver Bolsters and brass bolster examples which are numerous> from the first ones produced in 1978 being part of the Limited Edition Uncle Henry 'Dixie Collection Series',and I will try and list my examples chronologically.
1.This example with the 144UH Guides Choice, is the 1978 North Carolina 'Dixie' with 4 pins <later versions had 3 >, brass Uncle Henry Shield and the LB7 blade stamp. <Schrade+ with no Uncle Henry>#NC474... Its ironic that Schrade started out making this earliest version with LB7 Tang Stamped blade and finished sometime in the late 90's near the end of production using the LB7 blades again in lieu of the LB8 blades. <Had they run out of LB8 stamped blades at that stage?>The paperwork is Schrade Cutlery Corp,later were Schrade Cutlery and LB8 without the later dash LB-8
2.LB-8 Brown Box with the dark sheath with Schrade on Sheath Stud and original paperwork LB-8. 3 handle pin with earliest position placement of the second pin. #96612. Schrade + <No Uncle Henry> If the LB'8s were bolster numbered at the same time as the LB7's then this example would also have been produced in 1978 as Codger has already established that Numbers 17694 to 334585 were produced in 1978. Comment please Codger?
3.Limited Edition Uncle Henry 1980, Gold Rush with the 153UH Golden Spike. Earliest position 3 pin, blade stamping Schrade+ <with no Uncle Henry> Gold Rush Etch.#20131 bolster etch <early production held over for this 1980 series?> Comment Codger?
4.Uncle Henry 6 knife Presentation Set. Features several UH knives that were only produced 85 to 88 being the 705UH Chairman, and the 124UH Tradesman/Maverick, plus the scarce 197UH Cat Paw. It is reasonable to assume the LB8 in this set is from 85 to 88 also.This LB8 features 'Uncle Henry' Schrade+ on Tang stamp and has the same earlier 3 pin configuration.
5. 1990's Uncle Henry 'A Sharp Idea' box. LB8 still with earlier 3 pin configuration, Tang Stamp 'Uncle Henry' Schrade +.
6Circa2000 Ducks Unlimited Stamping 'Uncle Henry' Schrade + LB8..Ducks Unlimited blade etch.Modern 3 pin configuration.Refer photos for variance>
7. C2000 Buckskin 'Uncle Henry' tang stamp. Modern 3 pin handle configuration. Refer photos for variance>
This is by no means a conclusive study of the variances however these examples give the dates produced with reasonable certainty .<who can ever be really certain with Schrade production>
Submitted for anyone interested in LB8's like me. Hoo Roo
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