New Charade Walden Trapper SWAJB54 - a pictorial review

O

Orpheous

Joined
Dec 20, 2004
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This is a pictorial review of a BNIB Taylor Cutlery licensed Schrade® Walden® Trapper with Amber Jigged Bone Handle.
I've yet to master the art of knife photography, but I've done my best to capture the finer details using macro zoom on my camera.
The top (left) of the box is a little out of focus, it reads "Fine Pocket Cutlery", above a picture of the Walden factory
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The only mention of Taylor Cutlery is on this side of the box, it isn't written, stamped or etched anywhere else on the knife itself.
P1060617.jpg


Here is a close up of the shield. The inset on the bottom right shows scale fitting:
P1060620.jpg


This pic shows the blade tip end, with a close up of scale fitment, and bolster finish.
P1060623.jpg


A close up of the blade pivot end:
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Blade pivot end view of the back springs and blade fully opened:
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and again:
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And finally, a picture of the back springs at the blade pivot end, showing a gap between the spring and liner:
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Conclusion: Well hey, you be the judge, but I don't think they made them like Schrade used to....

Orph.
 
Great job on the photos. The photos show very clearly the inept and shoddy workmanship. Makes me sad to see a great name and knife company that was once USA made to end up like this. I have UH897 that I bought years ago that I like very much. That is one of my favorite traditional pocketknives. I think the fit and finish of the USA made Schades were very good. They put a walk and talk that was remarkable for a inexpensive knife. The feeling of loss to see another great knife company gone is terrible.
RKH
 
That is a great job with the pictures!! Those back springs would really bother me, the way they are rounded off and the poor fit to the blades is terrible. I would expect this kind of quality from a cheap imported knife not from a US manufacture. This company should be ashamed to let something like that go out the door.
 
It's another example of what 's been said before.They have very little or no quality control at their factories.It doesn't look bad for a 2.00 knife.Taylor is just interested in quantity not quality.It must drive his vendors crazy that a USA 171UH sells for 75.00 to a 100.00 and a Taylor charade can be bought for 15.00.Arnold
 
Bear cutlery are not a favorite knife manufacturer of mine at all, I bought one of their standard stockman knives a year or so ago. I've seen others also, IMO Rough Rider knives come up better than those from Bear.

Rusty1
 
I would imagine that the real Schrade factory workers that once took pride in the knives they made get a sick feeling when they see their name trashed like this.
 
Thanks for those pictures. I have been looking at those things and your time and effort saved me a few bucks. very much appreciated.
 
$24.99 from the merchant SMKW.

http://eknifeworks.com/webapp/eComm...ext&SearchText=walden&Search.x=12&Search.y=19

By the way, their "history lesson" is bogus as the knife.

The Walden Knife Company began in 1870 when a group of New York Knife Company employees were forbidden to play baseball on their breaks. Upset with the policy, the disgruntled workers formed their own company, Walden Knife Company. Although they were known for their quality products, knives with the Walden Knife Co. tang stamp were few, because they primarily made knives for other companies. In 1904, Schrade Cutlery Company was founded in Walden, New York. In 1958, after acquiring Schrade Cutlery Company and the Walden brand, Albert Baer combined them into Schrade Walden and moved the company from Walden to Ellenville, New York. In 2004, after 100 years and several name and personnel changes, Schrade Knives closed its doors. Schrade's raw materials, including steel and handle materials, were sold.

 
I have a few users with the tang stamp ground off that are much better built than that knife.
 
Yup, that sure is a crappy knife. All my Schrades are rock solid.

I like the term, "Taylor Charade".
 
WOW Orpheous, you know your way around a knife, a camera and a computer. i am envious. that's fantastic information via the pics. when i get back home (3 days) i'm going to check the few China charades i bought for comparison. i think their fit and finish quality exceeds what you have shown here. i.e. the new USA ones are the worst of the imposters, tho i might be getting some flack on that. i'll check closely and post back. roland
 
Great review Orpheus! Nice Pics, too.

Not to hijack your thread, but here is a link to a review I did awhile back on another Taylor "charade"

Schrade Greenbone review


Glenn
 
Glenn, no worries mate ;) I posted these pics in the hope that it would help others who may be considering purchasing one of these fakes, not to claim any kind of notoriety for the thread...
BTW, that was a really good review of the Greenbone (897) Clone :thumbup: I'm not so good with writing reviews so I thought I'd just stick to pics instead :o:D
 
Maybe someone should check these knives for lead in the dye use on the handles.If they found it they could be banned since every kid loves to play with daddy's or grandpa's knife.Arnold
 
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