Here's the one I carry on a daily basis. It was made by Schrade Cutlery Co., Walden, New York, and was purchased in 1920 by Charles Schleef in San Francisco.
When he died, it went to his daughter, who kept it in storage. And when she passed away, her husband, a good friend, presented it to me with the words, "It was made to be a working man's knife, so I expect you to use it." I have followed his words.
Several folks who have seen the knife have told me that it's too valuable to be an everyday work knife, but I'm putting it to the use for which it was originally intended. It cuts the string on hay bales, opens grain sacks, and makes shavings for the camp fire. And every evening, I sit in my great-grandfather's rocker and touch up the blade on an Arkansas stone.
Someday, when I'm ready to slow down, this ol' knife will be passed on to a son or grandson with the same counsel I was given..."It was made to be a working man's knife, so I expect you to use it."
