The price includes a 4% credit card fee. If you pay by check, money order, or bank wire, the discounted price is $1,795 delivered within the contiguous United States.
 
A. Schrader's Son, a leading American diving equipment manufacturer from the 19th to 21st centuries, is primarily recognized for its iconic diving helmets. However, their contributions to underwater exploration extended to providing divers with complete outfits, including diving knives.
 
Schrader predominantly sold threaded or screw-style knives, famously associated with the U.S. Navy and the Mark V helmet. Today, U.S. Navy standard dive knives bearing the Schrader stamp on their brass sheath are considered rare collectibles.
 
Despite the prevalence of threaded knives, Schrader also offered an alternative: the friction knife. As the images illustrate, this design features a blade that slides into a brass sheath, secured by a spring-loaded metal strip. This mechanism appears more user-friendly and intuitive than the Mark V's threaded system. Schrader's early 20th-century catalogs featured this friction-style knife.
 
While a more user-friendly design might seem advantageous for divers, the friction knife saw limited success in the United States. The scarcity of surviving examples handled over the past two decades suggests that few divers in the early 20th century preferred this style.
The photos showcase the knife's well-preserved condition. Underwater service has aged it gracefully, leaving an unmistakable patina. The stainless-steel blade, while exhibiting some superficial marks, bears no scars of harsh treatment. The company information on one side of the blade reads "A. Schrader's Son Inc., Brooklyn, N.Y."
 
The wooden handle, boasting a beautiful patina, tells its own tale. A single small crack graces its length, yet the wood remains strong and sturdy. Finally, the brass sheath and other brass hardware are in nice original condition. The original leather strap with brass buckle is intact, but the leather is separated in one section.
 
If you have an antique A. Schrader’s Son Inc. helmet, especially a commercial model, this knife would make a perfect addition to your collection and likely enhance the value of both pieces.
 
The price includes a 4% credit card fee. If you pay by check, money order, or bank wire, the discounted price is $1,795 delivered within the contiguous United States.