You know, for what I gather was not a top of the line offering, the Waldens of that era were top notch, beautiful fit and finish, brass liner and bolsters, tight grain walnut? scales, great hinge that is still smooth but firm and made in the US.
The Schrade Walden name was used from 1946 to 1973, after Albert Baer purchased Schrade Cut Co. He changed the company name to Schrade Walden, and change the name again in 1973 Schrade. I have a few dozen Schrade Walden knives and several hundred Schrade knives. It's a hobby that is at least is addicting as collecting pipes!
The 204 is a work knife, an electricians knife. They were very well made, and made to last but they were not the prettiest knives. The handles are Rosewood, probably cocobolo. They're a knife that will last a lifetime or two.
When it comes to cutting tobacco, I use whichever EDC knife I have in my pocket. Sometimes a Benchmade, often a Kershaw and today it is a Schrade Old Timer 34OT.
It is one I customized several years ago, and messed it up. I wasn't happy with it so I threw it in a drawer in my workbench and decided I would carry it with me on this trip to Alaska. If I forget it is in my pocket, and TSA confiscates it, I won't be heartbroken.