512ot

orvet

orvet

Joined
Oct 11, 2005
Messages
1,771
As most of you know I am often critical of the way some ebay sellers list their knives. Here is a prime example: #280038655344.
He lists it as "VERY RARE 512OT ERROR Schrade Old Timer 152OT Knife"
It is of course a 512OT, a stainless version of the 152OT. According to info Codger posted before, they were made circa 1989-1992. I believe Codger posted a pic of one that he has in an old thread.
The knife is fairly rare, I would dare say, but it is not worth the $99.99 starting bit, (at least not to me).

Y'all have a nice week,
Dale
 
This is a relisting of an auction that went off last week without reaching his reserve. I was a bidder on that auction, bidding it's value to me. With this relisting he is now showing his reserve, the $99.99 starting bid. You are correct, his info is all wrong. But I thought the same thing until I did some in-depth research and found the real story on the 512OT. My example of this knife came to me exactly as the seller describes, from a hardware store stock, and in the regular production box. A later found piece of the puzzle was an original, unused box with the 512OT text on it. This was the black laqured box intended for European sales. And the clincher was a dated copy of the print for the 512OT tang stamp. Myself, Robert Clemente and several other of the Schrade collectors I know have one.

I wouldn't give what he is asking for that knife, but maybe someone will. If not, we may see it come around again for $79.99, $69.99, $59.99, 49.99...and so forth until it sells. I don't have a problem with someone trying to get a windfall on a knife. Just don't expect me to pay it!

Codger

Codger
 
Codger_64 said:
I don't have a problem with someone trying to get a windfall on a knife. Just don't expect me to pay it!

Codger
Click to expand...

I hear that! :D
$50-$60 MIB might be OK, but starting at $100........a bit much I think.:eek:

Just my $.02
Dale
 
Yes, given the amount of time that has elapsed since production ceased, I can see the Sharpfingers approaching their last MSRP of $37.95, though they were usually "footballed" much lower. A 20% premium above that for an odd Sharpfinger (no exotic handle materials, fancy etches, shields, engravings, LE special serials etc.) would be expected and reasonable. That would be $45.00. A $70 appreciation seems a bit much for this one.

The records for 1991 indicate only 25 shipped, and none shipped for the following four years. But the total inventory of 2,181 pieces produced dwindled from 2,156 to 1,077 to 221 to 0, indicating that they were salted into the regular 152OT production to unload the excess inventory for which there was no market beyong the initial 25 sent out in 1991. Their appearance on the U.S. market in regular production boxes supports this theory. The fact remains that while they are uncommon, they were not an error, except in judgement perhaps of the European sales office and the factory New Products Office for tooling up the order and running off 2,000 pieces (plus the normal 200 pc. +/- over run). Ditching them in the regular production boxes was a smart move in recovering the production costs, less the cost of the new tang stamp. No one really noticed the difference on the retail end, except that the order used stainless blading, the odd stamp. These did not have the later introduced stainless blades with hollow grind.

Codger

(PS- The saga of the 19OT and 518OT are parallel)
 
Codger_64 said:
Codger

(PS- The saga of the 19OT and 518OT are parallel)
Click to expand...

Codger you lost me......did you mean 512 instead of 518?:confused:
I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer..........did I miss something or is that a typo?

Thanks,
Dale
 
In early March of 1991, an order was received by Tim Faust, products Manager at ISC Ellenville, from the European sales office for five special Old Timer patterns for export only. These knives, designated “Product Family - Old Timer Europe”, were the19OT, 126OT, 226OT, 512OT, and 518OT, all based upon domestic patterns, but with unique tang stamps and stainless blades. All were specified to be placed in black varnished boxes with gold imprinting, and packed with a standard OT/UH brochure.


19OT - A two blade pen knife, stainless blades and springs, OT handles.
Est. Qty. 1991: 600
Total Produced: 1,835
Total shipped to Europe: 251

126OT - One blade Mustang, stainless blade, OT handles, same knife as 125OT except stainless.
Est. Qty. 1991: 1,000
Total Produced: 1,483
Total shipped to Europe: 637

226OT - Same knife as 225OT except stainless.
Est. Qty. 1991: 500
Total Produced:
Total shipped to Europe: 953
(A subsequent order for this pattern appeared in 1994 for 500 pieces)

512OT - Same knife as 152OT except stainless.
Est. Qty. 1991: 750
Total Produced: 2,181
Total shipped to Europe:25

518OT - Same knife as 158OT except stainless.
Est. Qty. 1991: 600
Total Produced: 2,246
Total shipped to Europe: 26

It is unknown exactly what became of these knives, other than the numbers shipped to Europe, except that some of the 19OT and 512OT have shown up on the U.S. market in regular production boxes, and they dwindled in the year end inventory without showing shipment to Europe. I am yet to acquire an example of the 19OT, 518OT, 126OT, or 226OT. No record has been found indicating that the subsequent 1994 order for the 226OT was ever filled. Oddly, the tangstamp order blueprint for the 512OT is dated 9-28-90. The whole story is as yet unknown.

Codger
 
Great info as usual Codger you're a legend in your own lunch time mate!
Isnt it a pity Ebay doesnt offer a wanted listing by buyers that sellers could respond to? No doubt some of those knives found their way to Australia.
I will continue to scan Aussie and European Ebay to pick up any listings and advise. Hoo Roo
 
Keep your eyes open for this box design then. This is Larry's 19OT. The same box design was specified for all of these, and was also used on the PH-1 and PH2 European knives. For those who didn't know, for order and distribution purposes, ISC considered Australia and NZ a part of Europe, or I should say the European market..



Codger
 
Larry ,Ebay does have a Wanted search.It's on the left side of the searches page.I haven't used it but it is there.Arnold
 
The seller has revised his listing. SOMEONE contacted him with the information I posted here for you collectors and he lowered his starting price.

Perhaps I should have witheld my posting until the auction was over, as some of you know I have done in the past. It is never my intention to drive prices on ebay, especially on a particular auction. I feel like this is, if not my fault, then at least my responsibility. I apologize to the members here and will try to be more circumspect in my postings. Perhaps such specific details of productions are best left to the book I am working on.

Again, my apologies,
Codger
 
I've thought in the past that everyone needs to be careful about asking questions about ebay items.You end up with higher pricers and more snipers.If it is something I'm selling I love it .If I'm the buyer I don't like it.Codger, hurry up with the book.I'll take the first.Arnold
 
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