97OT staglon

jjsmith

jjsmith

Gold Member
Joined
Sep 19, 2010
Messages
1,132
I just picked up a Schrade 97OT with staglon handle. It does not have the old timer shield on it. The blade is stamped Schrade 97OT. Most of these I have seen are stamped Schrade+ 97OT. Is it possible my knife could have carbon steel blades? Im not real sure how to tell. I just started collecting these schrades a few months ago. Thanks for any help.
 
Here's a link to 2000 catalog (first year 97OT offered) at Larry V's great site:

http://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/Catalogs/images/2000-CATS.pdf

Here's another link to AAPK which has great info too:

http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/schrade_knives/price_list/old_timer.php

As you will see the "Buzz Saw Trapper" had carbon not stainless blades (at first though it went to stainless in '03 or '04). When it comes to stamps "Schrade+" always means it's stainless while "Schrade" (no plus sign) usually indicates carbon. Generally Old Timers were carbon and Uncle Henry's were stainless though this isn't a hard-and-fast rule either. Also, "Saw Cut" delrin handles and "Old Timer" shield are what you would expect on a 97OT so Staglon is an oddity for this model but as I was told early on when I started collecting these: "Anything is possible with Schrade".

Welcome to the addictive world of Schrade collecting. Enjoy!
 
Last edited:
If you plan to put this trapper to use, you can cut (or saw :D) an apple with it and see if it gets a patina started. It should be a carbon steel one marked SCHRADE, but if what some folks say is true, there are some of those which are stainless. The 97OT is one of the most varied examples of Schrade knives. There were some of these with actual sawcut delrin instead of the staglon along with the pick and tweezers (originals like Dave mentioned). I think towards the "end" there were an ample amount of 97OT blades that got used with different frames/handles. I think it is possible some might have two different steels on the blades too. Not all of them I've seen have the saw blade like that.
 
Last edited:
In 2004 as the Schrade factory was closing, the employees made knives with whatever remaining parts were in inventory. These are informally referred to as "End of Days" knives.

They must have had a pile of extra 97OT blades and a pile of Uncle Henry handles, because those 97OT with plasti-stag handles are quite common. I have two in fact, one as a single-blade knife and one in a two-blade configuration.
 
In the picture below the top Two knives both have a 97OT on the tang. the other knife was also made about the same time and has LTD on the tang, none have shields. I also have a yellow sawcut trapper with 97OT tang stamped.

Russell

dsc01122ci4.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top