Chinese Old Timers - how to spot

B

Bob W

Joined
Dec 31, 2000
Messages
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I'm working on the Old Timer page for an upcoming website. I want to explain how to distinguish the Taylor-Chinese imports from the original USA-made knives. Here's what I have so far:

* If the tang stamp photo shows only "SCHRADE" or "SCHRADE / HAND MADE" it's a Chinese import.
* Some imported Old Timers are stamped or marked "China", but this feature is almost never displayed in ad photos.
* If the packaging mentions Taylor it's a Chinese Import.
* Many imported Old Timers on the re-sale market have 'exotic' handle materials, such as Desert Ironwood or Sheeps Horn. Schrade, to my knowledge, never used these materials on Old Timer knives.
* If the knife blade is marked "First Production Run," it's a Chinese import. There are no such etches on genuine Schrade Old Timers.
* The early Chinese imports have a fancy Old Timer shield with a beaded design around the edge. But so did some special edition Schrade Old Timers, so that's not a dead giveaway.
* Most of the Taylor models are copies of Schrade Old Timer patterns. But there are some Chinese-only models as well, the "159OT Electricians Knife" and the "19OT Land Shark" for examples. Schrade Corp. never produced any such knives.
* Many of the Chinese imports have a "Schrade Classic" or "Schrade Tough" blade etch. There are no such etches on genuine Old Timer knives.
* There are also minor differences (sheath construction, fit and finish, etc.) that will not be evident without close inspection and comparison of the products.
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Any errors, omissions, suggestions?

-Bob
 
some of them say china on the blade...I think those are made in China
 
some of them say china on the blade...I think those are made in China
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I haven't seen an imported Old Timer that actually said "China." Do you have a photo or link?

Maybe they're marked on the backside that isn't usually photographed...

-Bob
 
Thanks for the info.

I think it's OK to post an eBay link. As long as it's for educational/informational use related to the topic, and not advertising your own auction. It's actually a PITA when someone posts only an auction number instead of a direct link...

That ebay auction actually highlights the problem I'm trying to address. The ad doesn't say it's imported and doesn't mention "Taylor" or "China". The photo of the knife is small, fuzzy, and doesn't clearly show the tang stamp. The packaging is also not shown. In fact the photo isn't even of the knife that's for sale - the seller says "no thumb stud" but there's obviously one in the pictured knife.

In short, I think that seller is a sleezeball.

-Bob
 
Do a search on old timer...you will see a lot of those green ones like that, you will also see some of the taylor ones you listed
 
Do a search on old timer...you will see a lot of those green ones like that, you will also see some of the taylor ones you listed
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I've seen hundreds of eBay auctions for Taylor Old Timers. I've yet to see one where "China" is clearly visible on the blade. Are your's marked "china" on the backside?

Thanks again,
-Bob
 
yep

I looked for it when I got it and its right there by the bolster where it should be.

On the larger ones with sheaths...the sheath is not the same
 
http://cgi.ebay.com/Schrade-Old-Tim...102318517QQcategoryZ20271QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
This year's TBLLC Sharpfinger with pile side tiny china (etch or stamp - enlarge the pic and decide).



This is an enlargement of the pile side blade etch on the earlier imported TBLLC knives.

The earliest used the 'special' shield with the raised dentil border. The latest do not seem to. I have neglected to buy one of each to keep up with them.

Michael

PS- Schrade did make a 19OT. Search the forum for lrv's example. It was not a land shark. That is Taylor.
 
The half dozen or so sheath patterns I have personally examined were made from reprocessed bonded leather fiber, not leather (think chipboard). The top surface displays a distinct 'pressed' finish in order to immitate top grain cowhide. Again, TBLLC may have, or may in the future upgrade to leather sheaths.

Michael
 
PS- Schrade did make a 19OT. Search the forum for lrv's example. It was not a land shark. That is Taylor
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I have the 'real' 19OT on my list also. I was certain to include the name "Land Shark" to not create confusion. Did it work? Or did it backfire?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Schrade-Old-Tim...102318517QQcategoryZ20271QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
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Thanks. I actually spent a bit of time trying to find an eBay auction where "China" was visible on a Taylor Old Timer, but couldn't find one. I didn't doubt Azis' word, but was curious to see the stamp for myself.

I did see your Taylor 152OT review from last year and the closeup photo of the China print. Like you said though, it would be easy to remove, and this feature is never shown in detail on any retailer or auction website.

Thanks,
-Bob
 
IF and thats a big If I remember to I would have to take a pic of mine, upload to a file host, download the link to post it...that may be a while :rolleyes:
 
Absolutely not necessary Azis. The eBay auction link shows the location, on the backside of the tang below the model number.

-Bob
 
That is yet another clue. WHile Schrade Waldens sometimes had the company name and location on the tang right and pattern number on tang left, many Taylors have a simple 'schrade' on tang right, with the pattern number on blade left. Not always though. Some of the Taylor fixed blades have machine spun rivets (Annular marks, not smooth and flat like Schrade required).

Best immunization against fakes...er Taylor Chinese imports, it to be familiar with the real thing. Unfortunately, fuzzy photos and obscured markings make it difficult. Pass all these, and you miss some good deals from mom-n-pop sellers who don't know beans about knives.

Michael
 
I have been collecting USA made Schrade knives exclusively for a few years and have recently branched out to include some other US manufacturers (Queen, Schatt & Morgan, Case, Canal Street, Camillus). I never got stuck with any China/Taylor crap.
Recently, I placed a very low bid on a Henckles red bone trapper and won. I didn't like the springs (no snap). The seller was very cool and agreed to exchange it. Turned out all his Henckles were like mine and after some back and forth he offered to send me a Schrade 887OT-B. I didn't want a China/Taylor Schrade (especially since I had recently sold off the excess of the USA made 897UHs from my collection), but this guy was so honorable and trying so hard to do right by me, that I agreed to take the China crap. Only, turns out it's not crap!

It's a good little 897UH substitute. The fit and finish is pretty damn good. It has half stops, carbon blades, nice "genuine buffalo horn" scales, etc... I like it. I wouldn't collect them, but I sure as hell will use them.

Has anyone else tried this model? Codger - you like 897UHs, you should do a comparitive review one of these soon. I think you will be surprised - I know I was...
 
kevins73cigars said:
Has anyone else tried this model? Codger - you like 897UHs, you should do a comparitive review one of these soon. I think you will be surprised - I know I was...
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I don't have one to compare. And I'm not going to purposely buy one. I EDC genuine Schrades. Why don't you do the review?

I have no doubt that the quality of the Chinese knives will improve. Some of the knives imported by Les and others are quite well made. Their versions of computers, lasers, tanks, aircraft and rockets have improved. I owned a rifle made by Polytech Norinco, and except for the finish and propensity to slam fire, it functioned every bit as well as the Soviet made original. I just personally find it distasteful to buy and own the Chinese knives when I can avoid it. I have enough 897UHs to last the rest of my life and then some. Each to his own.

Michael
 
After the onslaught of the first Chinese Schrades, and the problem that arose where most were condemming the fact that they exist, I think it was mentioned that on latter knives they were not etching China on the blades.
something to look out for!

Rusty1
 
what are the quality disadvantages of the chinese Schrades over the originals? i just purchased one on ebay recently and it turned out to be an import. PM me if you can plz.
 
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