The 97OT Buzz Saw Trapper was introduced in 2000, so not a lot were made. $47.95 was the MSRP in 2000, and remained unchanged thru 2004. Any traditional pattern Old Timers made for only five years will be scarce. Notice I did not say rare. The values of these late model knives is very subjective. That is, it depends on who is bidding and how bad they want it. Don't forget to check the shipping and add that to what you bid. I personally would give $20-30 for one if I really needed it. If I had a lust for one and it was pristine, NIB, I might pay $50. But for me at least, that would include shipping and handling.
They do come up on ebay most every week, so don't chase it to the moon. Let the other guys do that. As an example, around Christmas, I got the Schrade lust for a 160OT Mountain Lion fixed blade. "Paitence" my friends here councelled. I watched one knife I went $45 on (NIB) go for over $200. During that auction, I became e-mail friends with the seller, and we sat with "popcorn and beer" watching two guys slug it out. A week or so later I got a good user for $25, then the next week a NIB for $35 or $40. See what I mean?
Keep up a daily search for that model. Put every one of the m on your watch and see what they bring. Pounce on the one that falls through the cracks.
Best advice I can give. Hopefully Del, Larry, OTguy, or another member is more up on the current value of the pattern than I.
Good luck!
Codger
There are about seven on with one less than $30 BIN including shipping, without a box, but it has the UH staglon handles. Beware that some NIB are chinese Taylors. Says so on the box. Only one that I saw was a US made Old Timer with the right scales, and it was a DU issue with the DU shield. This was only a quick search though.
