Did 80T stockmans ever come in stainless?

crom

crom

Joined
Mar 29, 2007
Messages
3,219
This is a USA made 80T and the seller lists it as having stainless blades.
Thanks,
Kevin
 
Is there a pic? If so, I think the USA Schrades distinguished the stainless blades as 'SCHRADE +', whereas the carbon blades are simply marked 'SCHRADE'. I don't know myself if the USA-made 8OT ever did have stainless, but the stamp on the blade should make it clear. I'm sure others will provide more input here...

Looking at listings of the newer Chinese-made 8OT, I think those are stainless.
 
I have heard that the last of the Old Timers, which traditionally did not have stainless blades, may have had such, even though there might not be a "plus" sign on the tang. I cannot confirm this. BTW, stainless steel has carbon in it. Carbon is what differentiates steel from iron.
 
tongueriver said:
I have heard that the last of the Old Timers, which traditionally did not have stainless blades, may have had such, even though there might not be a "plus" sign on the tang. I cannot confirm this. BTW, stainless steel has carbon in it. Carbon is what differentiates steel from iron.
Click to expand...

We all know that stainless steel has carbon in it. We also know, in the knife using community, what people really mean when they refer to 'carbon blade' vs. 'stainless blade'. It's just a simple way to differentiate what's being talked about.
 
It could well have stainless blades, the story goes that Schrade started to use Stainless and put them through on Old Timers without much publicity, some time during the early to mid 90's IRRC.

Russell
 
Thanks guys, I'll have to contact the seller to ask if the stamp has the "schrade+" on the tang. I may go for it even if it is stainless. My 34OT is awesome but just a tad too small.
K
 
Rusty1 said:
It could well have stainless blades, the story goes that Schrade started to use Stainless and put them through on Old Timers without much publicity, some time during the early to mid 90's IRRC.

Russell
Click to expand...

Do you know if these were marked in some special way (as in 'SCHRADE +' or 'STAINLESS') on the blades? I've seen at least one other special Schrade stockman pattern ('The Kentucky Rifle' from the '70s) with white Delrin handles and rifle inlay, that was marked 'SCHRADE' (without the '+') on the front of the blade tang, but also marked 'STAINLESS' on the back of each of the 3 blades. This one wasn't an 8OT per se, but I think it was built on the same pattern (4" stockman).

There're also a few genuine red/chestnut bone-handled USA Schrade stockmans out there, with a fancier 'Old Timer' shield, but also with the 'SCHRADE +' steel & mark. These were limited runs, I think (maybe from the '90s, I'm not sure).

I've not yet seen a true, USA-made '8OT' (as marked, standard version w/sawcut Delrin handles) with blades marked as stainless, though. Not saying they're not out there, I just haven't seen one like that yet.
 
Last edited:
Rusty1 said:
It could well have stainless blades, the story goes that Schrade started to use Stainless and put them through on Old Timers without much publicity, some time during the early to mid 90's IRRC.

Russell
Click to expand...

I don't recall where this info came from, but it has been around for years.

I don't have any of the Blue White and Red boxes Schrade used in the late 90's and early 2000's, but I thought the Old Timers still said High Carbon Steel. I know the Uncle Henry Boxes say Stainless + Steel.

I don't know how to do a quick test on a blade to differentiate either, without putting a quick stain on it.
 
I'm pretty sure I've seen a few on the bay that were stamped

Schrade+
U.S.A. 8OT

I want to say one ended here a few weeks or so ago. It was on my watch list, but went out of range.

Chuck

Should also add I've seen 881s stamped the same way
 
Last edited:
OK, if it IS a stainless 8OT, what is the Schrade stainless comparable to? Is it on par with Case"s tru-sharp?
thanks,
kevin
 
The 881 with SCHRADE+ is the Founders Edition SFO that came in a tin/clampack, with a money clip. Has SCHRADE on the shield. Not sure of the production year, not too common.

If anyone comes across one, please post pictures of an 8OT stamped with SCHRADE+
 
The only Old Timer I have seen with a + on the tang was the 858, early knives just had the 858, later stainless versions did have the plus on the tangs. Maybe there are other models out there somewhere.

Russell
 
Not all of the Schrade Old Timers that were changed over to stainless were so marked. I remember Ms. Chase telling us that she had to field complaints about that. The catalogs and packaging weren't changed to say stainless either.

By the "end of days", carbon steel had pretty well been phased out. One main reason given was the unacceptable return rate from major retailers like Sears and WalMart. Their deal with Schrade was a no-questions asked return policy. It got to the point that they worked out a method of "in-field destruction" rather than absorb the cost of return shipping and remanufacturing them. Modern buyers looked upon blade staining as a manufacturing defect, and WalMart had become the tail that wagged the dog.
 
That makes a lot of sense Michael. I could see that getting way out of control at WalMart.

The 98OT and 93OT were SCHRADE+ from the get go. I have a 5OT stamped SCHRADE+, and 3OT too.
 
Codger_64 said:
Modern buyers looked upon blade staining as a manufacturing defect, and WalMart had become the tail that wagged the dog.
Click to expand...

And no doubt a large percentage of those returning the knives for blade staining had just dulled the blades and instead of learning how to get them back sharp, chose the easy/dishonorable route of returning it to Walmart and getting a shiny new sharp one for their "trouble".

I had a family memeber that took great pleasure in returning things to Walmart that he had literally worn out to abuse their return policy. He had absolutely no morals and would take coffee makers that were three years old back after they had given daily service.
 
thawk said:
The 881 with SCHRADE+ is the Founders Edition SFO that came in a tin/clampack, with a money clip. Has SCHRADE on the shield. Not sure of the production year, not too common.

If anyone comes across one, please post pictures of an 8OT stamped with SCHRADE+
Click to expand...

I'd basically assumed there probably weren't any, so if I do come across one, I'll probably BUY it, if possible.:D Sounds like it could be a unique find, if there's one (or a few) out there.
 
Rusty1 said:
The only Old Timer I have seen with a + on the tang was the 858, early knives just had the 858, later stainless versions did have the plus on the tangs. Maybe there are other models out there somewhere.

Russell
Click to expand...

I've seen some 7OT lockbacks both with, and without, the '+' mark. As mentioned earlier, I've also noticed this with the 858OT.
 
I have brown handle 5OT's both with and without the plus sign. I have green handle (and brass bolsters) 5OT's both with and without the plus sign. The green OT with the plus sign also has a hollow ground blade.
 
he only Old Timer I have seen with a + on the tang was the 858, early knives just had the 858, later stainless versions did have the plus on the tangs. Maybe there are other models out there somewhere.
Click to expand...

Here is a quick list of Old Timer models from my collection that are marked with a "+":
3OT
5OT
5OTG
6OT
7OT
53OTG
55OTG
93OT
98OT

If there were any stainless 8OT knives, they were made at the very end of production and likely aren't marked with a +. They'd certainly be packaged in the last style of box (blue and gray), but undoubtedly not all of the blue-gray boxes contain stainless knives. Not sure how you'd go about specifically shopping for one.

edited to add: I wonder if any of the limited edition Old Timers over the years were made with stainless blades?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top