Does anyone have any of the “John Primbel – Old Timer” knives.

koldgold

koldgold

Joined
Jul 2, 2010
Messages
1,441
Back in the 1970's, Belnap Hardware sold knives made by Schrade with a John Primbel Tang-stamp.
I would like to see if these Old Timers are still about..Ken
 
Last edited:
I have a couple, only one with the original box though. And it was assembled with a Craftsman blade. :D

PrimbleCraftsmanOldTimer.jpg
 
Hi Bob, how do you know it has a Craftsman blade. I though all of the knife was just an 8OT, with a Primble tang stamp.
Please tell me more; I know the 935 sold for $4.57 back in December of 1971.
image.php
 
Last edited:
koldgold said:
Hi Bob, how do you know it has a Craftsman blade. I though all of the knife was just an 8OT, with a Primble tang stamp.
Please tell me more; I know the 935 sold for $4.57 back in December of 1971.
Click to expand...

The same knife was also sold through Sears as a Craftsman "Old Crafty" pocketknife. The example in the photo above has the Belknap/Primble etch and box, but the Craftsman tang stamp.

Craftsman is the tool brand at Sears stores and Primble was the brand name used by Belknap Hardware. Both sold Schrade Old Timer knives that were stamped with the store brands.
Old Timer knives were marked with other store names as well (like Abercrombie & Fitch), but blade etches only. AFAIK Sears and Belknap were the only stores that got their own tang stamps.
 
thawk said:
Does anyone have any John Primble Old Timers that came out with the saw cut bone handles? I know there were some.

http://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/belknap/1970Belknaps.pdf
Click to expand...

Thawk, I do not have any John Primbel knives with saw-cut bone handles.
However, I would like the Premium Stock knife shown in that list, with the Diagonal Bolsters.
The first Buck 301 Stockman, made by Schrade hade the Diagonal Bolsters too. Ken
 
koldgold said:
Bob, all the knives I have are all tang stamped "John Primbel".
Click to expand...

That knife of mine should have a Primble/Belknap stamp as well, like my others. Just goes to show that Schrade was mixing-and-matching knife parts long before 2004. :D
 
Bob, I have just checked the tang stamp on these Old Timers.
First line "JOHN PRIMBLE" Second line "BELKNAP, INC" Third line "U.S.A" . - Rear of tang is stanped "935" and "933" .
 
Last edited:
glad there are such knowledgeable people on here. i have a Primble knife that i received from my father when he passed. it is a 4987 "Texas Jack". in looking at it the the knife number is on the Clip blade and the knife manufature is on the spear. it reads first line "John Primble", 2nd line"Belknap", 3rd line "HDW.& MECCI"? not sure on the last line can not really make out what the last word is. does any one know? age also. even using my magnifying glass cannot make it out. trying very hard not to sand out the words.
 
koldgold said:
Bob, I have just checked the tang stamp on these Old Timers.
First line "JOHN PRIMBLE" Second line "BELKNAP, INC" Third line "U.S.A" . - Rear of tang is stanped "935" and "933" .
Click to expand...

Yep, that's how they're supposed to be. Have you noticed with your Primble OT knives that the tang stamp is very light?

Somewhere I have a list cross-referencing the model numbers between Schrade, Primble, and Old Crafty OT knives. I'll see if I can find it...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top