Giving an Old Timer a second chance

[StuntDouble]

A while back, I posted about a Schrade 8OT that I picked up from a hardware store. I was pretty disappointed with the condition of the knife, the fact it had nail breaker springs and the blades were all dull. I pretty much just tried to sharpen it up, got disgusted with it, and put it in a box of knives I'd planned on selling or giving away, and left it there. Well, in the time since I've posted this, it's gone back and forth between the knives I wanted to keep, and the ones I wanted to get rid of, finally settling in with the ones I wanted to keep. It sat in that box, unused for several months, until yesterday.

I just happened to stumble on it while I was looking through my other knives, and just out of curiosity, I pulled out the 8OT to examine it. I was surprised to find that the springs weren't quite as hard to open as I first thought. I was also surprised to find that I had gotten the blades quite sharp. Pretty much the only regret I had was that I'd scratched the blades so badly when I was thinning up the edges. It's still a rougher animal than either of my Case Trappers, but I think that means it'll be that much easier using for whatever tasks might come my way.

 

[Peter Parker]

Your not going to beat an 80T for a user! When I found out Shrade had closed their US doors I rushed out to get another 80T, but they had sold out. I had to settle for the Uncle Henry version 885UH which I like just as good.

 

[NirreBosse]

My suggestion. Use 1000 grit sandpaper to solve the problem with scratches on the blade. Only move in one direktion, up and down from the edge. This gives a new surface. Then eat apples for some days and wohla, the 1095 has taken a patina that is nice to look at.

Bosse

 

[338375]

I have an older 34OT that your story reminded me of. I got it from a pawn shop for 10.00 IIRC. Even with my mediocre sharpening skills, that little knife is a cutter. As I thin out my herd, I continually look at the knife, but I just can't sell it.....

 

[StuntDouble]

I think I'm just going to live with the scratches. Heck, once I get a patina on the blades, you won't really be able to see them anyway. Plus, it already looks like it's been used, so I won't be afraid to get more scratches on there.

 

[cj65]

For some reason, Schrade metal is the easiest for me to get shaving sharp. It really takes little effort to put a nice holding edge on them. The OT's are great knives, I cannot part with mine.

 

[sunnyd]

I think I'm just going to live with the scratches. Heck, once I get a patina on the blades, you won't really be able to see them anyway. Plus, it already looks like it's been used, so I won't be afraid to get more scratches on there.

Here, Hear Chris thats the spirit!. :thumbup:

They are fine slipjoint users and the sooner they take a little lick'en the quicker you'll want them and keep 'em kick'en & tick'en!

I have more than just a few Old Timers & Uncle Henry's and the old Schrades are sure hard as hell to beat.

Best,

Anthony

 

[Buck_Fan]

I have one. It was my dads EDC for many years.

Great knife. I have cleaned it up a little more since this picture. I am going to finish the edge up since I got 2 new ceramic stones for my Gatco system. Should sharpen up nice.

Bill

 

[orca8589]

I bought an 80T at an antique store, in good used shape, and it's one of my favorites. I liked it so much that I bought an Old Timer/Primble 8OT too.

My Sunday knife is a 33OT, smaller in the pocket; I've also made it a point to carry a little 12OT for a week at a time, and it served well too. The Old Timer brown delrin-brass liner-carbon steel combination is my favorite style, hands down.

thx - cpr

 

[mnblade]

My Sunday knife is a 33OT, smaller in the pocket ... The Old Timer brown delrin-brass liner-carbon steel combination is my favorite style, hands down.

Lately I've been toting my 33OT Middleman Jack as well. This knife really means a lot to me, as it was given to my grandfather by a bunch of kids as a token of appreciation for volunteering at their school. He never carried it because he didn't carry a folder (had just one arm; left the other on the field during the Battle of the Bulge) and after he died, it was on a shelf, still new in the box. Still, even if all the "scars" on it have been put there by me since he passed away, it still reminds me of Pop and of all the people who loved him.

 

[orca8589]

mnblade - great story. Those are the best knives to have, the ones with history. My son already knows that my 8OT is special; he's seen me use it, and he's used it on occasion.

thx - cpr

 

[kidwholaughs]

I was pretty disappointed with the condition of the knife, the fact it had nail breaker springs and the .

Hi Chris,

Many people have problems with tough springs because of poor technique. I cut myself on my 80T once because of it. The trick is always move the handle around the blade and not the other way around.

God Bless

 

[StuntDouble]

kidwholaughs,

Funny you should mention that, I just figured that out the other day. Now I'm finding the 8OT is much easier to open.

 

[StuntDouble]

Here's a couple of pics of the ol' girl. You can't see it in the pictures, but the main blade is nicely convexed now, and pretty much has a zero grind right to the edge.