The good news is I found some old inventory made in U.S Schrade Old Timer stockman's (8OT) and some made in U.S Buck stockmans (301). Bad news was they only had one 8OT and two 301's. They all had weak springs on at least one blade, not much snap on at least one blade each, and some side to side play on at least one blade each. A little leary of buying online now. I want to be able to physically check them out before I buy. Was very disapointed, but did not buy anything so at least I was only out the 90 minute round trip and was able to get some other things done so it wasn't a total waste of time.
My old Craftsman from 1982 I took for comparison was way better than what I had found. Even the store clerk said mine was nicer than what he had. Even with it being a little beat up, and the blades marred by use and sharpening.
I think I'll just keep my old Craftsman and donate what I would have spent on a knife/knives to the Red Cross. We donated when Katrina hit and it looks like the Red Cross can use it even more now since Rita hit. Besides, hurricane season isn't over yet either.
Anyway, thanks for all the input. I'm not giving up, just going to wait until I find somewhere that has more inventory. Will still be looking at U.S Made Buck's, Schrades, Case, Camillus etc. made with carbon steel blades (except the Buck). But for now, my old Craftsman is just fine.
Thansk again,
Mike
My old Craftsman from 1982 I took for comparison was way better than what I had found. Even the store clerk said mine was nicer than what he had. Even with it being a little beat up, and the blades marred by use and sharpening.
I think I'll just keep my old Craftsman and donate what I would have spent on a knife/knives to the Red Cross. We donated when Katrina hit and it looks like the Red Cross can use it even more now since Rita hit. Besides, hurricane season isn't over yet either.
Anyway, thanks for all the input. I'm not giving up, just going to wait until I find somewhere that has more inventory. Will still be looking at U.S Made Buck's, Schrades, Case, Camillus etc. made with carbon steel blades (except the Buck). But for now, my old Craftsman is just fine.
Thansk again,
Mike