Help with "Old Timer" I.D.

[bergholz]

Hello everyone and Happy Thanksgiving! I hope all is having and nice, safe, and enjoyable holiday with their family. Here I have a very cherished Old Timer that was once my fathers'. He passed 3 years ago, and I never got a chance to inquire about this particular knife. I found it in some of his belongings, cleaned her up best I could, and put it in with my collection. Since then I've read some things on old slipjoints, and became curious in what I might have. I never knew much about Schrade's, and just became aware of how the were (bought out?) And started over - sea's production. I know this must be old, I'm thinking around 80's maybe? Anyways here are some pictures. Hopefully you guys can help me out with a little back story on it. Much appreciated!
- Justin

 

[koldgold]

Hi bergholz from Australia, that little knife looks like a 104OT Minuteman.
It sold from 1991 - 2004, it is 2.75" long and the last retail price was US$25.95 in 2004.
I hope this helps... Ken.

 

[Bob W]

I never knew much about Schrade's, and just became aware of how the were (bought out?) And started over - sea's production.

That knife was made by the Imperial Schrade Corporation; they went bankrupt in 2004. The names and designs were purchased at the bankrupcy auction by Taylor Brands, who now import Old Timer knives from China.

Yours is certainly a Schrade original. The 104OT, a small two-blade stockman, was called the "minuteman." Not sure when the production of this model started, but I think it continued right up until the factory closed. A common and inexpensive model, definitely one of the more popular Old Timers. A forum search for 104OT should turn up more information.

Old Timer knives in general offered sawcut Delrin handles, carbon steel blades, and nickel-silver bolsters.

 

[bergholz]

Thank you gentleman, your info is much appreciated.

 

[bigskydawg]

I have an OLD TIMER 3 blade pocket knife that closely resembles this model. However, the pocket (main) blade looks to be a turkish clip. The blade only has the number 36815, USA, and a logo or trademark that appears to be a W with a horizontal bar through it. The blade next to it appears to be a pen/spey hybrid. The closed length is 3-1/4" or possibly 3-5/16". The The handle appears to be saw cut brown delrin. It "talks" and "walks" perfectly.

I would post some pictures but I can't seem to paste them to the URL the forum requires. I could email to you though.

 

[Bob W]

Welcome, Bigskydawg (Montana?).

To post pictures at Bladeforums, simply upload your images to a photo-hosting website (I use Photobucket) and insert the link into your forum post.

I have seen other companies making knives nearly identical to the Schrade Old Timers. But I'm not familiar with the tang stamp you've described.

 

[thawk]

Here is Bigskydawg's Old Timer. It looks like an Ulster 58OT to me, if it is 3 1/4" closed. Never seen this stamp. Sure looks like a genuine Old Timer.

Let us know Rick. Is it 3 1/4" closed length, or is this a 2 3/4" mystery knife?

 

[Bob W]

That looks like a factor error.
One possibility, that W tang stamp was from a knife contract-made by Schrade for another company. I don't recognize it. The W might be crossed out to indicate a Factory Second. Since that blade was the same size and shape as used in that Old Timer knife, it got assembled together with Old Timer handles. We've seen similar factory errors many times here on the forums.

That's my best guess.

Another less-likely possibility, that blade was installed later as a replacement or repair. The knife doesn't show any signs of being taken apart though.

 

[Codger_64]

It looks like a superimposed WT to me. The pattern number suggests that it is an SFO for someone, a cutlery supply or hardware jobber. Like W. T. Weaver & Sons. That firm has been in business since 1889.

 

[bigskydawg]

Thanks guys for your help to identify the OLD TIMER. It is 3-1/4" when closed. Observing the tang stamp under 20X magnification reveals a "T" shaped mark that closely resembles a longhorn steer head on top of the "W". The stamp is definitely a one piece image. Therefore, it is NOT a strike through or an X out. The "W" is a block letter and the "T" has points on all three tips.