ID for Old Timer help please

R

Raven's Beak

Joined
Feb 8, 2002
Messages
125
I have an Old Timer folding knife, 5 and 1/4 inches closed, blade almost 4 inches, saw cut delrin scales with sheild marked Old Timer. This knife employs a brass liner lock, and the blade has some patina and appears to be carbon steel. The blade is a flat ground clip point. There are no markings on the blade itself- model #, etc. Shrade does not list this model currently on their website.

I really like this knife and would possibly buy another if I knew what model I am looking for.
 
The knife you are looking for is a discontinued model 125OT. If you send me your email address. I will send a jpeg picture to verify that it is the knife. Unfortunately since my photo storage company went broke (Photo point. com ) I do not know how to post pictures. My email is lt632ret@frontiernet.net. ( Note the first character in this address is a small L not a numeral one, for which it is sometimes confused.) I hope this helps. Rich
 
Hey Rich.
I won't say your wrong because I'm not an expert with Schrade knives.

BUT....

I have a 125OT. The tang is marked Schrade 125OT. The blade is not marked Schrade+, but I was told by Tim Faust that it was.

The blade is 4 1/8 in. from bolster to tip. Flatground.

I'm not sure of handle variations with this model, but mine is a eagle scrimshaw on micarta (?) scales with nickle silver bolsters.

I was informed by Tim that it is indeed discontinued.

If you would like to see this knife click on my photos link below.

Please reply with questions. I always love talking about this knife.


Later,
Alex
 
Your knife indeed has micarta handles. The key note is your tang marking which is Schrade. This marking has been used ( with some variations) from around 1973 until the present, and it was quite possible to get a blade marked just Schrade with a stainless blade. (Schrade + was not the only designation used to denote stainless.) (Some original stainless blades were marked SS or had stainless spelled out others with stainless had Ltd or special edition. (Some had an etch of a razor blade and the word everlastingly sharp stainless steel on the blade.) This was more the rule rather than the exception when you were not dealing with an actual Old Timer or Uncle Henry. But rather a limited or special edition. Your knife is a special edition or limited series as were all of these scrimmed commeratives. I also would not doubt that on some editions you might get a carbon blade if they had a bunch left over and were putting out a new (series)and wanted to try it to see how it sold. Those specifically made as a Uncle Henry or old timer are generally Stainless for the UH series and carbon for the OT series ( just as it is today)( although this particular model (style) is discontinued it was made for the UH and OT product lines.). Even though the basic style of the knives is the same the maker had and used the option to use various materials which they chose for these other editions as well as alternate tang variations. The actual marking of these knives has varied over the years. In any event the knife I was describing in the earlier posting was tang marked Schrade Walden NY USA 125OT ( the marking used from 1946 until 1973). This would be the classic saw cut delrin with old timer shield and would be carbon steel. Since this line began around 1958 the knife I wished ( If I could figure out how to post a picture ) to show was therefore made between 58 and 73. The UH series came out in 68 and some of the earliest were carbon ( very few ) However most of them were stainless and the Schrade + designation was not adopted until several years into the new tang marking that began in 73. ( I mention this just to prove the point.) This was easier when I knew how to put on a picture frankly it took me 10 minutes to figure out how to see your gallery which was pretty straight forward. Why was yours marked OT instead of UH who knows. I have schrades almost 100 years old and some of the variations I have seen are amazing lets not forget knifes are built by people and people make mistakes (nothing is written in stone or in this case steel) so any thing is possible for me the oddities are part of what make the study so interesting. In any event if any one wants to see a jpeg of the knife in question please just email me. Rich
 
WOW!!!
Thanks Rich. That was enlightening.

Where you been hiding anyway. I got more info from you than I got from Schrade. I checked your profile. Pretty vague but I guess your location might be a major factor. Did you used to work for Schrade?

Back to the knife.
You were right about the special edition. I got this knife for ten years of service with the company I work for.
I was really disappointed at first that it was not carbon steel, but after a while I realized that this knife was too nice too be a user. So I guess the SS is better.
I'd like to find a more usable version. ie carbon steel, dark wood or bone. I really like the handle shape (two large finger grooves instead of four small ones). Very comfortable. I think it would make a great user.
I'm curious to see what Ravens Beak thinks about his.


Later,
Alex
 
I pop in from time to time a few of the people will know me. I am a retired state peace officer who has been involved with these items and there history for some time. It is a long story I do have an interest in learning whatever I can regarding this subject. If you go to ebay and look up # 1074616958 it will give you an idea of my interests and one of my latest projects. ( George Schrade was the father of the subject of this ebay item so you do pick up some information in it's study) I also love to talk knives especially regarding Schrade and cutlery companies from the local ( Mid Hudson area.) It is good to know you and thankyou for the nice words. If you are ever looking for something in particular, especially old stuff or information. Just email me it would be my pleasure to help if I can. Just as it is always my pleasure to learn something new. Good to know you Rich
 
Rich is on the money. It looks identical to the 125-OT EXCEPT it has no marking on the blade at all, sawcut Delrin handles and a Lanyard hole in the rear bolster.When did Schrade make knives with unmarked blades? Just 'OLD TIMER' on the sheild?
My father bought this knife at a flea market so I have no info about it at all. Damn good knife though.

thanks,
Patrick
 
Chances are it is a second that is an example that for whatever reason was not sold as new. ( this has no effect on the use of the knife they are usually just as good ) There are several ways unmarked knives appear however these often do appear at non stores ( like flea markets ). Unmarked knives are generally not marketed by the Schrade company itself, but they are a fact of life. Generally the more oddball an item you find the better its collector value. E mail me if you are looking for a 125OT I may be able to help. Rich
 
Rich, if I understand you, other companies were making these knives for Schrade, correct? And the seconds didn't go to Schrade, but the makers found other outlets. If so, who all made these knives?

Mine is just marked "SCHRADE USA 125OT" and the shield is missing. Is there any source for a replacement shield?

As to whether it's a good user or not, sure it is. I just dug mine out of the drawer a few weeks ago for the first time in years, and carried it to work for a week.
This blade shape will do fine work as well as heavier stuff. There's a lot to be said for a thin-bladed carbon steel pocket knife, of course, and one this size with a lock is even better.
 
Apparently my limited writing ability has given you the completely wrong idea. Schrade is the company which has made countless contract knives for many many companies. Not the other way around. Keen Kutter, Primble LL Bean, Case ,Sears and a host of others just about everyone. In fact one of the reasons this company is vibrant and viable today is just for that reason ( that it can adjust and give a product to the field that other companies cannot produce as well or at the price that Schrade can). It is just that often knives either seconds or knives that did not meet standards (or made it out of the factory) for one reason or another often can be found in numerous after markets. In the old days it was not unusual for a cutler to take a couple of parts here and there as a project for a friend or relative, the results today can be quite interesting and rare.

I presently have a LL Bean ( similiar to a LB-7) on ebay it is marked LL Bean on one side and Schrade on the other. ( It is a Schrade on contract to LL Bean, knife) Over the years You can find many examples of this for a while Schrade owned IXL I have a large folder marked IXL and Schrade on Knifeauction.com at this time. I mention this just to make the point.

Never be surprised at what you may find from a tang XXXXX out to an unmarked blade. Once again it depends do you want an oddity , a user, or a complete collection. By the way your particular knife was made after 1973 according to the tang you describe. Also these were made in several handle materials if it is Saw cut delrin in the fashion of an OT it should have a shield. Marked Old Timer. if in jigged plastic ( delrin ) bone or another material it may or may not even have a shield To my knowledge there is no commercial company which would inlet and attach such a shield. Also the cost would seem not to make it worth the trouble. However I am sure any custom maker would do it if you really felt it important. Rich
 
Thanks, Rich, I'm sure it's my reading ability that was at fault for me misunderstanding you. I should have known better, as big as Schrade is. Yes, this knife is sawcut and it's obvious the shield just fell out. It's not a big deal though. I've been assembling some kit knives, and trying to learn a little that way, I'll make a shield myself some day.

This is the first time I ever even looked at this forum, but it's good to know someone with so much knowledge is around here. I'll be taking a closer look at used Schrades I see at shows.

Thanks again.
 
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