- Joined
- Jan 1, 2006
- Messages
- 9
First of all, I was searching for a good Knife; a knife a man could use, and would last for as long as I would have needed it. In my search, I came across a Schrade pattern. The 165; in my ignorance of collectors value and practical knowledge of knife usage, I became innocently obsessed by a blade and handle design that in all practical and aesthetic value was the best choice.
To top this off, I searched the net for information concerning the knife, only to find this man calling himself Codger 64 singing the praises of this knife, its maker and design. So much information was provided by this sportsman that I found myself searching for one myself, as if there were no other knife worth having.
In my search for information, I found such tangents as:
The Schrade Old Timer 165OT Woodsman is my favorite classic Schrade pattern. The OT version was first introduced in 1967 and produced continuously for twenty-four years, nearly a quarter of a century. It was produced for six years with the Schrade Walden stamp (1967-73), then for eighteen in with the Schrade tang stamp (1974-91). (Schrade moved to Ellenville, New York circa 1958, but the company name and stamp did not change until mid 1973).
The Woodsman has brown saw cut delrin handles held to the full tang by three nickle silver flat head rivets, and a 1 1/8" nickle silver Old Timer shield. A two-piece pinned brass contoured guard seperates the handle from the 4 5/8" saber ground 1095 carbon steel blade. It weighs in at 8.8 ounces, a full half pound without the sheath. A stiff blade, the blade stock is nearly 3/16" thick, and remains nearly full thickness from the butt of the exposed full tang to within 1/2" of the tip, where the saber grind rises to the point.
There are some small distinctions between the Walden knives and the later ones from Ellenville. These are relatively minor engineering changes, but help to distinguish the chronology of production.
Earliest production was not marked with a "PAT. PEND." tang stamp or blades etch, as was the earlier introduced 15OT Deer slayer, at least not that I have seen. Perhaps this led to some complications with production and stocking the 15OT's. The 165's were, however serialized. So far, the earliest serial number I have seen is #9, xxx. The first tang stamps were parallel to the blade on blade left with SCHRADE over WALDEN over 165. The serial number was imprinted on the left tang parallel to the guard.
Sometime after serial #18, xxx, the tang stamp was moved to blade right and then the serial numbers were discontinued. Later Ellenville blades all have the tang stamp on blade right and as far as I have seen, were not serialized. Interestingly, I have never seen the "OT designation added to the "165" on a tang stamp, but the Uncle Henrys do have the "UH" designation added.
The Walden knives have a slightly convex curved front edge on the lower guard matching the concave curve on the back edge for finger relief. Ellenville knives do not. The front edge is left flat, saving a casting detail, or machining step.
Only four sheath designs have been found so far, not really enough of a sampling to establish an accurate chronology. One used in 1969-70 was a tubular sheath with long belt hanger, sewn with four rivets added. Another is a basket weave tooled sheath, flat sewn. This one could be aftermarket. In addition, an early one, perhaps the earliest, flat sewn with a short belt hanger, and a rivet at each side of the throat. The most common, naturally is the later flat sewn with a third ply added to the center protecting the stitching from the blade. Then the stone pocket sheaths, original issue with the 160OT Mountain Lion (1990-95) and the 153UH (1974-04) appear with the later 165OT's, though these may be replacement sheaths.
Early success of the 165OT inspired Schrade to issue an Uncle Henry version of the knife. The UH version, named the Prospector, made a short two year production run at Walden (1969-70) and was revived in 1994 for a four year run in Ellenville, retiring again after 1997. Later, the pattern was produced for limited editions and private issues from time to time.
The differences between the first and second issue knives are minor. One unique feature does stand out on the Walden issue, besides the obvious tang stamps and serial numbers. The top of the tang has eight thumb rest grooves.
Other than the thumb rest grooves on the first issue, the 165UH bore all of the trademark features of its Old Timer brother with the following exceptions. Staglon replaced the saw cut Delran, the shield was brass with the Uncle Henry signature the handle rivets were brass, and the UH designation was added to the 165 tang stamp.
My own interest in these knives, though discontinued ten years now and made by a company no longer existing, began more than thirty years ago when I purchased one for my hunting and camping adventures. The serpentine handle and heft have become so familiar that it is difficult to use and carry another pattern. The blade sweep is etched in my memory so that I can use it in near total darkness without loosing blood. I will continue my quest to dig out obscure facts and details on the 165's. Not that anyone cares, but I find it personally interesting.
So much information about, what was, before 2004, just another knife: shows that Codger 64 is possibly a true hunter and American sportsman.
Along these lines of reasoning, I have found no other reason then to continue my pursuit of this Schrade knife in carbon steel and stainless form. My bitch is that you, Codger 64 and possibly I, are contributing what seems to be the ever-increasing value of Schrade 165s OT and UH on eBay.
I guess this was a different kind of ramble.
Respectfully
doublegun3
To top this off, I searched the net for information concerning the knife, only to find this man calling himself Codger 64 singing the praises of this knife, its maker and design. So much information was provided by this sportsman that I found myself searching for one myself, as if there were no other knife worth having.
In my search for information, I found such tangents as:
The Schrade Old Timer 165OT Woodsman is my favorite classic Schrade pattern. The OT version was first introduced in 1967 and produced continuously for twenty-four years, nearly a quarter of a century. It was produced for six years with the Schrade Walden stamp (1967-73), then for eighteen in with the Schrade tang stamp (1974-91). (Schrade moved to Ellenville, New York circa 1958, but the company name and stamp did not change until mid 1973).
The Woodsman has brown saw cut delrin handles held to the full tang by three nickle silver flat head rivets, and a 1 1/8" nickle silver Old Timer shield. A two-piece pinned brass contoured guard seperates the handle from the 4 5/8" saber ground 1095 carbon steel blade. It weighs in at 8.8 ounces, a full half pound without the sheath. A stiff blade, the blade stock is nearly 3/16" thick, and remains nearly full thickness from the butt of the exposed full tang to within 1/2" of the tip, where the saber grind rises to the point.
There are some small distinctions between the Walden knives and the later ones from Ellenville. These are relatively minor engineering changes, but help to distinguish the chronology of production.
Earliest production was not marked with a "PAT. PEND." tang stamp or blades etch, as was the earlier introduced 15OT Deer slayer, at least not that I have seen. Perhaps this led to some complications with production and stocking the 15OT's. The 165's were, however serialized. So far, the earliest serial number I have seen is #9, xxx. The first tang stamps were parallel to the blade on blade left with SCHRADE over WALDEN over 165. The serial number was imprinted on the left tang parallel to the guard.
Sometime after serial #18, xxx, the tang stamp was moved to blade right and then the serial numbers were discontinued. Later Ellenville blades all have the tang stamp on blade right and as far as I have seen, were not serialized. Interestingly, I have never seen the "OT designation added to the "165" on a tang stamp, but the Uncle Henrys do have the "UH" designation added.
The Walden knives have a slightly convex curved front edge on the lower guard matching the concave curve on the back edge for finger relief. Ellenville knives do not. The front edge is left flat, saving a casting detail, or machining step.
Only four sheath designs have been found so far, not really enough of a sampling to establish an accurate chronology. One used in 1969-70 was a tubular sheath with long belt hanger, sewn with four rivets added. Another is a basket weave tooled sheath, flat sewn. This one could be aftermarket. In addition, an early one, perhaps the earliest, flat sewn with a short belt hanger, and a rivet at each side of the throat. The most common, naturally is the later flat sewn with a third ply added to the center protecting the stitching from the blade. Then the stone pocket sheaths, original issue with the 160OT Mountain Lion (1990-95) and the 153UH (1974-04) appear with the later 165OT's, though these may be replacement sheaths.
Early success of the 165OT inspired Schrade to issue an Uncle Henry version of the knife. The UH version, named the Prospector, made a short two year production run at Walden (1969-70) and was revived in 1994 for a four year run in Ellenville, retiring again after 1997. Later, the pattern was produced for limited editions and private issues from time to time.
The differences between the first and second issue knives are minor. One unique feature does stand out on the Walden issue, besides the obvious tang stamps and serial numbers. The top of the tang has eight thumb rest grooves.
Other than the thumb rest grooves on the first issue, the 165UH bore all of the trademark features of its Old Timer brother with the following exceptions. Staglon replaced the saw cut Delran, the shield was brass with the Uncle Henry signature the handle rivets were brass, and the UH designation was added to the 165 tang stamp.
My own interest in these knives, though discontinued ten years now and made by a company no longer existing, began more than thirty years ago when I purchased one for my hunting and camping adventures. The serpentine handle and heft have become so familiar that it is difficult to use and carry another pattern. The blade sweep is etched in my memory so that I can use it in near total darkness without loosing blood. I will continue my quest to dig out obscure facts and details on the 165's. Not that anyone cares, but I find it personally interesting.
So much information about, what was, before 2004, just another knife: shows that Codger 64 is possibly a true hunter and American sportsman.
Along these lines of reasoning, I have found no other reason then to continue my pursuit of this Schrade knife in carbon steel and stainless form. My bitch is that you, Codger 64 and possibly I, are contributing what seems to be the ever-increasing value of Schrade 165s OT and UH on eBay.
I guess this was a different kind of ramble.
Respectfully
doublegun3
