Info on Old Timer 3OT?

Will Power · Dec 2, 2007

Hello,
Not posted here before so bear with me if I make any ridiculous errors

Few weeks ago I got a cheap Old Timer 3OT lockback, liked the little knife a lot, very handy and appealing. Thing is, it's a cheapo - made you know where, but the quality is OK can't complain really. But I'd like to get a USA for authenticity's sake but can you tell me what the quality is like and the scales? Are they all brown sawn delrin? What is a realistic price and any dealers please? I don't need any of those "last out of the factory" specials just an unused or little used US example. As an EU collector I'm keen to have the real thing as the import model is not so bad but....How about the steel? All stainless or any carbons?

Thanks for any help:thumbup:

ilbruche · Dec 2, 2007

From what I know the 30T was available in carbon and stainless. I think the T or whatever it is after Schrade on the tang stamp designates stainless. Same delrin scales. Quality is very good. My old man carries one as an EDC.

Best source I know is ebay. Since they went belly up in 2004 that is probably the best source. I'd say you can get one for $30 - $40.

Will Power · Dec 3, 2007

Thanks for the info and pic!
That's what I'm after but can't see anything on the Bay for less than 70-100dollars which seems a bit steep for a workingman's knife even if the company packed up 3 years ago.
Any dealers still carrying these? I would have thought they are still a common item?

ilbruche · Dec 3, 2007

willgoy said:
Thanks for the info and pic!
That's what I'm after but can't see anything on the Bay for less than 70-100dollars which seems a bit steep for a workingman's knife even if the company packed up 3 years ago.
Any dealers still carrying these? I would have thought they are still a common item?

http://cgi.ebay.com/vintage-Schrade...ryZ48820QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Schrade-30T-Old...ryZ48820QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I don't think any online dealers will have them.

Or try.

http://www.collectorknives.net/other.html

Will Power · Dec 3, 2007

More thanks for the help!
I'm looking into bidding .

mjn · Feb 21, 2013

How do you tell a Chinese from a US 30T? I just picked one up that says "Schrade" on one side of the blade and "30T" on the other but doesn't say "USA" or "China" anywhere. My other one says "Schrade+ USA 30T" all on one side of the blade. I don't know if it's just a minor production change or if I bought a Taylor by mistake.

koldgold · Feb 21, 2013

mjn said:
How do you tell a Chinese from a US 30T? I just picked one up that says "Schrade" on one side of the blade and "30T" on the other but doesn't say "USA" or "China" anywhere. My other one says "Schrade+ USA 30T" all on one side of the blade. I don't know if it's just a minor production change or if I bought a Taylor by mistake.

If the blade is stamped USA it would be a knife made before 2004. If it is stamped "Schrade" Taylor had it made in Chiner.
I like the Schrade 53OT+ knives made in 2003 just before Schrade closed down. I think they may be hard to find now-a-days ...
The 5OTG or 55OTG knives can be found for less $$$ then the 3OT or 53OTG knives...Ken

The "SCHRADE" 3OT knives with the "Super Sharp" Blade etch, sell on eBay for $13.99.
That is $10 too much for rubbish made in China.

koldgold · Feb 21, 2013

ilbruche said:
From what I know the 30T was available in carbon and stainless. I think the T or whatever it is after Schrade on the tang stamp designates stainless. Same delrin scales. Quality is very good. My old man carries one as an EDC.

I have just opend 20 boxes containing 3OT NIB knives, most of them had never been opend before. Some where NOS with 2004 $23.50 price tage.
All knives havd "SCHRADE+" blades. I do not think the 3OT came with a carbon blade... Ken

Bob W · Feb 21, 2013

All of the 3OT knives in my collection are stainless, as indicated by the SCHRADE+ tang stamp.

Mjn, your knife is almost certainly a China-made Taylor import. It's probably a few years old though, since the new Taylor OT knives are all stamped "CHINA;" when they were first imported some were marked with only a blade etch or sticker. In short, the Chinese imports may or may not be marked as such, but the originals always had "USA" as part of the tang stamp.