Master Mechanic Knives

[Codger_64]

A while back, I acquired a SFO Sharpfinger marked "Master Mechanic" on the shield, and "MM152 USA" on the tangstamp. After some brief discussions here, Sheathmaker contributed the fact that they were special factory order knives produced for True Value Hardware chain. Since then, I had been keeping my eyes open for other patterns of the Master Mechanic line. Here is a MM18, a 18OT Mighty Mite lockback from that line.



Codger

 

[glennbad]

Nice...

I think we talked awhile back about the MM-89 as well, the one with the serrated sheepsfoot blade.

I'm not really a collector of the OT line (Hey, that leaves more for the rest of you), but I do like them. This is just one more cool example of them.

Thanks for sharing...

Glenn

 

[Codger_64]

There is another one on right now for a bit more than I gave for this one, but still cheep. A simple search using the keywords will turn it up, as well as another MM152.

Codger

 

[OTguy]

I got a MM version of the 8OT, same in every way but the shield. Its still new in the clampack, which states the its made by Schrade. Paid less than 10$ a while back.

 

[Codger_64]

Does anyone know if they made any fixed blades besides to 152? I don't mind having a few more fuh...fuh..., you know, pocketknives, but I really like those SFO FIXED blades!

Codger

 

[orvet]

I bought a MM89 on an ebay auction. I paid $32.24 with shipping. It arrived in the Master Mechanic box as promised. The knife has the Old Timer shield and the tang stamp is: SCHRADE over U.S.A.89OT. Just the normal 89OT in a Master Mechanic box. Another factory oops???
On the bright side it went for about 10-15 dollars less than other 89OTs at the time I bought it. Also on the bright side, I didn't have a 89OT.
All in all I thought it was a win-win situation.

 

[parnass]

I bought a few Master Mechanic knives in the early 1990s. I have been carrying this MM3 small lockback in my pocket recently.

I have a larger MM8 stockman, too:

If memory serves, I gave away a MM stockman with a serrated sheepsfoot blade.

 

[Codger_64]

Ok, so far we have these patterns made for Master Mechanic/True Value:

MM3
MM8
MM18
MM89
MM152

Any more I missed? No MM165 or MM15?

Codger
PS - I like those MM3's and MM8's!:thumbup:

 

[redshanks]

Parnass, it looks like you've been carrying that pocket change for a VERY long time.

 

[Codger_64]

Few of us here have enough self control to keep our first nickle and penny, myself included.

Codger

 

[knifeaholic]

I remember seeing them in the 34OT 3 blade stock pattern and the similar middleman jack pattern...and the 897UH pattern. The OT clones were 1095 like the OT's, the 897 was just like the UH version with staglon and stainless.

 

[El Lobo]

Codger my friend,

Oh hell, I've got my first $.06 right here....it's just that most everything I managed to make after that I spent on wine, women, and knives.

The rest of my money, I guess I just plain wasted.

Bill

 

[parnass]

Parnass, it looks like you've been carrying that pocket change for a VERY long time.

Hahahaha! I found the old coins while engaging in another hobby -- metal detecting.

 

[lrv]

I got a bunch of those old wheat back pennies from my mother in law. She said they would be worth something in a few years... They currently are worth about .01 each same when I got them 10 years ago.
TTYL
Larry

 

[El Lobo]

Well Larry,

Guess that about separates the chafe from the wheat!

Bada Bing!!

TTYL
bill

 

[redshanks]

For those interested in the Master Mechanic knives, there is a newly listed 33MM, item #6588776516.

 

[Codger_64]

Tag. Thanks William. We'll see where this one goes. Generally, the MM series fetches prices far below similar Old Timers. I guess it makes sense, you can buy an old Mercury much cheaper than a Ford of the same model. Edsels used to be a gimme, but collectors wised up and now they bring prices you would not believe! I am not an investor/reseller anyway, so all this only affects how inexpensively I can persue my hobby.

Wait... did I just bid on another fuh...fuh...folder????

Thanks William.
Codger

 

[El Lobo]

I see the blade on the MM3 is marked stainless...while I don't see anything on the MM8. I'm not sure if the MM8 has ever been used, but I see no signs of patina. A couple of questions...
1. Were the blades usually stainless in these knives? If so, maybe that would help the poster in the other thread, who is looking for a stainless Old Timer. Just a random thought.
2. Are these pretty readily available on eBay? (OK,OK, I'll go do a search).

Bill

P.S.
Notice how I stayed right on topic here Mike. I wouldn't dream of hijacking a thread of yours. Heck, the last Knife Show I went to, I bought only FIXED blades...delander actually witnessed this phenomena. I'm so embarrassed.

 

[Codger_64]

As for the thread, I am an old fashioned guy and give no credence to the notion of thread ownership, any more than I would claim to own a conversation where I spoke first. Threads are most interesting in their tangents, like true conversations.

I see the blade on the MM3 is marked stainless...while I don't see anything on the MM8. I'm not sure if the MM8 has ever been used, but I see no signs of patina. A couple of questions...
1. Were the blades usually stainless in these knives? If so, maybe that would help the poster in the other thread, who is looking for a stainless Old Timer. Just a random thought.
2. Are these pretty readily available on eBay? (OK,OK, I'll go do a search).

Bill

The base knife for the MM3 was the 3OT which was stainless in it's original form. Given the timeframe of the Master Mechanic production, I suppose that the other MM/OT varients could be found in stainless just like their individual base Old Timer patterns. My MM152 is not stainless, but that does not mean none were made.

Sears Craftsman is a more likely tangstamp to acquire in stainless, as they hade several patterns that I am aware of, originally from the 1095HC OT line, produced for them in stainless, such as my 41OT/ Craftsman Eagle, and the matching 165OT/ Craftsman Eagle, both prior to the time we usually think of as the OT stainless period.

P.S. .....Heck, the last Knife Show I went to, I bought only FIXED blades...delander actually witnessed this phenomena. I'm so embarrassed.

It is dark here on the fixed blade side, so no need for embarrasment, Bill. Besides, we both seem to be coming out of the closet D ) with buying Schrades of all flavors. Nothing wrong with that at all. Now if we can just get you a SR1 Sand Rat desert diving knife!

Codger

 

[parnass]

I see the blade on the MM3 is marked stainless...while I don't see anything on the MM8. ...
Bill

My MM8 blades do not say stainless, but the steel looks identical to the steel on my MM3 which is marked stainless.

I used to collect USA-made production pocket and lockback knives, but stopped after losing interest. I stored the collection away in a cabinet for about 14 years, but regained interest recently and started looking over what I had. Lots of pleasant memories of hunting for good knife deals in old country stores, garage sales, etc.

It surprised me that the USA-made knives which I took for granted back then are now more difficult to get because of the move to make everything in China.