Ok guys I have a mint condition never used 1960's Schrade Walden 8OT. Should I use it, or trade it to someone who would collect and store and treasure it for something I would use? I wont store it and keep it mint. The urge to use it will over power me and then it will be sharpened and carried. What do ya'll think?
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Mint 60's 8OT
- Thread starter crbauhs
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I voted for "trade" but it really depends on do you need the money or not. If you don't need the money and want to use it then by all means go ahead. But it is a fine knife and if you're not going to use it you might as well get the most you can out of it.
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Crbauhs - Before taking it to the stone... or before I cast a vote. Is it a Delrin handled 8OT? Or is bone handled? If it's bone, I'd give some serious consideration before using it. They are very rare. It's probably Delrin with Schrade Walden stamped and the matchstrike nick, but I thought I'd throw it out there. If it's a bone, I want in on the trade action, and I've got some Schrade bait.
And how about a picture?
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Crbauhs - Before taking it to the stone... or before I cast a vote. Is it a Delrin handled 8OT? Or is bone handled? If it's bone, I'd give some serious consideration before using it. They are very rare. It's probably Delrin with Schrade Walden stamped and the matchstrike nick, but I thought I'd throw it out there. If it's a bone, I want in on the trade action, and I've got some Schrade bait.
And how about a picture?
+1 And I have some bait also!!!
:thumbup:
Absintheur
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Do you want to maker some collector fifty years from now happy or would you prefer to make yourself happy? Use it, sharpen it, create memories with it, start an heirloom to pass along...to heck with that unknown collector!
That's pretty much how I feel about it. Just use it gently, and take care, and your kids will cherish it.
And here is a pic. I think I got a good value on her. Maybe not. But I figured what the heck. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230461467293&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT
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Collectors Point of View:
First of all I completely understand the "karma" of using a knife. One that sort of 'sings' to you in your hand. But in this instance, the choices are not use or not use but - Use a vintage MINT knife or not.
MINT, never been used. Some unknown or known collector will do a back flip when he holds that knife for the first time. He will be amazed that a MINT knife aged that long, traveled its path of life and never got used or sharpened. He will add it to his collection that someday will go to a deserving relative or hopefully sold to knife people (like those here) who understand what they are buying.
In a since, a vintage MINT knife passing throught collections in its travels thru time is just as noble as the well worn user, carried everyday that sings in a knife mans using hand. My knives are not DEAD in my safe, they are just standing by, making me happy from time to time, waiting to move on down the trail of time. Some will be users as most of mine already were, some are mint. Those I hope go to someone who is able to appreciate the road they have traveled to reach their hand just like they came out of the knife case at the corner hardware store, years past.
So, I say, neither user nor collector is more noble than the other. But like your first "kiss" a VINTAGE MINT knife needs plenty of special consideration before putting steel to stone. You can never take that kiss back.
300Bucks
First of all I completely understand the "karma" of using a knife. One that sort of 'sings' to you in your hand. But in this instance, the choices are not use or not use but - Use a vintage MINT knife or not.
MINT, never been used. Some unknown or known collector will do a back flip when he holds that knife for the first time. He will be amazed that a MINT knife aged that long, traveled its path of life and never got used or sharpened. He will add it to his collection that someday will go to a deserving relative or hopefully sold to knife people (like those here) who understand what they are buying.
In a since, a vintage MINT knife passing throught collections in its travels thru time is just as noble as the well worn user, carried everyday that sings in a knife mans using hand. My knives are not DEAD in my safe, they are just standing by, making me happy from time to time, waiting to move on down the trail of time. Some will be users as most of mine already were, some are mint. Those I hope go to someone who is able to appreciate the road they have traveled to reach their hand just like they came out of the knife case at the corner hardware store, years past.
So, I say, neither user nor collector is more noble than the other. But like your first "kiss" a VINTAGE MINT knife needs plenty of special consideration before putting steel to stone. You can never take that kiss back.
300Bucks
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Well let me ask you this......
Is it a knife you really want to carry and use on a daily basis or is it going in a rotation of many other users?
I have several knives in my edc rotation but a few get the most pocket time because I like them so much.
My opinion is if this will only be carried a few times and then stuck in a drawer with 20 other users then NO, keep it mint and enjoy it for it's collectors value. If however it is a knife you really want to have in your pocket a lot of the time then go for it..........
Either way enjoy it and post a few pics when you decide......
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Schrades are my favorites and if that knife were in my collection WITHOUT the original box and papers I'd use it.
I wouldn't go around cutting wire and abusing the thing but that would definitely be one that I would hone and strop up to my standards and slip in the pocket.
If you got the box and papers to go with it then it would go in the safe. I have several 8ots that get pocket time and some that don't.
I wouldn't go around cutting wire and abusing the thing but that would definitely be one that I would hone and strop up to my standards and slip in the pocket.
If you got the box and papers to go with it then it would go in the safe. I have several 8ots that get pocket time and some that don't.
You forgot option #3---Giveaway.
My take is that a knife that has made through 50 years without being sharpened should probably stay that way. It's rare and unique.
If it were me, and the option was to trade it or use it, I would trade it for a user or two.
My take is that a knife that has made through 50 years without being sharpened should probably stay that way. It's rare and unique.
If it were me, and the option was to trade it or use it, I would trade it for a user or two.
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Cory- use it!!! Not often do you get to be the first user of a vintage knife and, well, that's what they are for. Very nice knife:thumbup:
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I would use it, because that's my way of enjoying knives. I tried being a proper collector, but it's just not my cup of tea.
Just do whatever makes you happy, there's no right or wrong choice. The knife is yours to enjoy, whether by putting it in a display case or slicing fruit for a snack.
Just do whatever makes you happy, there's no right or wrong choice. The knife is yours to enjoy, whether by putting it in a display case or slicing fruit for a snack.
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I'm a vehement believer in the concept that responsible knife owners should adopt a caretaker obligation when it comes to older knives that still retain most of their original finishes. They're only going to become more scarce and valuable to collectors as time passes, and there are literally millions of perfectly serviceable and enjoyable new knives out there for regular use. I think it's short-sighted and selfish to use up our finite links to cutlery's history.
Wouldn't any of you love to own a beautiful slipjoint from one of the great old factories with its original fragile finish intact, before passing it on to another collector when your time with it is over? The only way that's going to be a reality in the future is if we accept the responsibility to properly care for the old knives in our collections now, rather than squandering them needlessly when so many viable options exist. They were here before many of us were born, and with a little respect, they'll be here long after we're gone.
Wouldn't any of you love to own a beautiful slipjoint from one of the great old factories with its original fragile finish intact, before passing it on to another collector when your time with it is over? The only way that's going to be a reality in the future is if we accept the responsibility to properly care for the old knives in our collections now, rather than squandering them needlessly when so many viable options exist. They were here before many of us were born, and with a little respect, they'll be here long after we're gone.
Absintheur
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I just don't understand the concept of owning something and not using it. Would be like being married to a beautiful woman but never consummating the marriage because you wanted to keep her "mint". Or buying a 66 Shelby GT and never taking it out of the garage. I really don't care about an unknown collector finding my mint knife in the future. I would hate to die thinking there were things in my safe I could have enjoyed but never did because I was worried about someone I didn't know getting my mint things.
I have several knives that belonged to my grandfather, trust me, they are not mint. I wouldn't want them if they were. Instead I have bone worn smooth by grandfather's hand, I can feel him in the knife. My daughter, nephews, and niece are going to inherit memories...not mint chucks of steel and bone. I just bought a very minty Case 3299 from the early 70's...you collectors are gonna have a heart attack when you see my plans for it...
I have several knives that belonged to my grandfather, trust me, they are not mint. I wouldn't want them if they were. Instead I have bone worn smooth by grandfather's hand, I can feel him in the knife. My daughter, nephews, and niece are going to inherit memories...not mint chucks of steel and bone. I just bought a very minty Case 3299 from the early 70's...you collectors are gonna have a heart attack when you see my plans for it...
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I would have to agree that if it were a mint condition bone version, maybe that would be different. But there are still quite a few of these in mint condition floating around, so I don't think its going to affect the collectors pool. Even if it does, so be it.
Its not like we are talking about rare art, but then again it is up to everyone individually if they want to collect or use their knives.
I use to keep a lot of mint condition older knives in the safe, but found I get a lot of satisfaction out of having them in pocket.
I don't think anyone that bought new Winchesters in the early 1900's put them away so they would be worth more money in the future. They are tools, enjoy them... YMMV
Its not like we are talking about rare art, but then again it is up to everyone individually if they want to collect or use their knives.
I use to keep a lot of mint condition older knives in the safe, but found I get a lot of satisfaction out of having them in pocket.
I don't think anyone that bought new Winchesters in the early 1900's put them away so they would be worth more money in the future. They are tools, enjoy them... YMMV
yablanowitz
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This sounds to me like one of those questions that only the asker can answer. What did you buy, a pocket knife or a piece of history? If you bought a pocket knife, sharpen it up and drop it in your pocket. Eventually, it will look like this.
In other words, it will become a boon companion and gather stories of its own, rather than remaining a sterile museum exhibit. If you bought a piece of history, leave it pristine.
In other words, it will become a boon companion and gather stories of its own, rather than remaining a sterile museum exhibit. If you bought a piece of history, leave it pristine.