My Dad's Schrade OldTimer - Can you help me with it?

D

dun_gal

Joined
Dec 2, 2005
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Hello everyone,

A few days ago, I discovered some things that had belonged to my dad. Among them, was one of his tiny pocket knives. It is a Schrade Oldtimer. I think it is probably the same knife I'd seen him carry since I was very young. It has been sitting in a desk drawer for almost 10 years now and is in need of help to make it look nice again. I think it is just too neat for words - I was always dad's girl - so having this knife is neat for me.

Can you tell me how old it might be?

What is the handle made of? (is it celluloid? I think I read some frightening things about celluloid off-gassing - would like to know how to deal with that if it is celluloid)

What is the blade made of? (carbon steel, right?)

How can I clean the blades, without damaging them?

Are there other things I should do to care for and preserve this knife?


I'll post two pictures if I can figure out how to attach them.

Thank you!

PS: A neat thing happened just last night in connection with this little knife. I discovered the original box and insert page that came with the knife all those years ago. The box had been among some small jewelery boxes that haven't been gone through in the attic for decades. The off chance of finding it was rather slim, but something told me I needed a box (for another reason - not for this knife) and so I searched. Coming up with the Schrade box was sure a surprise - maybe Dad's still looking out for me :)
 
With the box you can date your dad's knife more accurately. The big question though, what model is it? It'll say on the blade, 34 OT, 8 OT, etc.

Also, what is the company stamp on the blade? Schrade, Schrade+, Schrade-Walden, etc.

If it's an older model, it probably is carbon steel. There were a few old stainless models too, so the model # is also the determining factor for steel type.

Personally, I wouldn't clean it too much or try to make it shiny. I'd want to keep it in the same condition that is was when dad used it last. Maybe clean the "gunk" out of the knife with a Q-tip or toothpick, then a light coat of oil on the blade to keep it from rusting.

The handle material of ~most~ Old Timers is "Brown sawcut delrin", aka "plastic". It's not celluloid and it lasts forever with no special care.

Best Wishes,
Bob
 
Thanks Bob, I'll look at the knife and box to answer your questions more directly. Bear with me for a few minutes - might be a little slow.
 
Schrade NY USA is on blade, underneath is the model number 108 OT, which matches the imprint on the box.

I can live without shine, but it did have some rust and has blackened considerably. Inside it looks rough. I rubbed the blades with hand cream that is heavy in mineral oil (I figured it was least damaging of what is in the house) and knocked down a bit of the rust. The pictures are improved from when I first found it believe it or not. I don't think he left it looking like this, but 10 years in the desk drawer didn't help.

Thanks for any thoughts you might share.
 
Since it's a 3-blade stockman with the standard clip (not the Turkish clip), it has to be either a 108OT, a 34OT, or an 8OT. First glance suggests that it's a 34OT. You should be able to make out the model on the Tang stamp. Also, since you stated that you have the original box, the model should be on the end of the box.
 
The blackened blade wouldn't bother me at all, especially a knife with sentimental value.

You can buy mineral oil at the pharmacy to lightly coat the blades. I don't know what all is is hand cream, but using the pure stuff sounds best. Or even a bit of gun oil or three-in-one oil.

I've read that WD-40 can turn hard and black after a time. So if using WD-40 to clean a knife, I'd wash it off well afterwards. It's not designed as a long-term lubricant.

Very cool knife. Used and worn, but in very good condition overall - no broken blades or missing pieces.

-Bob
 
Staglon is another name for plastic. I usually associate "staglon" with Uncle Henry knives; they have plastic handles that are molded and colored to resemble stag.

-Bob
 
Based on the packaging and the tang stamp, I'd guess your dad bought that knife in the 1970s. Perhaps one of the more knowledgable Old Time experts can narrow that down for you.

The thing is, the 108 OT was made for a very long time, one of the earliest designs and made up until Schrade went out of business last year. So the clues to dating your knife are the Schrade-NY tang stamp and the brown wood-grain packaging.

Best Wishes,
Bob
 
Thank you both for your ideas. The knife you cleaned looks very nice, Ted, you've put in a lot of work and it shows. Bob, after watching enough episodes of antique road show, and hearing your reminder, I'm of the mindset not to make dad's shine. I don't mind the black - just the small bits of rust and slight raised black bits. I'll get some straight mineral oil and give it a better cleaning. Can I let it soak in that for a while?

Thanks for the compliment on dad's knife. It's a pretty little thing, I think. It's so small and slim that I don't actually feel funny carrying it myself in my jeans. I like all the worn looking edges. Took a lot of carrying time to wear it that much.

By the way, how do I come up with an age for this knife?

Thanks again.
 
Oops, missed your last reply before I asked again about age. Very neat! I came on the scene in '68, so it seems it might be almost my age. If this is the same tiny knife I used to see him pull from his pocket, then its been around since at least the early 70's.

If there are any more Schrade experts willing to tell me how to narrow it down, I'd be very happy to hear from them.

Thank you all again.
 
Can I let it soak in that for a while?
Click to expand...
It won't hurt, but it shouldn't be necessary either. Just a very light coating on the blades should do it.

-Bob
 
Take the advice about soaking it in WD-40. "WD" stands for "water displacement". In other words, WD-40 repels water. I'm pretty sure that hand creams contain water. Water causes rust. Anyway, I'm sure that your dad would not want his knife smelling like cosmetics!

And as has been said, WD-40 should be removed after it's been on the knife. It stinks, anyway! Use rags, Q-tips, paper towels, whatever, and get right inside all the nooks and crannies of that knife, and wipe it bone dry, until you can't smell the WD-40 anymore. Then put a tiny drop of 3-in-1 oil on each end, where the blades pivot, and work the blades back in forth to get that oil deep into the pivot.

I hope my knives get the same respect that you are giving your dad's! Good work! :thumbup:
 
I hope it's okay to butt in on your posts, but I just had a random question. Anybody ever use Marvel Mystery oil on a pocket knife? It's an automotive product you mix with engine oil to free sticky valves and other stuff. I find it's light and cleans dirt and grit out of the joints. Any ideas?
 
Welcome Mike,

I know the Buck folks have mentioned transmission fluid as a good honing oil or lubricant.
Lots of lubes seem to work quite well...as long as it's just a little. Sooooo, don't know why Marvel Mystery oil wouldn't work OK?
Besides, we love a good "Mystery" around here...and we're especially fond of Poe, Quiroga, and others with similar writing styles.

:D

Bill
 
I have used Marvel on everything but my knives. We call is something else not for a public board. I dont know why its a great product. We used to use it on frozen and rusted exhaust parts on the old jalopies as we worked on them in the snowbanks in my uth. That may be why I still cant feel the tips of my toes. The smell and color is something you never forget.
It wont hurt!
TTYL
larry
 
I've used a Miracle Cloth on my Old Timer and on some other old slipjoints to great results. It'll really spiff up old bolsters that have become dullish. For more info, click here.
 
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