my first X-Timers

[rprocter]

got excited on the 'Bay today and bought a 6OTX and 7OTXBU (Royal Blue) both original Schrades with boxes and papers. they look pretty cool !
So, checked here, and amazing ! an older Codger "news release": Schrade outsourced the handles to China for 75% of these ! Dunnnn, i never knew that. still, looking forward to handling them, cuttin stuff and havin' fun.
anyone with either of these care to comment on F&F, use experience etc ?
also, can't really tell from pics as blades are dark, but do these both have an LB7 blade (anodized)? thanks, roland

 

[Codger_64]

A lot of parts were outsourced in the "latter days" of Schrade. When we look back at some of their last prices in the catalogs, many of them still seem high today. But most often, their knives sold for below MSRP. Still, they were having a tough time controlling costs. Partly because of their reluctance to change the way things were done. Partly because of ever increasing energy, insurance, material and labor costs. So even with what seemed higher prices, they were making less money. They began outsourceing printing for containers before actual knife parts. But then some injection molding and machineing operations went offshore. When the Irish Stag factory became too costly to operate, Chinese sourcing became even more important.

The last few year's knives are interesting in their designs, though not inspiring. I acquired most of them at one point to see for myself what they were trying to accomplish in order to regain lost market shares. Of the few I did not get, the 6OTX and 7OTX are two. I do have all of the other X-Timers, even multiples of some. Some are alright. Most are so-so from a design standpoint. To me the star of the line is the most unlikely, and also one of the shortest lived. The SFO made in 2004 for Wal-Mart, the 24OTX. It is a throwback of sorts to the brass and black Delrin GDOT knives from thirty years prior.

Speaking of the 6OTX and 7OTX, now you need to get one of each color for a display. Beware of the Jaberwockey...er...I mean the imported copies unless they are what you want.

 

[rprocter]

i don't think i will be collecting X-Timers. i am very partial to traditional patterns and knives with a history. i bought them so my collection will have a little broader scope in the large variety of Schrade offerings, and as Codger says, to see a liitle of what Schrade was up to as it's demise approached.
as for "jaberwockey"; well it is 1 year ago (app.) that i first clicked on Schrade forum,and thanks to so much friendly help willingly offered, i am now very good at spotting the "jaberwockeys". i have learned a real appreciation for Schrade, the company and it's knives and my collection has grown from 2 to nearly 100 Schrade knives. what a good year ! thanks all. roland

 

[rprocter]

here are pics. of my 6OTX and 7OTXBU. both smooth, very well put together, and lighter,more slender than the LB7. not shown, but both have a removable pocket clip held on by 3 screws.
until recently i had not paid attention to the newer "tacticools" by Schrade.
these 2 lead me to think that they are every bit as well made as the more familiar patterns, that is, they too will stand up to years of use and still be good. my cost averaged for these 2 is $25 each, less than 1/2 the 2004 price of $60. a super deal for the buyer. yep, i like them. roland

 

[DaveT63]

OK, I gotta ask. What is the difference between the 6OTX and the 7OTX? All I can see is color and little thumb catch for opening the blade one-handed are different. Is that it?

 

[rprocter]

the 7OTX comes in different colors. the BU stands for blue. the difference is in the blade shape. the 7OTX has a thumb ramp and is 24mm wide vs. 20mm for the 6OTX, so the 7OTX has a little more belly towards the tip.
personal preference if i had to pick one ? 7OTX, but the difference is slight, they are both really nice knives to hold. roland