Old Timer Red Bone Collectors Series

thawk

thawk

Joined
Oct 28, 2006
Messages
5,978
This set was produced in 1985. There is an 8OT, 34OT, and 108OT with smooth red bone handles. Matching serial numbers, #0538 of 2400.

I've seen singles from this set from time to time. I think maybe Bob W. has a complete set. The Faux Alligator Case is a tacky touch. The label said first in a series, but I think also the last. Likely same bone they used for the Heritage Series.

OT_bone_set_3p.jpg


OT_bone_set_3af.jpg


OT_bone_set_3v.jpg


OT_bone_set_box.jpg


This set came from Florida, and looks to have picked up a bit of the fresh gulf air in the form of surface tarnish, but it is not too bad. Fortunately no one decided to "clean them up".

I wonder how they were stored? They came with all of the clip blades open. The snap appears to be unaffected.
 
A good collectible right there Hal!!. Nice going! Do not see many of them around, I have seen the knives, but not a complete set with box.

Russell
 
Hal, that set is very nice. I have one of the 34's, loose. I hope to get the 8OT in that version someday. The 108 would be a bonus. I am starting to like the itty bitties a little more; they are just... cute!
 
I may be misremembering these, but if not... Schrade had a doozy of a time getting them made. The problem was the bone covers. They were bought from Boker of Germany.

As with the reason most cutleries originally switched from bone to synthetics, the covers as imported were plagued with hidden cracks. The cracks weren't apparent until the covers were mounted.

In communications with Germany, they had examined the cracks and found that there was some dye in them, indicating that the bone had hairline fractures which were there before the slabs were dyed.

As it was traced, the cracks were there when the bone was imported from... South America?... to the Boker plant in Germany. So Schrade had to do a 100% QC check on all of their covers to find out how many, left and right, were cracked.

Again IIRC, they found that some common solvent they had would do the trick in showing up the cracks. They then had to make replacement orders for uneven numbers of left and right covers and wait for them to be produced, shipped (by air rush, again IIRC) before they could complete assembly.
 
I've heard before the Heritage Series Bone was from Boker. I think it was Eric that mentioned it. The years of production match up. I got the 1985 from Levine's book. With a Schrade NY stamp, I would have guessed them to be earlier than 1985.

Do you know Michael, did they finally get the 2400 sets made? This little paper is where I got the number. Had never seen it before.
 
That's a very nice set, congratulations. I've only seen a couple of matched sets, including my own (#0381). And yours has the paper slip that mine is missing. My case is also slightly different - same plasti-gator material but with a clear sticker that says simply SCHRADE.

Codger, that's some neat information I'm glad to have, regarding Schrade and Boker.
 
Bob W said:
Codger, that's some neat information I'm glad to have, regarding Schrade and Boker.
Click to expand...

I am hoping Larry will pop in here and clear up the mud I tossed in the water regarding Boker bones. I knew this at one time. I swear I did. And I likely posted it here somewhere. Larry knew it too. I think we conferred on it and compared papers we found in files.
 
Glad to see you snagged that one Hal. I almost bid on it to have it go with my other set, but I decided not to get greedy. My set has the 1 of 2400 slip and the clear sticker on the case. Alas, I had to piece mine a little bit. The 8OT that came with it looked to be an unfinished Heritage knife, but a few months later I picked up an 8OT that was from one of those sets. The serial #s don't match, but at least they are from the same line. I've posted pics of them all before in other threads so I won't take up space here.

Chuck

Decided to put a link:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=7374462&postcount=1123
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=7927080&postcount=25
 
Last edited:
I'm glad you posted this again Chuck, I remember when we had the discussion, but not sure I would have found it. I wish my knives were as clean as yours. That aside, I notice too that your case is a different style, with a clasp on the front. The one I have, which also has a different insert, just snaps apart and back together. Thanks to you Michael too, for the info on the "Boker" bone.
 
Hiya Grey. What's your set's serial number? Just curious.

Here are mine again.

redboneOTset.jpg


RedboneOTsetcloseup.jpg


Of 2400 sets, assuming they were all made, I'd guess there's probably only a few hundred of these sets remaining intact in unused condition. I wonder how many of those sets are held by BF members? :D
 
It sounds like Boker may have been less than ethical in it's dealings with SCHRADE? :(
Also interesting to think that those bone scales were shipped first to Germany (Boker), then back to America? :eek:
I have to wonder why the buyer for Schrade didn't do more research and buy direct from the source? Little details like that contribute to not being competitive in the market, and very well could have been instrumental in Schrades demise. :grumpy:
-Bruce
 
Boker owns the bone supply in South America. They also manufacture knives there under the Arbolito brand.
 
Also, these knives were made almost fifteen years before Schrade went bankrupt. The bankrupcy was in 2004; the source of dyed bone in 1985 probably wasn't a factor. ;)
 
Hi, New to the forum. I was trying to find information on the red bone collection and that led me here. From what I found, information is extremely limited. I have a complete set in the case serial# in the 500 range, with the original tag. I know value is in the eyes of the beholder but if anybody has an idea on value I would certainly appreciate your thoughts. I don't want to sell, Im just curious.
 
Todzski said:
Hi, New to the forum. I was trying to find information on the red bone collection and that led me here. From what I found, information is extremely limited. I have a complete set in the case serial# in the 500 range, with the original tag. I know value is in the eyes of the beholder but if anybody has an idea on value I would certainly appreciate your thoughts. I don't want to sell, Im just curious.
Click to expand...
Hi Todzski from Australia,
Schrade sold an 8OT with red bone, and with no shield.[around same time]

The 1985-86 knives sold one at a time, and came in a brown box - I have a set.
The same knives, came as a 3 knife set, in a black Display case. [I have 2 sets]
Schrade used the old N.Y. tang stamp on them, and a special shield.
Price ! I would not sell one of my knives for US$100 each.
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/red-bone-1985-86-8ot-sold-on-ebay.1443738/#post-16624695

https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/knife_forum/app.php/gallery/image/11750
11750
 
Last edited:
koldgold said:
Hi Todzski from Australia,
Schrade sold an 8OT with red bone, and with no shield.[around same time]

The 1985-86 knives sold one at a time, and came in a brown box - I have a set.
The same knives, came as a 3 knife set, in a black Display case. [I have 2 sets]
Schrade used the old N.Y. tang stamp on them, and a special shield.
Price ! I would not sell one of my knives for US$100 each.
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/red-bone-1985-86-8ot-sold-on-ebay.1443738/#post-16624695

https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/knife_forum/app.php/gallery/image/11750
11750
Click to expand...
Thanks, I appreciate your thoughts. Mine is a 3 knife set with matching serial numbers.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top