Old Timer

johnwaynesandw

johnwaynesandw

Joined
Mar 18, 2005
Messages
2,753
Hello all, I picked this old Timer up recently,(here is a pic. http://picturehost.com/v/User-Albums/johnwaynesandw/olt+timmer.jpg.html )and love everything except the saw cut derlin handles. My questions are, Would it be possible to remove the scales that are on it and replace it with stag scale myself? What kind of steel is used in this knife? It seems like carbon steel, it had a very fine edge on it when I bought it. One more thing, Is there any why to date these knives, like, Caes knives? Thanks John
 
Your pic is not coming up right now.

I'm not an OT expert, but I have seen rehandles done. OT's used a keyhole construction. The whole thing was kept in place by the backspring pin, IIRC.

I think a few here have taken them apart, and I have seen the exploded view posted here before.

As far as age, most Schrade knives can be dated by tang stamp alone. Some can be narrowed further by pattern #'s and production dates. Generally, however, most schrade knives with a tang stamp of Schrade Cut co were made prior to 1946, the Schrade Walden stamp from 1946-1972, Schrade (no Walden) 1973-

Hang tight, someone else will be along that can help you better.

Glenn
 
Pic finally came up...

That looks like a 25OT, according to pics at this fine site:

http://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/

Alot of good info there...

Now that being said, I'm not sure if they used the same keyhole construction with this pattern. Anyway, it looks to be post '73

Glenn
 
I don't know for a fact that all Old Timers were made on the Swinden Keyhole patent (no way of knowing what your knife is without a picture or detailed description), but here is a couple of exploded views from that patent application:

27wvkv9.jpg


EDIT: Ok, with the pictures, and the I.D., we see that it is not a standard slipjoint pattern. Dunno about the construction, but the covers may just be pinned. So I'd say that it is possible to replace them. Having never disassembled one, that is just a guess though.
 
Looking at my 25OT it appears to be a Swinden type.
No evidence of visible pins in either bolster.
My recommendation would be to buy a beat up, inexpensive Old Timer with Swinden construction (most of them have it) and take it apart a time or two until you get familiar working with the Swinden system. Then try and rebuild your 25OT.

IMHO, it is better to ruin a knife that has little value (either sentimental or intrinsic) than to start on the one I value. I have goofed before. :eek:

Let us know what you decide.

Dale
 
Rehandling shouldn't be a problem. I have rehandled several of the Swinden type knives, the biggest question is: Do you want to replace the handle pins or leave it pinless, and give a more "custom" look? I like pinless handles, but it is mostly personal preference, if a good adhesive is used, no visible pins are needed, just cut the rocker pin short and peen it on either side to hold everyhting together and inlett your scale for the peened head. Here is a "pinless" Schrade 77OT I did in Ebony a couple weeks ago.
ebony77ot1.jpg

ebony77ot.jpg

Ratman out
 
Thanks everyone for the replies. Muskrat, (that is one good looking knife you have there)I do like the pinless scales, and that was one of the things I was debating over. I was not sure if the scales would stay on if they were not pinned. I dont want to mess up a good knife, or one that is better left alone, but I like the pattern (I am normaly a single blade lockback kind of guy) and the heft of this knife. It also feels more stout in the spring than any other slippies I have held, but I normaly look at single blade forlder. This Old Timmer was all the pawn shop had to offer that day, and I realy want to buy any knife of quality(it had been a couple of months since I bought a knife), and I am glade I did. I was always turned off from Old Timers because of the handle material, but this knife seems to have good steel in it and if I can replace that scales, it would be perfect in my eyes. Thanks for any more input, John


Also would it be possible to polish up the blades? I have read that once tha patina forms to leave it alone because it protects it.
 
You can polish the blades, but good carbon steel blades should have a good patina to them. It helps to protect the blades against corrosion. Sometimes, all that is needed is a real humid day, moisture gets in the knife, and bam!

If the blades are a little spotty, you could polish them up, and then reapply a patina with an apple, vinegar, even mustard has been used. But that is up to you.

Glenn
 
what Glenn said! Also, scales are no problem to stay on, out of over 2 dozen knives I have rehandled I only used pins on one. I've never had handles come back off, unless I wanted them to (pryed them back off becuase I wasn't happy with the finished product). Devcon 2 ton or 5 minute epoxy works great, just be sure not to get any down into the backspring, ect. becuase it is a pain to clean out (believe me, I know!). If you are going to use the knife I'd just leave the patina on there. If it's going to be a look pretty and sit on a shelf, you can polish them up for looks, I usually don't. If you have any more questions, just ask.
Ratman out
 
NICE Knife, I have alwasy been a trapper guy but If I started to like Muskrats, that is the one Id like!!! is there anyone on the forum that takes in knives to restore?? I have one old Walden that I would like done.
Regards
 
Hey, just thought I would put some updated knife piccs. It is not finished yet, but it is close. Let me know what you think. I have an 80t with the old carbon blade, that I will be starting on next. Thanks, John






 
Nice work so far, John....

What is the scale material again?

Will that be a gift for someone, or a keeper? I found that I got alot of enjoyment out of gifting a "pimped" knife like that.

Keep us posted on the progress.

Glenn
 
I am not sure, but I think it is birds eye maple. I did have the thought of gining it to one my father in law, but I am not sure. I will post new pics. Thanks John
 
John; The rehandle job looks great so far. I think you have increased the value considerably (intrinsic value). Since this is your first job, if I were you, I would keep it and every now and then take it out and just be proud. The second or third ones would be good gifts, but keep this first one.

Paul
 
sheathmaker, that is very good advise. O will keep this and more than likly keep the 80T when it is rehandled because of the carbon blade. I will keep an eye out for more of the Old Timer knives now that I know I can rehandle them. Thanks for all the advise and help.


John
 
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