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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
old timer51ot
- Thread starter bigal2281
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Cougar Allen
Buccaneer (ret.)
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Welcome to Bladeforums!
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It's worth $15.00 to the former owner.
I would estimate its worth over $75.00 if it is in new condition and has the original packaging and paperwork. Closer to $100.00+ if it also has the sheath, and the woodgrained box.
Probably could get over $50.00 without the sheath, packaging and paperwork if in mint condition.
These would be my best estimates, based on what I've seen them go for on Ebay recently, which is bringing all time high but unpredictable prices lately.
Codger_64
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Here is a repost of the research I did on this pattern some time back.
Schrade 51OT Big Timer Research
In 1978 the Schrade catalogs featured several new patterns. The 13OT, 14OT, RL2 fixed blade hunting knives, and the LB7, 858OT, 51OT folders.
As with most patterns introduced, tooling and production ramp-up and run to rate for the 51OT began in 1977 with almost 18.000 pieces produced. Over the six years of production between 1977 and 1982, the year production ceased, a total of approximately 125,000 of the 51OT were produced. With a total volume this large, the Big Timer can hardly be called rare. However the number of years elapsed since production was halted (22 years), combined with ISCs closing in 2004, creates an apparent scarcity of this pattern on the market. Thus, rarity is a matter of perception.
I think maybe the fact that many were held from the beginning in collections, or were used hard as was intended adds to the current scarcity. Twenty two years add up to a lot of natural attrition for any non-commemorative or limited edition production knife.
One factor that led to it being deleted from the Old Timer line in the first place acted in its favor for a good percentage of production surviving intact. Because of its awkward size and shape, a good many were lightly used, if at all. Weve all purchased a knife to use because of eye appeal and then found it to be uncomfortable to use or unwieldy to carry.
Another factor affecting the decision to delete it from the line was relatively slow sales due to what I call the bang-for-the-buck. When introduced, it was more expensive than any other folder in both the Schrade and Uncle Henry lines, and topped even four of the OT fixed blades including the 165OT which listed for three dollars less, and the 15OT which was priced eight dollars less. Over the six years of production, they averaged only 20,000 per year sold.
Looking at them critically, you will see a lot of resemblance in the shapes and construction of the 3OT, 5OT, 6OT and other later introduced lockbacks.
The 51OT...rare? No. Scarce? Somewhat. Collectable? Yes. I am yet to go after one for my own collection, but with 125,000 of them having been made, I am willing to wait for one at a reasonable price.
thawk gave you reasonable guesstimates of the current market values. Condition and completedness is, of course, paramount to a collector.
Michael
Schrade 51OT Big Timer Research
In 1978 the Schrade catalogs featured several new patterns. The 13OT, 14OT, RL2 fixed blade hunting knives, and the LB7, 858OT, 51OT folders.
As with most patterns introduced, tooling and production ramp-up and run to rate for the 51OT began in 1977 with almost 18.000 pieces produced. Over the six years of production between 1977 and 1982, the year production ceased, a total of approximately 125,000 of the 51OT were produced. With a total volume this large, the Big Timer can hardly be called rare. However the number of years elapsed since production was halted (22 years), combined with ISCs closing in 2004, creates an apparent scarcity of this pattern on the market. Thus, rarity is a matter of perception.
I think maybe the fact that many were held from the beginning in collections, or were used hard as was intended adds to the current scarcity. Twenty two years add up to a lot of natural attrition for any non-commemorative or limited edition production knife.
One factor that led to it being deleted from the Old Timer line in the first place acted in its favor for a good percentage of production surviving intact. Because of its awkward size and shape, a good many were lightly used, if at all. Weve all purchased a knife to use because of eye appeal and then found it to be uncomfortable to use or unwieldy to carry.
Another factor affecting the decision to delete it from the line was relatively slow sales due to what I call the bang-for-the-buck. When introduced, it was more expensive than any other folder in both the Schrade and Uncle Henry lines, and topped even four of the OT fixed blades including the 165OT which listed for three dollars less, and the 15OT which was priced eight dollars less. Over the six years of production, they averaged only 20,000 per year sold.
Looking at them critically, you will see a lot of resemblance in the shapes and construction of the 3OT, 5OT, 6OT and other later introduced lockbacks.
The 51OT...rare? No. Scarce? Somewhat. Collectable? Yes. I am yet to go after one for my own collection, but with 125,000 of them having been made, I am willing to wait for one at a reasonable price.
thawk gave you reasonable guesstimates of the current market values. Condition and completedness is, of course, paramount to a collector.
Michael
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2006
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That is an excellent assessment Michael. I haven't seen too many of this one lately on Ebay, but it all goes in cycles.
Here's a picture of one I bought back in April.
When it arrived, I was taken back by the size of it (especially the huge spear shaped blade), and still don't really know what cutting jobs this knife was designed for. I guess it is similar to a "Sunfish" or "Elephant Toe" pattern. Maybe for someone who has to cut a lot of heavy rope. Probably not for ropes on a boat, because they are carbon steel blades. Not sure if it came in stainless or not. They are huge.
Here's a picture of one I bought back in April.
When it arrived, I was taken back by the size of it (especially the huge spear shaped blade), and still don't really know what cutting jobs this knife was designed for. I guess it is similar to a "Sunfish" or "Elephant Toe" pattern. Maybe for someone who has to cut a lot of heavy rope. Probably not for ropes on a boat, because they are carbon steel blades. Not sure if it came in stainless or not. They are huge.
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Thanks for the info Michael. I must have missed it the first time you posted it.
Thawk's assessment of the prices is in line with a quick search of completed sales on ebay. Searching 51OT, 51 OT & 510T to get all the listings. Though I have seen them go higher if they are NIB with all paperwork and wood grain box.
Dale
Thawk's assessment of the prices is in line with a quick search of completed sales on ebay. Searching 51OT, 51 OT & 510T to get all the listings. Though I have seen them go higher if they are NIB with all paperwork and wood grain box.
Dale
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Shucks, for $15 you can hardly go wrong.
I would give that much (or more) for a good backspring or blade for a 51OT.
I have one that needs a blade & one that needs a backspring. When I get around to it, in a year or two, I will make one from the two, unless I can find another one for parts.
Dale
I would give that much (or more) for a good backspring or blade for a 51OT.
I have one that needs a blade & one that needs a backspring. When I get around to it, in a year or two, I will make one from the two, unless I can find another one for parts.
Dale
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2006
- Messages
- 5,978
