Oldschool

[Skunk Ape]

Just wondering why there are'nt too many pics of oldschool bushcraft knives being used? I've got a 30yr old Old Timer 165OT I still use alot, I know Mistwalker does too. Last year I picked up an ancient Remington RH32 pre Dupont in great shape that I plan on using this fall. Any esle use the older style Woodcraft, Fieldcraft, Remington's etc...? Just curious. I've had no problems carving, making fireboards, or other bushy skills

 

[ChapmanPreferred]

I do not, but I would love to see pics of the one you have and any others!

 

[Skunk Ape]

Soon as I figure my new camera out

 

[Kismet]

Might be, the folks who do see no need to post about them.

 

[cramsey3006]

I was actually on ebay last night looking for USA Schrade fixed blades. WOW. What wake-up call. Some of them were listed for big $$$, way more than their original prices, even in less than ok condition.

I haven't looked at them in years, with the change to overseas manufacturing and Taylor Brands. It's really driven the prices up. I've had a couple of the "new" folders, and the steel was crap. I was thinking of trying to get a couple of the old fixed blade knives just to have around.

I love the looks of them. I had a couple when I was younger, and of course, like always, I sold them to get something else and now I kick myself for it.

 

[Codger_64]

I was actually on ebay last night looking for USA Schrade fixed blades. WOW. What wake-up call. Some of them were listed for big $$$, way more than their original prices, even in less than ok condition.

I haven't looked at them in years, with the change to overseas manufacturing and Taylor Brands. It's really driven the prices up. I've had a couple of the "new" folders, and the steel was crap. I was thinking of trying to get a couple of the old fixed blade knives just to have around.

I love the looks of them. I had a couple when I was younger, and of course, like always, I sold them to get something else and now I kick myself for it.

The older Schrade fixed blades are still plentiful and, adjusted for inflation, still aren't that expensive when compared to their original retail price. My circa 1967 165OT Woodsman retailed for $20. In today's dollars that is $127.10. So when you see one for sale in as-new condition for about $130, it really hasn't gone up in price, the dollar has dropped in value.

It isn't unheard of to find one of these Schrades for $50 or less, used with patina, but with plenty of life left.

Other "Old School" hunters to look for are the old Marbles Woodcraft, Remington and PAL hunters, Western, Cattaraugus and Kinfolks knives. Almost all were made from good 1095HC carbon steel and work as well today as they did when our grandfathers bought them.

 

[cramsey3006]

While that is true, it's still $127 in "todays" money, out of my pocket. For $127 out of pocket I think there are better blades available. As much as I like them....well...

 

[Codger_64]

While that is true, it's still $127 in "todays" money, out of my pocket. For $127 out of pocket I think there are better blades available. As much as I like them....well...

But if you are going to use a knife as it was intended, do you really need to pay the premium to be it's first owner? After all, the first time you take it out and cut a stick or fillet a fish, it is a used knife already.

A better blade? In what regard? Shinier? A different steel that performs better than 1095? A handle material more durable than Dupont Delrin or classic leather?

Wanting newer designs, cheaper knives, newer materials is what keeps knife companies in business, so I won't knock that. There are plenty of cheap knives out there, new in the box, that might satisfy you preferences and budget.

As for me..."mientras menos burros, más olotes". Or, in other words, the fewer the donkeys, the more corncobs ...

 

[sadiejane]

have several old production knives that either my pops gave me or were his, and a couple ive picked up. they got used well in days past and still get used some. one old schrade fixed is a sentimental favorite that my pops picked up on a camping/hunting trip he and i took in idaho. unfortunately somewhere along the way he lost the sheath with the stone on the outside. still looking for one. in the meantime it lives in a sheath i made for it. knives were tools and nothing else to my pops. he never bought custom, but tried and true american made. and he never went out the door without a knife on him. usually one fixed and one folder. the first fixed blade he gave me was an old kinfolks that belonged to his dad. still have and use that knife. he could put a razor edge on a knife quicker than anyone ive ever seen. my eldest brother is a close second.

 

[killstew]

I'll be honest I have a quite a few older folders but not any old fixed blades. I have for the most part just started getting into the bushcraft scene. So my knives for that tend to follow my likes in regular knives. I prefer the looks & feel of more tactical style blades. However I just recently traded for my for Mora. While not old it does step outside my norm.

 

[B Griffin]

I do not, but I would love to see pics of the one you have and any others!

This is the 165OT he is referring to. I just got this one but I carried one just like it back in the late 70s early 80's. It sure handled all my needs very well and I logged a lot of miles on the river and in the woods with that knife on my belt. I look forward to logging some with this one.

 

[brians]

My 165 still sees the field. That sabre is one of the sharpest I own

 

[CUTS LIKE A KRIS]

I own a few and use them rarely. Many are not my cup of tea in grinds, thickness and the fact that they are almost all guarded knives. I find them less ergonomically correct for my grip, and materials are not what I like to feel for handles. As well, the leather washer handles have not held up to time nicely. On top of that I have received many newer knives that need to be tried first, as I try and understand as many features on as many different knives as I can, so that I can make better knives in my own style.

Nothing against the knives, just my reasoning, carry and use what works for you!

 

[DOC-CANADA]

Hey Codger, can't believe you didn't post a picture.

Well, I guess I will. I bought this about 30+ years ago. I recently convexed it, and it is an excellent knife for carving fire boards, etc. (Picture is pre-convex).

Doc

 

[B Griffin]

Hey Codger, can't believe you didn't post a picture.

Well, I guess I will. I bought this about 30+ years ago. I recently convexed it, and it is an excellent knife for carving fire boards, etc. (Picture is pre-convex).

Doc

I've got one of the new 156OTs and it is a good size for detailed work.

 

[rayban]

Soon as I figure my new camera out

There's usually a button on the top right, aim at what you want a picture of, and press it.
Hope this helps.

 

[Codger_64]

Hey Codger, can't believe you didn't post a picture.

Well, I guess I will. I bought this about 30+ years ago. I recently convexed it, and it is an excellent knife for carving fire boards, etc. (Picture is pre-convex).

Doc

I don't have a working camera at the moment, or I would have posted one. Or two or three.

Nifty knife there Doc! I've used that pattern to completely butcher a deer before and it worked great, particularly as a skinner. I did nick the hide in a few spots though. It wasn't apparent until I got it back from the tannery. It was a hair-on pelt of a piebald doe I got some years back.

Leather handles aren't durable? I have some leather handled knives (used) that date back to pre-WW1, and the leather handles are as tight and usable as they were when new. The blades aren't rusted away to nothing either. Judicious sharpening by nearly 100 years of previous owners and myself have caused hardly any blade loss.

Here are a few of my Schrade Woodsmen, unfortunately only a poor scan I did a while back. There were quite a few special factory orders and production variants, including one done in birdseye maple for the company's 100th anniversary, 2004, the year they closed.

 

[Skunk Ape]

Nice collection Codger. Probably some good stories in that steel.

 

[DOC-CANADA]

I've got one of the new 156OTs and it is a good size for detailed work.

Hey mistwalker, where did you get a new 1560T? I thought they didn't make them anymore. And if they do, I'm guessing China?

Doc

 

[RescueRiley]

I use allot of Old timey Folders.. (don;t have too many old timiey fixed blade at the moment. Mostly stockman patterns... the\y are great for carving and light bushwork as well as small game duty