However, I have a question. Schrade went out a business in 2004, but I still see Schrade Old Timer and Uncle Henry pocketknives for sale in hardware stores and outdoors stores around here. Are those actually Schrade knives? I mean, would it be worth buying any of them because they're Schrade knives?
That's a huge question, or actually several difficult questions rolled into one.
The Schrade knives you are seeing may or may not be 'real' Schrades. After Schrade Cutlery went out of business, the Schrade brand names and logos were sold to Taylor, an import company that now has 'Schrade' marked knives made in China. I wouldn't buy those. There are also some new Schrade-Walden knives made in the USA under contract for Taylor. Again, not really Schrade knives.
Personally, I would buy Schrade knives
if: They are real Schrade knives, if they are at closeout prices, or if they were a pattern or style that I specifically collected. Some Schrade knives, including many OldTimer models, have increased dramitically in value as judged by eBay prices.
Unfortunately the 18OT is one of the more common models and was sold in massive quantities at highly discounted closeout prices. Additionally, there is very little resale interest in OldTimer knives that aren't NIB (unless it's one of the very rare models).
Also, FYI, if you come accross any closeout Imperial brand knives made in Ireland, it might be worth buying one or two if you're interested. Schrade closed the Ireland factory a few months before the rest of the company went bankrupt.
You can learn a lot more by checking in down at the Schrade Collectors area of the forum.
Best Wishes,
-Bob
(New from Target on sale)