Print blocks

[Bob W]

Before the internet and online shopping, before Microsoft Publisher and Photoshop, before inkjet and laser printers... there were printing blocks.

"8OT" is marked on the side of the block. Makes sense since the 8OT is the only Old Timer I know of that ever had that style of nail nick. Another hint to the age of the knife, and therefore the age of the print block, the three-line tang stamp.

 

[lrv]

here are a few others
http://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/bling/index.htm

 

[thawk]

Nice Bob. I can see the stamp would more likely be a designation of SCHRADE / WALDEN/ NY USA than SCHRADE / NY USA / 8OT, and a matchstrike 8OT is almost always Schrade Walden, so I would certainly say pre 1973.

Is the stamping showing actual letters?

 

[Upstream]

Nice item to have for an Old Timer collection. I see the "84" stamped on there, I wonder if they were still using them that late. Definitly looks like the SW stamp.
Like this one.

 

[Bob W]

Nice Bob. I can see the stamp would more likely be a designation of SCHRADE / WALDEN/ NY USA than SCHRADE / NY USA / 8OT, and a matchstrike 8OT is almost always Schrade Walden, so I would certainly say pre 1973.

Is the stamping showing actual letters?

No, the print block tang stamp is a phony. Three horizontal solid bars.

I see the "84" stamped on there, I wonder if they were still using them that late.

The people who used to own my house also owned a nearby print shop. I found enough print blocks in the basement to fill a large rubbermaid tub, and many of them have 1970s dates. Maybe I'll wander over to the print shop this week and ask.

I'd sure like to know if the "84" is the date or not.

There's also an ink stamp on the bottom of the block, perhaps with the block manufacturer's name. There's old glue and paper covering it though, so it's not legible.