Question Regarding the USA made Old Timer 858

[afishhunter]

It may be a "dumb" question, but I will ask anyway.

During the six years the Old Timer 858 was in production, did Schrade ever make a version with genuine saw cut bone covers?

I do not believe they did, but I read in a post over in the "Traditional" forums they did.
Is it possible that BTI-Schrade has a 858OTB in the knives they contracted to have made in the USA?

If the original, pre-bankruptcy Old Timer did make a 858 variation with real bone covers, did they also upgrade the blade steel to 440C?

Thankee for your input.

 

[black mamba]

I'm not aware of Schrade ever using 440C. They used 440A in their Uncle Henry knives, and Camillus used 440B in their Sword Steel line,
but I've only been aware of 440C from Queen, GEC and Boker in traditional knives.

 

[afishhunter]

I'm not aware of Schrade ever using 440C. They used 440A in their Uncle Henry knives, and Camillus used 440B in their Sword Steel line,
but I've only been aware of 440C from Queen, GEC and Boker in traditional knives.

Thanks. That is what I thought.

BTW, during the 1960's and 70's, 9 out of 10 sub $3.00 no-name "gas station special" knives were stamped "440C" on the tangs.
I suspect the majority actually did, though the heat treat left much to be desired.
Using the the then common Arkansas oil stones, and aluminum oxide stones, (diamond plates and SiC stoneshad not been invented yet) they were ... "difficult" to "impossible" to sharpen, and to be honest, the edge holding was not that great.
(That era's Buck 110, which had a properly heat treated 440C blade was also nigh on "impossible" to sharpen with an Arkansa stone and Aluminum Oxide stone. SiC Wet Or Dry sandpaper glued to a board was much more effective, both when reprofiling the edge from their then standard 50° to 60°inclosive edge to a more reasonable 20° ~ 25° to 30° inclusive edge ... which could take up to a day ... or refreshing the edge. )