Scharde OT 33

xbxb

Basic Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2005
Messages
1,618
Hey guys i just picked up a 10 yr. old Schrade OT 33 and I was told it had Carbon steel blades. What is the best way to care for the carbon blade and are there some things I should not use it for in regards to cutting that would cause it to rust.
 
xbxb,
Welcome to the forum. Always good to have a new member drop in.
Please take a look at some of the older threads as we discuss how to test for carbon (vinegar,apples,lemons,scratch and sniff(Im serious!)) as well as care and feeding of the knife blades.

Phil,
Maybe this question should be added to the sticky's. It seems to come up almost weekly and the threads tend to get scattered with all the other stories and are harder to find.

TTYL
Larry
 
What do you members think? Should we replace the Sticky having to do with where to buy schrades (they seem to be all gone except the seconds and put-togethers) with a Carbon Steel Sticky? Too many stickies tend to clutter up the forum.

Welcome, xbxb! Glad you found us. A good thick oil will keep your knife from developing rust or corrosion or a patina.... but who wants to skin a rabbit or slice an apple with that gunk on it? I use food grade mineral oil (laxative section of your drug store) on my carbon blades, and I use it on bone, stag, pearl handles. Or... You can purposely put a patina on your knife to protect it.

Phil
 
Locating open market Schrades seems to have pretty well passed. At least as for importance in a sticky. Perhaps a member can cut and paste a missive on carbon steel care. A composite from past posts maybe? I'll offer a bit here on the 33OT and carbon, but it is far from inclusive on care. More of pattern history and specifications.

The Schrade Old Timer 33OT Middleman Jack is the two blade version of the 34OT Middleman introduced in 1964. The 33OT first listed for $7.95 in 1976 and last MSRP was $30.45 in 2004. It has a closed length of 3 5/16" and weighs 1.7 ounces. The two blades, one medium clip 2 1/2" and one pen 1 3/4", are of 1095HC steel.

It's open stock ancestor was the 233 Jack Knife which continued production until 1979. It was introduced without a name, and given the fitting name Middleman Jack in 1981, it's size fitting between the smaller 108OT Stockman and the larger 8OT Senior Stockman.

I have a couple of 33OT and 34OT's. For general daily use, I love the carbon steel blades. Yes, they do rust if not cared for. A proper overall patina, cleaning and a good light oil (I use olive oil on mine) will keep them looking and functioning well.

As with any knife, proper sharpening care is essential to maintenance. A person can degrade a well made knife quite quickly by being overly agressive, not maintaining the chosen hone angle every time, or trying to get a fine edge with a coarse stone. I like to work up to the fine edge. You loose less blade material that way. I see knives five years old that look like forty year old knives, and I have one I have used and sharpened for thirty years that is full bladed and good for another thirty.

Codger
 
It is known that I am the last person in the world to question anyones individual right to spell anything in any manner that they prefer. However as with any rule there are exceptions what is a SCHARDE (ie thread title) ? By the way in answer to your question if your knife is a user chances are. you will want a patina stick it in an apple over night the patina will help protect the knife and will stay the same for a lifetime. If you are going to display it a little oil and polish will over the years be needed every so often. That is really both sides of the coin. Either way enjoy your knife. LT
 
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