Schrade 194 OT....

B

Bartleby

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Oct 28, 2005
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As time goes by, I'm gathering a small collection of Schrade knives that I find for sale locally. Nothing fancy-just good users that are in good shape as examples of great American knives (in other words, I'm not looking at this as an investment-I collect for fun). I picked up a nice 194 OT linerlock the other day and am once again impressed with its quality. I usually search for information here, whenever I get a Schrade, but haven't found a thread on this one. Can someone direct me? Thanks.
 
I don't think it's been discussed in depth yet, not as far as I can tell from a forum search anyway. I do know that it's the "Gunstock Trapper" model with Schrade's Blade Lock. But you probably already knew that...

Hopefully someone can chime in with the years of production, etc.

-Bob

p.s. if you like the Trapper pattern and Old Timers, several other trappers are available, as well as variations.
94OT Trapper
96OT Bearhead Trapper
97OT Buzzsaw Trapper
OTC96 Old Timer Classics Trapper

Additionally there were some odd ones produced as the Schrade factory closed. I have two different 97OT knives with Uncle Henry handles, one has one blade and the other has two. Those show up often on eBay and aren't expensive.
 
The 194OT is indeed named the Gunstock Trapper, first listed in 1976 (a very good vintage for Schrade), and produced thru 1997. First, it was simply named "Lock Blade", then in '78 called "Pocket Lockblade", and in 1987, "Gunstock Trapper Lockblade", which was a mouthfull, so in 1996, it became just "Gunstock Trapper". One full 3 3/16" Turkish clip blade with a liner lock, it spawned a two blade version, the 94OT, and the 503SC Scrimshaw knife. When it was dropped in 1998, according to Clemente, it was the last remaining liner lock in a classic trapper pattern in the industry. It was produced again several times, last listed in 2004. I am certain that it was used for special and limited editions, and maybe these guys can post some pics of them.



Codger
 
I got the regular OT version and a blaze orange derlin varient with a Schrade+ blade. A great pattern for the small game hunter, also good for edc.

The only bad deal I ever had on ebay involved a 194OT. I won a auction for a used one, described in good shape, no defects were noted. I got the knife and it was trashed. Mega blade wobble, looked like someone had decided it would make a good prybar. Lock didn't engage at all, probably the prybar effect. Also had a big chip out of the derlin on one of the scales. I wouldn't have been mad with a little honest use, but this knife had been abused and had major, obvious defects. The seller ended up sending my $ back and told me to keep the knife. I tried to tighten up the front pivot joint, but Schrades internal pin bolster design doesn't respond very good re-tightening or peening. I didn't want the knife, even as a beater, so I gave it away. The guy I gave it to was happy with it and last time I knew, still carried it. One mans trash........
 
Thanks for the input, gents. I like the old time look of this particular Old Timer. I remember similar knives being carried by friends of my dad, back when the only other locking blades seemed to be the size of an LB7 or Buck 110. I also have the strange green handled Schrade 55 and 53 as well as the little 18OT mighty mite.
 
This is my favorite weekender knife I like the slim design and the locking 1095 blade, for me its got a good solid feel but not as bulky as the 94 or 96. After I heard about Schrade's closing I wanted to get a backup so I went down to my local ACE and got the last one they had, unfortunately it had a Schrade+ 503 SS blade --which I didn't realize at the time--that was before I started looking at the information provided by the experts in this forum!

Mike
 
I managed to pick up a 194OT (no box) and a Oldtimer Sharpfinger (display/no sheath) for 1/2 off at the local hardware store, less than $30 out the door. Both are carbon steel, no SS. The only thing thay had left was a display LB7 and a larger 194-styled/LB7-size Oldtimer both carbon and around $25 ea. They did have a few of the "newer" Schrades, Cliphangers etc. but not much.
 
Has anyone had any experience with the Bear and Sons version of this design? I noticed it while searching for info on the 194, and wonder if it is any good (it is also a gunstock trapper style liner lock).
 
Haven't messed with the Bear version yet; no need to really, Schrade trappers are plentiful still. Ezcept for this one, which I don't know much about, other than the fact that it's kinda costly, and extremely beautiful. A friend here at the forum wanted me to find him one, and I did. Well, actually, as I had to acquire this one in a trade, I went ahead and traded for one for myself. It's a 96AC, with really nice bone handles. This sucker beats the hell out of anything to come out of the CASE factory in a long, long time.

I see people spending big bucks, still, on ebay for relatively common (Schrades) knives, and knives (Schrades) that will remain common for a long while. All the people that paid big bucks to hoard common OTs and UHs in the last year will soon be lucky to get half what they paid for them as those things are dumped on the market.

Phil
trspprt.jpg
 
I agree about people spending too much and hoarding stuff to try and profit later on, not a good idea for anyone. I'm interested in Bear and Sons (and the remaining American makers) since they still employ people here in the USA, just to see what is currently out there. I'm also amazed by the variations in designs produced by Schrade throughout its history. Although I have just a few knives that would really be collectable in any sense, I enjoy seeing what is out there. That 96AC is one good looking piece of cutlery, textoothpk, thanks for sharing it.
 
Just to clarify... I have nothing against Bear, and just like Camillus and United, if they can make and sell Schrade clones- made by Americans, I am 100 percent in their corner.

Yes, Schrade made so many differnet patterns/types of knives over the years.

phil
 
I didn't mean to imply otherwise, I was really intending to explain why I'm bringing up Bear and Sons in the first place (after all, this is the Schrade Collector's forum, so I am going off on a tangent). I am mostly curious because I don't see much of Bear and Camillus around here locally. While I have some experience with Camillus, I have seldom seen Bear products firsthand. They have seemed to be mostly the same stuff Parker used to sell in the 80's, but their liner lock trapper is new. I'm also hoping that their quality control issues with their slipjoints have been ironed out.
 
I have the 194OT and haven't yet had the reason to carry it. Some day I might. It is a nice size. The larger trappers are a joy to look at, but uncomfortable in the pocket. I am watching for one of these, however, from the open stock.

Codger
 
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