Schrade 858 OT (new) Review

Slice-and-dice

Slice-and-dice

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Until I can find a clean, reasonably priced (may be a while) USA version from the early 80s give or take, I just purchased what appears to be a decent replica: A BTI 858 OT, delrin, classic emblem, decent color (not as nice as the original delrin color), near original size. Hasn't shipped yet. I understand these had decent stainless 7CR17MOV. Anyone see or use these in person? What can I expect? Hoping for a quality replica with the feel of the original. No stamp on the blades indicating origin FWIW.

858OT.jpg
 
You can find some reports on Old Timers made in China in this thread:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads...-your-opinions-reviews-and-overviews.1344265/
I thought Post #10 in the thread by knarfeng knarfeng included a very helpful comparison between US and Chinese versions of the same knife pattern (Uncle Henry rather than Old Timer in that particular instance).

FWIW, I bought the oriental version of the Schrade 858 OTB about 3 years ago. It's like the one you mention, except it has sawcut bone handles instead of delrin. I've been very pleased with mine; it's a BIG stockman.
x529Wqs.jpeg

PuQ7Uyc.jpeg


- GT
 
5K Qs said:
You can find some reports on Old Timers made in China in this thread:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads...-your-opinions-reviews-and-overviews.1344265/
I thought Post #10 in the thread by knarfeng knarfeng included a very helpful comparison between US and Chinese versions of the same knife pattern (Uncle Henry rather than Old Timer in that particular instance).

FWIW, I bought the oriental version of the Schrade 858 OTB about 3 years ago. It's like the one you mention, except it has sawcut bone handles instead of delrin. I've been very pleased with mine; it's a BIG stockman.
x529Wqs.jpeg

PuQ7Uyc.jpeg


- GT
Click to expand...
Thanks for the link 5K

Mamba that dark bone is very pleasing to the eye
 
I have a BTI 858OT, and a vintage US made.
First, concerning the colours of the Delrin:
It is intentional! Taylor-Schrade brought back the 858OT. (Schrade USA only produced it from 1978 to 1984.)
The pailer ... less "pink"/red ... colour of the is one ot the things Taylor did to help ensure the offshore made knives could not be passed off as a more expensive vintage US made. BTI did not make any changes, after they bought out Taylor Cutlery.
Another major difference is the construction. The U.S. made have Swendon Key construction. The offshore have pinned construction.

Personally, I prefer pins. They are stronger, and the knife can be repaired. (The 1966/1967 Schrade made Buck 300 contract knives ad the Swendon Keys. Buck changed the contract to Camillus and pinned construction because a significant number of the Schrade made knives were being returned because of broken keys. The keyed knives could not be repaired.The few that were were stamped "FOR LIGHT USE ONLY". Allegedly Schrade had the tools/tooling to take the knife apart and replace the keys, and as necessary bad bolsters. Drilling the bolster for pins did not fully support the pins, due to the cutout inside the bolsters for the keys.

I carry my offshore 858OT and 858OTB more often than my U.S. made 858OT, because of the pinned construction. And to be honest, because if something breaks, the offshore knives are still under warranty. If the knife went AWOL ... I can still afford the offshore knives. The vintage ones in good condition are "unobtainium" for me.So far out of my budget they might as well be on Mars, if not in another galaxy.
For the record, the offshore knives and blades are the same length as the vintage US made ones.

The 7CR17MoV blades hold an edge just as well as Schrade's 440A.
They will (like 440A) take and hold the 10 DPS/20° inclusive edge I was taught to sharpen a knife to, around 65 years ago.
The offshore "OTB" knives have 9CR18MoV blades (a step higher than the popular 8CR15(?)MoV.) and hold an edge about as long as my 440C, D2, and from what I can tell, my S-30V blades. The 9CR will also take and hold the 10DPS edge I use.
The offshore knives seem to have an excellent heat treat.

If you like a large stockman the offshore 858OT/OTB is hard to beat.
 
afishhunter said:
I have a BTI 858OT, and a vintage US made.
First, concerning the colours of the Delrin:
It is intentional! Taylor-Schrade brought back the 858OT. (Schrade USA only produced it from 1978 to 1984.)
The pailer ... less "pink"/red ... colour of the is one ot the things Taylor did to help ensure the offshore made knives could not be passed off as a more expensive vintage US made. BTI did not make any changes, after they bought out Taylor Cutlery.
Another major difference is the construction. The U.S. made have Swendon Key construction. The offshore have pinned construction.

Personally, I prefer pins. They are stronger, and the knife can be repaired. (The 1966/1967 Schrade made Buck 300 contract knives ad the Swendon Keys. Buck changed the contract to Camillus and pinned construction because a significant number of the Schrade made knives were being returned because of broken keys. The keyed knives could not be repaired.The few that were were stamped "FOR LIGHT USE ONLY". Allegedly Schrade had the tools/tooling to take the knife apart and replace the keys, and as necessary bad bolsters. Drilling the bolster for pins did not fully support the pins, due to the cutout inside the bolsters for the keys.

I carry my offshore 858OT and 858OTB more often than my U.S. made 858OT, because of the pinned construction. And to be honest, because if something breaks, the offshore knives are still under warranty. If the knife went AWOL ... I can still afford the offshore knives. The vintage ones in good condition are "unobtainium" for me.So far out of my budget they might as well be on Mars, if not in another galaxy.
For the record, the offshore knives and blades are the same length as the vintage US made ones.

The 7CR17MoV blades hold an edge just as well as Schrade's 440A.
They will (like 440A) take and hold the 10 DPS/20° inclusive edge I was taught to sharpen a knife to, around 65 years ago.
The offshore "OTB" knives have 9CR18MoV blades (a step higher than the popular 8CR15(?)MoV.) and hold an edge about as long as my 440C, D2, and from what I can tell, my S-30V blades. The 9CR will also take and hold the 10DPS edge I use.
The offshore knives seem to have an excellent heat treat.

If you like a large stockman the offshore 858OT/OTB is hard to beat.
Click to expand...

Great summary Steve, thanks for taking the time.
 
Interesting thread and great information! Sorry to stray off topic a bit, but what is the difference between the OT and OTB?
 
Yes, OTB is the designation for bone they use on a handful of models. I like some of the touches the US models have, swedges and sheepsfoot shape the big ones, but I consider the newer 858's about 90% as good as the older ones in terms of fit/finish. They are really nice knives, especially for the money involved. I really wish they'do more with this model, like different scales, etc....
 
I had no idea the OTBs existed! I little while back a friend was telling me about a knife she had had years ago but lost. She remembered that it said Old Timer and was sure that it was covered in beautiful bone. I thought she was crazy....
 
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