Schrade Mustang question

jmclfrsh

jmclfrsh

Joined
Dec 1, 2012
Messages
1,379
I carried a "real" Made in USA Schrade Mustang 125OT Old Timer throughout high school in the 1970s.

It was stolen after I went off to college in the "big city," and I've missed it ever since.

I just found a NIB one that never got sold in a variety store in Illinois before it closed down. I was lucky enough to pick it up 10 minutes after it was posted, and my knife collection had now come full-circle!

Questions:

1. When did they start putting a lanyard hole in this knife? Some have them, some do not. I cannot remember whether mine had one or not.

2. Do the older ones not have a lanyard hole? Or is that a sign that it is, indeed, an older one? The one I just bought does not have one.

3. Does anyone know the years these knives were manufactured in the USA?

Thank you, and I truly appreciate the wealth of knowledge on this site!
 
One reference I have lists them as being made from 1972 - 1997; sorry but no reference to the dates of the lanyard hole - I'll bet Codger knows. OH
 
Pretty sure it was dropped in the early nineties, just not sure exactly what year. Definitely need Codger for this one.

Eric
 
I have one of these with a lanyard hole. I completely forgot I had this knife until just about 30 minutes ago! I was reading another thread in the traditionals forum and saw a picture of the 125OT and thought "wait a minute, I HAVE one of those!" It jumped into my head exactly where it was. I had an old woodland camo BDU jacket I kept hanging by the backdoor. I used to just grab it anytime I cruised out back into the woods/swamp on short notice. I kept that 125OT buttoned in one of the chest pockets. Someone gave me the knife quite a while ago, but I forget who now. I have an idea, but am not sure. Anyway, it has some vertical and side-to-side play, but overall it's in beautiful condition.

I recently bought a Case XX large stockman and a Case XX Rancher Sowbelly both in CV steel and love them. When I was boning up on the stockman patterns I came across more than a few threads that glorified the Schrade 8OT 1095 steel and heat-treat. I'm wondering if this 125OT is the same steel and does it share the same great heat-treat as the old USA-made 8OT's? The blade is stamped 125OT USA so I know it isn't made from recycled chinese coat hangers or whatever they might be making blades from these days. Thanks for any info, I wish I could tighten up the blade on this one but even if I can't I'd still be happy knowing I have a sweet hunk of 1095 here!
 
I'm not schooled in this stuff like many here. Idly checking this forum has taught me a lot though.

Pics would educate me further.
 
My apologies. I answered this question elsewhere when asked and didn't put the answer here as well. I'll bring it here via the magic of "quote!

Codger_64 said:
The thong hole was an on-again-off-again affair inherited from it's predecessor pattern the 225 folding hunter. Robert Clemente states:

"In 1971 there was a hole, no hole from 1974-75. hole again from 1976-1991, 1992-1997 no hole"
Click to expand...

Robert did an exhaustive survey of the catalogs for his reference book, "A catalog history of Schrade knives". But as one might guess, catalog illustrations did not always jive in exacting details with minor production changes. No other real record of the feature's coming and going exists to my knowledge.

Sorry I can't be of more help. It has been my experience that the only way to really nail down dates of production changes is to do an exhaustive survey of every knife that comes on the market or appears in others' collections. Packaging is a must since it offers the best clues to dating via logos, copyright dates, company name and address changes and slogans. You need not wonder why, in view of this, I have so many Sharpfingers and am constantly looking for more, preferably new in the box or with a date specific etch, limited edition or SFO. It is expensive and time consuming. But having just the catalogs is not enough. I have them. And from them I get the clues mentioned above on the packaging. You now have one job. Buy as many new in the box Mustangs as you possible can and build a photo archive of the ones you can't buy. I look foreward to reading your research!
Click to expand...

Now, having explained the hole (not), about the knife itself. The 125OT Mustang is a large folding hunter pattern, 5 1/4 inches long closed and weighing 5.3 ounces. Because of it's size and heft, it wasn't too adaptable to pocket carry so it came with a sheath which added weight of course, 2.2 ounces for a total carry weight of 7.5 ounces, nearly half a pound. It had a single saber clip blade and used a liner lock system. It was a single blade version of the earlier 225 and 25OT two blade folding hunters. The 25OT Folding Hunter was introduced circa 1964 as the Old Timer version of the 225. There was also a 225OT Son-Of-A-Gun offered briefly (1990-92) with a saw blade as the secondary. So it is possible to have a very nice small collection of just this one pattern. It was also used for the Scrimshaw line occasionally and as a special factory order for Sears in their American Eagle Collector series.

11awxtw.png


2dumopf.jpg
 
Last edited:
Some of the larger OTs didnt have swinden keys. Is that true of these on the folding hunter frame?

And yes, unless it's marked Schrade +, it is that fine carbon steel. However, that steel is probably best showcased in a thinner blade model.
 
MarkPinTx said:
Some of the larger OTs didnt have swinden keys. Is that true of these on the folding hunter frame?

And yes, unless it's marked Schrade +, it is that fine carbon steel. However, that steel is probably best showcased in a thinner blade model.
Click to expand...

Tricky I know but... absence of the "+" mark does not always mean carbon steel. Presence always means stainless steel.


As far as I can determine, the folding hunters did not use the Swinden Key construction. As my knives of this pattern and varients are now gone, I cannot say authoratatively. Perhaps a member who has one (225OT, 125OT, 25OT) can examine theirs closely and give a definative answer.

Meanwhile, here is a closeup of a 225OT bolster.

aexrt1.png
 
Ah ok, well I defer to codger on the Schrade +. But digital, you may be able to take up some slop in your 125 if it has a pin as shown above. Clamp in a vise with leather or other suitable padding. Turn slowly, removing and checking the play (dont want to get too tight). Once its tightened up, the pins will probably protrude slightly. Peen them (flatten out a little) veeerrry carefully with a light hammer. Sand/polish and you're good to go.
 
Ahhhhh, nice tips MarkPinTx! I see where that would tighten things up. I'm currently working in a machine shop so I have plenty of access to everything I need to finesse that pin along and try to eliminate the slop. I'll go slow and see what I can achieve and report my results here. I've never been a fan of liner locks, but I do carry the Leatherman Charge TTi and have gotten used to them I guess. I used to carry nothing but backlock, now I carry a Spyderco Manix2 with the caged polymer ball lock, the aforementioned Leatherman and a Case large stockman regularly. I can't say these newer style locks inspire much confidence in me, but it is what it is. I can look past the liner lock on this Schrade 125OT when I consider the tough-as-nails delrin handles, the legendary 1095 steel and the hefty blade size and geometry. I'll always wish it had a stronger backlock for a knife of this size, but as my knowledge increases I am so pleasantly surprised to "rediscover" this classic blade in my collection and thank you all for helping to enhance my appreciation of it!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top