Schrade Old Timer questions (specifically 36OT Saddleman)

[Planterz]

In my search for the perfect pocket knife I have stumbled upon the Schrade 36OT Saddleman, a small/medium-sized (3 5/16") stockman with a punch/awl in place of the for-me-useless spay blade. My only previous experience with Schrade was with one of those gawd-awful Cliphanger tactical-ish hunks of junk back in the 90's. The steel was horrible and put me off of Schrade for a long time. It seems though that the Old Timer line, at least those made up until Schrade's closing in 2004, have a good following and respected reputation. The 36OT Saddleman seems fairly readily available on the auction sites, albeit for a price probably 2-3 times the original cost. I'd like to ask some questions before plunking down the cash though.

1. I know the blades are carbon steel. What steel specifically though? How hard/soft is it? How does it compare to Case's steel(s)?

2. The finish on the blades looks pretty rough; obviously this is a working knife and not one meant to be kept pretty. Does the rough finish make it more prone to rusting, or does the fact that it's carbon steel make it not really matter (since it's prone to rust anyway)?

3. How long is the cutting edge of the sheepsfoot blade? It looks pretty long compared to similarly sized stockmans (which I certainly like). It'd be the same as on the classic 34OT, so anyone with one of those could tell me the measurement.

4. How does the punch compare to the one Victorinox uses on the Soldier/Pioneer models? I've drilled through pennies with the one on my old Soldier - I don't plan on doing that with the 36OT, I'd just like to know if it could. How controlled is the hole it makes (say, in plastic)? The one on my Soldier makes nice round holes, whereas the one they use for the non-alox models (different blade, on the back in the center next to the cork screw) makes jagged, oblong holes.

5. I'm not exactly a fan of delrin (but at least the OTs don't have fake bone delrin - I hate that). Could the scales be easily replaced with bone by someone, and for a reasonable cost?

6. Completely unrelated question: Does the Queen Dan Burke small barlow and the Case Sway Back Jack have half-stops?

Thanks.

 

[tongueriver]

The cutting edge of a U.S.A. Schrade 36OT sheepfoot blade is within 1/32" of 1.5 inches. The steel is 1095. 1095 rusts. Punches are not for pennies. Any competent cutler can replace the handles. I don't know anything about any possible 36OT's that may be made in China for Taylor and will never find out.

 

[aggiebuilder2003]

. . . Any competent cutler can replace the handles. . .

Even and incompetent cutler can put bone handles on a knife if they try hard enough. I put these on this 108OT and it was my first go at it!

Chuck

 

[tongueriver]

I have seen these pics of your re-handle job before, and I am still impressed! thanks for sharing!

 

[reader1]

I have never owned a bad USA Schrade. They are still available in mint condition, but they are getting pricey.

All TB stamped Case knives that I have, sway backs, swayback gent, saddle horns, sowbellies, back pockets, etc. all have half-stops. I do not know about Case knives without the TB stamp.

There are comments on BF about current Case quality control. I only have one Case TB BP that should go back. I have never had a a disappointing USA Schrade

The Dan Burke Small Barlow has the half-stop.

I want to thank you for your posts on the Vic Alox knives. I like Wharncliffe and Sheepsfoot blades.

Because of your informative posts, I am now very happy with my slim 2 blade Aloxs with their tiny, but very effective pruner and electrician blades. As you said, the small Alox pruner is great for opening plastic containers; better than any other method I have seen used.