Schrade Old timer

ernie1368

ernie1368

Joined
Oct 14, 2022
Messages
67
https://imgur.com/a/7lB0zm6
I found this old timer in a so-called antique shop and thinking I could send it in to get it refurbished I bought it and called Schrade. They said they did not have any parts for it so I’m reaching out for ideas it needs new scales for sure and cleaned up, blades are in good shape it appears. I don’t know anything about it. Please share information if you got any
 
It's a 25OT Folding Hunter, relative late in the original Schrade timeline. Fix it up yourself honestly. It was a very popular knife, and today a mint one would only run about $75-125 in MIB shape. Any good knife repair would run more than that now. These also use the Swinden Key pivot construction which requires special repair -

.

There are new blades available sometimes, but I haven't seen unused scales in almost 20 years. My advice would be to polish the scales down to something comfortable or just pull them and epoxy in some wood ones or similar. That knife's a money pit to fix well.
 
Thanks I try to avoid money pits. It does seem like a solid knife just wasn’t very popular
 
The company that built that knife no longer exists. Now knives marked “Schrade” are made in other places and sold by someone trying to associate their products with a nostalgic history.

However, there are some knife mechanics still around who are pretty good at working on old knives, including Schrades. Like the skilled labor in any trade, they don’t give their efforts away at bargain prices.

Personally, I like the old Schrades, especially some of their 3 blade stockmans in 1095 (the Old Timer line). I find them cheap at yard sales and swap meets, and have learned some mediocre knife mechanic skills correcting some of their minor flaws to be pocketworthy. Not for profit, but occasionally I’ll give one away to close friend or person who has done something heroic on my behalf. I flatter myself to think that a gift like that exceeds the dollar value.

Parker
 
Swinden Key construction?
If the blades are tight (no excessive slop) get the cover material of choice, some epoxy glue, and install the covers. (Cut to length, install, use clamps to hold the covers in place while the glue dries) then shape after the glue is dry is how I'd do it.)
Forget about taking the knife apart and cover pins, unless you can get the measurements exact for where those holes goes, and can install them from the blade well.
Epoxy glue will hold a long time. That is what the factory used when they glued covers on.

As others have stated, Imperial-Schrade USA and all related brands ECXEPT Camillus shut down in 2004. (Camillus shut down in 2007.)

At the bankruptcy auction, Taylor Cutlery bought all the the names, (including those that were out of production for decades, such as Ulster, Hammer Brand, and NYKC) and all the intilectual properties.
Taylor contracted manufacturing to China, tho there were some contracted knives made in the USA. commemorative NewYork Knife Company BSA Scout knife was one.

In 2017, Taylor sold out to BTI, the current owner of all the Imperial Schrade brands.
Most are still made offshore, but there is a new "Heritage" line made in the USA. I don't know who is making them for BTI. Bear and Son, maybe?

Taylor did make some changes to the offshore knives comparred to the (now old) made in USA knives. Color differences in the Delrin, and a coarser "saw cut" on the Delrin, to help prevent the offshore knives from being sold as USA production.
No "Schrade+" on the blades, either, possibly to prevent a offshore blde being transplanted to a worn out USA handle knife"?
BTI has not undone the anti-fraud changes.

Since Taylor Schrade owned the names and intilectual properties, they could and did use the old Schrade, Imperial, Old Timer, and Uncle Henry names and numbers on the knives. BTI still does.

Taylor dropped the Swinden Key. (an improvement, IMHO)
BTI has not (to date) brought it back.

ALL offshore Taylor and BTI Imperial Schrade have stainless steel blades. Imperial is 3CR whatever MoV. Schrade, Old Timer, and Uncle Henry are 7Cr15MoV. The Old Timer "OTB" knives get 9CR18MoV blades.
I don't kow if the "Heritage" line has stainless steel (440A like Schrade USA used?) or 10xx carbon steel blades.

The offshore knives have a good heat treat. At least the Old Tmer and Uncle Henry do.
I have not tried an "Imperial" or "Schrade" branded offshore knife, so cannot say anything on them.
My guess is they have a proper heat treat as well.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top