Schrade Old Timers

S

SusieQ

Joined
Dec 31, 2011
Messages
2
My father has a Schrade fixed blade with the number 502SC that I'd like to learn about but have not found that number in any of the lists previously posted. It looks identical to some of the Sharpfinger 152OT Old Timers he has but has an ivory colored handle.

He also has an Old Timer with a 100th anniversary marking on the blade and a "limited edition" tag on the handle.

Where would be the best place to check for values on these knives?
 
The SC in the pattern number stands for "scrimshaw," meaning that an image of some sort has been applied to the handle, or was intended to be applied. The handles are merely a different color and surface of DuPont Delrin plastic. The 152s of course had a brownish colored Delrin handle. Most of the "scrimshaw" knives had stainless steel blades, whereas most 152s had non-stainless steel blades. The best source for an indication of value is the "completed" auctions on ebay. Estimations of value are not given on this forum, primarily because of forum rules. But that is where we would go anyway.
 
Welcome to Bladeforums, and congratulations on finding the Schrade Collectors area - it's almost a secret, our little quiet corner of the internet. :)

Where would be the best place to check for values on these knives?
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Do a "Completed Items" search on eBay and look for identical knives in the same condition. Some factors to consider when checking values: the original Made In USA Schrade knives are much more valuable than the current line of imports; condition is key - whether the knife has been used, carried, or sharpened; if the knife is a complete package with original box, sheath, papers, etc.

He also has an Old Timer with a 100th anniversary marking on the blade and a "limited edition" tag on the handle.
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The 100th anniversary of the Imperial-Schrade Corporation was in 2004, the same year they went bankrupt. Some of the anniversary Old Timers are very common, and others are less so. Most did not have any sort of blade etching. A picture would be helpful here.
 
Thank you so much for your prompt responses! So many intricate details would be hard for a novice to find out--like the "SC" for scrimshaw (there are no carvings on it).

I will try to get a photo of the 100th anniversary knife. I think it is especially nice.

Thanks again and Happy 2012!

SusieQ
 
SusieQ said:
--like the "SC" for scrimshaw (there are no carvings on it).
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SC tang stamp with no "carvings?" Do you mean there is no image of some sort (e.g., wildlife scene) engraved in the handle? Note toungeriver above astutely noted "intended to be applied." This could be a knife that was assembled with odds and ends available just prior to the company closing. That is, a blade with the 502SC was married to handles that had yet to be "scrimed" and out the door it went.

I ask my fellow forum members to please chime in if this scenario wasn't common towards the end. Finally Susie, if you could post a pic of the 502SC, we'd love to see that in addition to the other. Best to you either way.
 
I haven't seen any unfinished schrimshaw knives from the factory closing, but it's certainly possible. I have seen unfinished wooden-handled knives, Old Timer handles with Schrade blades, Uncle Henry handles with Old Timer blades, etc., etc.
 
I think what you are saying is correct Citytransplant. I'm sure a lot of these were available at the end of days period that were assembled. I had one of these that was the 4" lockback, the SC507 that was completely blank.

507SC_c1.jpg


507SC_b1.jpg


I've seen a few blank scrimshaw knives for auction on Ebay through the years. Some completely blank, and others with the area on the back allocated to be personalized inside of a banner. There were likely a lot of these handles available for SFO usage too. I am not sure when during the process the scrim was added to the handle.
 
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The heat stamp was usually added last in the preocess, if I am not mistaken. Quite a few unimprinted patterns came out of the 2004 bankruptcy auction and were frequently seen on the auction site for the first few years afterward. They are still seen occasionally in both the more common ivory colored Delrin and in the less common smooth black Delrin.
vgr3g6.jpg
 
Does anyone know what pigment or ink was used to fill the "scrimshaw" lines?
 
It was a heat tape placed between the hot steel die and the Delrin. It was melted in at the same time the art "engraving" was melted in.
 
Don't forget that the main blade had Schrade Scrimshaw with the S used for both words. I am at work or I would take a picture of one of my knives. I did find a Frontier scrimshaw that only has Scrimshaw on the blade.
 
just wondering on the knife that thawk is showing a scrimshaw 4 pin LB 7. does this mean he has a early LB 7 scrimshaw unprinted or did the scrimshaw keep the 4 pin design longer than the normal LB 7? for reasons of tighter handle fit?
 
The 4th pin was deleted on all LB-7, then shortly reinstated on all with the smooth Delrin covers. Yes, the smooth covers didn't lay completely flat without the 4th pin. I posted the dates of the changes here somewhere if you search. I don't remember off the top of my head.
 
I am home and would like to show my Frontier Scrimshaw. it is a 44 series (blade is a 4435) and I have a normal 4432 with it.

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