Schrade OT Lock Gouging Blade Pivot

[Let It Bleed]

Not sure my title is the correct terminology, but I'm hoping someone can help me repair a boneheaded thing I did. Bought this knife a while ago at walmart at the made in China price.

The main blade was a little loose, so I thought pressing the end of the knife would tighten things up. Now the blade is difficult to open and the lock actually gouges the blade and creates light shavings of metal. It is a horrible grinding as the blade pivots open and takes a good deal of force to open. And the blade wobble is still there.

Now this wouldn't bother me as it didn't cost much. However, upon closer examination, I notice it is stamped "Made in USA" and now I want to kick myself for being such an idiot!!! I sure wish I could hit rewind and go back to a little harmless blade wobble now that I know this is an almost irreplaceable knife.

I cannot send it to Schrade as they will simply send me a made in China model. The knife has 3 blades in the Stockman format and looks like the 108OT from the Schrade online catalog. The knife hasn't been carried and looks new.

Any advice or recommendations are most welcome. If the knife is of enough value, I'd be willing to pay a professional to make it right. I really want to carry and use this knife as it reminds me of what I used growing up. I think I had this very model as my Dad's hand me down. Too bad I thought and acted like a child and no longer have any of my childhood knives. I'm sure they'd be in rough shape, but . . . .

Thanks in advance from :sorrow: in South Carolina.

 

[Bob W]

I cannot send it to Schrade as they will simply send me a made in China model.

I'd be surprised if they even do that. The original Schrade knives were made by the Imperial-Schrade Corporation, the modern Schrades are sold by Taylor Brands LLC; the two companies have no relationship whatsover, in fact the original company no longer exists in any fashion.

The knife has 3 blades in the Stockman format and looks like the 108OT from the Schrade online catalog.

If it's a 108OT or similar model, then it has no lock. Perhaps you've squeezed the handles so tight that the blade is rubbing on the liners or the bolster? Either way, you might correct the over-pressing by sticking a wooden wedge into the knife and tapping it lightly.

 

[Bob W]

More information:

If the knife is of enough value, I'd be willing to pay a professional to make it right.

The 8OT is a very common model and relatively inexpensive on eBay and elsewhere, even for an unused original USA example. A lightly-used USA 108OT would be very inexpensive, probably less than the price of a new China-made import. Certainly not worth the cost of a professional repair.

I think I had this very model as my Dad's hand me down. Too bad I thought and acted like a child and no longer have any of my childhood knives. I'm sure they'd be in rough shape, but . . . .

Find a lightly used or unused USA-made Old Timer on eBay. If you take reasonable care of it, it'll last for decades and you can leave it to your own son or grandson. :thumbup:

 

[Modoc ED]

This is a "wing it" repair but you can relieve the pressure by inserting a thick bladed screwdriver or a piece of thick metal into the space between the liners with the blade closed and giving it a very gentle twist. That will undo what you did when you squeezed the bolsters together. Just be easy when twisting - use very little force/strength. It should loosen the blade. NOT TOO MUCH!!!!!

Next time a little squeezing will do ya.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I'm not clear if the 'MADE IN USA' stamping you're referring to is on the knife or on the packaging?.

If it's actually a USA Schrade, the pattern number should be stamped onto the tang of the main blade ("108OT", if so; if it's another pattern, the digits before the 'OT' will be different). The 'USA' mark should also be there. On the very tiny 108OT (2-7/8" closed), you might need a magnifier to see the pattern stamp, but it should be there. If it isn't there, I'd be inclined to believe it's not a USA Schrade. And I'm certain it's not, if the 'USA' isn't also stamped on the tang. That would be one of the Chinese-made knives.

As mentioned, the 108OT and other stockman patterns don't have locks; just backsprings. Might be worth posting a pic of the knife; that should make ID'ing it easier, as well as giving a better idea of how to fix it.

Here's a pic of my Schrade USA 108OT. Note the stamping on the tang of the main blade. Older versions like this one are stamped:

SCHRADE
N.Y. U.S.A.
108OT

Some later USA versions might not include the 'N.Y.' stamp, but the 'USA' stamp would still be there.



David

 

[Let It Bleed]

I suppose by lock, I used the wrong terminology. The only lock is the backspring (now I know what to call it) and it just provides tension to hold the blade open. At the moment the knife is buried in a closet within a locked toolbox that contains a lot of other multitools, flashlights, and whatnot. However, it looks just like the picture you posted, and the "made in the USA" is stamped on the blade tang.

While I'm disappointed that it's not of any added value, I am relieved that I'm not responsible for damaging a hard to find knife.

But more than anything, I really appreciate the replies. This forum truly contains many gracious people who don't hesitate to share what they know.

Until about 7-8 years ago, I got along fine with 3 knives. I had a Buck 110 for hunting that I bought in 1982 or '83; an Opinel for camping that I got before an Outward Bound adventure in '83 that sadly has been lost; and a tiny Gerber, with a newfangled composite (plastic) handle that made it unbelievablly lightweight for its day, that was my EDC b/f that term was created.

Then I discovered all these new knives that were made with new materials and different locking mechanisms and got interested. Then I joined this forum and now have at least 30 or more folders made by Kershaw, Spyderco, and Benchmade, as well as others.

Well I could ramble far more, but suffice it to say that after a short hiatus that I'm back with far more interest in collecting traditional folders. I would also like to buy 2 or 3 fixed bladed knives for actual need and function. That's not to say that they cannot be aesthetically pleasing however. But for some reason I have no interest in collecting fixed blades. Of course, I wouldn't rule it out as one never knows what the future may hold.

Again, thanks to those who replied, and I'll give your suggestions a try knowing that I'm not working on anything valuable. THANKS!