Scored first Schrade

[nmb]

A Schrade stockman was my first slipjoint too, based on the recommendations of the fine people of this very forum. I find that compared to brand new knives, they are less expensive for higher quality and I find the wear and tear to contribute personality rather than depreciation. Mine is an 8OT and it's my go-to multi-blade knife. I love having razor-sharp edges left over even when one gets lightly dulled.

 

[aggiebuilder2003]

Chuck, what kind of scales are those? It almost looks like bakelite or wood.

navihawk,

To be truthful, I'm not sure. I got this one on kind of a flukey ebay auction thinking it was a bone 8OT. I posted it in the Schrade forum in the "latest schrade" thread and the feedback I got coupled with what I have observed on the knife is that it is a type of plastic, possibly early delrin. The group seems to think that it may be one of the first knives from the bone to delrin transition. It's a pretty interesting bit of information starting about half way down the page.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=584441&page=89

Thanks for asking!

Chuck

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

The 8OT came out in 1959-1960 I think. The first ones were bone handled. The older ones, even in Delrin, have matchstrike pulls if you like them. In my opinion, the older Schrade Walden 8OT's, and its relatives were better made than the ones made 20 years later. There was a more hand made look back then, better swedges, and most of the Schrade Walden versions have good fit and finish, but it was always a good knife.

Given the choice, I'd take a Schrade Walden with the better blade grinds hands down. I think the steel was a little better back then too, maybe just an older is better attitude I guess.

That's a nice set. I especially like that yellow-handled beauty. Do you know what was the last year they produced the 8OT with the matchstriker pull? I like that style but, obviously, they're not as easy to find.