Shikari

I've watched it too. What it is, is.. a Schrade-Walden contract knife, 165OT Woodsman. Shikari, as near as I can figure, is a manufacturer of fishing rod blanks. These show up occasionally. Do a forum search for the name. LT posted to a question about one some time back. That is really all the info I have on it. It is interesting that they chose the shield imprint rather than the tangstamp and a blank shield. Private issues can go either way. Cheaper to stamp the shield, for sure! Notice the funny guard? Installed BACKWARD!

Codger

PS- most interesting about this one is the purse/luggage type fastener on the sheath, and the golden (pigskin textured?) sheath.
 
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=352239&highlight=165OT

"There are some small distinctions between the Walden knives and the later ones from Ellenville. These are relatively minor engineering changes, but help to distinguish the chronology of production.
"Earliest production was not marked with a "PAT. PEND." tangstamp or blade etch as was the earlier introduced 15OT Deerslayer, at least not that I have seen. Perhaps this led to some complications with production and stocking the 15OT's. The 165's were, however, serialized. So far, the earliest serial number I have seen is #9,xxx. The first tangstamps were parallel to the blade on blade left with SCHRADE over WALDEN over 165. The serial number was imprinted on the left tang parallel to the guard.
"Sometime after serial #18,xxx, the tangstamp was moved to blade right and then the serial numbers were discontinued. Later Ellenville blades all have the tangstamp on blade right and as far as I have seen, were not serialized. Interestingly, I have never seen the "OT designation added to the "165" on a tangstamp, but the Uncle Henry'd do have the "UH" designation added."


This help?

Codger
 
from what I know and from my observations I would say that the sheath is not origional. A knife in that condition just don't match up with the condition of that sheath. I'd say it's an aftermarket sheath. just my opinion
 
An astute observation grasshopper! But... what exactly IS the condition of that knife? Look closely at it. All the pics.

Knifeology 101
Prof. Codger ;)
 
not in very bad shape, really. Then again everyone grades thier items differently, With all of the sharpening marks I would have to let it stand at VERY GOOD. The handles are fixed, originals, so the guard had to be placed on backward at the factory, perhaps adding some value due to a factory flaw such as this. Then again by reading the reply that upstream has posted with the link to a previous thread, the sheath could actually be original, due to the quote "It has a light tan/ORANGISH color sheath" just my thoughts.
 
Just looks like someone was not very good with a stone. It probably is in better shape than my old reject, but with the price of gas these days I just have to buckle down some.
 
Good observations all. Well, just because you see a sheath with a knife does not mean it came from the factory with it. Particularly one this old. How old? Well, the youngest it could be is early to mid 1973, but I believe it is even older based on the tangstamp location and serializing (the low sounding number does not correspond necisarily to the standard production serial numbers). My guess is pre '70, but I cannot prove this. Late '65 / early '66 is as far back as I can pin a retail sale of a production 165OT

OK, the blade. It does have sharpening scratches, but no wear. Knowing the thickness of the blade, and the type of steel really pays off here. Almost all of the production knives had a crocus finish. It is still visible on this knife. The blade is still full, but more important, there is no edge wear, the reversed guard is not scratched, and the "sawcut" lines in the handles are still crisp and bold. I would grade the knife a bit higher than you. It is not what I call near mint, but a step down at excellent. The crocus finish could be restored with only a little work since there is no apparent pitting or even peppering of this carbon steel blade. I don't think it was used much if at all. I think that the P.O. went ballistic with that rock they gave him and scratched up the blade. To me, the CONDITION of the knife matches the condition of the sheath with drawer wear. I would have to see several more of these to be fully convinced that it is an original sheath, but it is possible. Some private edition sheaths found with 165's produced for Sears Craftsman, Ducks Unlimited and others bear little or no resemblence to regular 165OT sheaths.

Codger
 
Very interesting indeed. I liked the serial # from the begining but was turned off by the sellers starting bid,shipping cost and business in general.
I'm sure it will find a good home in the end.
Thanks Rick
 
But in this case, the opening bid level was a deal killer. It didn't sell. He may relist with a lower opening bid, unless the owner told him this was minimum including the seller's cut. Value? well, to many collectors (want a mint production knife) and most casual user buyers (want a name brand knife), private issues are a put-off. A varient collector like me would be attracted and bid, but at least for me, this knife in the scratched condition and reversed guard (I would consider this a negative) was already at it's max value on the opening bid. So knife values are a very subjective thing. Value is in the eye of the beholder?

Codger
 
I think I'll leave it for one of the real collectors.
It would be nice to know when and how many of these were made.
 
The SHIKARI 165 has been relisted again. Same $40 opener, same outrageous shipping. ten bucks to box it and five and a half to ship.

6570577303

Codger
 
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