Codger_64
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Schrade 8OT Old Timer Senior Stockman
In July 2004, the one hundred year history of Imperial Schrade Corporation came to an end with the forced bankruptcy and October liquidation of assets. During those one hundred years, the name changed several times, as well as company ownership. Several other companies were acquired, sometimes operated in tandem, sometimes absorbed. Begun by George Schrade and his brothers, it evolved over the years into the posession and guidence of Albert and Henry Baer. Albert, ever the business genious, steered the company to expanded markets with new marketing techniques, and new products designed under the watchful eye of Henry, whose signature would appear on an entire line of upscale folding and fixed blade knives for the last forty years of Schrade's existance. Alongside the now famous Uncle Henry Signature knives, the Old Timer line of knives formed the backbone of Schrade's offerings of knives and tools.
One of the most popular Old Timer patterns was the Senior Stockman pattern, the 8OT. The Schrade 8OT Old Timer Senior Stockman which began production in 1959 and marketing in 1960, was introduced in the 1964 catalog for a whopping $5.95. This knife, with the now-familiar brown sawcut Delrin scales (described in the 1964 catalog as "bone Meerschaum") was, I believe the first Schrade Old Timer folder, the slightly earlier 58OT being Ulster tangstamped. In 1970 the handle material name "Genuine Saw Cut Staglon" was first used. The name "Senior" was given first in 1971. The price was $9.60 in the 1973 Schrade Cutlery catalog, $10.75 in 1975, $15.00 in 1980, $23.95 in 1989, $32.95 in 1999, and $37.95 in 2004.
The knife used the 1095 steel three blade stockman pattern that became popular with users for many years. This blade material became a mainstay of the OT line of knives, both folders and fixed. In 1970, the Schrade+ stainless 885UH Uncle Henry version of the 8OT appeared in the catalog and listed for $12.00. This version was called the "King Ranch" in 1974, then in 2002 became the "Senior Ranch". It had a pretty good run, being last produced in 2004, a total of more than thirty four years. The Schrade+ stainless blades are sometimes found on the "end of days" 8OT knives in the place of the expected 1095HC steel.
The 8OT had a closed length of 4" with a clip blade of 3", a 2 15/16" spey blade, and a 2 1/8" sheepfoot blade. This combination of blades mounted between brass linings and textured brown Delrin scales proved to be extremely popular with knife users for more than 45 years. It is both pleasant to hold and to look at with the nickle silver bolsters and nickle silver Old Timer shield, carbon steel blades, brass liners and pins, all mounted in a sawn bone appearing handle.
Limited editions and special private editions of the 8OT seem to be pretty popular among collectors. All of the scrimshaw special edition sets I have seen used the large framed clip blade 8OT stockman as the base knife, with the SC stamped stainless blades. In later years, special limited editions and private editions were produced with special handle material, including a 100th anniversary edition. This edition can be found with either a round coined anniversary shield, or an elongated banner shield with "100th /1904-2004/ OLD TIMER" on it.
It was used in the Scrimshaw sets as the 505SC with faux ivory handles and various wildlife and hunting scenes. Called the "Scrimshaw Premium Stock", in 1988 a skunk and young, 1989 male and female wood ducks swimming, ,1991 the scrim was two Canada geese flying over a marsh, 1992 quail, 1999 ducks, and 2000 ducks. I do not yet have the scrimshaw patterns for the other years located. A quantity of unscrimmed 505SC knives were sold after the closing of the Ellenville plant.
A "Texas Longhorn" edition was produced for the "Scrimshaw Of The Great American Outdoors" series with the image of a Texas Longhorn on the stamp side and "The Lonestar State" on the reverse, with a "limited edition" blade etch, and a serial number on the bolster. Supposedly this knife was produced for West Texas Wholesale by Schrade.
Since the Schrade copyrights and trademarks were purchased by Taylor Brands LLC in October of 2004, Taylor has begun importing newly made Schrade copies from China, including the 8OT.
These original U.S.A. made Imperial Schrade 8OT Old Timer knives can be found here for a very limited time for only making a charitable contribution to Hurricane Katrina relief. You may view and participate in the dutch auction at:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=363170
Codger (this overview of the 8OT pattern is far from complete. Like most of my pattern research, it is constantly open to correction and revision. That said, it is worth every penny you have paid for it!!)
In July 2004, the one hundred year history of Imperial Schrade Corporation came to an end with the forced bankruptcy and October liquidation of assets. During those one hundred years, the name changed several times, as well as company ownership. Several other companies were acquired, sometimes operated in tandem, sometimes absorbed. Begun by George Schrade and his brothers, it evolved over the years into the posession and guidence of Albert and Henry Baer. Albert, ever the business genious, steered the company to expanded markets with new marketing techniques, and new products designed under the watchful eye of Henry, whose signature would appear on an entire line of upscale folding and fixed blade knives for the last forty years of Schrade's existance. Alongside the now famous Uncle Henry Signature knives, the Old Timer line of knives formed the backbone of Schrade's offerings of knives and tools.
One of the most popular Old Timer patterns was the Senior Stockman pattern, the 8OT. The Schrade 8OT Old Timer Senior Stockman which began production in 1959 and marketing in 1960, was introduced in the 1964 catalog for a whopping $5.95. This knife, with the now-familiar brown sawcut Delrin scales (described in the 1964 catalog as "bone Meerschaum") was, I believe the first Schrade Old Timer folder, the slightly earlier 58OT being Ulster tangstamped. In 1970 the handle material name "Genuine Saw Cut Staglon" was first used. The name "Senior" was given first in 1971. The price was $9.60 in the 1973 Schrade Cutlery catalog, $10.75 in 1975, $15.00 in 1980, $23.95 in 1989, $32.95 in 1999, and $37.95 in 2004.
The knife used the 1095 steel three blade stockman pattern that became popular with users for many years. This blade material became a mainstay of the OT line of knives, both folders and fixed. In 1970, the Schrade+ stainless 885UH Uncle Henry version of the 8OT appeared in the catalog and listed for $12.00. This version was called the "King Ranch" in 1974, then in 2002 became the "Senior Ranch". It had a pretty good run, being last produced in 2004, a total of more than thirty four years. The Schrade+ stainless blades are sometimes found on the "end of days" 8OT knives in the place of the expected 1095HC steel.
The 8OT had a closed length of 4" with a clip blade of 3", a 2 15/16" spey blade, and a 2 1/8" sheepfoot blade. This combination of blades mounted between brass linings and textured brown Delrin scales proved to be extremely popular with knife users for more than 45 years. It is both pleasant to hold and to look at with the nickle silver bolsters and nickle silver Old Timer shield, carbon steel blades, brass liners and pins, all mounted in a sawn bone appearing handle.
Limited editions and special private editions of the 8OT seem to be pretty popular among collectors. All of the scrimshaw special edition sets I have seen used the large framed clip blade 8OT stockman as the base knife, with the SC stamped stainless blades. In later years, special limited editions and private editions were produced with special handle material, including a 100th anniversary edition. This edition can be found with either a round coined anniversary shield, or an elongated banner shield with "100th /1904-2004/ OLD TIMER" on it.
It was used in the Scrimshaw sets as the 505SC with faux ivory handles and various wildlife and hunting scenes. Called the "Scrimshaw Premium Stock", in 1988 a skunk and young, 1989 male and female wood ducks swimming, ,1991 the scrim was two Canada geese flying over a marsh, 1992 quail, 1999 ducks, and 2000 ducks. I do not yet have the scrimshaw patterns for the other years located. A quantity of unscrimmed 505SC knives were sold after the closing of the Ellenville plant.
A "Texas Longhorn" edition was produced for the "Scrimshaw Of The Great American Outdoors" series with the image of a Texas Longhorn on the stamp side and "The Lonestar State" on the reverse, with a "limited edition" blade etch, and a serial number on the bolster. Supposedly this knife was produced for West Texas Wholesale by Schrade.
Since the Schrade copyrights and trademarks were purchased by Taylor Brands LLC in October of 2004, Taylor has begun importing newly made Schrade copies from China, including the 8OT.
These original U.S.A. made Imperial Schrade 8OT Old Timer knives can be found here for a very limited time for only making a charitable contribution to Hurricane Katrina relief. You may view and participate in the dutch auction at:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=363170
Codger (this overview of the 8OT pattern is far from complete. Like most of my pattern research, it is constantly open to correction and revision. That said, it is worth every penny you have paid for it!!)
