Unmarked 58OT?

R

redshanks

Joined
May 8, 2005
Messages
711
I've had this knife for awhile and don't remember where it came from. I never thought much about it because I wasn't sure what it was. After looking at this knife again recently, the shape of the clip blade reminded me of the Ulster 58OT in the Prince Albert offer. It's the right size, about 3 1/4", but there are no markings on any of the blades:


 
I have one like that with an unmarked tang. It has a blade etch that reads "Keen Kutter hand made K58OT". Take a close look, maybe you can see a faint etch...

Dave
 
Almost looks like the clip blade on a 61ot but the 61ot doesn't have a pen blade.
The pen blade is my favorite for skinning small stuff.
Ron
 
I think Dave may be right. The Keen Kutter had no tang stamp but was etched on the blade. They were made 1961-1966 according to the info I have.

Dale
 
Yup. Identical to the Prince Albert 58OT except for the tang stamp and etch.

Dale -- What other Keen Kutter / Old Timers were there? I only know of 58OT and 8OT. What is your source, is there a way to share it?

Thanks,
Dave
 
Thanks guys, that must be what it is. I can't see any evidence of a Keen Kutter etch on the blade if there ever was one.

Speaking of Schrade Keen Kutters, this is my favorite, The Spirit of St. Louis, from 1975:

 
Keen Kutter knives and tools were private labeled for Shapleigh Hardware Company (founded by Augustus F. Shapleigh beginning with a hardware house in St. Louis, known as Rodger, Shapleigh and Company which opened in 1843. In 1847,the company was reorganized as Shapleigh, Day and Company upon the death of Mr. Rodger, the senior partner. When Day retired in 1863, the name of the company became A.F. Shapleigh and Co. The famous Diamond Edge trademark was adopted in 1864. After the banckruptcy and closing of Simmons Hardware, they bought its entire stock in 1940. At this time the Keen Kutter and Diamond Edge trademarks were joined. Other items were now marked Shapleigh Keen Kutter, instead of E.C. Simmons Keen Kutter. In 1955, the directors sold the company to Curtis Mfg. Co. He continued to operate the business under the Shapleigh Hardware name until closing in the early 1960's



While they did make a few of their own knives and tools, most were private special factory orders (like Sears) from Schrade and others. Diamond Edge was another trade name Shapliegh used, bought by Imperial in 1960, using the trademark on Imperial knives.


Codger
 
dlk said:
Yup. Identical to the Prince Albert 58OT except for the tang stamp and etch.

Dale -- What other Keen Kutter / Old Timers were there? I only know of 58OT and 8OT. What is your source, is there a way to share it?

Thanks,
Dave
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Dave,
Sorry it took me so long to get back to your question. I don't remember where I got that piece of info, it think it came from here on the forum, possibly from Codger. I do believe that the 58OT & the 8OT were the only two knives that wore the Keen Kutter & Old Timer names.

I do try and share my info, and have posted a list of knives on the first sticky thread at the top of the forum. If you check there on about page 6 & 7 you will find my latest update of Schrade numbers. That list is now outdated as I have info to add from the 1973, 1975 and 1980 Shortline catalogs which were shared with me by another forum member. The single greatest characteristic of this forum (IMHO) is the willingness of members to share information. This forum and the http://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/ web site (also operated by members of this forum) are the best source of information on Schrade available today. Robert Clemente's book on Schrade's is another good source. The advantage of the forum is that anyone can ask a question and get an answer, usually within 24 hours.

I will be updating the list I have posted in the sticky thread soon. The most interesting update, to me, is the increased info on the Open Stock knives. There were a lot more of them in 1973 than in later years. Some of these are the forerunners of later Old Timer and Uncle Henry patterns.

If you have a question that is not answered in the lists, please feel free to email me at: dalervincent@comcast.net

I hope this is helpful,
Dale
 
You will also find knives from Ulster with the Sears marks.

And on the open stock: in 1957, there were 89 of them, 4 samplers, and 13 horticultural knives. All knives were open stock then, though the term really only came into use with the advent of popular "series" like the OT and UH.

Codger
 
orvet said:
I don't remember where I got that piece of info, it think it came from here on the forum, possibly from Codger. I do believe that the 58OT & the 8OT were the only two knives that wore the Keen Kutter & Old Timer names. ...
Click to expand...

Dale, Thanks for the info, and I agree it's great the way everyone here shares. I thought you might have a book on Keen Kutters or something. I use all the sources you mention, but I have not looked through the sticky thread. I'll do that a little later this evening for sure. Regards, Dave
 
Dave,
I also forgot to mention that a lot of the info came from post by forum members and a bunch of old Schrade catalogs & price lists.

Dale
 
I hate too open such an old thread but on going through my grandmothers things just recently we found a jewelry box containing my grandfathers wallet,a very old folding ecko beer can opener and a wonderful old timer. It appears from photos in this forum too be a 58OT. Like the ones mentioned in this thread there are no markings of any kind. Since this thread is two years old I was hoping someone had a more definitive answer. I am working on getting some good photos but in the meantime would like to hear your comments. I spoke too my father this afternoon about the Prince Albert connection and his face just lit up. Seems my grandfather was one of their best customers. He passed away in 1968 by the way.
 
No thread is too old to reopen. I have seen several instances of unmarked 58OT knives. It was popular in the 60's. I have one that looks just like an 58OT with a Schrade Walden stamp, and 855 on the back. I've read that even after the Ulster line was changed to Schrade, they still kept making the Ulster 58OT because they were the original and favorite Old Timer.
 
Thats the kind of info I was looking for. This knife is in pretty good condition and while it will never be worth a mint the sentimental value is immeasurable. Thanks
 
chickenplucker said:
Thats the kind of info I was looking for. This knife is in pretty good condition and while it will never be worth a mint the sentimental value is immeasurable. Thanks
Click to expand...
They are still very popular (at least I believed that to be true). Schrade quit making any of the round bolstered stockman (the 855) in the 3 1/4" size around 1979. The 58OT was made from 1960 to 1966. A very reliable source has told me the 58OT was still being offered as late as 1980, so I added this information. Here's a collection of assorted pocket knives in the size that derived from the Ulster 55 pattern. All Ulsters, Schrades and Imperials. Several were made for Sears.

55Family.jpg
 
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