USA old timer vs USA case knives

[Carbon12]

I suppose that depends on when. I have Case knives with carbon steel springs.

I should have clarified most of my Case knives are of recent construction (past 10 years or so). I starting buying more of those once as Schrade closed

 

[Bob W]

Anyone know if Camillus used the Swindon key construction in their Old Timer contract knives or did they use the standard pin construction?

AFAIK, all of the Camillus-contracted Old Timers used the pin construction. But not all Schrade Old Timers used the Swinden Key. Probably depends on the model (there were over 80 different Old Timer models, hundreds if you count variations of those), age, and perhaps other random factors.

The best place to ask to learn more would be the Schrade Collectors area here at Bladeforums.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I suppose that depends on when. I have Case knives with carbon steel springs.

I should have clarified most of my Case knives are of recent construction (past 10 years or so). I starting buying more of those once as Schrade closed

Case apparently started using stainless springs on all their knives (stainless and CV) sometime in the '90s. Carbon-bladed knives made in the '80s or earlier should likely have carbon steel springs as well.

Having said the above, the stainless springs will always be easier to live with anyway, from a functional and maintenance standpoint. I love my USA Schrade 8OT, but the spotting and/or rusting issues in the springs can be challenging to stay ahead of, if one isn't diligent with it.


David

 

[Casares]

I think I own more USA made Schrades than I do Case knives. The 1095 steel on the Old Timers is truly good quality, very nice to use and good to sharpen. But I do love my older Case knives as well, the bone and stag used for scales are excellent. And the old Texas jacks are some of my favourites.But really, for a tough, everyday use knife, I think the Old Timer delrin scales are pretty bomb proof.

 

[Mckinneykv]

As a kid I received an old timer every year for my birthday with a new timex watch. Just like my timex watches, my Old Timers weren't exceptional but they worked, lasted about a year with everyday use for Boy Scouts and hunting trips and then I got a new one and I put the old one in a shoebox of old knives. So in a sense, I am a little blown away by the craze for the USA Old Timers now, and I think its really a little bit of nostalgia from people like me who carried one daily for years. Since I have gotten older, I have converted to Case and that is now all that I carry. I have a few Case CV steel knives and a couple Case SS knives, and both CV and SS are better than any old timer I ever had. Both the CV and the SS are very capable knives, but I prefer the SS Case knife. It is a gentleman's knife; It takes a great edge and it is very easy to maintain. The only other mass produced I would carry now would be a buck ranger 112 which is an amazing knife for the money.

 

[Buzzbait]

Anyone know if Camillus used the Swindon key construction in their Old Timer contract knives or did they use the standard pin construction?

As far as I know, Camillus NEVER used Swinden key construction on any knives that they manufactured. They did provide blades to Schrade though, that were assembled by Schrade using Swinden K.C.

 

[Buzzbait]

Schrade made awesome users. GREAT carbon steel. You used them, and when they wore out, you threw them away and bought a new one. They were inexpensive using knives.

Case is totally different. They make some good users, that have the construction to be heirloom knives if the users chooses so. I personally don't think that the steel quality is up to the level of Schrade, but it's good enough. I do think that a lot of their stuff if just for the collectors though. Their stainless is nothing exactly to write home about. The CV isn't bad, but I would call it exceptional.

Camillus was just right for me. Somewhere between the two. Very good carbon and stainless steel, but maybe not Schrade great. Very good construction. Nothing too pricey. Not a lot of natural handle materials though, so not exactly heirloom stuff, unless your collecting tastes are merely pattern specific, as mine happen to be.

 

[Sayoc01]

I'll keep my old timer......all you case guys are welcome to them!
Jim

 

[afishhunter]

back "in the day" of the late '60's to 1980 or so, my friends and I were "knife snobs". We coveted the Buck and Puma slipjoints, and the Buck 110, of course.