The 96OT
Bearhead Trapper was first shown in the catalogs in 1992, and listed for $34.95. The name,
Bearhead, a double entendre refering to the lack of a rear bolster (barehead), and also paid homage to the Baer brothers who were responsible for inserting the name
Bear into their knife creations as often as possible (Baer is German for Bear, obviously). The 4-1/8" trapper pattern followed the same basic design as the 94OT Gunstock trapper (1976-2002) with the two blade styles, though slightly longer, a 3-3/8" Turkish clip and a 3-5/16" spey, both in 1095 high carbon steel mounted between brass linings and sawcut delrin covers. molded cover slots held a stainless tweezer on one side, and a brass mounted pick on the other. By 1996, it was offered as a 96OTS with an included sheath. In 2000, a variant, the 97OT was introduced. Known as the
Buzzsaw Trapper, the 97OT replaced the spey blade with a 3-3/4" sawblade, but also had the tweezer and pick. These two patterns did not have an Uncle Henry equivilant, though I would not be surprised to see one with Staglon or bone covers produced as an SFO for Ducks Unlimited or possibly the Federal Duck Stamp program.
The 96OT is being produced now in China and imported by Taylor, so it might pay to know the difference in an original Imperial Schrade 96OT and the Chitaylor 96OT. Most obvious is the blade etch on the chitaylor knife, and the coined shield. The tangstamps are also different. The original may be found in the tan "Sharp Idea" box, the blue striped box, or the last blue and gray box, as well as in matching clampacks.
Codger