What does it mean when a tang reads "LTD" (other than an abbreviation for limited)

K

kevins73cigars

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Feb 24, 2006
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If a Schrade knife says "LTD" on the tang, is it referred to by collectors as an LB5 LTD or 285 LTD?
For example:
I bought a nice Schrade Trapper today on eBay and I don't know much about it. It's an older knife, 4 1/8" closed - and it does not have a shield. The tang reads "SCHRADE+ USA LTD." The handles are brown jigged derlin or bone (I've only seen pictures). this is it:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6608485453&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWN:IT&rd=1

I'd like to post the pictures, but I "may not post attachments." How do you guys attach photos?

Would this be considered an LTD trapper or a 285LTD trapper or something else...?
 
Kevin,
Someone will be along to correct me if I am wrong or expand on what I know. I believe the LTD means that the knife is a limited run and not a production pattern. With all the ed-of-days stuff thrown together after Schrade closed, you night find a LTD blade in a regular pattern. Anything is possible with the stuff thrown together after they closed.

To post pics you need photo service that allows you to put pics on the web and then they can generate a URL that you can post using the "insert link" button in the tool bar above the post window. I use photobucket.com, it is free.

Dale
 
Many, many of the LTDs on the market right now are odd pieces that were part of commemorative/limited edition sets. Like say for Ducks Unlimited, or other organizations. Of course Schrade would make more than they needed during the production run for quality control reasons. Any excess could be sold through places like SMKWs (sometimes as seconds, see the related thread) or simply, it seems, stored at the factory until things went to hell and they were sold off in lots... eventually to be peddled on ebay. They can be very nice knives; great for 'users', usually sold without paperwork or boxes. With experience you can tell which knives, even missing blade etches and shields, these odd lot LTDs were destined too eventually become.

But personally... and this is just my own opinion, I would rather have the original complete 'LTD' set ( knife, package, paperwork, any other item included, like a money clip or pin) or a regular production knife in original packaging if the knife is going into my collection.

We all have to put our own value on these things. Just to me, a half finished product is not worth a whole lot of money. Instead of buying say two of those, I find it a better value-- more important to my collection, more satisfying to own-- to just purchase one complete knife.

Dissenting opinions warmyly welcomed!

Phil
 
Thanks Dale & Phil for the response.

Does anyone recognize this LTD Trapper? Have you seen anything like this one before?
 
The pattern appears to be a 194OT, Gunstock Trapper. The handles are not the regular saw cut Derlin, but is hard to see exactly what it is.

Hope that helps,
Dale
 
Kevin, to simplify matters, there are 2 sizes of the late model 2-blade Schrade trappers, the 285UH/94OT measure 3 7/8" closed and the 96OT/296Y measure 4 1/8" closed. In the listing for the bone trapper you bought on eBay, the seller describes the size of the knife as 3 7/8", and you describe it in your first post as 4 1/8". I'm not sure where you got your measurement from, because the auction just ended yesterday and you shouldn't have received the knife yet. From one of the photos in the listing, it does look like it would measure a bit over 4", so it's most likely the larger trapper.

I have seen both versions with bone handles, but generally, the smaller knife with bone handles had a Schrade - Walden tang stamp and the larger trapper was more often the newer Schrades. Like all things Schrade, there are exceptions.

I have 2 LTD's based on the large trapper body, the Crimson Birch made for Wal-Mart, and the rope cut blue bone supposedly made for the Lowes account which never materialized.



 
Redshanks,
Thanks, you did help me. The only trappers I've bought so far are the 285UH and the 194 COPE - which is secretly one of my favorites. It has black derlin handles, brass bolsters and a brass Schrade shield in the handle with a "Limited Edition" etch on the blade (but you guys probably know this already.)

I didn't even know there was a 94OT, 96OT, or a 296Y.

You were also right about the size - I haven't seen the knife up close yet (I hope to get it Friday.) I was guessing based on the photo. I didn't think it looked like the size the seller was quoting.

I guess it is the larger trapper - either a 96OT or a 296Y. I will keep learning as I buy and keep buying as I learn!
 
Kevin, there is also the smooth bone Hertigage trapper from the mid-80's which I believe is made on the small frame:

d1_12_sb.JPG


Another trapper, the H296 with yellow handles is built on the large frame:

12_1.JPG


And there is also the 97OT Buzz Saw Trapper, also on the large frame with a saw blade:

b2_1.JPG
 
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