Grand-daddy's Old Timer - blade degradation

J

jwise

Joined
Mar 26, 2011
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61
Wow! I knew the blades had been re-shaped from sharpening over time, but when I compare a brand new Old Timer 340T next to my Grand-daddy's Old Timer 340T, it is REALLY apparent!

I inherited this knife from my Grand-daddy who died at the age of 98 in 1992. He had two constant companions, a Camillus Jack and this Old Timer 340T. He was anything but a wealthy man, so these were his EDC and his best knives.

He was a barber for most of his life, and I will also get his thinning shears and hair-cutting scissors one day. But for now, it is his two slippies that I care for.

Today I was out and about, and stopped into our local sporting goods store (Academy). They had the new Schrade Old Timer 340T for $16, so I decided that I would get it, as it would be nice to be able to carry a replica of Grand-daddy's knife without running the risk of losing the original. In addition, I really wanted to compare the blade shapes on the brand new 340T vs. the old, sharpened-to-death blades on my Grand-daddy's knife.

Well, here is the difference:

file-61.jpg


Obviously my Grand-daddy liked using the Sheep's Foot blade, as it is nearly gone, along with the other two blades. Other than the blades, the bolsters look more gold on the new version than on the old, and the shape of the bolsters are also different.

Who else has an old blade that has suffered from blade degradation from sharpening over a long time?
 
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I like knives that show that kind of lovin'. You know if the man was a barber, he kept that thing sharp and probably touched it up often. My grandfather was also a barber, and he could but and edge on a knife that would slice you for looking. He stropped all his knives, including kitchen knives. Both my grandmother and mom would tell me stories of slicing off small parts of finger nails, cutting their fingers, etc. while learning to use a sharp knife.

Sadly, grandpa thought a man only needed one pocket knife and couldn't understand why a man would need more if he had one good one. (Is there something to learn there....? ) He probably only owned two in his adult life. On a brighter note, his son (my uncle) got them.

I have a couple of knives from others that have been "lovingly used", and they have their place in my book as well. There are some knife fans that polish and clean their knives to a new appearance and always keep them Sunday fresh , and others try to force blade discoloration so it will look used, but I like a knife that has earned its keep. It can take me six months or so of use to decide if I really like a knife. So me, that knife with decades of actual use as a pocket knife is a thing of beauty, something to be appreciated. I would smile every time I had that in my pocket.

That's a great knife. Sounds like it is good hands.

Robert
 
jwise said:
They had the new Schrade Old Timer 340T for $16, so I decided that I would get it, as it would be nice to be able to carry a replica of Grand-daddy's knife without running the risk of losing the original.

... Other than the blades, the bolsters look more gold on the new version than on the old, and the shape of the bolsters are also different.
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First of all, your Grand-daddy's knife is AWESOME. There's a lot of history in that tool. You're lucky to have it. Regarding your newer version, which is made in China by a company that bought the old Schrade and Old Timer trademarks: I would highly recommend surfing that big e-auction site and finding a genuine, American-made carbon steel 34OT to tote instead. The one I bought a year or two ago was in great shape (not mint) and cost me all of $15 or so. Obviously, mint and NOS versions will cost a great deal more.

-- Mark
 
I used my new Old Timer last night at my son's Cub Scout meeting. We were making bird feeders from kits, and the plastic packaging just had to be cut open! The Sheep's Foot blade worked perfectly, allowing me to use the leading edge to slice through the blister-pack. I can see why Grand-daddy liked using that blade!

I looked into getting an American made 340T, but I was finding them for $35 in so-so condition. I really don't care about this knife so much, as it is just a reminder of the original. I carry other knives for actual use.
 
My dad carved monkeys out of peach seeds, and favored Case and Schrade. He also always sharpened on soft Arkansas stones. I have some of his old knives with the blades worn down to what now looks like sharpened ice picks. :)
 
When my grandfather's knives were passed on to me there were several 340Ts like that and worse! He really used his 340Ts harder then any other knife!
 
I would rather have a knife like your grandpas than 10 of those new ones.I wouldnt fret about using it.Just keep a little oil on the joints and blades,use it dont abuse it, and it will go to your son or g-son.
 
Seals said:
I would rather have a knife like your grandpas than 10 of those new ones.I wouldnt fret about using it.Just keep a little oil on the joints and blades,use it dont abuse it, and it will go to your son or g-son.
Click to expand...

Totally agreed. I love those old, well used knives. Sooo much history there.

-- Mark
 
My first knife ever was a Schrade 34OT, a gift from my Grandfather. :)

Thanks for sharing yours.
 
Imagine the stories your barber grandpa could tell! I miss barber shops
 
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