Schrade Old Timer USA

[ddml]

When did Schrade move production overseas?

My local hardware store has a bunch of Old Timer 340Ts for sale at $25 a pop. I picked one up (my first Old Timer) and I love the thing. A little enclosure had a date of 2002. The packaging states the knife was made in USA (NY); the packaging was made in China.

A good deal at $25, I think. Yeah?

 

[powernoodle]

I'd say thats about what its worth if it were made in the USA before the old Schrade company disappeared. You can take a looky at ebay and you'll see prices generally commensurate with that for USA-flavored 340T's and similar Schrades.

 

[Rusty1]

Schrade closed the doors during the summer of 2004, for a short while the new owners of the Schrade name (Taylor Brands LLC) had a few models made by Camillus and Bear.
A little while thereafter production moved to China.

Russell

 

[thawk]

When did Schrade move production overseas?

My local hardware store has a bunch of Old Timer 340Ts for sale at $25 a pop. I picked one up (my first Old Timer) and I love the thing. A little enclosure had a date of 2002. The packaging states the knife was made in USA (NY); the packaging was made in China.

A good deal at $25, I think. Yeah?

Yes a good deal for a user. Blue, white, and gray box, with a flag in the lower right corner, correct? Did they have any other patterns for sale?

 

[Bob W]

Yep. The Imperial-Schrade Corp went out of business in 2004. At the bankrupcy auction Taylor Brands bought the Schrade names and designs, and almost immediately began production of Old Timer knives in China. Some Taylor Schrades were contract-made in the USA, but not the Old Timer series.

The 34OT was the most popular Schrade product of all time, and was produced right up until the factory doors closed. $25 is a good price for a NIB original, as most store shelves have been thoroughly picked over by now.

 

[ddml]

Yes a good deal for a user. Blue, white, and gray box, with a flag in the lower right corner, correct? Did they have any other patterns for sale?

blister pack, actually.
and only 340Ts.
i think i may have to get another as a back-up.
mine was hair-popping sharp.

 

[cj65]

I stumbled upon a Schrade display case in a mom and pop hardware store with approx 5 models of USA made in there. I grabbed a 9OT Trapper with toothpick metal and tweezers. I paid about 35 plus tax. The poor gal bled over the case she got bit. It was not my fault. Next time I go up to Nor Cal, I may stop in and see if the muskrat is still there. It was a fun find. Felt bad for the gal though.

 

[thawk]

I stumbled upon a Schrade display case in a mom and pop hardware store with approx 5 models of USA made in there. I grabbed a 9OT Trapper with toothpick metal and tweezers. I paid about 35 plus tax. The poor gal bled over the case she got bit. It was not my fault. Next time I go up to Nor Cal, I may stop in and see if the muskrat is still there. It was a fun find. Felt bad for the gal though.

I've shuddered a few times watching a clerk try to dig a pocket knife out of that red felt liner. I've even seen a few pry them out with another knife. Never be afraid to ask if you can dig around in the storage area of an old knife case. You might find a surprise or two.

Once I found a 124UH pocket hunter and 3 - 77OT muskrats in the old brown boxes. There were no slots in the red felt in the display, so they had been buried in the storage compartment. Another time 2 - 153UH fixed blade hunting knives for 22.95, both USA Schrades, while the front of the case only displayed Chinese Schrades.

Old hardware store scores are pretty danged exciting! Getting far and few between these days though.