What else ya got?

afishhunter said:
Not "bashing" the old Schrade.
They were my "go to" knife company for probably 40 years. However, I tended to stick with the Ulster, (until they shut that name down around 1969/1970, and yes, that ticked me off almost as much as GM, turning Pontiac, Olds, Buick, and Cadillac into nothing but a re-badged Chevrolet. (remember the original Cadillac Seville? A re-branded Chevy Citation. Remember the "350L" engine and the lawsuit by people who bought an Oldsmobile with a 350 V-8 and GM stuck a "350L" in, which was/is a Chevrolet 350 small block? Even today, what's left of GM; Chevy, Buick, Cadillac all have a now called "Corporate" small block Chevy engine. ), Camillus, and Old Timer lines.
My last Old Timer USA purchases were a 7OT and 6OT, around 1997. I still have them. Both were carried for consecutive years, along with other Schrade family knives or a 2 or 3 layer SAK in my pocket.
Sadly, of the others, all that is left is an Ulster Number 10 Barlow. (not one of the Reynolds Tobacco knives).
I bought a couple "Taylor Schrade" 7OT's, and one "Taylor Schrade" Uncle Henry LB7 while driving a truck cross country. I also purchased a "Taylor Schrade" Hammer Brand 4 blade gunboat whittler. (I gave the LB7 to my boss. I decided it was "too fancy" for me).
Since retiring in 2017, I've bought five BTI Old Timer knives:
One Uncle Henry 885UH. Aside from the Stagalon covers, and 7CR14MoV blade it is the same as the 8OT I had in the 1970's. Guess what? It takes and holds an edge just as well as my old 8OT did.
One 858OT stickman. I never had an 858 before, so I cannot compare it to other than the 8OT, which is smaller. Again, same edge holding and build quality.
858OTB This has 9CR18MoV ("440C equivalent") blades. I never had a Schrade USA with 440C blades that I remember.
One 280OT Barlow. Aside from having stainless steel blades (7CR14MoV) instead of 1095, it is equal in quality to my 1959-1968 Ulster Number 10.
One 23T "Scout/Camp" knife. Over-all quality is the same as my 1960's Ulster "Official BSA" knife.
Admittedly, bail came off the 23OT (BTI has sent a replacement knife). However, it was not unheard of for the bail to come off an "Official" BSA 4 blade Scout/Camp knife, regardless of what company had the contract ... or the multitude of "unofficial" BSA 4 blade scout/camp knives, for that matter.
One 25OT Two blade slipjoint folding hunter.
I never had this patter, either, when I was young
At any rate, none of the Taylor Schrade, BTI Schrade or Schrade USA knives I have are "perfect". They all have gotta search with a bright light to find them gaps, no blade wiggle, a blade pull of around "5". All take and hold a "Razor Edge" (6OT/7OT old or new, after re-profiling to 10 DPS/ 20 degrees inclusive.)
My saying the offshore produced knives are "just as good" as the old USA (and Ireland) produced Schrade brands isn't "bashing" them.
It is the truth, based on personal experience and actual use.
Out of curiosity, how many that bash the post 2004 manufactured Schrade knives do you honestly think have actually held or used one?
My guess? Few to none. Their "The USA Schrade's we made by gods and are perfect, never a gap, uneven edge, dull from the box ..." attitude makes me wonder if they've ever handled a pre-2004 Schrade product, as well. Small gaps and other cosmetic defects are "normal". Even my GEC knives have minor cosmetic defects, like un-noticeable with naked eyes gaps, less than perfect transition bolster to cover, blades not perfectly centered, etc.. So what? Doesn't affect the functionality at all, at all. :)
Nothing made by humans is "100% perfect".
As my great grand father (1892-1974) said: "Expect Perfection, be eternally disappointed."

Nor is it bashing the brands, stating that the old Made in USA Schrade family of knives cost 2x or more on the secondary market than when they were new.
I recently saw an Ulster Number 10 online with asking price of $58. The knife cost under $5 when new.
Old 8OT's have prices nearer to $100 than $50. They were $25~$30 when new.
Saying "The pre-2004 Schrade's are over-priced" isn't "bashing" the knives. The sellers, maybe, but not the knives themselves.

My apologies to you, Mr. Swinson, and his family for misspelling his name. I was unaware I was spelling it wrong.
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Blah,blah,blah.....:rolleyes:
 
Grateful said:
Blah,blah,blah.....:rolleyes:
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As your "if anyone says what you perceive as a negative about something you like they are "bashing" it" attitude is?

"Perception is Reality."

If you don't like what I have to say, then add me to your ignore list. I really could not care less if you do.

I'm not going to argue with you.
I'm out of here.
 
I find the Scottish Sgian Dubh kilt knives intriguing, John.
VRTGaPx.jpg
 
JohnDF said:
Good suggestion and I've been dabbling in those waters.
I've mostly been looking for bargains in the vintage knives.
But the desirable ones fetch BIG money and there's a lot of competition for them.
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Yep - same reason I haven't jumped in that pool - I find it frustrating...
 
I seldom buy anything but vintage knives. Rural open air flea markets can sometimes prove to hold some bargains if you know what you are looking at when you find it.
I seem to have reached a place where a well built used but not abused example gives me more enjoyment than a mint knife that I’d likely not carry because it is “ too nice” to use.
There are many fine older Case knives to be found, sometimes at a reasonable price. I also look for many of the older knives made in Solingen Germany. Boker, Carl Schlieper, Robert Klaas, and Schmidt and Ziegler are just a few that I like. The key is to be sure they are vintage, early 1980s and before. Newer than that usually will be a disappointment.
I expect most of us have more than plenty knives now, so the thrill of the search can be much of the fun of collecting.
 
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John, remember the rule of Vs o_O:confused:; Vintage, Victorinox, Viper (or other select moderns like Lionsteel, etc.) should keep you busy for awhile. :thumbsup::thumbsup: Or you might Venture into fixed blades.
If none of that works you can always "Buy More Ammo"! ;):)
 
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