Orvet Customs

MAKER:   Imperial Schrade Corp.

PATTERN:   7-OT Cave Bear

LENGTH (Closed):   5”

BOLSTERS:   Brass

SHIELD:   Brass Old Timer Shield

HANDLES:   Saw cut Delrin

BLADES:   Locking clip blade of CARBON STEEL

LINERS:   Brass

TANG STAMPS:   SCHRADE/U.S.A. 7-OT

CONDITION:   Excellent

DAMAGE:   Normal wear, scratches & patina to handles, bolsters & blade.

BLADE WEAR:   Approx 5%

SNAP:   Great

MADE IN:   U.S.A.

ADDITIONAL INFO:      The 7-OT was first made in 1979 & 1980. For some reason Schrade stopped making the pattern but then reintroduced it in 1991 and continued making it until closing in 2004. I believe this knife is from the first run, 1979 to 1980 for two reasons.

1-The first reason is this knife has the bar spring in it, which is Schrade’s original method of manufacturing lock back knives. At some point, I believe in the mid-to-later 1980s, they switched to flat stamped pieces of steel that were tempered to be the springs and the spacer between the rear bolsters. They use this not only on large lock backs like the LB series; they also used it in the 3-OT, 5-OT, 6-OT and 7-OT. The problem with this method of springing the knife was that these two flat stamped springs tended to break with usage where as the original bar spring would last many years longer and is easy to replace. This knife has the original bar spring.

2-The other unique feature of this knife is that it has a carbon steel blade. I don’t think the carbon steel blades were made throughout the first production run of 1979 & 1980, it may have only been part of the first year production that had the carbon steel blades. They are not very common; this is the second one that I have had and there has always been a big demand for them. It is the only 5” lock back knife with carbon steel blades that I can think of off the top of my head. Most were made with stainless steel blades including the 6-OT, the LB-7 & LB-8.

The sheath with this knife is a good serviceable sheath that someone has kept oiled and in good condition. I didn’t clean or sharpen this knife after I got it, though someone may have cleaned it before I got it. I will sharpen it for free if the buyer wants it sharpened, just let me know. This would be a great knife for someone who wants a good 5 inch carbon steel lock back for their hunting kit!

*By Purchasing, The Buyer Confirms It Is Legal For Them Purchase And Own This Knife.

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Item # 20569