A new knife review - Taylor LB7 Chinese knife

[lrv]

Not having the same writing skills as either Codger of Robert I still felt the need to add a review to the set. So... here ya go! Pictures at the end.
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LB7 TaylorLLC
I was recently sent a newly manufactured imported version of a venerable Imperial Schrade LB7 Bear Paw with a Sheath for examination and review, and the box does resemble a real Schrade box. The top of the box has the image of an American flag on it to help confuse the buyer. The side of the box does have the importer’s name on it, Taylor Brands, LLC. Only on the barcode end-flap does the word "China" appear, and in the product I.D. Title. "SCHRADE LB7 CHINA". The box itself is corrugated pasteboard.
Like the previous reviews the LB7 came shipped in its sheath. The difference is the knife was wrapped in a piece of waxed brown paper.
The instruction sheet was the same as that of the 7OT and 15OT, written in Spanish, English and French printed on threefold paper.
Extracting and opening the knife there is a bit of roughness to the blade swing almost having a ½ stop, followed by a great click as the lock engages when the knife is fully opened. Closing the blade required a lot of pressure on the back of the spring. I asked for my wife to attempt to close the knife. She was unable to squeeze the lock with enough strength to unlock the knife and swing the blade close. Some oil and use may loosen the blade and lock some but there is a design difference that causes me concern. The center backspring pin has been moved towards the back of the knife by just over ½” which shortens the fulcrum length which in turn causes more downward pressure to be needed to release the lock. The backspring is very strong and it left a mark on my fingers when exercising the opening and closing of the knife. There is no blade movement when open. Some side to side movement when closed but no difference than my other LB7’s
Just the Facts.
Overall:
The weight is 7.5oz where the originals are heavier at 7.8-8.0oz.
It’s also 1/16" thinner. 9/16” verses 8/16”.
The blade is 1/8” shorter 3 9/16” verses 3 11/16”
The Center pin has been moved back toward butt of knife by just over ½”
All the visible pins brass and are thinner that the original.
The bolsters have sharp angles, not rounded at edges front and read and the finish is brushed brass.
There is no pivot pin showing through front bolster.
The scales are wood with a rich red-ish stain in a flat-satin finish. Finish is just a bit rough with a bite to the surface of the pins and edge of bolster/scale when running fingers across. Along the backspring side the wood does not come up flush to the bolsters. Blade is sharp but not quite hair popping sharp right out of the box.
The blade grind line starts lower towards the edge. The profile of the blade is about the same with the kick and swedge being almost exact. The Choil is a little longer.

On the Mark Side: The nail nick is same size as later model LB7 where the earlier models had a smaller nick. The blades are stamped:
Uncle Henry over SCHRADE on tang.
SCHRADE SUPER-SHARP embossed across grid line.
(Original has either Uncle Henry over SCHRADE+ over LB7 U.S.A. or same without the Uncle Henry)
Pile side:
There is a huge LB7 stamp on tang compared to nothing stamped on the original.
There is “First Production Run” and the China Schrade trademark across grind line.

Like the 6OTc the interior liner brass is unfinished except strangely for 1” in the center on both sides. This may also explain some of the rough blade movement.

Sheath: Extinct Naugahide reconstituted leather. Thin, flexible. Vinyl feeling. Schrade stamp on the flap and snap. Waterproof for a day.

Conclusion: IMHO:
They almost made a decent knife. If a final grinding pass were made, this knife needed a little extra. I like the hidden front pin. The difficult operation of the lock and the exterior roughness of the finish causes this knife to be a non SCHRADE.
It’s a shame what is being sent as a leather sheath. I think the nylon sheath that comes with the 6OTc would give better use. Quick giveaways that you have a TLLS LB7: the center pin in the bolster, grind line and of course the tang stamps
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[Codger_64]

I was afraid to hand the TBLLC 7OT to the wife to try, but the non-knife-person son (stitches are out now, thanks) noticed the grinding when opening the blade. You know, with such easy examples to copy in the NIB originals, it is a shame they didn't truly copy the knives. I've owned an SKS rifle also made by those guys (Polytech Norinco) and they rivaled the Soviet issues in fit and function (though not finish).

OK, now who out there "oopsed" a bonehead, err... I mean a sheep horn Taylor? Or any of their other folders? Reviews guys? We promise not to flame the reviewers. The other TBLLC knives have been mailed to other reviewers for more input and impressions. I think two or three reviewers at least is required to really give the feel for what the products are like. Anyone? A chinese 897UH? 8OT? 153UH?

Codger

 

[lrv]

Im working on the goatshead as we speak..

 

[Codger_64]

Larry covered the TBLLC LB7 quite well. There really is not a whole lot more I can add, even though he sent nine different specimens along with the chinese knife for comparison.

The packaging was no surprise, having seen the same design and quality on the other chinese knife boxes. I will say the boxes were cheapened by design, since the same chinese outfit probably produces these that made them for ISC in the last few years.

The sheath provided was not really a surprise either, just more of a disapointment. The cover flap logo stamp is not a stamp at all, but it appears to be laser cut into the composition leather, leaving a raised, ragged edge around the features. Like the TBLLC 15OT sheath I reviewed, the sheath surface has a moulded in grain that looks like plastic, just too uniform to be real. Both the female and male portions of the snap are attached by a very shallow hollow rivet (the tech name for this escapes me), and the portion folded over the inside of the snap halves is near flush, and appears to be about 1/32" wide, far smaller than the real ISC sheath. A very tenuous connection at best. It is a tossup whether the faux leather material, or the snap mounting will fail first. I agree with Larry that a nylon sheath would have been a better choice.

Ah, yes. The knife. Where do I begin. When I first picked it up, I thought there were gaps between the scales and bolsters. Under bright light, it was revealed that the bolsters were proud of the wood. Enough to see and feel. On the bottom of the knife where the scales meet the rear bolster, there is a substantial gap, and alos on one side between the scale and liner. Filler (or glue) failed to hide the fact. The pins on the chinese knife are smaller in diameter, though only extended use will prove whether or not that is of consequence to the functional life of the knife.

The lock. While it locks up tight, the fact that it takes so much pressure to release it is a deal killer. Having to wrap one's fingers around the knife to squeeze hard enough to release it, if the pivot action were smooth, it would close on the fingers.

The blade's final grind has the same marking I've seen on other Taylor imported knives indicating a mechanized grind, not a smooth grind done on a wheel, then polished by a cutler. Yeah, it is sharp. The stamps are different enough to not confuse someone familiar with ISC LB7s, but once the chinese blade etch is gone, Joe Public will have no idea who made these. The importer's name is nowhere to be found, either etched or stamped.

By now I guess you can tell I am not enthused about this knife. I must say I have seen worse. I don't remember where, but it has been a long time. Maybe it was some of the first copies from Taiwan, or Pakistan. Um... yes, the Pakiwood handles come to mind here. Yes, it is a working knife, albeit handicapped by design and manufacturing flaws. I would not buy one, nor recommend them to family or friends.:thumbdn:

These are the ten knives I received for this review. 9 real ones to compare to the TBLLC knife. Every one of the real ones are good knives, various brands and models. It will be hard to decide which ones to keep and which to send back! Can you name them from this poor scan?


Codger

 

[OTguy]

The real question is how do you like those two blade folding hunter models?

I'm sold on these as a pattern thats due for a comeback, its to good a pattern to fade away. I'm thinking I want a D2 Queen to mess around with, although I'd jump on a new production CV Case if they'd make one. The 25OT is my fav though, for the moment.

 

[Codger_64]

Actually, they fit the hand better than the more square LB's and OT's. I'm thinking the single bladed ones are the ticket for me. Someone here mentioned the other day about the closed blade interfering with the grip contours, and to a degree, I agree. Loaners are welcome. BTW, that black Imperial is a keeper!

Codger