A question about Chinese Schrades

V

vzlion

Joined
May 25, 2008
Messages
23
This may be the wrong place to ask this question and may bring down the wrath of Heaven, Schrade collectors and lovers everywhere, but I'm going to ask it anyway. What's wrong with them? Rather than the fact that they are "made in china". I can remember, not so very long ago, when most people thought the same about "made in Japan". Has there been any usage comparisons between USA made and Chanes made equivelants? Do they have bad, inferior steel? They won't hold an edge? They break easy? They fall apart? What??? Will someone please enlighten me?

I have several USA 7OTs and LB7s, and I love them all. They are wonderful knives. I also have one of the Taylor Brands Chinese 7OTs too. I've been carrying it for about 3 months now and use it on a daily basis, and have found it to be a good EDC knife. It was extremely sharp right out of the box and is still sharp. I don't know how it will last over the long haul and with heavier use that I need, but so far it's been very good for daily use. Just my experience. Maybe I got a good one.

Walt
 
I believe for the money and for a regular daily user the China made are a good deal but for intrinsic value, collectability and pride in showcasing your knives, only made in USA will do. JMO

Jpet
 
Last edited:
There have been some reviews done here, and while a few people seem to be satisfied with the Chinese versions, most who owned the original USA Schrades felt the older ones have better steel, were put together better with better materials, and I am being fairly polite about it. There is a pretty good reason at least 100 a day go unsold on Ebay at rock bottom prices. Some people might feeel like the spirit of the old Schrade factory and the craftsmanship that was upheld there is being bypassed just to make a buck. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Others might not agree with the new marketing plans, or appreciate the opportunists looking to pull a fast one on unsuspecting buyers. Just my 2 coppers.

122338950_o.jpg
 
Look at it this way. Suppose someone came across a copy of the New Testament in Aramaic and Greek, a copy so old, if it wasn't the original, it was contemporary with the original. A Bible from the very beginning ...

Bring it to America, set up a panel of experts, analyze every element of text and font, and make an all but perfect copy.

Same size, almost indistinguishable, same price. Which would YOU want? Which would a collector of antiquities insist on?

* ****** **** ****** *

It has nothing to do with which Schrade series is "better". Even if the Chinese begin turning out theirs with superior steel, fit and finish, and lower price -- they still aren't the original American collectible, even though they may be in greater demand as users.
 
I haven't used a China made Schrade yet but I really wish they didn't use the same model designations as previously. The only Schrade that has not been reproduced yet is the LB8. Hopefully they forgot about that one.
 
Hedger said:
I haven't used a China made Schrade yet but I really wish they didn't use the same model designations as previously. The only Schrade that has not been reproduced yet is the LB8. Hopefully they forgot about that one.
Click to expand...

Actually there a number of patterns that they have not produced yet (or if they have I have not seem them); 2OT, 10OT, 58OT, 24OT, 44OT, 51OT, 858OT, etc. Not to mention some of the Uncle Henry's and most all the Open Stock knives.

Personally I have tried a comparison test side by side between the Chinese & the US made OTs & UHs. The American made ones are far superior IMHO. But I will say, the Chinese ones were better than I expected, though it is evident that they have cut some corners in production.

Just my 2¢,
Dale
 
Thank you all for your replies. I agree wholely on the collection aspect. I have a beginning collection of LB7s and 7OTs.

Orvet, you said the USA ones were far surperior in comparison testing, would you care to expand on that please? In what ways? Particularly in day to day usage. I agree that the Chinese mass production knives probably cut corners, or refine the design, most all mass production items differ from prototypes (considering the USA made ones as prtotypes, or patterns).

As for eBay sales,of the Chines Schrades they seem to be holding their own,
at least the LB7s and 7OTs. Of course I can't watch every one, but I've been watching those for the last couple of months and they seem to be selling well.

Thanks again for the opinions and comments.
 
G'Day, Selling well to whom? I suggest to people who didnt realize "by the new maker of Schrade" actually means 'Made in China'.If they stand up to scrutiny why dont sellers proudly proclaim this fact...its why clones of the originals continue to spew out of the chinese factories. They are inferior because they lack quality control like the ones they imitate.I got caught originally with 'First Production Run' sowbelly with horn handles coming out at right angles to shake my hand.
Anyone that handles a chinese clone tightly will feel immediately the lack of workmanship/ finishing with all the square angles.
Which animal does the cardboard "re-constituted" leather sheaths come from? That in itself should give a hint/warning as to the quality of the steel.
I suggest those who continue to buy them are the small time sellers looking for a quick buck on Ebay by duping inexperienced Schrade knife seekers with their spin doctor descriptions.The real tragedy for us as genuine USA Schrade collectors of knives made prior to closure <check the above description of this forum> is that we stand to lose another potential collector of Schrades once they see/feel/use the Chinese variety thinking this is what it is all about,particularly when they see the thousands that pass through the Bay at pathetic prices without bids. The Lake & Walker Schrade is a perfect example..the genuine Schrade L&W is an excellent knife and the clones continue to go through in droves for about $2 no bids and yet I see the genuine well designed quality USA knife still pass through without the bidding they deserve..BECAUSE....some people dont know the DIFFERENCE...which is the real point of this post.
\P.S. The Chinese arent buying our Aussie steel like they were with current temporary factory closures....so perhaps the clones might attain a secondary collector status...I would buy a Chinese Schrade factory 'Second' as a collector as it would invariably be rarer than my '59 3OT of which one known example exists......Hoo Roo.
 
I myself am skeptical about the quality control of the chinese factories. I always picture them running out of a certain type of steel, and just substituting "whatever" to finish the order. This probably isn't accurate, but that's the feeling I get.

Not that American factories are perfect, but I'd like to think that makers like Schrade held themselves to a certain standard.

With many off-shore factories, I am just not that confident.

And as a general rule, I try to support American companies when I can. I have purchased a few Rough Riders out of curiosity, but don't carry them.

I would not buy a chinese made Schrade if I could help it.

Also, I'm not sure who did it, but I thought I remembered someone doing a comparison a while back of a pre 2004 and post 2004 Schrade on this forum, complete with pictures. It was quite informative and telling.

Glenn
 
Our hard fought standards to make products safe are going down the toilet by accepting China's questionable standards. Think Melamine in baby's formula!! Slave-like child labor!!
China has a long way to go before I will knowingly buy any of their products. Here we are fighting against "man's inhumanity to man in Iraq", and condoning it in China by sending them our money so they can buy up U.S. and Canadian companies and jobs.
The sooner we become aware of the power we wield with our individual dollars, the better off the world will be!
 
Sorry, double-tapped the post! Subject gets me all worked up!!:mad:
Don't buy Chinese knives if you value your country!!:eek:
 
Last edited:
waynorth said:
Sorry, double-tapped the post! Subject gets me all worked up!!:mad:
Don't buy Chinese knives if you value your country!!:eek:
Click to expand...

:thumbup:Amen brother!! I have resisted posting in this thread because:foot::mad:that sh-- goes all over me! I have had 2 occasions when the bay has stung me 1 fellow made it right and I kept the 2ND for the hell of it :confused: 104 OT blades open similar to half stops horrible grinds POS!!! WILL NOT knowingly support Taylor brands LLC. and his Cirade crap!!!
WoW I already feel better RANT OFF!!!!
Shawn
 
The world trade issue is very complex, and I have my opinions, which I will only hint at (i.e. We are in deep deep do do.). I would not buy Chinese knives if they were the best on earth.
 
Hell Yea!!! I agree, I stopped writing my own stuff a couple of months ago regarding the china schrades so now I just wait for you guys to describe how mad it makes me ( the china junks) and I just agree. Man waynorth you hit the nail on the head. Once a month someone comes in here wanting to talk about the china chirades and how there not that bad. Im gonna start a thread called " the chirades" so anytime someone comes along wanting to know why there so bad or why we dont care for them they can just post there. Let your 8 year old make the knives and the chinese steal your job and see if you buy there CRAP. Enough said. Can we take a vote or something to put an end to this And Im not pointing a finger at vzlion at all what so ever, He is a legit collector he just had a question and most of you guys tried to answer it, but let me say this From now on if there is a thread started regarding the quality of the china schrades versus uas shcrades I personally will ignore it. This forum is for usa made schrades it says it right at the top of the page, and in my opnion shcrade closed in 2004. I vote this to be the last china vs usa schrade thread of all time!!!!!!!!! Any seconds- Joel
 
Code: 
its why clones of the originals continue to spew out of the chinese factories.
:thumbup::thumbup:WELL SAID LARRY:thumbup::thumbup:ALL OF IT!!

HEY DALE, I DID A COMPARISON TOO; RESULT:::::NO COMPARISON.:barf:

JOEL, A BIG SECOND (REF;AVATAR);)

WAYNORTH YOUR MY FAVORITE CHRIS KRINGLE:D

THE TEST OF TIME IS THE REAL MCCOY
 
I just finished looking at Timstools "USA vs CHINA Schrade 70t Cutting Test to Destruction" posted back on 7/30/07. All I can say is WOW. That was Awesome. It was a really outstanding test, and extremely informative. Thanks Irv for posting the link to it. That's exactly the type of information I was looking for. And thanks to everyone else who participated in aswering my questions.

Everyone have a Happy Holiday season.
Walt
 
if we only had a monitor, we could appeal to have all chinarade threads deleted upon inception!! That would be the right thing to do, because this forum is about u.s. Made schrades. Then we wouldn't have to be bored to tears by people who have no respect, or can't read!!
I guess the next best thing is to ignore the posts! Boycott them really!!
 
Waynorth exactally what I was getting at from here on out I say boycott the china chirade threads. No one even acknowledge them and maybe they will just go away. - Joel
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top