Advice Needed

[loveitred]

Hi all. I am trying to find a knife for my boyfriend, however I don't know very much about it. I have searched for popular brands and found Schrade to be one of them. I am looking at the AV77 Avatar or the SX4S Badger. I am wondering what you can tell me about these versus maybe some other brands and also where in the Chicago suburbs I might be able to find them. Any other information that you think may be useful is welcome as well! Thank you.

 

[Codger_64]

Welcome to the forum! Schrade is/ was one of the oldest names in America for quality knives. The Avitar and the Badger would both make excellent gifts. Why not a pair? Walmart was the biggest chain retailer, and some of them still have a few in stock, sometimes marked way down. Schrade went out of business this summer after briefly celebrating their 100th anniversary, so Walmart is clearing them out and restocking with Gerbers, Kershaws, and Bucks, and some Chinese knives bearing the Winchester logo. You may have to go to several of their stores to find them, but I would bet there are five or six within 50 miles of you. Ebay sellers have them frequently, and Smokey Mountain Knife Works does too if they are not sold out. (some K-marts had them too) Merry Christmas!

Codger

 

[textoothpk]

Loveitred... I'm as big a Schrade supporter as any of the guys here, and I hope they don't flame me for this post, but....

Schrade has closed it's doors. The Warranty that will come with the gift to your boyfriend is worthless. The place you buy it at may not take it back and give a refund due to it being a 'closeout'.

May I respectfully suggest that you visit a good knife or cutlery store (must be many in Chicago) and tell the clerk what you wish to spend, what kind or style of knife you want, and go with his advice. As an alternative, visit a retail store like Gander Mountain and ask one of the guys at the gun counter for advice. Gun guys know knives, usually, or they at least know quality.

Good luck and Merry Christmas!

Phil

 

[UH Fan]

Very good advice...unless you can find one of Schrade's good traditional (Uncle Henry or Old Timer) knives, I don't think Schrade is the best idea. Avatars and Badgers were some of the later of Schrade's knives before they shut their doors, and when I worked in the Warranty Dept, we received a lot of them back for various reasons. Unfortunately, since they are no longer in business, your boyfriend won't have that luxury. Good luck with whatever you choose, and Happy Holidays!

 

[loveitred]

Thank you so much for your help! I will look into some of the other brands you suggested. I wish you all very happy holidays and may Santa bring you your favorite knife!

 

[Bob W]

You're buying your boyfriend a knife? I'd get a hundred girlfriends if they were all like you... But then I'd probably get in trouble with the wife, and even a hundred Christmas knives isn't worth that.

If your boyfriend collects knives he might be interested in a Schrade, since they're no longer made. Otherwise, I agree with Textoothpk.

I'm not familiar with the two specific knives you mentioned, so I went to the Smokey Mountain Knife Works website to find out what they look like. As you browse the knife shops and websites, you shouldn't have trouble finding similarly-styled knives by Buck, Gerber, or Columbia River Knife Works.

Happy shopping,
Bob