Any Good Schrade Knives?

[RedLynx]

Hi guys,

Schrade wasn't my first knife,but it was very close, and my first memorable one. A Schrade hunter for my 16th birthday is sort of what really got me into knives. I know they were bought out, I don't hear as much about them as I used to... are there still any good Schrades made, particularly folders? I'd like to add a few Schrades, especially anything you might consider a quality inexpensive bargain. Thanks guys.

 

[Bighaze51]

One thing for sure, schrade isn't what it used to be. That said, they do still make some decent knives. I have the Uncle Henry senior rancher and it's a solid large stockman knife. The blade steel is 7cr13mov, i believe. It's not a rediculous high performance steel but it will get stupid sharp.

 

[RedLynx]

Thanks Bighaze,

Bought a Schrade folder awhile back... pretty inexpensive but seems decent enough for the money, it was $15 and I hadn't tried Schrade in a long time so I thought, why not.

 

[Lee48]

You can still find US Schrades on the auction site or in flea markets and antique shops. Unfortunately, since Schrade went bust, the prices of the US made knives have become unreasonable. I see posts sometimes on these forums about the low prices people paid for like new Schrade knives but I never see those prices anywhere.

The Chinese Schrades are pretty good and the prices are excellent. I've bought a few and they were all good working knives. Nothing a collector would want, but then again who knows? In 1974, did anyone ever think a beat up 8OT would be going for $60-$80?

 

[RedLynx]

You can still find US Schrades on the auction site or in flea markets and antique shops. Unfortunately, since Schrade went bust, the prices of the US made knives have become unreasonable. I see posts sometimes on these forums about the low prices people paid for like new Schrade knives but I never see those prices anywhere.

The Chinese Schrades are pretty good and the prices are excellent. I've bought a few and they were all good working knives. Nothing a collector would want, but then again who knows? In 1974, did anyone ever think a beat up 8OT would be going for $60-$80?

Hi Lee,

Recently picked up a Schrade Old Timer 1250T model, since it was a larger knife and I really like large traditionals... got it off of an auction site which didn't list country of origin (seller in the US though) and I guess it was made in China, didn't know that beforehand... haven't carried it a lot but so far it has taken a nice edge and for $15 dollars it really isn't bad, doesn't feel like a $15 knife, honestly.

 

[RevDevil]

I only buy the older USA made Schrade knives when I can find them. A couple months ago I found a good shape LB7 and an Old Timer "Middle man" 34OT for about $25 each. Both are used and have seen some use, but I expect that. The LB7 which is about the same size as a Buck 110 has a very solid blade, no wiggle at all and is very stiff even after about 30ish years of carry and use.

The Schrade tactical style knives are more of a clone factory. They seem to produce a lot of stuff based on existing designs, almost identical in fact. I saw they copied a lot of the ZT, Kershaw, Ka-Bar, and other designs almost angle per angle.

 

[RedLynx]

I only buy the older USA made Schrade knives when I can find them. A couple months ago I found a good shape LB7 and an Old Timer "Middle man" 34OT for about $25 each. Both are used and have seen some use, but I expect that. The LB7 which is about the same size as a Buck 110 has a very solid blade, no wiggle at all and is very stiff even after about 30ish years of carry and use.

The Schrade tactical style knives are more of a clone factory. They seem to produce a lot of stuff based on existing designs, almost identical in fact. I saw they copied a lot of the ZT, Kershaw, Ka-Bar, and other designs almost angle per angle.

You aren't kidding. I won't give specific models but there is a Schrade on the market now that is pretty much EXACTLY like a Kershaw that I have... I even bought the knife just to do a comparison. It matched up pretty exactly. Not just angles, either, even colors and handle patterns and materials.

 

[NCJohn]

Yep Taylor brands bought the rights to Schrade's name and patents when the company folded. It's all made in China now. They've kept some of the old standards in production like the Sharpfinger skinner and brought out a bunch of look-a-like "tactical" designs. SMKW has some of the NOS USA blades that they've had assembled offshore as "frankenSchrades".

I personally feel if you're going to go Chinese you can do better for less with a Bee/Enlan or a Sanrenmu

 

[carbonsteelfan]

Redlynx ; l recommend always to get the USA old timers second hand. I've had plenty of bad experiences with the chinese ones. I owned a chinese Schrade 1940T gunstock trapper liner lock. Exactly 4 weeks after l bought it ; the lock sprung on my hand injuring my right index finger badly enough to necessitate 4 stitches. I would also like like to add that the knife was delivered dull as a butter knife. I later read some online reviews on Amazon and there were at least 3 others with similar problems. Schrade is not what it used to be.
The American ones ; though ; are a completely different story.
My grandfather has EDCed 1 knife since 1951 ; a Scrade Old Timer 80T senior stock man with a 1095 carbon steel clip ; spey and sheeps foot blades. It is un rivalled in cutting.

 

[davek14]

People really are starting to ask too much for USA made Schrades.

I've been able to get a small collection fairly inexpensively although it took a couple years. I guess I've got about 15 or so with maybe 5-6 being like new and unsharpened.

Sometimes I actually like it better when I get one with a broken tip, broken blade to reshape, some flaw. A knife to drop in my back pocket and use.

Go USA on Schrades, big difference. You already have one I think, no rush. Just start keeping your eyes open and don't rush it. Flea markets, yard sales, antique stores, junk shops, pawn shops, knife stores if you have one close by, they'll often have used stuff you have to ask about.

Never bought one on the bay.

 

[leghog]

You can still find US Schrades on the auction site or in flea markets and antique shops. Unfortunately, since Schrade went bust, the prices of the US made knives have become unreasonable.

Not necessarily. I've gotten them for $15 or less.

In January 2014 I paid less than $13 for this Schrade Walden 834. I gave it to a friend at work last week.

Also some time in the last 9 months I got this Schrade 108OT in trade for a piece of crap Gerber.

I paid $10 for this 33OT. Gave it to my son.

Paid $16 for this 219. Clip point had been reprofiled. Gave it away here on BF.

Good deals are out there. Just look and be patient.

 

[RedLynx]

People really are starting to ask too much for USA made Schrades.

I've been able to get a small collection fairly inexpensively although it took a couple years. I guess I've got about 15 or so with maybe 5-6 being like new and unsharpened.

Sometimes I actually like it better when I get one with a broken tip, broken blade to reshape, some flaw. A knife to drop in my back pocket and use.

Go USA on Schrades, big difference. You already have one I think, no rush. Just start keeping your eyes open and don't rush it. Flea markets, yard sales, antique stores, junk shops, pawn shops, knife stores if you have one close by, they'll often have used stuff you have to ask about.

Never bought one on the bay.

Thanks Davek,

Yeah I've got a USA Schrade already, it's not as though I'm chomping at the bit, but I would like to add a few here and there... I'll keep a lookout. Thanks everyone.

 

[RedLynx]

Nice looking on you have there leghog! Or used to have, I should say.

 

[crom]

38OT has been my pumpkin carver for 4 years now, it's a tradition.

 

[koldgold]

Your grandfather's 8OT may have been made in the early 1960's! The first "8OT Stockman" was made in 1959, and it had "Saw Cut Bone handles".
I have been using the same old 881,(EDC) since 1973; it is much the same knife as the 8OT stockman with 1095 carbon blades... KG

 

[carbonsteelfan]

Your grandfather's 8OT may have been made in the early 1960's! The first "8OT Stockman" was made in 1959, and it had "Saw Cut Bone handles".
I have been using the same old 881,(EDC) since 1973; it is much the same knife as the 8OT stockman with 1095 carbon blades... KG

I am so sorry. I meant 1961. I got the digits wrong. Anyway it is a good knife. Nothing like the Chinese ones.

 

[koldgold]

This is an "8OTY Stockman".

 

[MrPocketsOfSteel]

Not necessarily. I've gotten them for $15 or less.

In January 2014 I paid less than $13 for this Schrade Walden 834. I gave it to a friend at work last week.

Also some time in the last 9 months I got this Schrade 108OT in trade for a piece of crap Gerber.

I paid $10 for this 33OT. Gave it to my son.

Paid $16 for this 219. Clip point had been reprofiled. Gave it away here on BF.

Good deals are out there. Just look and be patient.

Incredible post IMO. Funny to mention the terms "Grail knife" and Schrade Old Timer" in the same breath but that is what it is for me. My Dad had one all of his working life and I managed to lose it back when things like this didn't mean anything to me. I think about that often.

I tried to find a Real Old Timer and spent a little over three weeks going to yard sales and flea markets etc. etc. and for whatever reason it wasn't in the cards. Great knife. Great history. Back when things IMO were a little bit nicer. Ha!

 

[koldgold]

I think we could say all schrade knives made before 2004 in the u.s.a. - were mostly good knives.