BF opinions on Schrade

baxtrom

baxtrom

Basic Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2012
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853
Hi fellow enthusiast,

So, Schrade.

I know a lot of their knives are made in China after the bankruptcy and subsequent reorganisation, however I see quite a lot of decent reviews they get on YouTube channels. Yes, there have been some fails when put to hard use but then again that may happen also to much more expensive knives, as sometimes indicated in the masochistically entertaining and hair raising clips posted by YouTuber “Joe X” (viewer discretion advised, et c).

What’s your opinion on Schrade as a low budget survival knife supplier?

Also, does someone know if Schrade actually did ask Chris Reeve about copying the “Pacific” model?
 
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I still have my Schrade Old Timer Gunstock Trapper 194 OT (made in the US) that I've had for a very long time, but I don't own any of their newer steel. I'd regard their knives made now the same way I do Gerber knives, but I've heard good things about the Schrade F9.
 
I have not bought any of the new Schrade fixed blades but I did buy some of their slipjoints about a decade ago and they were definitely below the quality level that Buck and RR were producing at the time in China too. I also bought another one a few years ago, to see if they had improved, and the overall feel was still not that good.

I have some Schrade USA fixed blades and they are OK.

Regarding their current fixed blade production I believe they are made in various places/factories so the quality may depend on who makes them. It may be better to ask for a specific model.

I think they have some made in the US as well these days.
 
MolokaiRider said:
Older Schrade pre-buyout were pretty nice.
Click to expand...

They made some nice cutlery. Not collector's pieces (even though sold as such, not really...
I have an old Golden Spike which turned out to be a great deer knife, and a pretty good camp knife.

MolokaiRider said:
I have a couple of their newer fixed blades, but do not support the company anymore after they took a BladeForums member and knife designer for a ride, and left him hanging.
Click to expand...
Mistwalker, I believe. That sucked, and they did indeed screw him.

Fast forward to today, and who knows who owns Schrade anymore? It's just a name, and even the last recorded Chinese based conglomerate probably isn't accurate. (Although... if you find it on the internet... )

So that being said, something is going on with the brand. Someone is introducing new Schrade folders, camp gear, fixed blades and other fun items like coffee mugs. All branded "Schrade" and most look to be pretty good quality and made with better than average materials than the standard bargain/low end Chinese offerings. To me, it looks like they are trying to stage a rebranding effort putting money into re-establishing the brand. The brand and its offerings has sat fallow so long making nondescript middle of the road product it will be interesting to see if they can pull it off.

Suprisingly, I have seen a couple of folders that were in the +/- $75 range (for Schrade... really?) and even more startling is a traditional pattern with bone scales MADE IN THE USA!
What???
 
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I bought one of the Taylor Brands-era Chinese made Old Timer 93 OT Wrangler slipjoint patterns, with their sawcut delrin handles, 2015-2016 time frame. The fit and finish is fine for what it is, walk-and-talk is good. The 440A equivalent steel blades were reasonably sharp out of the box. It is perfectly acceptable as a no-frills pocket cutting tool. I think I paid about $18 for it new. Probably worth that, though similar, cheaper Rough Ryder Chinese-made knives I own are better.

I bought one of their bone-handled models, polished blades, supposedly 440c. A stockman variant, don't recall the model number. They had failed to spin down one of the pins holding on the bone, so not only was the handle loose on that side but it had a pin sticking out of it. I decided I had enough other knives to not waste time trying to fix that one, so I pitched it.

50% success ratio for me.

I believe they changed hands again after that. It is no longer the Schrade of old - that is just a brand name someone else bought and sold several times.
 
I love me a nice old USA made Old Timer, my dad used to carry one while I was growing up. However I was a knife dealer from about 2007 to about 2016. During that period Taylor Cutlery owned the company (I don't know if they still do), Taylor Company at that point owned a heavy share of inexpensive knives like Winchester, Remington,... I can't remember what else. I frequently handled their models because I liked to handle basically everything we sold haha. In my opinion they were not quality knives. I'm talking "old school China made", before China turned around and started making quality knives. Come Christmas time we'd stock a ton on those Clamshell packages of all different types of Taylor Cutlery branded stuff and sell them for around $20. Like a package deal where you get a fixed blade and a slipjoint or something. Basically quick gift ideas.

I haven't looked at them since this time period as I was not impressed with their knives. They made some cool designs with cool materials like some fixed blades with bone handles, or ironwood with a brass guard, I still have a few actually that I was given while I was a dealer. However there was always something wrong with them, like a big gap under the bone, a funky grind, just general fit and finish issues. I kind of always assumed that their heat treatment would be crappy but never actually tested one so I could definitely be wrong.
 
There is a line made with 1095 again, raised my curiosity, but have not looked seriously into it. The low budget knives left a bad taste in my mouth, and thename Has been sold again.
 
I carried a Schrade Uncle Henery and/or Old Timer (or 2, or 3, or4, or who knows how many) from 1972 through,,, well right now!

I will say - the carbon steel Old Timers were wicked easy to get a sharper than a razor edge on. They made it so easy you felt like a professional sharpener.

The new Chinese stuff has a lot of knife shaped objects included in the lineup. I bought a Schrade Bowie for myself two years ago as a Christmas present. I made a plaque for it and it hangs on the wall of my computer room.
 
midnight flyer said:
They made some nice cutlery. Not collector's pieces (even though sold as such, not really...
I have an old Golden Spike which turned out to be a great deer knife, and a pretty good camp knife.


Mistwalker, I believe. That sucked, and they did indeed screw him.

Fast forward to today, and who knows who owns Schrade anymore? It's just a name, and even the last recorded Chinese based conglomerate probably isn't accurate. (Although... if you find it on the internet... )

So that being said, something is going on with the brand. Someone is introducing new Schrade folders, camp gear, fixed blades and other fun items like coffee mugs. All branded "Schrade" and most look to be pretty good quality and made with better than average materials than the standard bargain/low end Chinese offerings. To me, it looks like they are trying to stage a rebranding effort putting money into re-establishing the brand. The brand and its offerings has sat fallow so long making nondescript middle of the road product it will be interesting to see if they can pull it off.

Suprisingly, I have seen a couple of folders that were in the +/- $75 range (for Schrade... really?) and even more startling is a traditional pattern with bone scales MADE IN THE USA!
What???
Click to expand...

I think I found the thread by Mistwalker Mistwalker that you may be referring to. Interesting 🧐

Schrade SCHF42 Raven Is Discontinued

***EDIT: I Have Since Terminated the Licensing Agreement For This model, the SCHF42D Mockinbird and The SCHF55 Blackbird Based on The Very Poor Business Practices Of Smith & Wesson Owned BTI Tools (Battenfield Technologies Inc.), The New Owners of Schrade, And How Poorly I was Treated By Them...
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com
 
Old Timer and now Schrade are starting to shift back to some US-made knives. They've been pretty good budget knives depending on the models, but I am at least encouraged to see some of these higher quality versions. That Old Timer USA Sharpfinger looks appealing.
 
I know a few friends who bought some of the 1095 5"-7" fixed blades after watching utube vids a few years ago and they weren't bad for $30-45ish knives.

I've seen a few of their offerings recently on a more modern folder in AUS10. Meh.

I don't own a Schrade and no plans to buy one.

Schrade is like Gerber to me, good decades ago, now ... I'll pass.
 
I bought this Schrade knife a few months ago from a big dealer's site.
On special for $39, the specs had it listed as "Made in China", real stag.
So I bought it on impulse.

The blade clearly says "USA", but it was shipped without a Schrade box and in a plastic bag.

It's a bit of a mystery and all I could think of was maybe someone was having these made in China with old US parts.
In any event the knife is flawless.

schrade3.jpg
 
JPD1998 said:
I bought this Schrade knife a few months ago from a big dealer's site.
On special for $39, the specs had it listed as "Made in China", real stag.
So I bought it on impulse.

The blade clearly says "USA", but it was shipped without a Schrade box and in a plastic bag.

It's a bit of a mystery and all I could think of was maybe someone was having these made in China with old US parts.
In any event the knife is flawless.

View attachment 1915763
Click to expand...
If that truly is a made in USA Schrade I would be all over that.

It's price point and parent company makes it questionable though.
 
I believe Bear and Sons makes some of their slipjoints. From what I recall the equivalent Bear and Sons model tends to be cheaper. I do not remember if they also make Fixed blades for Schrade.

If you are happy with the Bear and Sons quality then you should be happy with the re-badged Schrade.
 
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