Feedback on Taylor-Schrade Old Timer Stainless

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rishma

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Jun 22, 2008
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I decided a while ago that the Schrade USA 36OT may be the perfect pattern for me. Unfortunately they were only made for two years by Schrade USA. This means they tend to be rare-ish.

While I patiently wait to find a user with carbon steel blades in good condition I was considering picking up one of the new ones made in China to find out if it is in fact my perfect pattern (unicorn?). My question for everyone is what do you think of the stainless steel they use?

I must admit I am not very good at sharpening but I like to carry very sharp knives. This is why I tend to carry 1095 or similar carbon steel. I am capable of getting a very sharp edge and it keeps long enough. I consider the stainless used in Vic Swiss Army knives very serviceable. I can also put a great edge on Opinel stainless and Mora stainless. I have gotten frustrated by other cheap stainless blades and modern super steels.

So, is that Chinese Schrade stainless gummy and frustrating to get and keep and edge? If you're one of those guys I can put a hair popping edge on a garden trowel, please keep in mind that I don't have those skills.

Thanks in advance.
 
I have three or four Taylor Schrades. 34ot's and 72ot's. I'm a decent sharpener, unless we're talking about super steels. I find the Taylor Schrades take an edge easily for me with a Spyderco Sharpmaker or a Lansky 4 rod turn box. That's what I use on my Taylor Schrades. I don't think you will have a problem!


Alex
 
I agree with Alex. I think they would use 7Cr17MoV on that model. I have one knife in that steel and it takes a good edge considering I'm the one doing the sharpening. Edge holding is fine - good for the amount I paid for it.
 
Somewhere in here there is a thread comparing the US Schrade's to the nrw made, and Case stainless.
The verdict was the new made Schrade hold an edge just as long as the US Schrade, and both hold an edge a littel better than the Case.
 
Wow. Three solid supporters. Thank you all for the feedback.


Anyone want to offer a different opinion?
 
I've got a Taylor Old Timer 93OT. It came with evenly beveled and fairly sharp factory edges, ground to a decent fineness, maybe 600-800 grit edge. Usable out of the box.

I was able to further refine and smooth the edge and both blades are quite sharp.

The only issue I have is that the primary grind is rather thick, so it's a good cutter but not so great as a slicer. That may be specific to that pattern, but in general I prefer the much thinner blades on a Case knife.

Nothing really wrong with the steel, though.
 
Taylor Schrades take a fine edge on my Lanskey turn box 📦. Finish on a strop or ultra high grit wet dry sandpaper.
 
I bought a couple of Taylor-Schrades, mostly because I was curious about them.
1) I found the blade steel to be decent. Holds an edge better than Tru-Sharp and about as well as US-Schrade "Schrade+", which was 440A up till about 1995-ish.
2) I found the Taylor Schrade a bit easier than Case to sharpen because Tru-Sharp has a tendency to form a wire edge.
3) One of the knives was an 834UH Rancher (a small stockman). I bought one US Schrade and one Taylor Schrade. I found minor differences in the pattern, but roughly the same build quality. The Taylor Schade has primarily offset blades, which are only crinked a little bit. The US-Schrade relies completely on crinking the blades to make them fit in the knife. I actually prefer the offset blades.

I think that if want to try the pattern, the Taylor Schrade would be a decent option. You might even find you like it as a permanent solution.
 
Got 2 Old Timer 3 OT lock backs that are Chinese made. These are small knives around 3". One is in the sawn bone delrin (not as nice looking as the US stuff) but F&F is very good, the others Buffalo, horn again, the F&F is very good indeed. The steel to me seems at least as good as CASE's stainless, not difficult to sharpen and holds up for the kind of tasks you would expect a small pocket-knife to be able to do. No problem with it or the other aspects of the knives.
 
I avoided Taylor Schrades for a long time. Several months ago I put to use an 8OT that was gifted to me because I really liked the pattern. Used it around the house for a lot of rough jobs. The steel holds an edge pretty good. I sharpened mine on a Smith's diamond hone and obtained a very good edge quickly and easily. I don't think you will be disappointed with it.
 
Well, that's a resounding endorsement! Thanks all for taking the time to share your experience. I am really glad to see the comparisons to Case stainless, which I have not loved in the past.

I just placed an order for the 36OT. I'll let you know how it turns out.
 
I have a couple China Old Timers, I can' t comment on the blade steel as I haven't tried sharpening them, but I can tell you that the fit and finish is not that good.

Both knives (12OT single blade and 95OT trapper) have poorly centered blades that rub the liners. My two USA OT's were both 108s, the smallest stockman and even those didn't rub!
 
The Swinden key construction on the USA made knives was okay until there is a problem. If there's a problem, it is more difficult to fix. I always preferred Schrade's 1095 (Old Timer) over the Schrade+. It's too bad that there are no more $20 knives with 1095 steel.
 
Buzzbait said:
Sounds like an overall improvement to the stainless line of Schrades.
Click to expand...

They are a nice knife, especially for the money. I have 3 of them, including a scout pattern which I had never seen before. The fit and finish is very good and the steel has been a surprise. Great users!
 
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