Help

[Georgia Guy]

Hey guys,
I need some help with a gift. My older brother and I were talking the other day and he was talking about his old Schrade knife. He has sharpened the thing so many times the point looks as if it has been broken. I asked him why not retire it and buy another one? He said that he can’t find one with the same steel. In his words “the good ole steel that turns black when you use it”. I know he is referring to 1095 steel or some close variant. I have been looking for one but all the modern lock back type knifes I can find are stainless steel. Does anyone know where to find a lock back knife with a 1095 steel blade or something like the “old” knives used to be made of?

 

[Bob W]

All of the new Schrade knives I've seen use stainless steel, and most are imported from China by Taylor Brands LLC; the Imperial Schrade corporation went out of business in 2004.

Have a picture or model number of your brother's knife? That would make it easier for someone to recommend a similar replacement.

There are some traditional non-locking pocketknives available in carbon steel, and plenty of fixed blade camp-type survival knives. But a lockback? Hmmm...

Opinel knives are available in carbon steel, and they lock. But they aren't "lockbacks" as such.