- Joined
- Aug 5, 2022
- Messages
- 135
It has been a long time since I carried a hunter style knife. In the Early70s, I had one, I believe it was a Diamond Edge brand, but I can't be sure. It was the standard, two blade knife that many knife makers were producing a the time. I kept the main blade for special occasions, and used the secondary blade to cut oakum. I cut a lot of oakum in those days! That is the history, but for the present, I had recently found an older Schrade LB 7 that had been rode hard and put up wet. The brass (all four sides) and the scales had been used for a hammer, but the blade, while very dull, had not been badly abused. I put some work into it and salvaged a perfectly functional and reasonably attractive knife for not much money. Since then, I have gathered in two more, and have two more on the way. I plan to leave on in my car, one in my truck and I think I may carry one. The other two are "just because."
These 70s, 80s, and 90s knives (I don't know how to decode the dates) are really first class working knives. they are as solid as a rock, have enough brass in them to build a monkey, and the steel will take a very nice edge. (with some effort) The Wood scales have held up well and polished out nicely. I will be finding out, soon, how well they will hold the good edge. I really like the heft of the knives and the shape works well for me. I am shopping carefully and haven't spent over $30.00 including shipping on one yet, and I believe that in that price range they are a good buy. The used USA made knives sell for about what a new Chinese (Taylor brand) LB-7 knife sells for. I own a couple of Chinese knives, but I certainly wouldn't buy a new one; not because they are bad knives, but I prefer American made. Calling me a dirty Nationalist, in that respect, may not be far from the mark!
One thing that I find curious about the three Schrades, that I have in hand presently, is that all three blades are ground a bit differently. I would have thought that they would have standardized the blades early on and kept them consistent throughout production. It makes me wonder about the possibility about them outsourcing the blades rather than make them all inhouse. Just uneducated speculation.
Of course, it is nearly impossible to talk about these knives without the comparison with the Buck 110, which sells for about double the cost of the used Schrades. I had a Buck 110 in the 80s, but gave it to my son, who adored the thing. For all practical purposes, I don't think the Buck or the Schrade holds a clear advantage as far as form or function. I acknowledge that the Buck holds the clear lead in legend and marketability.
These 70s, 80s, and 90s knives (I don't know how to decode the dates) are really first class working knives. they are as solid as a rock, have enough brass in them to build a monkey, and the steel will take a very nice edge. (with some effort) The Wood scales have held up well and polished out nicely. I will be finding out, soon, how well they will hold the good edge. I really like the heft of the knives and the shape works well for me. I am shopping carefully and haven't spent over $30.00 including shipping on one yet, and I believe that in that price range they are a good buy. The used USA made knives sell for about what a new Chinese (Taylor brand) LB-7 knife sells for. I own a couple of Chinese knives, but I certainly wouldn't buy a new one; not because they are bad knives, but I prefer American made. Calling me a dirty Nationalist, in that respect, may not be far from the mark!
One thing that I find curious about the three Schrades, that I have in hand presently, is that all three blades are ground a bit differently. I would have thought that they would have standardized the blades early on and kept them consistent throughout production. It makes me wonder about the possibility about them outsourcing the blades rather than make them all inhouse. Just uneducated speculation.
Of course, it is nearly impossible to talk about these knives without the comparison with the Buck 110, which sells for about double the cost of the used Schrades. I had a Buck 110 in the 80s, but gave it to my son, who adored the thing. For all practical purposes, I don't think the Buck or the Schrade holds a clear advantage as far as form or function. I acknowledge that the Buck holds the clear lead in legend and marketability.
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though I wouldn't call it cornering the market. A lot of people really over value their knives and ask stupid prices but the really good condition to mint/NIB ones will cost a person. I do like them. The biggest difference for me is the weight. Modern knives can be just as strong and enduring but weigh several ounces less. For old timers like me the brass and wood will always be appealing.
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