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New Schrades

genewiseman

genewiseman

Joined
Dec 11, 2010
Messages
401
I was just wondering what Y'all thought of the new Schrades. I hate that we don't make them here anymore and have not handled one but they really don't look too bad in the display case. A few models seem to look cheap but in general the don't appear bad. They look better than most Rough Riders from a distance anyhow. What are your opinions?
 
My area of interest is original Old Timers. To me the dye jobs on the new versions don't look as good, lacking the 'depth' of the original OT handles. And of course the all-stainless lineup is a letdown compared to the originals that were mostly 1095 carbon steel.

Still, I've read some reviews and buyer comments on the modern imports that indicate they aren't all bad either.

I do own one modern import, an Imperial folder with a hoof pick. The quality is lacking with regards to the final fit, but it's certainly is no worse than the Irish Imperials.
 
I've just seen the Uncle Henry, and Old Timers of Chinese origin, I think I have a Chinese 340T I misplaced somewhere, but plenty of them show up in peoples pockets around here. The ones I've seen which are more utilitarian in nature, didn't look too hot, a lot of them had play side to side play which is something I haven't seen in my Rough Riders. Also the blades weren't shined up near like a RR, either. My 340T took a mean edge, but I don't recall how well it held an edge, the RR's steel seems comparable to Case's tru-sharp in my mind. I'd assume buy a RR, and I've nothing against Chinese slipjoints, or cutlery in general but I think USA when I see the Schrade name, RR not so much. I just feel like I'm buying a knife when I get a RR not a name like an outsourced Schrade. My feelings aside I've had very good luck, incredible luck with Rough Rider, and the few samplings of Schrade I've seen don't leave me wanting one, but I'm still biased. I'd assume scour a Pawn Shop for a "real" Schrade, but to each their own.
 
My experience mirrors whetrock's, in that the RRs I've handled (quite a few) are vastly superior to the import Schrades. When visiting the big blue roof in Tennessee I went to pick out one of the new Schrades, and had two models I was interested in. They had 9 of each model, and after going through all 18 boxes, I didn't buy a single one. The walk and talk was poor, blades rubbed, F&F not even close to RRs. Marbles brand imports are right there with the Rough Riders, but those are the only two I'm interested in.
 
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[/IMG]Bought this one the other day out of curiosity and because it has the flat bolster treatment that Schrade USA abandoned years ago and that nobody else is making these days. Very sharp out of the box, a glaze finish on the blade instead of the RR mirror, strong springs, snap and very solid construction overall. Now that being said, as a charter member of the Ancient Order of RR Fans, I don't think it merits the fifty percent greater cost over RRs. Even if it does include a handsome commemorative tin.
 
Here's a shot of the back springs. Three and a half inches closed and 86 grams on my kitchen scale. Having been blinded by the glare on opening the boxes of spanking new RRs, I find the softer finish on this "Schrade" refreshing but maybe I just got lucky. Its certainly not a Schatt & Morgan Deluxe English Jack buts it getting closer to the knife I would like to see coming from GEC. Hmm? # 15 frame, 1095 carbon, single clip blade with sharp cut swedge, UNXLD stamped on the bottom bolster, ebony or Autumn Gold scales. What are you hoping for?

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[/IMG]
 
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I can't bring myself to buy one of the newer Schrades, those types of knives are suppose to be good old fashion American made working mans knife. Which this is not, so to me it would feel like I bought a cheap knockoff. So between a shcrade or a rough rider, I take a rough rider as I hear those are higher quality than the schrades and they seem to be as cheap or cheaper. (I own a rough rider but not a new schrade so I can't do a side by side comparison, but I am happy with my rough rider)
 
Bob, surely you must have noticed that there are precious few quality American made knives that "working men" can afford anymore. I wish this were not the case .....but it is.
BTW, where's your computer made?
 
LEOGREG, The Schrade Walden Jack in your photo - it that current re-release of the Schrade 2OT? It looks just like one to me. OH
 
LEOGREG said:
Bob, surely you must have noticed that there are precious few quality American made knives that "working men" can afford anymore. I wish this were not the case .....but it is.
BTW, where's your computer made?
Click to expand...

My issue is I associate Schrade with American made, it's weird thinking of it being made in China. And being made differently with how it was before, it just doesn't feel like it's Schrade to me anymore. I associate Schrade with the type of knives my older relatives used, and to me this is just a knockoff. It's not the "real" thing and would remind me of that constantly if I bought it, so if I buy a Schrade it be one of the older American made ones. I don't have the whole only buy US made knives thing going, just can't get past this one.

And I built my computer, so most of the parts are Japan, Taiwan, and I think one or two parts are US made as well off hand. And 2x cheap sata cables which I assume came from China.
 
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Having had bad experiences with chinese steel recently (bearings that don't last, bulbs that don't last) and the overall disgust I have that we are letting china take over so much manufacturing even while we know how poor the quality of most of their work is, I would rather use a stick sharpened on the ground than buy a chinese made knife. Yuck!
 
Spot on ! Old Hunter. I didn't know they existed until I Googled it. That's just the knife I've been looking for.
One can learn a lot by reading this forum. I love the old USA Schrades.

And Bob, building your own computer, leaves me in the dust but I still consider my IPad to be the "nes plus ultra" of fit and finish.
 
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An original 2OT is a "grail knife" for me too. The one you show could serve as a "place marker" until/if I ever find an original one. OH
 
I have one chinese Schrade, what they call an OT whittler. Doesn't hold a candle to any of the 100s of RR knives I've handled.

Regards

Robin
 
Let's get back to talking about the knives themselves and not where they are being made, ok?
Any questions please refer to the forum guidelines.
 
I bought a couple china schrades right after they hit the market, one was a 8OT in buffalo horn, the handles are nice and fit and finish is decent, but the blade profiles aren't the same as the old 8OTs. The clip blade is thicker and doesn't taper toward the edge very much so it doesn't slice as well as the old stuff, and the Spey and sheepsfoot blades are very thin and flimsy like a fillet knife, I find that typical of Chinese slippies, they don't know how to shape a blade right.
My girl bought a 12OT at cabelas about six months ago, it was like the 8OT, decent fit, but blades too thick and it doesn't cut well.
She also has a lot of rough riders and they in general are decent, however two of hers have gritty actions that I can't remedy.
Tried cleaning the joints and oiling, but it feels like the metal is galling every time you open or close the blades, they all also have flimsy fillet knife like blade and too thick tips.
The best rough rider I have seen is the only one I ever bought for myself, it is a small pen knife with orange smooth bone, they got that one right.

The best of the imported brands for me has been Boker, their magnum line is pretty solid and reasonably priced as well.
I don't really buy many Chinese knives as I just don't like the way they feel or look, but if I was in the market for one I would get another Boker or try a marbles.
 
LEOGREG said:
Bob, surely you must have noticed that there are precious few quality American made knives that "working men" can afford anymore. I wish this were not the case .....but it is.
BTW, where's your computer made?
Click to expand...
Sad but true.
On the other hand, if I could get an American-made computer, I would.

These new imported Schrades don't look too bad for the money. If I had to choose between a new Schrade and a RR in the same pattern, I *might* pick the Schrade.
 
My local brick and mortar knife guy has been trying to get to at least look at the ROC Schrades. I keep dodging them, but eventually I'll grab one or two. My nearest Case Master dealer also carries a huge selection of the Schrades.
 
Bought my Dad a several of these over the last couple of years. They are sturdy and seem to be ok for a work knife. If he loses one...it won't be a big deal. He's lost a couple of nice Schrade Walden 8OT's in the last 5 years by fixing something on the lawn mower or tractor, laying the knife on the fender, then driving off. The last "new" Schrade I bought him was a yellow stockman. The stainless is hard to sharpen but it might be because he waits till it's really dull to sharpen it.

The real Shrade and Uncle Henry's stay in his knife drawer now!
 
Thanks for all the replies. I hate that most everything we have today is made somewhere else. I hate that China produces most of our products but they do seem to be getting better all the time. When I was a kid, nothing worth a crap came out of Japan. Now Japan makes very high quality products. I would rather drive a Chevy than a Toyota but in reality, the Toyota is a very good pickup, maybe better than my Chevy. Some of the best knives I see are made in Japan and my Suzuki motorcycle was a lot cheaper than a Harley and has been trouble free for 10 years now. You can't even buy a dual sport motorcycle like I ride that is made in America anymore. The Wranglers and Justin boots that I am wearing were not even made here. I really don't want to carry a China made knife with an American name but that seems to be the way of the future.
 
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