On the Schrade and the SCHF16

I

Indianbladenoob

Joined
Feb 8, 2012
Messages
598
I have suddenly (sorry if its a little late) noticed that Schrade has started to put out some very interesting blades. Some very nice framelocks in 9Cr18MoV.
This is apparently the same family as the 8Cr13MoV that we see on a lot of Kershaws and Spyderco budget knives. However, is 9Cr18 any better than 8Cr13? Edger retention, wear resistance, corrosion resistance and anything else of note?

I ordered an SCHF16 neck knife today. it was the only fixed blade I found in the 9Cr18 steel and I really liked the shape and ergos. The remaining (really interesting looking) FB's were all in 8Cr13. Not that I have anything against 8cr13; it has served me very well in my Kershaws. I did not push the button on the folder(s) because I am really well sorted on the folders with KAI/ZT and the RATs. Anyone own one of these and can offer an opinion?

Thanks in advance guys.
Vasu
 
I own the SCH302, 304, and 104L. The first two are excessively heavy but the operation is silky smooth and the lockup is perfect. The third is a rebranded Enlan EL-08 that is very well made but requires a tool to adjust the proprietary pivot screw. All of the non-Enlan 9Cr knives are tip-down only IIRC, and use nylon washers.

The centering, pivot action, and lockup on all three knives are fantastic (after cleaning out the factory grease and applying nanolube).

9Cr is superior to 8Cr in most ways but corrosion resistance. It's not so substantial of a difference, however, that you're likely to notice.

I'm pretty satisfied with what I got - three quality knives for ~$60 total - but I'm probably going to mod and sell the 302 and 304 as the weight is a bit much.
 
Apophis said:
This thread was a little concerning:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1261520-Schrade-Warranty-For-Broken-Blade

Don't strip the coating right away, I guess. Don't know much about the steel, but it is similar in composition to 440c. I imagine it should be fine with a decent heat treat.
Click to expand...

While that is worrying, I am unable to see much online evidence that the issue is systemic. I also try to avoid processing wood etc with a hollow ground knife. I have chipped and broken inferior knives like that.

Comeuppance said:
I own the SCH302, 304, and 104L. The first two are excessively heavy but the operation is silky smooth and the lockup is perfect. The third is a rebranded Enlan EL-08 that is very well made but requires a tool to adjust the proprietary pivot screw. All of the non-Enlan 9Cr knives are tip-down only IIRC, and use nylon washers.

The centering, pivot action, and lockup on all three knives are fantastic (after cleaning out the factory grease and applying nanolube).

9Cr is superior to 8Cr in most ways but corrosion resistance. It's not so substantial of a difference, however, that you're likely to notice.

I'm pretty satisfied with what I got - three quality knives for ~$60 total - but I'm probably going to mod and sell the 302 and 304 as the weight is a bit much.
Click to expand...
Good to know that the quality of folders is satisfactory. The weight bothers me a little. I don't even carry my ZT0566 in my formal clothes because it always keeps me "aware" of it. This is a plus to some I guess. A friend ordered the EL-08 a while ago and seeing that branded Schrade actually convinced me to try them because his example is also very solidly built and not all that heavy.
 
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