Opinions on Schrade Extreme Survival and Frontier Series...

[Nalapombu]

Hey all.

I was looking around on EBay and Amazon and came across the Schrade Extreme Survival and the Frontier series of Fixed blades. They are priced affordable for everyone to get, most are less than $50. I looked at several of them and there's a few that I really like. They have full tangs, made with 1095, and are 0.25 thick.

I'd like to know what you all think of these knives. If you own one, how about posting your thoughts and experiences with it? I'd like to read them.

Thanks for your time
Larry

 

[jdm61]

They seem to get decent reviews and they don't seem to be left quite as "soft" as some other popular 1095 blades. What makes me laugh is when guys take those $50 knives and stick them in $200+ sheaths.

 

[ATJ999]

I have one of the 7 inch 1095 Schrade fixed blades. Holds an edge and has better edge stability better than most 1095 production blades. Ten times better HT than my TOPS 1095 blade. It has a really thick blade, but pretty good blade geometry. Mine only cost like $28, an it is amazing bang for your buck. I bought a backup. I usually use my custom blades, but it is a quality blade that I use a lot more than I thought I would. I keep one in a compartment in my truck, and one for farm work. The 5 inch model would make a great field knife.

For reference, mine is the Extreme Survival and frontier with rubber handle. Handle is great, but there is some rough jimping when you grip, easy to smooth though.

 

[jdm61]

You mean that it is better than the TOPs super secret proprietary heat treatment?

I have one of the 7 inch 1095 Schrade fixed blades. Holds an edge and has better edge stability better than most 1095 production blades. Ten times better HT than my TOPS 1095 blade. It has a really thick blade, but pretty good blade geometry. Mine only cost like $28, an it is amazing bang for your buck. I bought a backup. I usually use my custom blades, but it is a quality blade that I use a lot more than I thought I would. I keep one in a compartment in my truck, and one for farm work. The 5 inch model would make a great field knife.

 

[ATJ999]

haha yeah I know. I spend more time sharpening my TOPs than chopping. I guess it can be good sharpening practice, but if I want to get actual work done, I will stick with my 3V slimline machetes.

 

[jdm61]

If you are to believe the "shop tour" videos, TOPS HT's their blades in a forge by heating the edge to critical and then dunking then in a bucket of the nastiest looking oil I have seen in ages. Not exactly best methods for any steel, but particularly for a shallow hardening steel like 1095.

haha yeah I know. I spend more time sharpening my TOPs than chopping. I guess it can be good sharpening practice, but if I want to get actual work done, I will stick with my 3V slimline machetes.