Quality of new Taylor/Schrades? Newbie question

I

Ira Aten

Joined
May 24, 2006
Messages
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I just joined, and looked at the FAQ but really am wanting more opinions/input about these new Taylor/Schrade Pro Hunters and Golden Spikes.

I just visited E-Bay for the first time since about this past Christmas. I have an old Pro Hunter fixed blade which I bought about twenty five years ago, and still use it when skinning deer and goats, and have a bunch of uncle henry trappers and stockmen, and some OT schrade pocketknifes, and fillet knifes for cutting out backstrap.

But I went and bought a Schrade Golden Spike in December off E-Bay for $ 125.00, and also bought about a twenty year old model 498 Schrade fixed blade in great shape, and I can sharpen it quick also. I gave about sixty bucks for it and thought I robbed the guy at the time.

Now I am seeing these Taylors for less than forty bucks on E-Bay. Quality wise, how do the new Taylor/Schrade compare as far as sharpening ability and durability as far as holding an edge?

I am having a hard time believing the Taylors are as good as the Schrade originals, like these sellers on E-Bay are saying they are.

They are Chinese made for god's sake, so how can the quality be as good as the Schrade UH or OT originals? Has anyone bought one of them? Anybody have any experience with them?
 
They are junk.Stick to the U.S.A. made knives.Check Codger64's rants on these knives for a complete comparison of the knives.They can be found in the archives,use the search function a the top of the page.Arnold
 
I have handled and reviewed several of the Chitaylor knife patterns here, always with an original Schrade of the same pattern on hand. They are cheap copies, poorly fitted and finished. The sheaths are faux leather. Given the choice of a $25 Chinese 171UH and a $150 new Schrade 171UH, the Schrade is a better deal every time. As to the quality of the steel, I have no idea. I have been, without exception, so dismayed by the details of the Chitaylors when compared to the real deal, I have had no inclination to use one enough to see how durable they are. Or how well they take and hold an edge. Perhaps they would be good users for people who don't know the difference, or don't care. I personally don't believe in feeding the dragon intent on eating us, and as long as there are Schrades out there made in America, that is what I will use and carry.

Codger
 
I have seen some of the first Schrade knives made over seas they were without a doubt not up to the quality of the American made Schrade. However, the ones I am now seeing today have been improved greatly. The leather sheath is top quality. The products are equal to anyones specs. It is amazing how fast the Chinese have improved on this product line. I have not bought any so I do not know how they hold an edge.
 
It does not matter how good or bad the quality is. I have seen over the years countries like Japan, ROC start out with not so good quality then make knives better than anyone else in the world. Without a doubt this is happening in China. However, we do not need to be buying from these other countries especailly Japan. When you buy currently from these other countries you are in a way voting to put American companies like Camillus out of business. We need to support USA companies only. It seems to be including Camillus that parts or products are being made offshore. I don't know if we can stop this but we need to support the USA companies.
 
I agree totally with not buying these Chinita knives. I was just shocked since I saw a 171 UH for almost free, and a golden spike for the sam, and the name Taylor/Schrade, I didn't know what the deal was.

But the old saying if something sounds too good to be true, you can usally bet it ain't sure holds true on this.

I am not a collector really, like you fellows, I am just a user. I hunt and fish a lot, and butcher goats pretty often, and have used Schrades for about thirty five years due to the fact they will sharpen better and faster than a buck, case, or any other knife I have ever found. I have a bunch of knives, but the schrades are the ones that go in my pocket or on my belt, and the cases and Bucks usually stay inside the house.

When I saw Schrade prices drop like a rock on Ebay, I just was'nt sure what the heck was going on. You have made me feel much better about spending so much on the last two I bought last Christmas.

Again, thanks.
 
Thou speakith the tongue which is never crooked and knows not the serpents guile. Still its truth shall go upon the wind, unheeded by the chattle who simply prattle without concern of payment true. They little know, there concern still less that it is not the metals or papers paid, they but belie the true cost. Instead it is the blood of the ghosts of past whos toils these purchase betray. Value received and tariffs paid will fall upon those to come for they are the the villians true prey.

I agree with you Bill but, I am getting tired of saying it over and over and no one listening so I thought I would give it a little Shakespearian flavor today. LT PS I threw in a little Nostradamus.
 
IRA - Welcome to the party! It's always great to get some new blood into the forums.

I'm not into bashing anyone. All I'll tell you is get the specs of the knife your are interested in and learn what each spec means as far as knife performance. Also fondle it (gently) and see how it feels in your hand. They all look good in pictures.

Some time back Japan was getting bashed. Most of Spyderco's knives came from there (and many still do).

Knives are not made by little peasants sitting in front of the dirt floor huts with hammers and files. They are made by great big huge machine tools. They may be hand sharpened but many are done by machine. The fit and finish of these is very high regardless of where the machine is located, US, China, Taiwan, Japan, Germany, Brasil, etc.

I have some great knives with good steel and handles, framelocking, that I didn't pay much over $20 for. I bought them because I liked the way they felt in my hand. I figure if you can peel and cut up a 50 pound bag of potatoes without your hand cramping, and without having to resharpen your knife, then you have a good one.

There is a good posting on another forum that may be of benefit to you. Here it is. It is written by the knife wizard, ninja, jedi knight master knife maker Mr. Joe Talmadge. What he forgot about knives is ten times what the rest of us combined know about knives.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=368828
 
I also am not bashing anyone and appreciate an opinion. I was making reference to WWII Bills posting ("It does not matter how good or bad the quality is. I have seen over the years countries like Japan, ROC start out with not so good quality then make knives better than anyone else in the world. Without a doubt this is happening in China. However, we do not need to be buying from these other countries especailly Japan. When you buy currently from these other countries you are in a way voting to put American companies like Camillus out of business. We need to support USA companies only. It seems to be including Camillus that parts or products are being made offshore. I don't know if we can stop this but we need to support the USA companies.")

I must admit I have a bit of a problem with experts who have a title like knife wizard, ninja, jedi knight master knife maker. I am impressed with the degree of knowledge you feel he has "What he forgot about knives is ten times what the rest of us combined know about knives." he must have the scrutiny of deep oriental subliminal study as well as a neat light saber.

I know I have a lot to learn having written only one book ( in its second printing ) having a CD . Having written numerous magazine articles as well as answering many questions which Schrade would receive regarding antiquitys. All on the subject of knives of which the history as well as other aspects of the subject I have studied for fifty years. I am only one contributor to this forum and to think that our combined knowledge and proclevitys for the subject is so minescule as to be one tenth of what Mr wizard, ninja, Jedi knight has forgotten ( in your estimation.),

Thankyou for informing us that these knives are not being made by peasants by hand. I myself was aware that the technological status of say the RED CHINESE was a bit more advanced than that. The governments you mention are certainly not all in the catagory of infamy and deceit of Red China. However as was pointed out in WWII Bills posting that is not what is at stake whether these knives cost more or less or are better or worse than there American counterparts. Means nothing if americans are out of work they will not be able to buy anything or pay taxes or food. Of course at that point we could ( since we will have been reduced to peasant status ) hand make knives in front of a fire.

If you like and enjoy your knives that is fine as is your opinion which I respect as I do anyones. I simply wanted to broach a few of the other ramifications and factors involved in this subject. May the force be with Mr Ninja Jedi and your self. However life is not a movie. LT
 
DGG:

Thanks for the welcome, and info.

I am looking forward to being involved with this forum. The guys on this site know a bunch about the history and manufacture of Schrade knives.
I have learned a more about model numbers, etc. in the last day, than I have over the past thirty years of scrounging around looking at knives at guns shows, sporting goods shops, etc.
 
Ira Aten- Welcome to the forum! :thumbup:

I agree with WW2Blii & LT. It won't matter who makes the best knife when all the American jobs have gone overseas, because we won't be buying any. We will be setting by the fire trying to hammer a piece of steel into a usable shape because we won't be able to afford even the cheap ones.

Something to remember:
Al Mar once told me, (as I was admiring his newest knife at the time, the Pathfinder), "Remember Dale, It doesn't matter how pretty and how sharp your knife is, you have to know how to use what you have. The guy who takes your life may do it with a homemade knife that he hammered out of an old Jeep spring, not fancy, just effective."

I agree about supporting our American knife companies.
This morning I just ordered a Camillus knife. :D
I hope Camillus makes it through their hard times.
 
I find myself ordering more Queen and Camillus knives too. It makes me feel a little better helping these companies---hopefully not in vain.

Kevin
 
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