Schrade 33OT - Disappointing Purchase

[Blind Squirrel]

 

[Blind Squirrel]

Greetings Gents (& Ladies)!

Long-time follower, first-time poster.

I have about 15-20 one-hand folders and slipjoints, and recently took the plunge to purchase a piece of Americana: Schrade 33OT. Received item today, and disappointed. See my Photo #1. The clip blade, when closed, does not settle in the groove completely. The blade point is approx. 1/16” above water. This as an unsafe knife. I have already jabbed myself twice on the very sharp point. ……..What could be the cause, and what could be done about it?

From my Photo #2, you can see there are no impediments within the blade wells (….and I have refrained from any cleaning/oiling of the knife since first examination), thus nothing to keep the clip from settling at the proper level.

I ask for the Forum’s input, as I suspect that the clip blade may have been severely ground/reduced (See my Photo #3), resulting in a shorter blade that does not reach into the blade wells. Of the Seller’s 5 photos, only one was similar to my Photo #1, but at an angle that barely showed the point above the water line. I don’t doubt that a more experienced “Old Timer” would have spotted that.

I ask for your input, as I am going to return the item, but any supporting evaluation is most welcome!

 

[Blind Squirrel]

Sorry, I just can't seem to upload my Photos #2&3 .......

 

[lambertiana]

Is this current production or an older one that actually says USA on the tang? If it’s an older one you have to be careful to get one that hasn’t been abused. If it’s current production, given the country of manufacture and the price point, all bets are off.

 

[knarfeng]

Post in thread 'How do I post pictures from a.....'

Jul 30, 2024

As a registered user, you can post pictures using a picture hosting site. There are several free ones.
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Then go to your post and click the "insert Image" tool on the tool bar. (It is located between the LINK...

• knarfeng

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[knarfeng]

Is this current production or an older one that actually says USA on the tang? If it’s an older one you have to be careful to get one that hasn’t been abused. If it’s current production, given the country of manufacture and the price point, all bets are off.

what he said. The US version of Schrade went bankrupt in 2004. The name was sold at bankrupcy auction and has bounced around a couple of times. But since 2004, the knives are made in Asia. I have not bought any since the last transfer of the name, so I can't tell you how good they are.

Case is a better bet if you want to try a Traditional blade. GEC is better yet, but they are hard to get hold of due to limited production.

There's no way to fix a knife if the point is proud of the knife body. There is a protruding part of the blade tang called a kick. You could file it down and the blade would no longer be proud in the closed position, but doing so would also affect the blade position in the open position and mess that up, so it's IMO it's not a good option.

 

[Blind Squirrel]

what he said. The US version of Schrade went bankrupt in 2004. The name was sold at bankrupcy auction and has bounced around a couple of times. But since 2004, the knives are made in Asia. I have not bought any since the last transfer of the name, so I can't tell you how good they are.

Case is a better bet if you want to try a Traditional blade. GEC is better yet, but they are hard to get hold of due to limited production.

There's no way to fix a knife if the point is proud of the knife body. There is a protruding part of the blade tang called a kick. You could file it down and the blade would no longer be proud in the closed position, but doing so would also affect the blade position in the open position and mess that up, so it's IMO it's not a good option.

Thanks all!...... proud it is. I've already starting process of refund/return through eBay.
Yes, it has Schrade USA made stamped on tang ......which is first reason why I bought it
I have a Case miniCopperlock, but want to diversify for my small collection and use.

 

[Wowbagger]

Thanks all!...... proud it is. I've already starting process of refund/return through eBay.
Yes, it has Schrade USA made stamped on tang ......which is first reason why I bought it
I have a Case miniCopperlock, but want to diversify for my small collection and use.

If you are "handy" you can fix this.
Make sure the blade snaps shut rather than binds up and stops moving.
If the latter then some super thin lube , WD40, and flex the blade sideways back and forth to open up the pressed fit in pivot pin / side bolsters gap.
If the blade still does not close to where the point is safely below the sides of the knife , but it is snapping shut , then do some research in how to file the 'Kick" on the tang of the blade until the knife point is shrouded when closed.
NOT TOO MUCH at first . . .use trial and error.

I can't tell you how many other wise decent and much more expensive slip joints I have had to do this very same thing to.
It all hinges on how much YOU like the knife and how much fooling around you are willing to do to send this one back , find another one , send that one back (you think i am kidding but I have had to do that ) . . .
versus . . .
a little squirt and wiggle
maybe some file file .
EDIT FOR SPELLING

 

[Blind Squirrel]

Thanks Wowbagger. Blade snaps shut .......although I an inept at providing more photos, I measured the clip blade: approx 1.75"L (not including tang)/Ht is 5/16" (I still suspect a portion of clip has been ground off).......I am not inclined to file down the kick ......I have already made arrangements to send knife back for refund. I am angry that Seller pulled a fast one. Seller's photo just barely shows the tip of the blade above the water line - due to the angle of the photo taken. My photo clearly shows daylight between tip of blade and water line (jabs into my fingers is reason enough).
I'm prepared to clean/oil, and use all remedies for rust/pitting/tarnish (but keep the patina) .....and I purchased knife with carbon blades, to practice a bit of sharpening.....but I don't wish to compromise what should have been a sound structure by removing part of the tang.