Schrade is quietly discontinuing a lot of their knives

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Etna

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Jun 17, 2015
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A couple of months ago, Taylor's Schrade page at http://taylorbrandsllc.com/collections/schrade/folding-knife had at least six full pages of products. Recently, that page count has dropped to a mere four. In particular, many models from the SCH10X and SCH20X series were removed from the listing as opposed to simply being labeled as 'Out of stock'.

Which, unfortunately, happens to be the series that I only purchase from Schrade because of the availability of inexpensive knives with blade lengths of < 3" that do not look obnoxious or mall ninja-like. In contrast, the focus for the Schrade brand now seems to higher-priced knives with large blades (3.3" and above) and AUS 8 / D2 steel.

I cannot help but wonder if this is indicative of BTI's intentions and plans for the Schrade brand after the takeover of Taylor.
 
I know Taylor Brands LLC doesn't get a lot of love around here, but they did keep the Schrade brand and a lot of traditional patterns in the Old Timer and Uncle Henry lines alive and actually pretty true to their original patterns. We all hate to see long time companies with history go out of business, but Taylor Brands didn't do that to Schrade, it happened for other reasons.

It will be a shame if those great old patterns and designs get discontinued completely so that BTI can focus solely on the S&W product line. I've got a couple of the Taylor Old Timers, and while not quite up to par with the old US-made versions, they are really not bad knives for the money and someone who bought one looking for a good user knife would not be disappointed.
 
jc57 said:
I know Taylor Brands LLC doesn't get a lot of love around here, but they did keep the Schrade brand and a lot of traditional patterns in the Old Timer and Uncle Henry lines alive and actually pretty true to their original patterns. We all hate to see long time companies with history go out of business, but Taylor Brands didn't do that to Schrade, it happened for other reasons.

It will be a shame if those great old patterns and designs get discontinued completely so that BTI can focus solely on the S&W product line. I've got a couple of the Taylor Old Timers, and while not quite up to par with the old US-made versions, they are really not bad knives for the money and someone who bought one looking for a good user knife would not be disappointed.
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The S&W folding knives product page on Taylor has always been capped at four pages for at least a year even though new models were introduced.

My guess is that BTI does not want to have too many models per series, and they are starting their cleanup with the SCH10X and SCH20X series. Which is sad, 'cause as I mentioned earlier, the knives in those series are great modern folders; 8cr13mov steel, slim and narrow blades that are still wide enough to easily use clamping-type sharpeners on, many with blade lengths at or less than 3", actually look decent and not like some mall ninja tacticlol joke, and most importantly, extremely affordable at less than $15 apiece.
 
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I just bought from amazon the SCH303.. just 16$.... I can´t resist the offer for such big, tank constructed knife... 9cr18mov steel.. 9.6 oz...
 
In my opinion I really have to disagree with you JC57 as I just don't feel Taylor Cutlery was preserving the Schrade brand composed of the Old Timer and Uncle Henry lines for several reasons as a Schrade USA fan.

*Taylor basically didn't work off the original Schrade knives by handling them as a blueprint to build from...they basically worked out of the catalogs and measurements/specs provided.For example the shoulder grinding on the Sharpfinger and where the cutting edge really started as you'll notice Taylor missed this big detail when they cranked out the China version.Smaller handle pins and same for blade rivet on the LB7...the wood scales aren't even rosewood or to stay true to the original's resin impregnated rosewood scales.

*People say 'oh well they're cheaper now than they were when they USA made...that's a plus'.Schrade USA knives were never overpriced-a 16 year old making minimum wage could afford one and so could a kid slowly with their allowance.The new ones aren't really cheaper than what they went for in retail stores in the USA days.

*I don't really consider replacing real delrin with basic plastic nor capped screws instead of rivets on the fixed blades preserving the quality of Schrade...I call it cost cut to make it work.

*I was looking on Amazon and the popularity of the current 8OT is very high while the 885UH by Uncle Henry isn't now why is that?Back then we knew the sensible answer as the 8OT like most of Old Timer had carbon steel blades in the USA made days.Much easier to sharpen,came back sharper,and held an edge much longer,and cheaper than it's Plus Steel bladed twin, the 885UH as stainless bladed knives were more costly.But today the 8OT's popularity is pretty redundant over the 885UH being that they're both stainless now.New consumers haven't a clue why the 8OT and a lot of Old Timer (aside from designs) was such a legendary knife line by Schrade USA.And I do have my opinion on China's 7Cr17MoV and heat treatment in comparison to Schrade USA's skills in heat treatment on their Plus Steel.

I would rather if BTI Tools decided not to bring back USA manufacturing to the Schrade brand to move them to Taiwan.Put out the knives in real rivets,real delrin,and use AUS-8 if they won't resurrect 1095 carbon steel back into the designated knives.Taiwan made would bring the price up...but so would the quality.
 
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To me Schrade disappeared a long time ago. I have several old USA made Schrade's and have bought a few of the "new imports". What I have found is that there is no comparison between the two. In fact one of my most favorite knives is a USA made 3OT a knife of great quality. Also this thread needs some pictures. :D



My USA made Schrade 3OT.
TOSDn5v.jpg
 
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r redden said:
To me Schrade disappeared a long time ago. I have several old USA made Schrade's and have bought a few of the "new imports". What I have found is that there is no comparison between the two. In fact one of my most favorite knives is a USA made 3OT a knife of great quality. Also this thread needs some pictures. :D


My USA made Schrade 3OT.
TOSDn5v.jpg
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These 53OTs are the same size as the 3OT, made about 2003 they are hard to find.
medium
 
To often drive by the empty Schrade factory here in NY was always sad.In time fewer and fewer will know the name.
 
I heard a short news story the other day that the S&W brand on knives and other items is being discontinued. These items will be branded with a different name. The S&W brand will remain on the companies firearm line.
 
skyhorse said:
I heard a short news story the other day that the S&W brand on knives and other items is being discontinued. These items will be branded with a different name. The S&W brand will remain on the companies firearm line.
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You referring to this?

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-...on-to-change-name-to-reflect-diverse-holdings

Seems like their knives (which probably includes the Schrades as well) will now be rebranded to American Outdoor Brands. I don't really care for the name change since it's the pricetag that seals the deal for me.

If AOB will still sell knives below that $18 mark with 7cr17 or better steel and have a decent selection of folders with <3" blade length, I'll keep buying.
 
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