Schrade Middleman Jack (Short update)

Paradiggum

Paradiggum

Joined
Jul 4, 2001
Messages
1,662
I looked all around the net for a review on this model but found very little.
I've been showing my cousins kids some outdoor skills and all three of them like my Case Medium Jack. Well I found the Schrade Middleman Jack for under $10 and ordered some for them. Like I said, I tried to find reviews beforehand but most of the reviews were off Amazon.
I know Schrade isn't the same company it was years ago but does anyone have any experience with this model? I'm hoping I didn't just spend my money on junk.

And yes, I already got my cousins approval to give her sons knives. They're old enough to be responsible. Though I think Mom and Dad will probably have possession of them most of the time.
I've seen that model for a little more most places so I jumped on the lesser price.

What do ya think? I know I probably should have asked this before ordering but I wanted to get them before a hiking trip we're taking.
 
I've had one experience with the current schrades and the knife was garbage. Poor fit and finish, and the blade would not take an edge.
 
Aside from mystery steel and inconsistent fit and finish, you should be okay.
 
Paradiggum said:
So in other words I probably wasted my money.
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No, not really. Kids can be rough on first knives and sometimes they get broken. Or sometimes they get lost. Either way, just let them use them as a training first knife till they fall apart and then maybe next Christmas let them have a nice Case or sak or Opinel under the tree.:)

Kind of like a promotion for good behavior.

Hey, they are steel, can be sharpened, and will cut, so what the hey?

Carl.
 
They'll do for the most important use for a pocket knife in the outdoors; making that perfect hot dog roasting fork!:D

Carl.
 
Maybe haunt the auction site for good deals on the old U.S. Schrade 34OT's, and set one aside for each kid. When they get older, and they've learned to use a pocket knife the right way, then you can give them a real one. ;)

I find fairly good deals on most of the old U.S. Schrade models when I look around and practice a little patience. They are out there.

~Chris
 
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I think it makes sense to buy a cheap knife first for a kid to learn on.For the 20-30 dollars you get the education and thats kind of priceless really.If they rough em up so what. The quality is there for the purpose.
 
Paradiggum said:
I know Schrade isn't the same company it was years ago but ...
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To be precise, there is no Schrade company anymore. There's just a Schrade trademark that is owned by some other company that produces knives in China.

With that said, you definitely can't go wrong spending time with kids, teaching them, and instilling in them a love of the outdoors! Great job! :thumbup:

-- Mark
 
Paradiggum, you did a nice thing for those cousin's kids of yours. You don't have to worry about that steel taking an edge; it will take a razor edge if sharpened correcly; holding it long is another story, so you might want to invest in a few iexpensive pocket stones for the boys to learn the skill on. They'll be way ahead of the game learning how to sharpen on a stone "in the field" and they'll have a skill they'll thank you for many years later..and one that is, from what I read, becoming a lost art. Anyway, in my humble opinion you did good!
 
johnny1950 said:
Paradiggum, you did a nice thing for those cousin's kids of yours. You don't have to worry about that steel taking an edge; it will take a razor edge if sharpened correcly; holding it long is another story, so you might want to invest in a few iexpensive pocket stones for the boys to learn the skill on. They'll be way ahead of the game learning how to sharpen on a stone "in the field" and they'll have a skill they'll thank you for many years later..and one that is, from what I read, becoming a lost art. Anyway, in my humble opinion you did good!
Click to expand...

Great point, Johnny! Sharpening.

A small pocket stone from Lowes or Home Depot would be a great addition. That's all we had as kids in the boy scouts, the old pocket size 'carborundum' stone as it was called back then. I guess it was silicon-oxide or something. But with a practiced technique, we could get a razor edge on our scout knives. Contrary to popular belief on knife forums, you don't need a hundred dollars of counter top gear to sharpen a knife. Just a stone, some practice, and maybe an old work belt to use as a strop last of all. It ain't rocket science.

But I do agree, sharpening out in the field someplace is becoming a lost art.

Carl.
 
It's not a bad choice at all for a first knife. Just expect it to get either lost of broken. Then replace w/ a good ole USA Schrade Uncle Henry (stainless).
 
jackknife said:
Great point, Johnny! Sharpening.

A small pocket stone from Lowes or Home Depot would be a great addition. That's all we had as kids in the boy scouts, the old pocket size 'carborundum' stone as it was called back then. I guess it was silicon-oxide or something. But with a practiced technique, we could get a razor edge on our scout knives. Contrary to popular belief on knife forums, you don't need a hundred dollars of counter top gear to sharpen a knife. Just a stone, some practice, and maybe an old work belt to use as a strop last of all. It ain't rocket science.

But I do agree, sharpening out in the field someplace is becoming a lost art.

Carl.
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This is what I try to tell everyone learning to sharpen.

I feel like sharpening on a stone is MUCH more precise and is an art. Instead of the normal paper wheels or abrasive belts that just shred off steel until you get a burr from both sides you can just keep your knife sharp....It may take a different kind of feel and eye for sharpening, but its worth it IMHO.
 
As already was told, I would get the Schrades for the kids. To the point of sharping... my granny tought me how to sharp knives with a scythe-sharping-stone she always had in her kitchen drawer... I was good she did. Later on, I came to the more expensive items for sharping. But such a stone would be a good addition for the kids. Imo a dull tool is more dangerous than an ever sharp tool is... with a dull tool you work with less attention.

Just my 2 Cent.


Kind regards
Andi
 
@jackknife
I had that same exact thought today while I was at work. They will likely be lost or broken. I mean, they're kids. Good kids but we know how rough we were on things when we were young.
The reason I ordered these was because of the low price thinking they might be destroyed. I'd have ordered Opinels but they've seen mine and didn't seem to care for it. With kids you have to capture their attention. And my Medium Jack did that. So I got a similar knife at a fraction of the cost.

@mnblade
Yeah, I know they don't exist anymore. I actually have a couple of old fixed bladed Schrades. Nice knives.

@johnny1950
Oh I already have a couple of pocket stones for them. I've always sharpened free hand and intend to teach them how to do it. I'll teach them how to maintain their new tools.

I actually have a couple of sharpening systems that I got for birthday or Christmas presents. They're still in the packages. I got them a pocket stone and a ceramic dog bone type sharpener each.

Thanks for the replies everyone. It really came down to these Schrades or Rough Rider Trappers since they're of similar size to the Medium Jack I carry, I went with the one that was more similar to the knife they already like.

If they take to the outdoor stuff I'll probably put together a little bag for each of them with things for making fire and all that. They seemed excited about being out in the woods but they also want to play video games and play with their lightsabers. So we'll see if it's something they stay interested in.
 
Shoot, you could not get them a rock for $10. I agree with letting them use them. If they get lost or broken.....it won't hurt too much.
 
My first reaction was to vent my anger at what Taylor is doing to the reputation of one of the finest American knife manufacturers.

Fortunately, I saw Carl's post and the follow-ups before I wrote this.

There is no question that Carl and the other posters are correct.

The inexpensive knock-off knives will be perfect for their intended use and their intended users to learn safe knife handling and sharpening skills.

If I remember correctly, most of my early Dime Store personal knives were gifts. They either disintegrated of their own volition or found their way into some one else's pocket. I may also have destroyed more through misuse than I can remember or will admit to.

No grown-up ever was foolish enough to trust me with a decent knife outside of the area where I was doing cutting chores under their watchful eye.

When I wanted a good knife badly enough, I bought it with my own saved money. A generous uncle would have been fondly remembered.

As much as I despise what Taylor and the "USA" re-Sellers are doing, a couple of my later China Schrade knives cut just fine.

I am sure that when I take the time to glue the Old Timer Shield back into the 125OT China Schrade handle, it will cut fine.

Mike H.
 
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reader1 said:
My first reaction was to vent my anger at what Taylor is doing to the reputation of one of the finest American knife manufacturers.

Fortunately, I saw Carl's post and the follow-ups before I wrote this.

There is no question that Carl and the other posters are correct.

The inexpensive knock-off knives will be perfect for their intended use and their intended users to learn safe knife handling and sharpening skills.

If I remember correctly, most of my early Dime Store personal knives were gifts. They either disintegrated of their own volition or found their way into some one else's pocket. I may also have destroyed more through misuse than I can remember or will admit to.

No grown-up ever was foolish enough to trust me with a decent knife outside of the area where I was doing cutting chores under their watchful eye.

When I wanted a good knife badly enough, I bought it with my own saved money. A generous uncle would have been fondly remembered.

As much as I despise what Taylor and the "USA" re-Sellers are doing, a couple of my later China Schrade knives cut just fine.

I am sure that when I take the time to glue the Old Timer Shield back into the 125OT USA China Schrade handle, it will cut fine.

Mike H.
Click to expand...


???

If it says "USA", it's a USA Schrade, right?
 
"davek14
???
If it says "USA", it's a USA Schrade, right?"

You are correct. I edited my post above. I deleted "USA" from "125OT China Schrade."

The problem for me is that much advertising and descriptive copy is designed to obfuscate country of origin, unless you spend time scrutinizing the written copy, or actually see the country of origin stamped on the Tang, which is often not shown in the copy or the pics.

It may be that this deliberate mis-information does not bother anyone younger than 75.

Mike H.
 
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