Schrade One-piece Knife - Chris Reeve Clone

I bought one when they first came out (The large version). Takes a good edge and seems to keep it well but I haven't put it thru any tough work yet. I machined out the buttcap and installed a button compass in mine as I didn't need the tools. I also bought a copy of the CR Pacific model but hated the serations on it. They were worthless but now I see they make a version without serations. It seems to have a good quality steel used as well.

DaveUSAF
 
Cool, I'm glad to hear you have good experience with it. I plan to ditch the screw driver set and use the handle hollow for something but I won't know until I see the size of the hole. A compass in the butt cap would be nice or maybe stick a piece of ferro rod in there and stuff hollow handle with lint and/or steel wool.

I already know I need to make a leather sheath because that nylon thing isn't going to satisfy me.

I'm looking forward to getting my hands on it.
 
I did some searching and it looks like there isn't much info out there about these knives.

I checked CR's website and the maker for the blanks retired so they decided to discontinue these one-piece knives. http://www.chrisreeve.com/onepiece.htm

I didn't know they stopped making them, now I'm wondering if Schrade copied the design or bought rights to manufacture it.

I examined CR's knives several years ago at the Solvang knife show and they were very nicely made and the leather sheaths were among the best I've seen. I just couldn't justify paying over that much for a knife back then but I always wished I could afford it.
 
My knife came in today and I'm happy to say it's pretty nice. Not equal to the fit & finish of the one it's modeled after but still very good and better than most knives in the "up to $100" price point.

The sheath is not to my standards and I won't use it. I'll have to make my own but this is somethng I enjoy doing so not issues. I'm wondering if the sheath from a Short Kabar might fit?

I tried cutting some dry cedar and it's pretty good but I quickly realized that I'd prefer if the the top portion of the guard wasn't there...so out came the dremel and belt sander and it quickly disapeared. It turned out perfect but the finish needs to be touched up. Otherwise, it's just right!

Next I took out my chainsaw file and filed a groove were the edge meets the choil. This is a detail I like and when a knife doesn't come this way it allows me to feel the hardness of the steel. This knive filed fairly easily leading me to guess at the hardness...my guess is 55 RC. The specs I read said 56-57 RC. I would have liked to feel a harder edge. Oh well!

After the modifications I touched-up the edge on an soft arkansas stone. Now it's hair shaving sharp and cuts wood equal to my Cold Steel SRK.

This blade could easily be compared to the SRK. They both have similar blade shape, same edge thickness, spine thickess and same length of cutting edge. The major difference is the SRK has twice as much choil. My experience is that less choil is better for a wood carving knife.

Obviously the handles are very different and the SRK uses AUS 8 and this one is 1070 carbon steel. The sheath from the SRK can be used but the handles being so different makes it fit a bit loose.

Overall I'm pleased with my new knife. I posted a topic on CR sub-forum and they don't have an issue with Schrade making a knife in a similar style. It's clearly marked Schrade and note a fake being marketed as a CR knife.

So for you guys who always wanted one of CR's one-piece knives but couldn't afford them now you can buy a similar knife at a nice low price.

I can take photos in a couple days but I will need someone's help posting them.

Thanks,
Collecter
 
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Thanks for your reply and I thought that other topic was dead. I'm glad to see that CR responded.

He's not pleased about Schrade using a design similar to his. I wouldn't be either but since CR isn't making these models anymore it doesn't change how I feel about the knife I just got.

I always wished I could have affored one and I remember fondling them at the knife show in Solvan CA. My favorite was the skinner. It had the big handle and short wide blade. It was one sexy knife but way over my budget.

I hope to someday be able to get a real CR one-piece knife. His quality, fit & finish was oustanding and the sheaths were the best I've seen.
 
I admit, I bought one a few years ago, but only to do with it what I was unwilling to do with my real CRKs (throw it like a mindless idiot/pry) It held up pretty well. Got rusty pretty easily but it didnt break.

Long Live the Originator!
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These knives are really tough but honestly I hate them. The handle is really uncomfortable for chopping. The sheath is also lacking because it doesn't fit the knife good at all. The serrations on this knife are also horrible and the edge is really thick. They do make one heck of a thrower or prybar though
 
I like my knives to be good wood cutters and this one isn't a bad wood cutter. It cuts equal to my SRK. I don't have a complaint about the cutting ability.

I didn't like the top portion of the guard so I modified it and now it's good. Schrade should offer the smaller version that I bought this way. I think most users would like it better.

I orderd a sheath for a short Kabar. I know it's long enough but might be a bit narrow. We'll see.
 
I got the Kabar sheath and it fits well except I had to make a larger retention strap. The leather is thinner than I've seen from Kabar in the past so I'm not satisfied with the quality but it will do for now.

I've been using the knife a lot and I made a few more minor modifications and it's turned into a very good knife. I like it and I think it's worthy of my time to make a better sheath.

I did a lot of cutting tests with it and my SRK. After the moditications it's superior cutter and with the top guard removed the handle is more comfortable than the rubber SRK. The shorter choil allows much better control for finer carving work.

Overall, I'm very satisified with this knife and I feel it's worthy competition to the other more common high-value knives in it's price range.
 
Anyone know if a copy similar to the CR 'aviator' was ever made? Who is making one piece hollow handles these days? Schrade only has the extra long version available and i believe they stopped making them as well.
 
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