Schrade+ or Case SS?

S

SpyderJon

Joined
Jan 27, 2002
Messages
2,038
Howdy! Now, let me say that I'm buying a gift for a friend of mine who is NOT into taking care of knives. I personally would rather spend the extra 2 minutes it takes to take care of a good High Carbon slipjoint, but this guy isn't going to do that and I'm not going to try and change his mind about it. Bottom line, I'm tired of him asking for my knives, and so I'm going to buy him a knife of his own. He likes my Schrade OT (I have the smaller stockman), but also likes the Jade green Seahorse whittler that I carry (mainly because I really like the color of the bone, and not so much for utility). Thus, I'm interested in getting your opinion about this: if faced with the choice, would you rather have Schrade+ steel (i.e. the Uncle Henry line), or the Case SS? This guy isn't going to know the difference, and is going to care less, but I'm interested in at least giving him a somewhat nice slipjoint so he'll actually carry it! Any help you can give me would be of GREAT appreciation!

Sincerely,
Anthony
 
Anthony, this is my opinion....
I believe both companies now use 420hc, so there shouldn't be too much difference in edges or edge holding. The differences to me are mostly in handle materials (Big edge to Case), pricing (Edge to Schrade), choice of patterns (Edge to Case), and fit and finish (Small edge to Schrade).

So, maybe you can decide if your friend is just interested in a good tool, or if the look of the tool is important, as well.

For non knife people, I would personally choose an Uncle Henry, since they are a little less expensive, and if your friend loses it within a year, while he gets used to carrying a knife, Schrade will replace it at no cost.

If your friend will be showing it off to others, then maybe a Case is the better choice, provided you can hand pick for fit and finish.

Just MY opinion. I'm sure you'll get others. :D Bill
 
I'm with Bill on this one and would add an opinion that the Scharade heat treat might have an advantage. I would also consider an SAK. Decent stainless steel and a lot of versatility, great fit and finish for the buck. (and speaking of Buck, I have of few of their multiblades that have served pretty well over a long period of time.)
 
If you're up to the cost, a nice Case knife would be great for him. I've done very little maintenance on mine and they've yet to rust or tarnish. The handles may be scratched, but still great knives for daily use. Check out the Case Working knife seriesat New Graham.........prices are decent and Graham has great service.
If you're out for something cheaper with little maintenance, Victorinox is great. I had a Swisschamp for years before the blade dulled......and that is with regular use.
Schrade is a great lat choice. My schardes, however, tend to rust faster thatn the two choices above. Still, a great choice for non-knife nuts.
 
I've never had good luck with either company's SS. If I had to choose between the two for a using knife, I'd take Schrade long before I would Case. A Victorinox SAK is a far better choice than either.

Paul
 
Actually, I believe that Schrade+ is 440A, and I find it to hold an edge better. It seems harder to me, which makes it less tough probably, but on a slip-joint iboubt that matters much. As to a SAK being better, I prefer the SAK's full flat-ground blade, but it is way too soft for my tastes.
 
No matter the blade steel, Schrade backsprings will be carbon, and Case springs will be stainless. I've never had a 'rust' problem nor oiled a carbon steel pocket knife. They all just eventually get a patina.

I'd get a Schrade Stockman mainly because it's the easiest, cheapest thing to get in my parts (Wally World has them). I would go over it first though for fit, tightness, and spring strength.
 
Mooseman might be right about Schrade using 440A, as that is what they used in the past. I thought I remembered reading that Schrade was limiting patterns using 1095 Carbon blades and possibly changing steels to 420HC at the end of last year. I do know some folks have gotten Old Timers with one or more steel blades instead of Carbon. :(
I'm getting older, and maybe I just had a bad dream. :o

Anyway it's a topic where everyone can contribute information and personal preference to help in the decision making process of a fellow Forumite. :D

Bill
 
Schrade Uncle Henry, in my opinion, has better edge holding and fit and finish than Case. It is significant that your friend is not a regular knife user and that gives the edge to Schrade for replacing the knife if it is lost. One Uncle Henry is pretty much the same as another.
 
My Uncle Henrys hold an edge longer than my stainless Case knives, and so far have come with pointy tips. Case, outside of the working line, don't have very pointy tips for some reason. Case knives do an ok job, however, and the bone handles look nicer than the delrin of the Schrades.

And I agree, the Buck 300 series and SAKs are great knives, too. I think my SAKs hold an edge longer than any of the others mentioned, and get sharper. Maybe a Vic Soldiers model would work for him, those are almost maintainance free!
 
Anthony,

I wish I had friends like you, who would buy knives for me. :D

Anyway, I would say that if your friend knows how to take care of a knife, then get the schrade, since you say he could care less about brand. Schrade has pretty consistently given great bang for the buck, but both schrade and case have pretty durable SJ's.

If your friend is likely to use a blade as a screwdriver, I would lean toward the SAK. They are pretty easy to take care of , as we know, and very versatile. Oh yeah, Victorinox, IMHO...
 
Personally I like the Schrade steel better in the knives I have. It seems to hold an edge slightly better. I like the way the Case's look better. I'd also not rule out Buck here. Lately, I've been carrying a Cadet Stockman and it's been great. Less finished looking but it came with a great edge and holds it well. So far I'd say the best user of the three.

Rob
 
Well, now that I can post again, let me say that I've decided on the Case. This has nothing to do with the SS quality, however, but more to do with psychology. Glennbad, if you buggered me senseless for a knife everytime I turned around, I'd probably buy you a knife to. I figure that the Case is going to look a bit nicer than the Schrade (bone vs. plastic). My friend will see that it is quality, and not be offended. My friend will show it around, and I won't be known as someone who gives cheap gifts. Best of all, however, if my buddy actually LOSES the knife (a good possibility with this particular friend), I will NEVER have to hear about him needing a knife again because he won't want to admit that he lost it, and all I have to do is say "I bought you a nice knife a while ago, where is it?", and he'll mumble something about it being at home and never ask me for my knives again! Sound like a good plan? Oh, and I'm sure I'll pick up another schrade (OT, of course) for myself!

Thanks, again!

Sincerely,
Anthony!
 
Before you go with that Case, take a look at the Schrade 98WC. I got a few they were closing out at Walmart for $15 each.

knife.jpg


Rob
 
I have a friend that does not carry a knife. I got him several pocket knives and lockback for carrying. He still does not carry a knife. Moral to the story here with my friend is, no matter how many knives he has he is not going to carry any of them. I think he takes them home and puts them in a drawer and does not remember who gave them to him. Save your money and buy a knife for yourself. Your friend probably will not carry any knife you give him so carry two, one for him and one for yourself. I carry a P.O.C. knife for lending and my good pocket knife for my self only. :(
 
Fret, normally I would agree with you, but in this instance, I know that he won't be able to look me in the eye if he's not carrying a knife I give him- He'd rather be reduced to using his teeth than to have to admit that he actually forgot something. Yes, its that kind of friend.

Sincerely,
Anthony
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top