Schrade SCHF42 - Followup review.

coaldigger · Dec 9, 2015

Nice designs Mistwalker....I like'em

Mistwalker · Dec 14, 2015

coaldigger said:
Nice designs Mistwalker....I like'em

Thanks man, I'm glad to hear/read that!

JBS · Dec 14, 2015

Is the SCHF42D available with a left-handed sheath? I'm very interested in this knife but I need to carry it on my left side.

Mistwalker · Dec 15, 2015

JBS said:
Is the SCHF42D available with a left-handed sheath? I'm very interested in this knife but I need to carry it on my left side.

Not stock it isn't. But a few people are making aftermarket sheaths for them.

Mistwalker · Dec 26, 2015

JBS said:
Is the SCHF42D available with a left-handed sheath? I'm very interested in this knife but I need to carry it on my left side.

The SCH55 is however, very easily converted from right-hand carry to left hand. Or the belt loop can easily be removed all together for close-to-the-body, or inverted carry via paracord and the holes and slots.

BayouBruce · Dec 27, 2015

I was looking for a new fixed blade all around utility knife and ran across this forum in my search. After reading this thread, I decided to give the 42 a try. Should be arriving Wednesday. I may, however, have to get a set of those Micarta scales. It definitely improves the appearance, and from the reviews, the performance.

Mistwalker · Dec 28, 2015

BayouBruce said:
I was looking for a new fixed blade all around utility knife and ran across this forum in my search. After reading this thread, I decided to give the 42 a try. Should be arriving Wednesday. I may, however, have to get a set of those Micarta scales. It definitely improves the appearance, and from the reviews, the performance.

Cool, I hope you like it, and I hope it serves you well. Thank you. Allow me to be the first to say I agree with you 100%. I personally feel the micarta is a huge improvement in aesthetics and in performance. I originally envisioned the knife with canvas micarta scales when I drew it out. The problem is that as of yet, micarta is not doable in Taiwan, and I wasn't willing to have the knife made in China to get the micarta handle scales. So, already knowing I wasn't crazy about the TPE from the earlier designed SCHF9, I went with grivory instead, and immediately set about looking for someone to make handle scales for it. Now there are at least two people I know of making scales for the 9, 42, 42 D, and 55 in micarta. Joe Snarski here in the US and Denny Carey in the UK, and both do excellent work.

badman400 · Dec 28, 2015

I have the Snarski scales and am very pleased with both look and feel. What a knife!

I plan on adding the F55 when it comes out and I hope Joe can help me with scales in the same color/type of Micartra as those on my F42.

BayouBruce · Dec 28, 2015

mistwalker said:
Cool, I hope you like it, and I hope it serves you well. Thank you. Allow me to be the first to say I agree with you 100%. I personally feel the micarta is a huge improvement in aesthetics and in performance. I originally envisioned the knife with canvas micarta scales when I drew it out. The problem is that as of yet, micarta is not doable in Taiwan, and I wasn't willing to have the knife made in China to get the micarta handle scales. So, already knowing I wasn't crazy about the TPE from the earlier designed SCHF9, I went with grivory instead, and immediately set about looking for someone to make handle scales for it. Now there are at least two people I know of making scales for the 9, 42, 42 D, and 55 in micarta. Joe Snarski here in the US and Denny Carey in the UK, and both do excellent work.

Thanks, Mistwalker. As I understand from previous posts on the thread, you actually designed the 42? I'm sure I will like it. The main thing I look for in a fixed blade is a full tang and good steel. This has both. I lean slightly toward the drop point, but the lines of the belly in this blade are aesthetically pleasing. I'm not as concerned about the shape of the blade as I am performance and durability. I think I'll definitely be pleased with this knife.

buckfynn · Jan 1, 2016

I picked up two of the SCHF42D's right after they came out at the end of October. Two weeks later I purchased another SCHF42D and a SCHF42 for comparison sake. Also I had Joe Snarski make me a set of green canvas scales for one of the SCHF42D knives. I have box full of micara that I may use for making my own custom scales for another of the SCHF42D's. The grinds were very decent as was the fit & finish on all 4 of the knives.

Overall I have more likes than dislikes for the SCHF42D and SCHF42 knives and am pleased with them. The SCHF42D with the Joe Snarski scales has a very nice feel to it with the balance point being approximately under the forward machine screw. Right now I am contemplating whether of doing a review on these knives or not?

I will be looking forward to see what the SCHF55 and SCHF56L are like as well, as they are reported to be available in February.

Mistwalker · Jan 1, 2016

BayouBruce said:
Thanks, Mistwalker. As I understand from previous posts on the thread, you actually designed the 42? I'm sure I will like it. The main thing I look for in a fixed blade is a full tang and good steel. This has both. I lean slightly toward the drop point, but the lines of the belly in this blade are aesthetically pleasing. I'm not as concerned about the shape of the blade as I am performance and durability. I think I'll definitely be pleased with this knife.

Yes, I drew out the 42 a couple of years ago when I was longing for the deep south whilst stuck in a winter wonderland in frozen northern Michigan

The Everglades was the first place I ever used a re-curved blade and it worked really well for me on various aspects so I drew out the one I personally wanted to field. I hope you do enjoy the knife and are pleased with how it performs in the field.

buckfynn said:
I picked up two of the SCHF42D's right after they came out at the end of October. Two weeks later I purchased another SCHF42D and a SCHF42 for comparison sake. Also I had Joe Snarski make me a set of green canvas scales for one of the SCHF42D knives. I have box full of micara that I may use for making my own custom scales for another of the SCHF42D's. The grinds were very decent as was the fit & finish on all 4 of the knives.

Overall I have more likes than dislikes for the SCHF42D and SCHF42 knives and am pleased with them. The SCHF42D with the Joe Snarski scales has a very nice feel to it with the balance point being approximately under the forward machine screw. Right now I am contemplating whether of doing a review on these knives or not?

I will be looking forward to see what the SCHF55 and SCHF56L are like as well, as they are reported to be available in February.

Thanks for your input man. I'm glad to hear you had positive experiences with your purchases. They typically do a good job with their heat treat, especially considering it is through-hardened and does not have a differential heat treat that I am aware of. I watched the SCHF9 for a few years to decide if I wanted to go ahead with the other designs. The scales that Joe makes for the 42s fit either the 42 or 42D, same scales.

Well, to be honest there are few reviews done of the 42D to my knowledge. Most of the reviewers essentially held it up next to the 42 and said something along the lines of "see, same knife without the re-curve" and that was about it. So there may well be people out there interested in seeing more of that model in use if you want to take the time to put it through its paces.

I am pretty happy with how the 55 turned out. I was painting with a broad brush on that one. Going for a size that would be more user-friendly to the smaller hands of youths and women, and still being workable as an edc sized knife in larger hands. I sent one of the very first ones to Joe Snarski so I am really looking forward to having the micarta scales for it. I wanted canvas on those to start with, but that was not an available option.

anttttt · Jan 3, 2016

Hello, and just an update of my use with the schf 42. I have been using it on and off since I bought it a few months ago. I have found that the scales are good, not too slippery as there is just a little bit of roughness on them. I tightened the screws on the scales and the scales have not come loose yet. The knife cuts well and it is easy to touch up the edge. The scabbard is good as well. So, overall I am happy with the knife.

Mistwalker, I was wondering if you have you had any input to some other schf designs such as the schf 52?

Mistwalker · Jan 4, 2016

anttttt said:
Hello, and just an update of my use with the schf 42. I have been using it on and off since I bought it a few months ago. I have found that the scales are good, not too slippery as there is just a little bit of roughness on them. I tightened the screws on the scales and the scales have not come loose yet. The knife cuts well and it is easy to touch up the edge. The scabbard is good as well. So, overall I am happy with the knife.

Mistwalker, I was wondering if you have you had any input to some other schf designs such as the schf 52?

Thank you anttttt, I am glad to hear you are pleased with it overall. I have heard some mixed reports on the 1095 steel knives made in China, one reason I was adamant about them doing my newer designs in the same Taiwan facility as the SCHF9. However, from what I am seeing on the net they do seem to be doing a much better job with their heat treat in 1095 there in recent months.

Mistwalker · Jan 7, 2016

badman400 said:
I have the Snarski scales and am very pleased with both look and feel. What a knife!

I plan on adding the F55 when it comes out and I hope Joe can help me with scales in the same color/type of Micartra as those on my F42.

Joe has had a 55 in house for a while now and is sorting out the micarta scales for it. I hope to have a set myself soon.

JBS · Jan 23, 2016

mistwalker said:
Not stock it isn't. But a few people are making aftermarket sheaths for them.

The 42D should really come with an ambidextrous sheath or make a left-handed sheath option available. That's the only thing stopping me from buying this knife. People shouldn't have to buy an aftermarket sheath just because they are lefty.

Mistwalker · Jan 23, 2016

JBS said:
The 42D should really come with an ambidextrous sheath or make a left-handed sheath option available. That's the only thing stopping me from buying this knife. People shouldn't have to buy an aftermarket sheath just because they are lefty.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I feel the same way about liner locks and frame locks, and that's why I'm really not all that into heavy duty folders and prefer smaller fixed blades over folders. But every left handed leather sheath I have I had to have custom made. One reason I liked the pilot survival knife was that it came in an ambidextrous sheath where the Ka-Bar's leather sheaths were dedicated right hand. I will talk to Morgan about perhaps making an injection molded plastic sheath like the 55 comes in for the 42D which would also fit the 42 I believe. That might be an option, maybe, but I doubt I can talk them into a left handed leather sheath which I would love to have. I am ambidextrous in a lot of things, but my cameras are not...

JBS · Jan 23, 2016

mistwalker said:
I will talk to Morgan about perhaps making an injection molded plastic sheath like the 55 comes in for the 42D which would also fit the 42 I believe. That might be an option, maybe, but I doubt I can talk them into a left handed leather sheath which I would love to have. I am ambidextrous in a lot of things, but my cameras are not...

An ambidextrous plastic sheath for the 42D would be fantastic, thanks for the response.

DANG OL' · Feb 3, 2016

Any update on pricing/availability on the schf55?

jimbabwe · Feb 25, 2016

I'm new to the forum and what drew me here was this SCHF42 post and Google ;-)

@mistwalker - in post #9 you show some images of the SCHF42D with gorgeous micarta scales... I joined specifically to ask "Where can I find that knife, and those scales?"

The thread context leads me to believe you designed this knife, and would be The Man to Ask, yet doesn't seem to point to a specific contact or shop to find them. Can you or another forum member point me in the right direction?

Thank you.

P.S. "An ambidextrous plastic sheath for the 42D" WOULD be fantastic. Seconded! I'm torn between the 42 and 42D to be honest... but can't afford both at the moment.

Mistwalker · Feb 25, 2016

jimbabwe said:
I'm new to the forum and what drew me here was this SCHF42 post and Google ;-)

@mistwalker - in post #9 you show some images of the SCHF42D with gorgeous micarta scales... I joined specifically to ask "Where can I find that knife, and those scales?"

The thread context leads me to believe you designed this knife, and would be The Man to Ask, yet doesn't seem to point to a specific contact or shop to find them. Can you or another forum member point me in the right direction?

Thank you.

P.S. "An ambidextrous plastic sheath for the 42D" WOULD be fantastic. Seconded! I'm torn between the 42 and 42D to be honest... but can't afford both at the moment.

Wow, I am honored that your joining and your first post is on my knife design. Thank you very much. The 42 and 42D are available at several online outlets, including that big river place that the rules here prevent me from naming directly. As for the scales, you can contact Joe Snarski about those at this email address lmfknives@gmail.com Joe makes aftermarket scales for all of my knife designs as well as several others, in various colors.