Schrade SCHF9

[endurawave]

Just ordered this knife, for the ridiculous low price of $33. From people that have actually laid hands on the the knife it gets good to great reviews. As for the negative remarks...typical of fanboy mentality. And yes I do own Beckers as well.

 

[austexjg]

Hey I bought one over a year ago - wanted something I could beat with no care. I have used it multiple times trying to find fault and concluded for the price it is not bad. The shape makes sharpening harder and the shape of the handle is not the best, but despite the uneven grind the blade has held up to all the abuse. Not the best, but far from the worst.

 

[22-rimfire]

I've been checking out the Schrade SCHF9. Looking for something to carry with my Rush 24 backpack. Anyone have one? What are your thoughts? I have no real purpose for the knife other than just to have an extra knife.

Carbon or Stainless? I think it's a reasonable choice for an inexpensive "survival" knife. It costs less than the Bear Grylls Ultimate Survival knife.... I am not a fan of the handle shape, but I haven't used one either. I tend to lean toward the Kabar Beckers, but they cost a bit more. If you buy it, let's hear back what you think of it.

 

[BOSS1]

I had a SCHF9 and traded it off without every using it. I'm just not a fan of recurves, particularly subtle ones...they do little other than make sharpening harder. Had it been a straight edge, I'd probably still have it. Wasn't it designed by a member here?

In any event, for the $$, its VERY high value. Folks saying 'Well, if you just spend another $30-$40...' (basically a 100% price increase)...yes, and if you send another $25 on top that you can get an X, and another $30 on top of that you can get a Y...it almost never ends.

I've got Busses, and custom made blades, and I love 'em. But I am far from rich enough to replace them through loss, abuse, or getting stolen. Sometimes you just want a cheap beater...like under $40 cheap. Not $50, not just another $20 more...UNDER $40. The kind of thing you throw in your trunk dirty and wet and don't really care. Or the kind of thing you loan to your buddy that has a notorious habit of doing stupid things with gear/tools, etc. Or for anybody on a budget.

Seriously, I have much respect for the Dad with the $40 knife who spent the other few hundred bucks on a tent, sleeping bags, gas and hotdogs to take the kids camping.

In fact, I just received three Schrade SCHF37s the other day, because I wanted low-cost beaters. It's posted here close by. Are the cheapo foreign made knives? Yep, exactly what I wanted (for the main reasons cited in my post). One is currently being stripped and will probably receive a coating of Rustoleum or other 'tough' paint/enamel here in the next few days. They do make a fun canvas to tweak and play with.

Schrade is a decent choice for what they are, and they do seem to have improved in recent years. Had they put the same finish on the 37's as they did on the 9's, it would be a seriously better knife. But I think they're going to sell a ton of them to folks that just want a knife and don't appreciate cutlery enough to spend more or want beaters for various reasons.

Cheers,
BOSS

 

[trentu]

Very well put BOSS. I have several of the SCHF1's and they are some tough blades for the money. I rehandled the SCHF9 and it is a little better but sharpening is a trick. You can batton it through some thick stuff without worrying about breaking. They are a handy tool around the campsite.

 

[Balls Deep]

Opinions about the "new" Schrade are right up there with the "new" Camillus, and while I'm sure that there are plenty of people who have actually bought and used the knives, many of the opinions floating around have a lot to do with brand history, country of original, materials and marketing hype. Yes, you can get something better than an imported Schrade for a bit more money, but sometimes that price difference represents a large chunk of a limited budget that might be needed for other things. If I'm going on a day hike or a fishing trip, I want to have a good knife with me, but I might want to spent a little bit more on more appropriate boots or rain gear or whatever. If spending a bit less on a knife (that might not get used at all) means leaving something extra to improve a more critical item, that's how it will go down.

My go-to fixed blade knife is a Schrade. In fact, I have two of the same model, with one being American and the other Chinese, made just before and after Taylor took over. For my purposes, they are 100% interchangeable. I never owned a Schrade while the company was actually making knives in America, so I have no sentimental attachment to the brand. Same with Camillus. I respect people's reasons for not wanting to support these brands under their current ownership, and I personally prefer to buy knives made just about anywhere other than China (such as Condor, Mora, etc.) but won't ignore a "modern" Schrade if it suits my needs. It's just a matter of what is the highest priority. Meanwhile, debates over Ontario vs. Rat vs. ESEE can continue on unabated.

+1 to this with some agreement to others. Backpacking comfortably is about having good gear, EDIT: and/or tons of experience. I recognize that there's a time and place for 1 stick fires and battoning through wood, but honestly, if it's not raining you can pick up firewood of the ground and break up sticks into smaller pieces with your hands knees and feet. However, water storage and an ability to filter water, a nice sleeping bag and ground pad, etc. can go a long ways in any backpacking situation. I absolutely recognize the fun in splitting wood, sawing, battoning, chopping all of that, I am a BF member after all. What I'm more trying to get at is that for some folks your knife may not be the most important piece of your kit or most used.

I do still agree with others though on buying a possibly more resilient knife. My reason for this is as follows: I've very rarely looked back on a knife purchase and said, "Damn that was too much money, I wish I didn't have such a capable knife..." and I have more often been in the boat of, "I wanted to save a few bucks but damn, I really wish a would've spent a little more and gotten a more quality knife."

 

[Balls Deep]

I wrote my post before reading Boss1's and I do agree with what he said. Also though I would be curious to know if this will be your first knife of this type or if you have others?