Schrade Spf1ltd Spitfire Ltd

O

orthogonal1

Joined
Oct 30, 2005
Messages
5,171
Hello, oh Schrade gods :)

Being ignorant, I am asking what is (if anything) so special about the above mentioned knife?

They have been showing up on the bay lately and I'm curious.
 
Someone will pitch in here with some real info shortly, but I'll try for some basics. The Spitfire was a tiny knife for a lot of money. $115 to be exact. It has G-10 handles, and an ATS34 2" blade with a titanium lock mechanism. New in 2003, not a bunch hit the market before Schrade folded in July of 2004. I don't own one, so I can't give you a review. Maybe someone here can.

Codger
 
Well, that's why I don't recall them, anyway.

It looks like they were going to give the mid/high "tactical" market a try.
 
Looking briefly at completed listings, they seem to be going for 1/2 to 1/3 of MSRP. I might buy one for 1/3, if I were in the market for one. But I am more of a traditional kinda guy and while I did buy some of the lower end "tacticals" to examine and review, I think the Simon SS1 is the only one I have left in my collection. I just personally do not find the modern "tactical" knives interesting, except from an engineering standpoint. So what tactic requires a 2" knife, anyway? Anyway, I would like to read someone's thorough review of one.

Codger

COdger
 
I bought one for $50.00 and had a heck of a time getting rid of it. Quite crude for the price and the quick release lanyard was kind of gimmicky.:thumbdn:
 
Yeah, I was looking at it just for its technology.

I like examining different types of locks, construction methods, steels, etc.

Is the lock akin to the axis or SOG ARC?

I was figurin' it'd make a nice "sheeple" knife, as we "tactical" carry people sometimes say. (If the price is right, which as other posts have noted seems to be too high at the moment.)
 
The spitfire had a unique and patented lock mechanism. Though I agree it was over priced.
 
Nearly every post made here peaks my curiosity, and this one is no exception. I did dig out a review of sorts. Not real indepth, but it does give some early owner's impression.

barnaby said:
Just got my Schrade Spitfire today, nice little knife. Fit and finish is on par with manufacturers like Benchmade and Puma. Actually the finish is a little better than my BM705P: the grind line is straight, and the handle scales are smooth. Yes it has a LITTLE blade play, just like my other mid-priced folders, but nothing to worry about. My only folder that has zero blade play is from Chris Reeve, so you get what you paid for.

The locking system is very similar to the Benchmade Axis lock from the outside, but the inside (excution) is different. The Axis lock relies on two omega rings, where as the Spitfire uses a long spring (like a long paper clip) that runs almost the length of the knife. I am not sure which design is better, only time will tell.

The blade steel is ATS-34, a decent steel, but what impressed me is the blade shape. It is only 2" long, but 1 1/8" wide, even wider than my 3" Busse Active Duty. It has the same thickness as the BM705P. With a holllow ground and a false edge at top, I expect it to cut like the devil.

Open and close action is very smooth, and just the Axis lock, you can do it with just one hand (thumb stud on both sides), and your finger is never in the way when you close it. However the best part is the landyard release, it is just so COOL, and everyone who have seen it agrees. Right now it is on my key chain, and it will be my EDC from now on.
Click to expand...

It did have a quirk that I am not positive there was a fix for ( without some reengineering).

Kasy said:
I looked at the Al Mar SLB, and at the SOG Sculptura, but got the Spitfire because (a) I liked its appearance _much_ better, and (b) the grip appeared to be more secure than the others. Now that it's here, I like everything about it except the d*mn vertical blade play, which to my non-expert eyes and feel appears to be a consequence of the locking pin being a few thousandths too small in diameter or not quite fitting where it's supposed to. I've read that others have experienced the same thing with this model--is there any reasonable hope of getting it fixed by Schrade? Are they likely to fix the overall problem, be it one of design or one of machining tolerances, and maybe offer a retrofit? How hard is it to take these apart, anyway? Thanks.
Click to expand...

I am not one to "FIX" a value of a knife I know little about. When I stated that it was a small knife for a lot of money, that was just my opinion as the knife's appearance of utility appealed to me (or not). Evidently quite a few folk bit ... er... bought them, as a c-note is not much to give for a semi-custom knife of this ilk. Value is strictly in the pocket of the beholder. Semi-exotic materials, many components, new tooling, a lot of assembly labor... it was obviously not as cheap to build and get to market as the simple Simon. I do find it interesting as another innovative design that missed the mark. And I may end up with one to play with and review yet.

Codger
 
Thanks, Codger!

I'll be watchin' this knife, but whether I bite or not will depend.

Mmmm.

Thanks again.
 
I picked one of these up at Woodcraft.com a few months back for around $25 dollars.They were on clearance at that time. Very nice knife, small but very versatile, of course like all my knifes it only gets handled two or three times a year for cleaning etc... I tried to purchase another one for my son a few weeks later but they were gone. Thanks.
 
orthogonal1 said:
Is the lock akin to the axis or SOG ARC?
Click to expand...

Yes, but a little different. If I recall correctly, it was sort of like an Axis lock but with the whole thing set inside the tange, while the axis part of an axis lock rides along the visible part of the tang.

I forget the exact internal mechanics of the lanyard release, but it involved squeezing the blade down to release it.

A real butt-load of moving parts.
 
Sounds like an engineer/designer working to achieve the same end via slightly different means to avoid patent laws.

Nothin' wrong with that, though. Sometimes the result is arguably better, if not distinctly so.

But, then again, sometimes its just results in a FUBAR.

Thanks Carl64.

Based on mountaineergoldnblu (phew, there's a handle), I'll see if the prices on the bay settle a bit lower before biting.
 
I'd like to see one broken down into components. Actually, the process engineer / patent illustrator side of me wants to see the assembly drawings. Anyone know the patent number on this jewel?

Codger
 
orthogonal1 said:
Sounds like an engineer/designer working to achieve the same end via slightly different means to avoid patent laws.
Click to expand...

I am looking at a picture and now I think it might not have been completely enclosed in the tang, I am not sure. I definitely remember something like that, but it may have only been the top part that overhangs.

As for the similarity to an axis lock, the axis piece moves the other direction compared to a benchmade, so it may be like a standard lockback tang (plus whatever portion surrounds it) with an floating axis thing instead of a levered hook-like bar as you would have in a standard lockback.
 
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