BOSS1
Gold Member
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2008
- Messages
- 1,700
Greetings,
Ok, I there are some that are going to be saying "What?' Isn't he a big Busse NMSFNO fan?" Yep. And if you look at my avatar its a pretty rare Nexus Centurione by Molletta.
So why does a guy who owns multi-hundred dollar fixed blades order 3 'Made-in-China Schrades?
Purpose. I needed a low cost 'trunk knife.' A knife of sufficient proportion that I wouldn't mind beating the snot out of, leaving in the trunk, out in the rain, a loaner to people who don't truly appreciate/respect the value of a knife like a Busse, and generally treating like crap. The things I just wouldn't do to a more costly fixed blade. It rusted? Bummer. Gets stolen, oh well...that kinda sucks. You dropped it and it got dinged/beat up? Beautiful.
Secondly, I needed something for a 'get home bag' I've been slowly putting together, and is a bit overdue. Something I can throw in the bag and forget about until/if and when its needed. It'll be in there with a flashlight, some water, cliff bars, baby wipes, clean socks/underwear/first aid kit, etc. I'm not worried about the zombies, but if the car breaks down and between A and B there isn't a whole lot, just a few things to get through. Cheap but functional knife: check.
Third, I needed a beater knife as a gift for a family member that is a bit of 'saver.' He doesn't collect, he 'saves.' I've bought him better knives, such as the recent re-release of the Buck 124, and like all slightly nicer things I get him, it winds up in a drawer with is other collection of gear and trinkets...he's 'gonna save it for later.' For some big trip he has in his mind down the road. This will hopefully be cheap enough that he'll actually not 'save' it for later. It was 35 stinking bucks...for the love of all that is outdoorsy and dirty, go out and thump on this thing. Please, BREAK in through good honest hard use. I'll buy you another one!!! He's at the stage in his life where 'later' is now...there's no point at putting things off any longer. Get out there!!
And lastly, the third knife put me up into the free shipping minimum order. Two of them was 80-something when you added in shipping. So I got the third one for basically 20-something dollars because of the free shipping.
Now, about the knife. While I think it is a high VALUE kit in relative terms of what you're getting (1095 7" bladed fixed blade, entry level sheath, sharpening stone and ferro rod), it is still a $35. All things considered, I think that is a low price. But the quality is definitely on par for the pricepoint, meaning not super high. You're getting more than you pay for by a good bit though. There's several vids on these new Schrades on the 'Tube.
In the hand, it feels OK, it definitely lends itself to choking up with the choil, and also would allow for a tail grip to get addition swinging/chopping power, however with some of the jimping, that might only go so far depending on how tough your hands are. Balance isn't bad. The power coat is very rough, though it will probably smooth some with use. TPE scales should offer decent grip in various conditions, as well as absorb some impact vibration. The sheaths are serviceable, and the liners are actually a pretty tight fit, so the blade won't just fall out (at least when they're brand new). The ferro rod and sharpening stone round out the kit. The blades seem like they may be slightly distorted, but not to a degree that would affect general purpose field use in the real world.
Overall, I'd say if you're looking for an entry level knife for a new or young/budding outdoor enthusiast, its worth a look. Also, if you need a cheap/beater/trunk/practically disposable med/larger fixed blade, this one rates pretty high. I think Schrade is going to sell alot of these knives. There was a time where their SCHF-9 was difficult to find, for similar reasons...it was a solid knife for the $$. I think these latest Schrades are going to fall into the same situation. They're going to appeal to alot of people on a budget...and that's alot of people. That and it has a very similar profile to a wildy popular fixed blade brand normally costing several times more (with good reason, they use to grade materials like 3V and micarta).
If 37 is a little tough rough, the 37M with stainless and micarta is on the way, but will probably be a few bucks more.
So there it is. If I have the time/choice to prep for a nice organized outing, the Busse or one of my other blades will go. But if I need to pull something out of the trunk or G.H.B, it'll probably be my SCHF37.
Cheers,
BOSS
PS: I learned this, because one of my most used knives over the past decade has been an $8 folder I bought as at a show...it floats around the garage when a dirty job comes along, it gets the call.
Ok, I there are some that are going to be saying "What?' Isn't he a big Busse NMSFNO fan?" Yep. And if you look at my avatar its a pretty rare Nexus Centurione by Molletta.
So why does a guy who owns multi-hundred dollar fixed blades order 3 'Made-in-China Schrades?
Purpose. I needed a low cost 'trunk knife.' A knife of sufficient proportion that I wouldn't mind beating the snot out of, leaving in the trunk, out in the rain, a loaner to people who don't truly appreciate/respect the value of a knife like a Busse, and generally treating like crap. The things I just wouldn't do to a more costly fixed blade. It rusted? Bummer. Gets stolen, oh well...that kinda sucks. You dropped it and it got dinged/beat up? Beautiful.
Secondly, I needed something for a 'get home bag' I've been slowly putting together, and is a bit overdue. Something I can throw in the bag and forget about until/if and when its needed. It'll be in there with a flashlight, some water, cliff bars, baby wipes, clean socks/underwear/first aid kit, etc. I'm not worried about the zombies, but if the car breaks down and between A and B there isn't a whole lot, just a few things to get through. Cheap but functional knife: check.
Third, I needed a beater knife as a gift for a family member that is a bit of 'saver.' He doesn't collect, he 'saves.' I've bought him better knives, such as the recent re-release of the Buck 124, and like all slightly nicer things I get him, it winds up in a drawer with is other collection of gear and trinkets...he's 'gonna save it for later.' For some big trip he has in his mind down the road. This will hopefully be cheap enough that he'll actually not 'save' it for later. It was 35 stinking bucks...for the love of all that is outdoorsy and dirty, go out and thump on this thing. Please, BREAK in through good honest hard use. I'll buy you another one!!! He's at the stage in his life where 'later' is now...there's no point at putting things off any longer. Get out there!!
And lastly, the third knife put me up into the free shipping minimum order. Two of them was 80-something when you added in shipping. So I got the third one for basically 20-something dollars because of the free shipping.
Now, about the knife. While I think it is a high VALUE kit in relative terms of what you're getting (1095 7" bladed fixed blade, entry level sheath, sharpening stone and ferro rod), it is still a $35. All things considered, I think that is a low price. But the quality is definitely on par for the pricepoint, meaning not super high. You're getting more than you pay for by a good bit though. There's several vids on these new Schrades on the 'Tube.
In the hand, it feels OK, it definitely lends itself to choking up with the choil, and also would allow for a tail grip to get addition swinging/chopping power, however with some of the jimping, that might only go so far depending on how tough your hands are. Balance isn't bad. The power coat is very rough, though it will probably smooth some with use. TPE scales should offer decent grip in various conditions, as well as absorb some impact vibration. The sheaths are serviceable, and the liners are actually a pretty tight fit, so the blade won't just fall out (at least when they're brand new). The ferro rod and sharpening stone round out the kit. The blades seem like they may be slightly distorted, but not to a degree that would affect general purpose field use in the real world.
Overall, I'd say if you're looking for an entry level knife for a new or young/budding outdoor enthusiast, its worth a look. Also, if you need a cheap/beater/trunk/practically disposable med/larger fixed blade, this one rates pretty high. I think Schrade is going to sell alot of these knives. There was a time where their SCHF-9 was difficult to find, for similar reasons...it was a solid knife for the $$. I think these latest Schrades are going to fall into the same situation. They're going to appeal to alot of people on a budget...and that's alot of people. That and it has a very similar profile to a wildy popular fixed blade brand normally costing several times more (with good reason, they use to grade materials like 3V and micarta).
If 37 is a little tough rough, the 37M with stainless and micarta is on the way, but will probably be a few bucks more.
So there it is. If I have the time/choice to prep for a nice organized outing, the Busse or one of my other blades will go. But if I need to pull something out of the trunk or G.H.B, it'll probably be my SCHF37.
Cheers,
BOSS
PS: I learned this, because one of my most used knives over the past decade has been an $8 folder I bought as at a show...it floats around the garage when a dirty job comes along, it gets the call.
