Taylor-Schrade Traditionals: Your Opinions, Reviews and Overviews

[RickT57]

I have a new 33ot and an old 18ot. I like them both. Thinking of An 104ot. Have wanted one for years. But then I 'd have too many knives.....

 

[davek14]

Now, if they would start using some carbon steel..

Yup.

What are some examples of 9cr17mov Schrades? A search for "bone handle Schrades" didn't turn up much.

 

[knarfeng]

I've not tried Schrade 9Cr17MoV. I have tried that alloy in a knife made for another outfit. It performed reasonably close to 440C.

 

[Jack Black]

:thumbup:

 

[Jeff_R]

I have a new 33ot and an old 18ot. I like them both. Thinking of An 104ot. Have wanted one for years. But then I 'd have too many knives.....

Note to self: don't sip coffee when reading Traditional threads in Blade Forums. Now where's that tea towel.

 

[supratentorial]

...There are SOME who refuse to accecpt that Taylor Brands makes the Old Timer, Uncle Henry, and Imperial knives just as good if not better than the "originals" and that the Taylor Schrade knives are not "fake" after Taylor bought the brand. Using THAT reasoning, ALL Schrade knives from the late 1800's or early 1900's from the time Imperial bought Schrade, to 1985 when Imperial shut their doors, are "fake" since the Schrade name was owned by Imperial.

...To the best of my knowledge nobody, no machines, and no factory that made the original Old Tmer knives is owned by or working for Taylor Brands. This is very different than what happened when the Baers bought Schrade in 1946. If Anheuser-Busch bought the name "Guinness" and started putting Guinness labels on Busch beer bottles... then would that be real Guinness?

I think the use of the brand name "Hammer Brand" after New York Knife Co closed their doors is a better comparison to Taylor Schrade/Imperial. IIRC, I used that comparison recently. This type of marketing has been around for a long time.

For me, the "Hammer Brand" knives made after New York Knife Co closed are not *real* Hammer Brand Knives.

Using old cutlery names is fairly common. GEC also revived two old cutlery names. But they chose two names that are not well known. For me, they are all GEC knives. I don't care at all that they are marked "Northfield" or "Tidioute". I don't associate them at all with the old knives. GEC has made a name for themselves.

Darn it, Jake, I KNEW there was something familiar about the name of that model! Now that you've reminded me where I'd previously heard "landshark", I'm going to have to buy one!

- GT

:thumbup:

GT, When the mailman delivers your order, look through the window to make sure that it s in fact the mailman who is knocking on your door. And don't believe him if he says he's only a dolphin.

 

[RickT57]

I like tea!

 

[RickT57]

And a biscuit

 

[Bob W]

There are SOME who refuse to accecpt that Taylor Brands makes the Old Timer, Uncle Henry, and Imperial knives just as good if not better than the "originals" and that the Taylor Schrade knives are not "fake" after Taylor bought the brand. Using THAT reasoning, ALL Schrade knives from the late 1800's or early 1900's from the time Imperial bought Schrade, to 1985 when Imperial shut their doors, are "fake" since the Schrade name was owned by Imperial.

Imperial bought Schrade and merged/consolidated the two companies. Imperial kept the original Schrade factory filled with Schrade employees. Imperial and Schrade even maintained separate American knife-making facilities for almost 40 years.

That is absolutely nothing even remotely similar to the situation with Taylor-Schrade. Taylor doesn't make knives, nor have they ever made knives. They did not buy the Imperial-Schrade Corporation, nor did they buy the Imperial-Schrade factory or knife-making equipment, nor did they choose to hire on any of the Imperial-Schrade knifemakers or employees.

For the record...

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Back to the question: I don't personally own an imported Old Timer so cannot give a detailed side-by-side quality comparison, but the lack of carbon steel is a loss, and the new plastic handles look like butt compared to the originals.

 

[5K Qs]

...
GT, When the mailman delivers your order, look through the window to make sure that it s in fact the mailman who is knocking on your door. And don't believe him if he says he's only a dolphin.

Good advice, Jake. I already typically have my knives delivered to my work address, so mailroom staff will be my first line of defense against any Landshark shenanigans!

- GT

 

[BASguy]

Imperial bought Schrade and merged/consolidated the two companies. Imperial kept the original Schrade factory filled with Schrade employees. Imperial and Schrade even maintained separate American knife-making facilities for almost 40 years.

That is absolutely nothing even remotely similar to the situation with Taylor-Schrade. Taylor doesn't make knives, nor have they ever made knives. They did not buy the Imperial-Schrade Corporation, nor did they buy the Imperial-Schrade factory or knife-making equipment, nor did they choose to hire on any of the Imperial-Schrade knifemakers or employees.

For the record...

----------

Back to the question: I don't personally own an imported Old Timer so cannot give a detailed side-by-side quality comparison, but the lack of carbon steel is a loss, and the new plastic handles look like butt compared to the originals.

Well, I owned an "original" Old Timer that was given to me in the early 80's and was well used. It seen another 20 years of use before it was lost. I now have a new version with the plastic "butt" handles. I find the loss of a carbon blade to be a non issue. The knife is a rock solid performer that came razor sharp. The finish is fine compared to the old style. Frankly, I can't see much difference in them and I edc'd the old one for over 20 years.

 

[Bob W]

I do appreciate that the imported OTs have some interesting and varied handle choices, like wood and bone.

But the plastic handles lack the warmth and depth of color of the originals.

 

[afishhunter]

That is absolutely nothing even remotely similar to the situation with Taylor-Schrade. [bold]Taylor doesn't make knives, nor have they ever made knives.[/bold] They did not buy the Imperial-Schrade Corporation, nor did they buy the Imperial-Schrade factory or knife-making equipment, nor did they choose to hire on any of the Imperial-Schrade knifemakers or employees.

For the record...

----------

Hmmmm ... sounds like another very popular brand (at least in the General section and their own sub forum.) Cold Steel.

I don't know all the Imperial Schrade history. I know that there was a long strike by the workers, shortly before the company folded. I know the Swendon (spelling?) Swindon (spelling?) key construction they used was a defective design; not as strong as a through pin, and dang near impossible to fix when (not "if") it broke. I have heard mismanagement and possibly criminal actions by some of the upper management played a part in the demise of the company. I know that at one time, Imperial Schrade (and related companies) made a good product at a price people could afford. I don't know what condition the machines used to manufacture the knives were in. Were they worn out? Who (if anyone) bought the machines and used them (or is still using them) to make knives? Did the machines go to the scrap yard? I don't know, nor does it really matter anymore. It has been 30 years since Schrade went under. Any machines that were useable then are probably worn out now. As for the people making the knives, most, if not all, have probably retired by now. The "Old Timers" (pardon the pun) that had been there for 30 years or more have probably taken on a new career of pushing up daisies or weeds.
I own a couple pre-1980 Schrade knives, and a couple made with-in the last year or two. The new made are just as good as the old, in some cases better than the old. (no Swindon Key)
I see no difference in edge retention or ease of sharpening between the old and new. Yes, I would like to see them bring back the carbon steel versions of the stockman, canoe, and the 7OT with a carbon steel blade. Who knows? They might. They have brought back some of the fixed blades with carbon steel.

 

[Ballenxj]

My full comments are here:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...Reviews-and-Overviews?p=15449786#post15449786

Summary:
►The steel is at least as good on the Taylor Schrade as on the US-Schrade, and holds an edge noticeably better than Case Tru-Sharp. 7Cr17 is very close to 440A (the alloy used by US-Schrade) in composition and the heat treats appear to give equivalent hardness.
►The fit was equal. A bit of unevenness to the springs on each. No gaps on either one.
►The finish on the US Schrade was a bit better with the corners of the springs nicely rounded.

Conclusion:
I found the Taylor-Schrade knife to be a decent knife, and pretty equivalent to the US-made Schrade.

Blasphemy I tell ya, BLASPHEMY!
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The Chinese may make a decent knife, but what frosts my pinecones is the fact that Taylor took an American name over seas, leaving our American cutlers out in the cold and profited from that time honored name by using the cheap labor in China.
As far as quality comparison, that has yet to be seen by me as I generally don't buy knives made in China! I would much rather see my money stay here.

 

[Bob W]

The Swinden Key was used in the construction of many of the most popular Schrade Old Timer knives. But many other patterns were pinned, and the Old Timers that were contract-made by Camillus were always pinned. Furthermore, the first Old Timer knives were made before the Swinden Key was invented.

So there are plenty of non-Swinden originals out there, if you look closely.

 

[Biggie_Robs]

Hmmmm ... sounds like another very popular brand (at least in the General section and their own sub forum.) Cold Steel.

I don't know all the Imperial Schrade history. I know that there was a long strike by the workers, shortly before the company folded. I know the Swendon (spelling?) Swindon (spelling?) key construction they used was a defective design; not as strong as a through pin, and dang near impossible to fix when (not "if") it broke. I have heard mismanagement and possibly criminal actions by some of the upper management played a part in the demise of the company. I know that at one time, Imperial Schrade (and related companies) made a good product at a price people could afford. I don't know what condition the machines used to manufacture the knives were in. Were they worn out? Who (if anyone) bought the machines and used them (or is still using them) to make knives? Did the machines go to the scrap yard? I don't know, nor does it really matter anymore. It has been 30 years since Schrade went under. Any machines that were useable then are probably worn out now. As for the people making the knives, most, if not all, have probably retired by now. The "Old Timers" (pardon the pun) that had been there for 30 years or more have probably taken on a new career of pushing up daisies or weeds.
I own a couple pre-1980 Schrade knives, and a couple made with-in the last year or two. The new made are just as good as the old, in some cases better than the old. (no Swindon Key)
I see no difference in edge retention or ease of sharpening between the old and new. Yes, I would like to see them bring back the carbon steel versions of the stockman, canoe, and the 7OT with a carbon steel blade. Who knows? They might. They have brought back some of the fixed blades with carbon steel.

My understanding is that Canal Street Cutlery bought Schrade's machines and hired many of the Schrade staff.

 

[Bob W]

I know that there was a long strike by the workers, shortly before the company folded.

Are you thinking of Camillus?

Who (if anyone) bought the machines and used them (or is still using them) to make knives? Did the machines go to the scrap yard?

They were sold, I don't offhand recall to who.

It has been 30 years since Schrade went under.

It's been just over ten years. Original Old Timer knives were being assembled up to the last minute even as the factory closed in 2004.

As for the people making the knives, most, if not all, have probably retired by now. The "Old Timers" (pardon the pun) that had been there for 30 years or more have probably taken on a new career of pushing up daisies or weeds.

Some of the key Schrade employees went on to found Canal Street Cutlery in the original Schrade factory (not the Imperial-Schrade facility). Among them was Dave Swinden, inventor of the Swinden Key and ex-president of the Imperial-Schrade Corp. Mr. Swinden passed away earlier this year.

 

[knarfeng]

I do appreciate that the imported OTs have some interesting and varied handle choices, like wood and bone.

But the plastic handles lack the warmth and depth of color of the originals.

I beg pardon? The originals had plastic covers also.

Personally, I give Taylor credit that they did not use exact duplicates of the original Old Timer or Uncle Henry covers. The colors are different enough that no one would be able to confuse the new with the old.

Look fellas, the original question was "Does Taylor make a decent knife". Answer: Yes, they do make a knife that is pretty darn close to the original

There is nothing that says everyone has to run out and buy a knife called "Schrade" which was made in China. Some folks will. Some won't. But my opinion is that those that do, will not get a piece of junk.

 

[afishhunter]

Are you thinking of Camillus?


They were sold, I don't offhand recall to who.


It's been just over ten years. Original Old Timer knives were being assembled up to the last minute even as the factory closed in 2004.


Some of the key Schrade employees went on to found Canal Street Cutlery in the original Schrade factory (not the Imperial-Schrade facility). Among them was Dave Swinden, inventor of the Swinden Key and ex-president of the Imperial-Schrade Corp. Mr. Swinden passed away earlier this year.

Yes, it is possible I have Camillus and Schrade confused.
I thought Schrade closed up in 1985.
My apologies to all for being wrong and opening my mouth.

 

[Bob W]

But the plastic handles lack the warmth and depth of color of the originals.

I beg pardon? The originals had plastic covers also.

Maybe my writing wasn't clear? AFAIK both the originals and the imports make heavy use of the same plastic, Delrin. But to me the imports don't look as nice. It's the dye and/or the coloring of the base material.