Now that S&W owns Taylor Brands...

[stringpicker]

...Do you think we'll see the repatriation of Schrade branded knives?

I've been a collector of Schrade USA knives for some time, and have a growing collection of Imperial and other former US company knives. I love working with the older Imperials, because the blades and springs are made of good steel, and lend themselves rather well to being reused in new knives.

My favorite pattern from Schrade would be the Sharpfinger fixed blade. I would love to see the Old Timer line brought back to the US for manufacturing, back to the same level of quality that they were once known for. Today's Chinese made versions lack the attention to fit and finish, as well as material selection.

I'd love to see them all come back to the US.

 

[shouldazagged]

So would I. The U.S.-made Old Timers are splendid working knnives. I liked the drop-point version of the Sharpfinger--i58OT?--and gave them to my son and his three boys. Dressed a ton of game with one over a good many years.

Schrade knew how to treat good 1095 steel. Their blades took a great edge, held it well, and were easy to resharpen.

The Chinese-made ones leave me totally unimpressed.

 

[Racer X]

I miss my original 125OT from the '80s. Both OT and UH had some great designs over the years. I bet plenty of people would pay $30-40 for US made, quality material OT and UH models. The chinese ones went cheap stainless steel with a crappy heat treat.

How about good SS and a good heat treat and a fair price?

 

[Marshwheeling]

I miss my original 125OT from the '80s. Both OT and UH had some great designs over the years. I bet plenty of people would pay $30-40 for US made, quality material OT and UH models. The chinese ones went cheap stainless steel with a crappy heat treat.

How about good SS and a good heat treat and a fair price?

It would be surprising if they brought production back to these shores. Case seems to do okay selling decent-quality US-made knives at $30-60, but they are looking over their shoulder at China-made brands like Rough Rider that offer quality on a par with Case at $10-12.

Taylor/Schrade would do well to bring their quality up to that level. I wouldn't mind seeing them go back to 1095 on the OTs.

 

[Biggfoot44]

In today's global economy, I won't hold my breath for returning production to USA. I would be pleased to see at least part of the line offered in 1095 even for a modest upcharge.

Really, Rough Rider ? I see them heavily feature from SMKW , but had assumed them to be typical cheap Chinese . If they are better than average for Chinese , I'll have to test drive one. Is there anything in 3-4in folder that stands out ?

 

[eveled]

The rough riders I have are beautiful, well fitted knives.

I would love to see any manufacturer come back here.

The Chinese Cammillus and Schrade knives I have are junky and clunky.

 

[stringpicker]

In my travels, I've picked up a couple of RR knives in lot purchases. They are of decent quality, but clones of US made originals. Decent clones, but clones nonetheless.

That's how I view Taylor Brands' Schrade OT knives, but without the same quality as RR. I will admit...The purchase of BT by S&W prompted me to purchase a Deerslayer and a Sharpfinger version of the original, just to have as a comparison for future collecting. I spent less than $35 for the pair of knives...and they are as cheaply made as they are priced. Fit and finish, along with quality, went out the window. It's very easy to spot the differences, not just in materials used, but in how everything feels in the hands. Heck, the blade on the Deerslayer is warped, and the Sharpfinger is ground off center of the rest of the blade. There's even a ripple on the left side of the blade cause from poor quality workmanship.
I'm keeping these in their boxes, just in case production is ever returned to the US shores, or the QC of days past returns.

My original Sharpfinger rarely leaves my side. I've carried it nearly every day since I bought my first one in 1988. For me, it's the perfect combination of pocket knife size with fixed blade strength. I've skinned and cleaned a number of chicken, rabbit, squirrel, and even deer with the blade. I can probably count how many times I've actually had to take a stone to the edge on 1.5 hands, because with proper maintenance and a good knife steel, it keeps it's edge for a long time.

I've always had one version or another of Old Timer in my possession, all the way back to my 6th birthday, when my grandpa gave me my first one. The first one is gone now, lost to youthful ignorance, but the memory is alive in it's vintage replacement.

I would dearly love to have production return to the US, and am sure it could be done on a level that sales would be brisk enough to support the company. There are many folks that made them that are still alive today, and know the tricks to grinding them properly to keep them authentic to the original.

This is one of those dreams where I just wish I had the money to make it happen...

 

[Marshwheeling]

In today's global economy, I won't hold my breath for returning production to USA. I would be pleased to see at least part of the line offered in 1095 even for a modest upcharge.

Really, Rough Rider ? I see them heavily feature from SMKW , but had assumed them to be typical cheap Chinese . If they are better than average for Chinese , I'll have to test drive one. Is there anything in 3-4in folder that stands out ?

SMKW owns the brand, along with Colt (now defunct) and Marbles. One thing I like about Rough Rider is that it is it's own brand, not trying to ride the coat tails of an established brand.

When I first came across them a few years ago, they were considered good "for the money", generally well made but sometimes with flaws in fit and finish. For ten bucks, you could try out an unfamiliar pattern to see if you wanted to spend $80 or $100 for something from Great Eastern.

Since then, quality and consistency have only improved, in my experience. More and more people are collecting Rough Rider in their own right.

One of my favorite carries is their Improved Muskrat, about 4" closed, with a long sheepsfoot in place of a second clip.

 

[garddogg56]

RR I've had a few.......I would love to see the Oldtimer line built in the US with the swindle system and 1095 steel

 

[Buford57]

I got one of the drop point Sharpfingers as a premium for subscribing to Peterson's Hunting when the magazine was introduced. It opened up Deer, antelope and a new pair of Wranglers and my leg once when I slipped. Just before US production ended I got a deal on 3 in Uncle Henry configuration. Gave one to each of my sons and kept the third as a backup in case anything happened to the original. 10 years later I gave the "backup" to my brother. The original is designated for my grandson in my will.

Good stuff. I remember when anything "made in Japan" was automatically labeled "junk". Maybe China is beginning to beat that rap, too.

 

[Marshwheeling]

RR I've had a few.......I would love to see the Oldtimer line built in the US with the swindle system and 1095 steel

Is that the Swinden key system? Is there a reason to prefer it? I have only heard it vilified, but don't know enough to have an opinion.

I 'd go for some 1095, though.

 

[stringpicker]

Is that the Swinden key system? Is there a reason to prefer it? I have only heard it vilified, but don't know enough to have an opinion.

I 'd go for some 1095, though.

Likely vilified by tinkerers and knife mechanics who didn't know the way to properly remove and repair them. It's a funky system that they used so that lower skilled workers could assemble at a lower price, extending company profits...kinda like the cheaper priced shell handled knives. There's a trick to taking them apart. The pivot point of the Swinden key system seemed to be a bit of a weak point if you pry with the blade...but that's not what you're supposed to do with a knife, right? Personally, I've not come across one that was mechanically worn out...but have seen a number with over sharpened and worn out blades.

If they can't bring back complete production of the OT and UH line of knives, they could at least come up with limited numbers made here in the US to test desireability and collectability. I'm certain they would be surprised at the reception of US made OT and UH knives made with US made steel and materials. They can keep making the Imperial line of knives overseas for now

 

[garddogg56]

Is that the Swinden key system? Is there a reason to prefer it? I have only heard it vilified, but don't know enough to have an opinion.

I 'd go for some 1095, though.

What Stringpicker said plus I've never had a problem with a Swindel key knife and I carried a 34ot for twenty years

 

[30-30remchester]

This thread make me not alone anymore. America was the envy of the knife world till WW2. We produced such a variety of folders mainly, unlike anywhere else in the world. Quality was anywhere from inexpensive to the best of the best. I have collected American folders and US military knives for more than 30 years. Like all knifers, antique Case, Remington's, Winchester's, Honk Falls, Miller Brothers, and New York knife company products were the cream of the crop and unsurpassed and my main focus. But along the way lesser desired antique folders joined my collection. I carry most knives for several days a year and along the way several have had more pocket time than others. A WW2 bone handled 2 blade easy opener Imperial is a favorite. Lately an old 1950's Schrade Walden serpentine cattleman with nickel silver bolsters and shield and brass liners rides the most. This knife was found in a junk box for one dollar. A lot of wear and an abundance of character. This slim folder has a handle seldom seen any more. It is a synthetic material with swirls of yellow and brown. It was known as butter and molasses. Neat knife.

 

[Goldstar225]

I would love to see Schrade come back and bring it's former quality with it. I still have the Uncle Henry Trapper that my dad gave me 47 years ago when I was 13. It's skinned countless squirrels and deer and performed many other mundane tasks. I finally retired it when the blade was worn down to less than half it's original thickness from sharpening and use. I lucked out and found it's twin new in a pawn shop display case several years ago and grabbed it up. It's use is reserved for hunting trips.