Correction: The blade steel on this is 440 as denoted by the Schrade + on the tang.

I think the somewhat ambiguous origins of the knife make it a neat piece for the collection. Plus, it's a really handsome lockback, and I'd carry that one any day. Cheers, my friend!

I read that the later SCHRADE+ knives were 420HC steel. You stated that it was stag bone I believe it's Sanbar Stag and the one that I recently purchased for $39.99 has Excellent fit and finish. I'm very happy with it

Carried the Schrade LB-8 ( same knife 440c blade w/ Staglon handle scales , I believe it had a serial number on the bolster ) in the late 80s - early 90s , it was well made (U.S.A.) and held a good edge , I had no complaints except for the weight. I'm sure this would serve equally as well ( it is virtually the same knife ) and the stag scales are a plus. The whole "China Thing" is a non - issue for me . The reality is that we (U.S.A.) cannot produce knives of similar materials / quality at the same price point . This leaves the consumer with two choices - pay more or go offshore. Great review . Peace , Be Free .

I’m late to the game on this, but I just ordered this knife. SMKW featured it on a recent video. They said it was made entirely in the USA, but the warehouse lot they got after schrade folded had no scales. I they shipped them to china for the Stag. So except for the stag they were made 100% in the USA. They are selling for $25 right now.

Just at SMKW. Bought this knife and for $40 it has thick stag and nice heft which I like. While there bought a generic leather belt sheath for $6 and have a nice combo! Can’t beat it.

Fast forward to Spring 2024. I caught this same knife on sale at SMKW for $29.95, under designation of “SCH-9”. (This has since changed; do a search under “Schrade lockback ”)The unit I received was great, including the *real* stag. Currently (May 2024) price is up to around $40, but still a bargain in my opinion. Regarding the sheath, the sheath from the modern Chinese-produced Schrade LB-7 (Uncle Henry) will fit just fine. The newer LB7 is “skinnier” than the original USA LB7, yet it appears that the Chinese are still providing the old style sheath sized for the old knife. This new China sheath is pretty heavy-duty leather and looks nice, too.

I've got a few old Schrade USA knives and I would buy one due to the parts being USA. Love the old bone/stag handles and it's a interesting back story. I would carry it with pride due to the tang stamp.

Interesting background info there, TK. Can't imagine how much digging went into it. A very beautiful knife. as usual, I appreciate the close-ups.

Received my knife a couple days ago and I love it. Fit and finish is great. I have to press hard on the back of the lock and in time it will wear in. The weight surprised me at first then I got used to it. I picked up a large belt sheath from SMKW and it fits but because of the beefy scales it protrudes slightly where the belt would go. It will be carried in a pack so it is not an issue.

My understanding is somewheres around 1995 to closing at 2004. schrade changed their steel to 420 stainless instead of their old steel which was 440a.

Great looking knife! I like that one!!

really nice example of a traditional lock back, in conclusion, it's a nice knife made by human beings, thanks for showing it!

thanks for the review. just picked one up. love all things schrade and you are absolutely spot on . . . a 5" lockback with real stag and usa blade steel for $39.99 . . . forget about it!

Got knife today. I really like it. No certificate though.

Sounds like a fantastic knife thank you TK! Looks like it's very well made! I'm happy with modern and traditional I like traditional better but I like both! Up to 100 and maybe $20 yeah $120 anything above that for me is somebody else LOL but great show TK see you next time.

Not a bad knife wish it had a sheath

Nice looking knife. The stag panels are especially attractive. My 80s vintage LB7s and LB8 have a stainless pivot pin. I don't think anything stamped Schrade+ is 7Cr17Mov but I certainly could be wrong. Seems like a heck of a value for the $.

I got one just like this at Walmart actually last year. Faux Stag but only one bolster. Under the guise of ozark trail. I believe it’s simply a “knock off”, but that’s where we may see this design at this point 😊 Upon re-examination I guess it has its distinct differences, like a clip, and liner lock. Very similar though!

Nothing beats the Böker Optima. Not even the Buck 110.

SMKW bought the parts and had them shipped to China and had them assembled there. They did similar stuff with Camillus left overs from NY as well as old Marble’s parts from Gladstone Mi. To me they still have a place in history. Some of the knives weren’t even stamped USA but did come from the old US factories.

Nice review or explanation of these knives. It looks well built in fit from what I see. I bought some of the USA D2 fixed blades and the workmanship is horrible. The gaps in the scales are ginormous. This knife appears to be fitted nice. Far nicer than the USA D2 knives I got. I think I will roll the dice on a few of these. If they suck I will send them back and ask for better fitting scales. The D2 s I have im going to have to put black epoxy in the cracks between the guard and scales. Pretty disappointed in them. The blades are legit. Had them scanned and they are in fact D2 and 59 rc. Only reason I kept them.

Very interesting. That’s a bit much for me, but I enjoyed seeing it.

Thanks for clearing this up. Almost got fooled on ebay by sellers claiming it as not made in China, USA made. Origin of parts aside, no getting around the made in China aspect of this knife. Maybe they will deliver them back to us on one of their "weather" balloons.

It's kind of reverse of what you normally see. American companies importing Chinese parts & calling it made in USA of Foriegn & domestic parts. This one used USA parts, assembled in China & shipped back to Americans. So all they supplied was the assembly & QC if any. Not a bad deal as the Chinese can assemble a knife reasonably well.

Right on the stag is awesome. Got D2 stag Uncle Henry knives pretty nice for the price on SMKW

Because of the story about the knife makes it unique regardless the opinions others have about it. It looks well-made and being stag it has lasting value. Having the certificate is something to hold onto. 🙂

Thanks for doing the video I didn't know what was going on they're selling these knives on eBay from 70 to 100.00 dollars good to know you can get it cheaper that's a nice knife I've always like the schrade lockback knives I got a few of the China lockback knives that one is made like the USA ones there thicker USA/China don't bother me I would like to get one 👍

Schrade+ is 440 steel which was sold as their premium steel, it was also used in the Uncle Henry line.

This knife is made okay with decent materials ... but the fit and finish are not great ... but it's the potential backstory of the USA manufacturing vs. Chinese assembly that makes it interesting AND explains the fit and finish issue (as a chinese shop was trying to assemble US parts without the tooling/jigs/assembly process knowledge of the NY plant, SAE vs Metric issues, etc.). Especially when you consider that the "design" is a general "knock-off" of the Buck 110 as well. One final point: discussing/explaining manufacturing differences between two countries is neither racist nor wrong. They are just differences. Thanks TK for the share.

I got 2 from SMKW and both the blades are loose when the knife is closed but no wiggle with the blade open. Is that a thing anyone else has run into? I know older knives were sometimes like that but newer are not and I am undecided about returning them.

Looks to be a very decent and sturdy knife

Variety is the spice of life! 👍

Just added it to my collection. It is actually a really nice knife besides the notifications and the not being an actual American made knife. It's as close as you're ever gonna get so you're mad or just enjoy it.

That looks like one heck of a knife for the price

Great looking knife either way.

i got mine from SMKW, it came with a spear point/drop point type blade very beautiful well made knife,but i would have rather have your clip point blade knife instead both are awesome knives!

I like it. I have one from 90's to compare this to.

Hey John, This was a great video. I know it's been a while and probably doesn't matter anymore but figured I give a comment to this. I bought one of these knifes after watching this video. When I received it I liked it so much that I bought another one for my son. The first one I got had the same blade stamp on it that yours did but my second one had a different stamp that said Schrade USA LTD which I thought was cool. After a while (when they got them back in stock) I order another one so I could use it without any worries about hurting it. Well when I got it, it didn't say anything about Schrade on it. It has a stamp that says GMC USA on it. Do you have any ideas about this stamp? All 3 knife blades look the same except for the stamps. Strange!!!! I'm even thinking of ordering another one if they get anymore back in stock. Thanks buddy

I don't believe Schrade+ was ever 7Cr13Mov, my understanding was it originally 440 series before the switch to 420HC which came shortly before their US operations ceased. I could be completely wrong, however, as I'm by no means an expert on Schrade and solid info is hard to come by. I have a couple of Schrade+ USA knives and I feel pretty certain they're 440 series. Both of those were inherited from my grandfather, so again I could be wrong on the steel. All that aside, this is not a bad looking knife for $40. From the way it looks, it seems to be as solid as any other Schrade folding hunter. I'd definitely use it.

Have you found a sheath that comfortably holds this thick beast? My original 91 Schrade is too thin, and Old Timer is pretty darn tight. Afraid the snaps are gonna scratch the dickens out of the Stag.

Good looking blade - great bang for the buck

Nice 👀lookin blade like the stagg,shape shinny good size 4 me 👍👌

have you found a good sheath for this knife, Shrade sheath for 7ot fits to tight

May 2024 more update. I bought yet another one from SMKW, hoping for the “Drop Nose/Spear point” blade. Disappointed - got another clip point (anyone want to trade??) Anyway, the other clip points I had seen had “Heritage” and “Schrade+” stamped in the tang. This latest unit had “507SC” stamped on the tang, which is usually the designation for a scrimshaw knife. 🤔 I dunno; maybe the old factory was using up whatever blades they had laying around. Anybody else have this 507SC????

$29.99 for real stag and USA parts is mind boggling. Mine came with Uncle Henry LB8 blade. Value per ounce astounding… beast weighs 8.25 ounces 😮!!

With a knife you can take the chance and look it over and check the quality. I got into modern knives at the start of the year and prior to that, I would not touch a knife made overseas or under $100. Since then, I have watched a lot of knife channels and read forums and purchased several knives made in China. The quality is what I expect...Not just for a $25-$75...just well made. I am not a steel snob but try to get the better ones within reason. Pretty sure Bowie did not use a super steel. My concern for the country of origin is when it goes inside me. Take the time and track down the less obvious like the "sourced country" on your vitamin supplements, protein shakes, condiments, insulin and a whole lot of medicine we depend on. Country of origin for something to cut cardboard takes a back seat. IMHO

You have some fat stag there. Good video review. Thanks TK

Things are so expensive now , a Buck 110 will set you back $70 in our new economy 😮

I want to purchase both models!

I think that it’s a really nice looking knife. For 40. and stag? Bargain. It has an interesting provenance to be sure. Still think it qualifies as cool!

When were these put together?

Great grab, regardless of its exact history.

“Semantics” in knife sales is BAU . . . . Nice knife, regardless of who’s labeling it.

I own three of these "Shrade" Parts assembled by Chinese Communist slaves. They are each a PoS that are not close to the Buck 110. They are not as smooth or robust as the Buxk!

Factories produce parts separate from the final assembly. Knife parts aren't serial numbered like firearms.

A while after Schrade closed the doors I heard that Taylor Brands bought the rights to the Schrade names. They also acquired all remaining parts, and shipped everything to China for assembly there. Your knife may be one of those. Not a bad deal for stag!

Hard to complain for 40 bucks right .?

An interesting video, but you move the knife around too much, very distracting.

I'd be over the moon if I got that knife for 40 Kerplunks! I have no problem with my non German made or assembled Tree Brand knife, got quality components and overall a good knife for 10 Kerplunks. All things must pass, many manufacturers are attempting to move out of China so the Chinese made knives might end up being an oddity like the /60s/70s Japanese made knives. Who knows.

Interesting knife. I like it but as a User I have limited being liberal with that is carrying 1/2 pound of knife in my every day life a practical sense for me. Given today's real financial climate crisis and extream tightening of personal finances 39.99 plus tax and Shipping puts that in my hand for $50.00. As I said "interesting piece" but in this economy I justly pass. I do like it but not enough. Thanks

It's still a Schrade, It's still a well made knife, it's still Stag scales. Haters will always hate because they are effete snobs who lack any real knowledge or skill in blades or steel. I'll take a Schrade, Buck, or Gerber any day.

Mine has national park anniversary round shield on it.tang says shrade uncle henry lb8 usa.