"modern" Schrades

[UnknownVT]

Just received my order from SMKW (eknifeworks.com) that I placed a week ago -

I'm actually quite impressed with all of them - but not without some minor reservations.

The most impressive - but also the most "disappointing" was the Schrade Simple Simon SS1.

I love the simple design and the incorporation of a carabiner clip -
BUT - the photos I saw on the web of this knife was the wire-loop type "gate" carabiner - as shown in this pic on eknifeworks.com -

whereas the one I received has a simple piece of steel for the "gate" - which is not that flexible/springy - nor does it look that durable -

(I may call SMKW and check if they have the wire-loop style carabiner "gate"....)

The SLW2 - Lake & Walker Tough Lock 2 is very impressive - the lock looks at first blush as tough as perhaps the Sebenza. It came somewhat stiff - but "smooth" - a little bit of working the blade in and out, then finally lube with some RemOil - has got the action pretty good. It's not fast - but very smooth - I like it - a lot.

The 4x4 SQ447 with chromed Diamond Plate finish - I bought just because I like the looks of it - the diamond plate is kind of attractive and the shape/design with the large choil/cut-out is very attractive to me - for under $12 - I consider it a good buy too....... One criticism is the rather thin looking liner(lock) - but I do not plan to use this for heavy duty work. There doesn't seem to be any problems or play in the lock as is.........

Lock details:

Lastly the only knife not made in the USA - but in China is the Schrade SuperKnife SSK5 - I've always wanted this again because of the diamond plate design - they came out around when Schrade went under - I had not been able to find one at a reasonable price - until SMKW got them back in stock at at $6.99! - that's a bargain! Its action is actually better than the real SuperKnife I have - which from postings seems like an exceptionally good one - so this is really, really pleasing...........

I also got 3 certificates of autheniticity for the 3 USA made knives -

Overall I am very impressed with these, and again sadden by Schrade's demise.

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net

 

[textoothpk]

Thanks for your views, Vincent. The only one of those I am familiar with is the Simon, and yep, they did cheapen up the springy thing at the end. The earlier ones with the wire loop were far superior. Still, I have one clipped to one keyring, and a couple more clipped other places on my hunting vest, ect.

Phil

 

[lrv]

Vincent,
Nice job on the Schrades. We truely will miss the company.
Thanks
Larry

 

[UnknownVT]

Thanks for the kind comments - I've posted a more detailed comparison review of the Schrade SSK5 SuperKnife over in General Knife Discussion - reviving an old thread:

SuperKnife and pricing.....
(posts # 29 & 31)

Backs of the knives -

Knives closed, for size comparison:

If one looks closely at the Lake & Walker (BTW - two of my "heros" in knifemaking - Ron Lake and Michael Walker) SLW2 from the clip side closed - the knife would be very difficult if not impossible to open with the thumb-stud for left-handers.

Granted that I'm probably "clumsy" with my lefthand - but I could not find a way of being able to open the SLW2 with my lefthand using the thumb-stud -since it was lower than the handle and there just was too little space between the handle and the stud. In the the end I had to resort to opening the knife by the old fashioned pinching the exposed blade between thumb and forefinger and pushing the handle away with my other fingers.......

A good point on the SLW2 is the deep in-pocket clip. Although that is somewhat off-set by its polished silver finish. Also a slight SNAFU is that the carved/cut stylish disc on the lock-bar can sometimes catch on pockets with sewn/folded "lips" (like typical jeans pockets), as the cuts are left "sharp" and will tend to grip.

There is also very slight up/down play in the blade when locked open - I stress this is very slight and only noticable if one grips the blade face near the tip and try to move the blade in the open/close directions. One can prevent this and have NO play by pushing the lock on harder - but most of the time the current "natural" position of the lock has that very slight play.

I am not sure if this will get better or worse after some wearing in - although the instructions (see below) seem to indicate the lock "gets stronger with use"......
But only time will tell.

instructions for the SLW2

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net

 

[Bob W]

I bought one of the SS knives too, just to say I have one. At ten bucks I'd say it's a 'fair' price, but not a bargain. I'd have been disappointed if I paid $20 for it; the CRKT K.I.S.S. is a much smoother and nicer knife.

Thanks for the reviews! I think there's a $14 Lake and Walker on it's way to me. I generally don't care for liner locks, so I didn't order any of those.

Overall, the best deal so far on closeout Shrades is the OldTimers. The markdowns aren't as significant as some of the other knives, but you definitely get your money's worth - especially if you were smart enough to buy early when the selection was best. The 96OT is one helluva knife for $20!

Best Wishes,
Bob

 

[UnknownVT]

The only one of those I am familiar with is the Simon, and yep, they did cheapen up the springy thing at the end. The earlier ones with the wire loop were far superior. Still, I have one clipped to one keyring, and a couple more clipped other places on my hunting vest, ect.
Phil

I bought one of the SS knives too, just to say I have one. At ten bucks I'd say it's a 'fair' price, but not a bargain. I'd have been disappointed if I paid $20 for it; the CRKT K.I.S.S. is a much smoother and nicer knife.
I think there's a $14 Lake and Walker on it's way to me. I generally don't care for liner locks, so I didn't order any of those.
Bob

Thanks for the feedback Bob and Phil - do the Simple Simons you have also have the carabiner "gate" with the flat single piece of steel like mine, or do you have the wire-loop "gate"?

The Lake & Walker SLW2 is a "composite frame-lock" - the contact point is only really a metal (steel?) disc but backed by the Zylite "bar" - you can just about make it out on the close-up photo of the locks. But it does work well.

Another "flaw" I have found is that the extra "safety" lever works by friction and occassionally when closing the knife the lever moves to the extra safe-lock position actually blocking the lock bar from contacting the blade - so that the ballbearing detent does not engage. Of course detactivating the lever clicks the lock-bar and ballbearing detent back into place. Or one can just make sure the lever is set to the extreme position for off - but nevertheless this is kind of annoying.

The MOST annoying thing about the SLW2 sample I got was that it was NOT sharp - it wouldn't even slice paper. Had to work on the crock-sticks V-hone for a bit before it became sharp - however the partial serrations are more difficult to sharpen (even with the Spyderco Tri-Angle SharpMaker) so that part isn't really that sharp and will only cut more like a saw.........

But for $15 a knife designed by Ron Lake and Michael Walker - even if flawed in execution (perhaps, dare I say it, even in design) is still a good buy to me - of course, YMMV.

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net

 

[Bob W]

Amazing coincidence. Got home from work, posted my previous message, went to the post office, and there was my most recent (and last, honest) Schrades from SMKW.

I've only played with it a minute, but here are some initial thoughts of the $14 Lake and Walker.

First, I didn't quite know what to expect from the lock. It's a frame lock, where the plastic handle is the locking mechanism. I have other frame lock knives, but none using a plastic handle. There's a safety lock switch too that locks the blade open. The frame lock works easily, but I still have philisophical difficulties with using a lock mechanism where fingers must cross the blade path (frame locks and liner locks). The Saftey Lock switch is in an awkward postition, between the handle and the blade on the same side as the pocket clip. The Safety Lock switch is also very stiff, which combined with the fact it's a small piece of steel in an awkward location, makes it difficult to use. After switching it a dozen times it's loosening up, just a little. Ironically, when the knife is closed the switch is very accessible and easy , but the switch wasn't designed to be used unless the knife is open.

The blade on mine is very sharp out of the box. And the thumb studs are rounded button-shaped knobs that make one-hand opening easy.

The pocket clip seems a bit flimsy, and I wish it were removable. It's in the way...

I'm suprised by the knife's 'heft'. Not as heavy as a full-tang hunter obviously, but considerably heavier and better built than the Cliphanger knives. The plastic handles have an OK shape and feel - not as good as a Delica or Endura, but as good as most other lightweight knives. There is no blade play whatsoever, and I'm pleased with the knife's construction. I do wish it had a backspring to help keep the knife closed.

Best Wishes,
Bob

FYI. I sat on the fence for a long time deciding whether to buy one of these or not. If you waited longer than I did, you're out of luck; the Lake and Walker is no longer available from SMKW.

 

[Bob W]

Thanks for the feedback Bob and Phil - do the Simple Simons you have also have the carabiner "gate" with the flat single piece of steel like mine, or do you have the wire-loop "gate"?

Mine has the simple sprung steel gate, no wire loop. Personally, that one feature change would make not a difference in my buying decision.

-Bob

 

[UnknownVT]

FYI. I sat on the fence for a long time deciding whether to buy one of these or not. If you waited longer than I did, you're out of luck; the Lake and Walker is no longer available from SMKW.

Many thanks for the review and heads up about the SLW2 at eknifeworks.com

However all is not (yet) lost the SLW2 is still available on the net.
The lowest price I found using Froogle.com was $24.95 just now at:

KnifeCenter of the InterNet (SLW2)

True, it's not such a bargain as $15 (@ SMKW)
or even the $11 someone got it for some months ago....
but I still think it's a good buy even at $25......

Good luck.....

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net