Schrade's (Chinese) Razor Blade Stainless

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Captain O

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When my Fruit Sampler Knives arrived Schrade's (Taylor Cutlery) has their Chinese blades etched with the image of a double-edge razor blade with the phrase "Razor Blade Stainless" etched in the same manner, arched over the image. Is this significant, or is it just a marketing ploy to sell their Chinese manufactured blades? :eek::rolleyes:

Captain O
 
I don't think it was a ploy...
Some older Schrade knives that were stainless also had the "Razor Blade Stainless" mark etched on them. Taylor is attempting to emulate these older knives, unfortunately in appearance only.
 
Captain O said:
When my Fruit Sampler Knives arrived Schrade's (Taylor Cutlery) has their Chinese blades etched with the image of a double-edge razor blade with the phrase "Razor Blade Stainless" etched in the same manner, arched over the image. Is this significant, or is it just a marketing ploy to sell their Chinese manufactured blades? :eek::rolleyes:

Captain O
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Countless makers over many decades' time have used terms like this to describe their blades (not just Chinese either, but from all origins). In truth, most any competently-manufactured blade can at least be sharpened thin enough to emulate 'razor', 'shaving' or 'surgical' sharpness (all these terms have been applied to branding/marketing of knives). So, in a nutshell, it's just marketing-speak, and only designed to sell product. Beyond that, it reveals nothing of what the steel's or blade's capabilities are, either good or bad.

The irony is, most of the time, the large majority of factory edges on knives won't actually be sharp enough to reliably shave with; no matter how they're labelled...


David
 
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Obsessed with Edges said:
Countless makers over many decades' time have used terms like this to describe their blades (not just Chinese either, but from all origins). In truth, most any competently-manufactured blade can at least be sharpened thin enough to emulate 'razor', 'shaving' or 'surgical' sharpness (all these terms have been applied to branding/marketing of knives). So, in a nutshell, it's just marketing-speak, and only designed to sell product. Beyond that, it reveals nothing of what the steel's or blade's capabilities are, either good or bad.

The irony is, most of the time, the large majority of factory edges on knives won't actually be sharp enough to reliably shave with; no matter how they're labelled...


David
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Yes, razor steel would make really crummy general purpose knife steel. Way too hard. And an actual razor edge is too thin and fine for a general purpose knife.

And, as alluded to above, Schrade used to use the safety razor blade mark on their blades, so thats a borrowed tradition or hype.
 
MarkPinTx said:
Yes, razor steel would make really crummy general purpose knife steel. Way too hard. And an actual razor edge is too thin and fine for a general purpose knife.

And, as alluded to above, Schrade used to use the safety razor blade mark on their blades, so thats a borrowed tradition or hype.
Click to expand...

I figured as much. For the informed consumer, truth beats marketing hyperbole every time.

Captain O
 
If you want to find a knife made from steel that's actually, truly made from the same stuff as some quality razor blades, look for Sandvik 13C26 blades, or AEB-L (most likely only found in handmade/custom knives). Neither would easily be found in 'traditional' knives (aside from custom), nor would they be necessary for traditional knife uses.


David
 
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This was always my favorite Schrade ad...

 
Ha! Ha! Shaving with a pocket-knife, nice ad!

I'll stick to my Feathers thank you.....
 
While the blade etchings do look neat and reflect back to a time when Schrades were made in the good ol' US of A, I'd rather a knife come with nothing on its blades. The embellishments just make it look like it shouldn't be used. I've even sanded etchings off of a few of my knives. I suppose most people like them, or they wouldn't take the time to do it, but I can't stand them on a user knife.

Chinese Schrades do work pretty well though. I like mine, even if they aren't as nice as "real" Schrades.

glennbad said:
This was always my favorite Schrade ad...

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This reminds me of when I graduated high school. I went to a strict Christian school and had to be clean-shaven, but I was already pretty hairy at seventeen. My eighteenth birthday was the day before I graduated, and for the morning of my birthday I gave my Buck 119 an extra careful edge and shaved with it, graduated the next day, and never shaved again. Its a fun story to tell, but looking back it was pretty stupid because it could have gone horribly wrong. :eek: Didn't cut myself though, and it worked great! :thumbup::D
 
FordRanger said:
While the blade etchings do look neat and reflect back to a time when Schrades were made in the good ol' US of A, I'd rather a knife come with nothing on its blades. The embellishments just make it look like it shouldn't be used. I've even sanded etchings off of a few of my knives. I suppose most people like them, or they wouldn't take the time to do it, but I can't stand them on a user knife.

Chinese Schrades do work pretty well though. I like mine, even if they aren't as nice as "real" Schrades.



This reminds me of when I graduated high school. I went to a strict Christian school and had to be clean-shaven, but I was already pretty hairy at seventeen. My eighteenth birthday was the day before I graduated, and for the morning of my birthday I gave my Buck 119 an extra careful edge and shaved with it, graduated the next day, and never shaved again. Its a fun story to tell, but looking back it was pretty stupid because it could have gone horribly wrong. :eek: Didn't cut myself though, and it worked great! :thumbup::D
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That's quite a story! It was a dangerous action that could have resulted in great pain and a prolonged period of healing! :eek: I hope that I'll have the opportunity to enjoy my Schrades for years to come.

Here's to more cutlery we can all enjoy! :thumbup:

Captain O
 
And this will be a heretical statement, but the current batch of Taylor Schrade Old Timers are pretty comparable with the Made in USA versions of the "terminal" Schrade era. Except for the 1095. But I am seeing indications that the steel in the Taylors is pretty decent and maybe a step up from Rough Rider.
 
MarkPinTx said:
Yes, razor steel would make really crummy general purpose knife steel. Way too hard.
Click to expand...

Actually a lot of folks like it just fine. See David's post below...

Obsessed with Edges said:
If you want to find a knife made from steel that's actually, truly made from the same stuff as some quality razor blades, look for Sandvik 13C26 blades, or AEB-L (most likely only found in handmade/custom knives). Neither would easily be found in 'traditional' knives (aside from custom), nor would they be necessary for traditional knife uses.


David
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Kershaw used to use 13C26 for a lot of their blades. It was considered good stuff.
Easy to get "razor sharp".:D
 
knarfeng said:
(...)
Kershaw used to use 13C26 for a lot of their blades. It was considered good stuff.
Easy to get "razor sharp".:D
Click to expand...

:thumbup:
I was tempted to mention Kershaw in that context, were it not for the 'non-traditional' association with the brand (usually, anyway). It's too bad they don't have some traditional knives in 13C26; I'm sure it'd be popular here. Sandvik spec's it's allowable hardness up to 62 HRC; that'd be a big hit.


David
 
It was a considered risk, but I decided to gamble that Gary would have mercy on me.
 
knarfeng said:
It was a considered risk, but I decided to gamble that Gary would have mercy on me.
Click to expand...

Let's keep it traditional, folks!
Sorry Frank, I had to do it! :D
 
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MarkPinTx said:
Yessir. The mental picture of the safety razor blade etch or print is on that california clip blade.
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35hn2h3.jpg


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The original Schrade Walden NY USA Razor Blade Knife. I carry this knife often, but don't shave with it!
 
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