Thread: "Knives" -- the end of US-made Schrade knives

A recent video, by a photographer documenting the death of the town that used to make Schrade knives. The factory closed, 500 people lost their jobs, and production moved to China:

"Knives" -- Jason Koxvold



. Charles

Thank you, an interesting story.

Very sad for all those hard working Americans. I only hope people will look closely at Schrades to see if they were made in China and think twice about buying.
I could really get political here but it's against the rules, maybe I've gone too far already, sorry.

No you have not,, I got depressed when Winchester went to Japan.

North American society values quantity over quality sadly. Not that I liked schrade knives to begin with but for company to up and move production to asia and leave people jobless is a shady move. I would rather see these companies go belly up then to be cheaply produced overseas and sold back to us... While those higher up in the company keep their jobs.

Luckily there are still North American knife making factories and custom makers.

Yeah, there are still people that value craftsmanship and I'm hoping that will become more popular again. I bought my Dad a knife made in Georgia the way I wanted it about 4 years ago for less than some production knives! Hope to get a similar one for myself when I'm making more money.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

No you have not,, I got depressed when Winchester went to Japan.

And Turkey...

Originally Posted by MisterClean

Very sad for all those hard working Americans. I only hope people will look closely at Schrades to see if they were made in China and think twice about buying.
I could really get political here but it's against the rules, maybe I've gone too far already, sorry.

Sorry my friends but Schrade was moved/taken over/ or what ever several years ago! When I read that news I bought my son a USA made Schrade 80T just like mine. I've since lost mine and the 'replacements' either say China on the blade or nothing at all (my son's says USA).

I'm blessed as a newbie who I helped out N/C works for Case and sent me this as a thank you!

About 30 years ago I purchased a a Schrade Uncle Henry Bear Paw lockback. It was made in USA. I still have it. This past year, I purchase a similar model made in China. I paid less in 2017 than I paid 30 years ago.

When examining the two knives side by side, the only difference I note is that the USA model came with nickel silver bolsters and the Chinese one is brass. Some Uncle Henry knives still use nickel silver.

I am not certain which steel is used in the USA model, it is some type of 440 steel, but I do not know which version. The Chinese blade is 7CR17 HC which is similar to the 440A HC steel being used in current Buck knives, whether made in USA or China. They both take a keen edge. I do not use my knives for tough duty, so I do not know which edge will hold up longer.

As sad, devastating really, as these moves overseas are at the local level it is capitalism at work. Consumers want less costly products and companies and their share holders want increased profits. Capital just moves to where that is possible regardless of national borders.

The quality of the product produced after these moves take place is not automatically inferior to the pre move product. The quality all depends on whether or not the company will/can enforce the same level of quality control in the new location as it did in the old one.

All that does not make it any less bitter a pill to swallow for those and their community that are devastated by the move.

Bob