Schrade SCHF26 Review: Schrade’s Hidden Gem

Published

10 years ago

September 15, 2014

For those of you familiar with Schrade knives you may have heard the buzz or recognize their beefy ultimate survival knife the SCHF9. I took out the SCHF9 for a review and brought along the SCHF26 as well as a few other Schrade knives. While I thought that the SCHF9 was going to be the best knife in the lot for the money, I was quickly drawn to the SCHF26.

Before I jump into why I fell in love with this knife, let me run down the specs of the SCHF26. The knife is 10.4” overall with a cutting edge of 5.4”. The knife features quarter inch 8CR13MOV sharpened to absolute perfection with TPE rubber handle scales. The knife features jimping on the blade and around the handle’s full-tang design. The knife comes in at a hefty 13.6 ounces. You can find this knife for a street price of around $30.

I found myself analyzing this knife and not thinking very highly of it when I saw the steel was 8CR13 and the no-thrills nylon sheath it comes with. If I am honest, I usually try to stay away from survival knives in the $30 range for obvious reasons. I figured that the intended purpose of this knife was to be the baby brother to the SCHF9 at a lower cost. Boy was I wrong.

Once I started putting this knife through its paces I realized that it had all the features I loved about the 9 and made it more user friendly in the 26 model. The handle scales are significantly smaller, but still fit well in big hands while accommodating smaller hands at the same time. The handle is also more comfortable during longer periods of use by a mile compared to the 9. One of the biggest complaints seen on the SCHF9 is that the handles were too big for people with smaller hands and had some hot spots with extended use. The 26 tackles those problems head on.

Another concern was the 8CR13MOV steel used in the knife. This steel is typical of budget pocket knives and is known to be softer steel that often dulls quickly with extended use. Although this seems to be an issue, Schrade has a phenomenal heat-treat on this knife allowing it to stay sharp even with abuse. It also helps that the steel is quarter inch, making for a thicker knife capable of holding that edge. The best part of the 8CR13 is that it is quickly honed in the field acquiring a scary sharp edge with ease.

I grew to love this blade very quickly. The recurve portion of the blade made for great carving and smaller camp tasks such as making tent pegs and feather-sticking fatwood for my fire. The belly of this knife is an incredible slicer that is capable of felling trees and batoning wood. The blade stood up the abuse without the edge rolling or chipping out on me. The black powder coating of this knife took a real beating and stood up to some of the brutally hard wood I processed it with.

The handles are very comfortable and allow the user to hold and position their hands for different knife positioning. Even with extended use, the handles did not create any hot spots on my hand with or without the use of gloves. The handles texturing aids in a comfortable grip that channels water and dirt, allowing the user to always have maximum control of the knife at all times.

Even though the sheath of the knife is not the best I’ve ever used, I found it to be incredibly simplistic. The nylon sheath sports Velcro straps that keep the knife from falling out along with the plastic insert. The sheath also has rivet holes for a lanyard or leg tie down. A decent sized front pouch makes for a great place to store a mini survival kit, fishing gear, or a sharpening stone. If you’re crazy like my buddies and I, you’ll also find the pouch accommodates up to 50 rounds of .22 long rifle ammunition (a great survival round to carry!). Although I would have liked to have seen this knife in Schrade’s awesome kydex, I can live with the sheaths functionality.

What can I say; at $30 you absolutely cannot beat the value in this knife. Chopping, batoning, and feather-sticking are a dream with the SCHF26. The knife craves abuse and urns for outdoor trips, camping, and showing off to your friends. My only complaint with this knife is the sheath, but it still gets the job done. Even with the no-frills nylon sheath, one has to keep in mind the price point. I would rather have the price of the knife kept low as to allow me to acquire a custom sheath.

This is a fantastic blade at a great value. The SCHF26 demands respect and a place in your arsenal of knives. Throw it in a bug-out bag, take it camping, or bring it on your next outing! Find this knife online at Taylorbrandsllc.com or on Amazon and own a knife that will stand the test of time and may even save your life!

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23 Comments

Mark

September 16, 2014 at 10:01 AM

This sounds like a knife I might consider. Thanks for the review.

Reply
- Mark
  
  September 19, 2014 at 5:17 PM
  
  I looked at it, found one on Amazon for $31, and bought it. I just received it and messed around with it in the back. I really like it. Yes, the sheath is only ok, but since I make my own out of leather that is not a problem.
  I really like what I have, and the price is what I like; affordable.
  
  Reply
Sean Yarusewicz

September 16, 2014 at 10:05 AM

Why are you doing a knife made by Tops in a Schrade review? Very misleading

Reply
- Sean Yarusewicz
  
  September 16, 2014 at 10:06 AM
  
  Showing not doing
  
  Reply
  - MSGearReviews
    
    September 17, 2014 at 9:33 AM
    
    That is in fact pictures of the Schf26, not a tops knife sir. Take a look at the schrade stamp on the blade. No need to bash the article.
    
    Reply
Vincent

September 16, 2014 at 10:17 AM

How do you get one ?

Reply
- cactusbob
  
  September 16, 2014 at 11:14 AM
  
  Good question. The link after the article says get one free, but it turns into an offer for the credit card knife.
  
  Reply
chris

September 16, 2014 at 10:21 AM

Years ago when you couldn’t quite afford to buy a buck knife then you bought a schrade knife. Both were made just alike back then and as I remember right they were both made in America. Schrade got sold out a while back now and just are not the same anymore. I think that china is making them now but I don’t remember without looking it up. I was sad to see Schrade leave back when since they were as tough as buck is and I owned one or the other all of my life. I only own the Buck knife now and last I looked the same family business still makes them here. I am just remembering a little history here.

Reply
- Nick Strickland
  
  September 16, 2014 at 5:19 PM
  
  Alot of Bucks are made in china. Just an fyi….
  
  Reply
  - Tim Shea
    
    September 17, 2014 at 7:57 AM
    
    Buck Knives are still Made in USA. I’m carrying one now, most I saw on their website say Made in USA. There may be some low cost ones not Made in USA, but by far, most are Made in USA.
    
    Reply
Jeff Beilue

September 16, 2014 at 10:23 AM

I really appreciated the review and this will be the next knife I add to my collection. I really like Schrade but I was disappointed in this knife’s big brother, the 9. I have big hands but I ended up with a blister on the only part of my right hand that doesn’t have a callous. It was heavy work but still…

Reply
Robert Orr

September 16, 2014 at 10:25 AM

IT WOULD BE A BETTER KNIFE IF WAS serrated AT THE HILT… I LIKE BOTH serrated and non, but prefer the serrated at the hilt when encountering nylon rope, etc…

Reply
- Sterling Wulff
  
  September 16, 2014 at 1:02 PM
  
  Robert –
  
  I’m inclined to agree with you on this one. The knife itself seems like a real winner, but I always like the multi functionality of anything I buy, so this would also include the possibility of getting this knife with serration ….
  
  Reply
cactusbob

September 16, 2014 at 11:03 AM

This review must have been put to type by voice recognition software. While very informative, several parts of it required a second and third examination to make sure I was reading what you were probably writing. There are a couple of generations that were allowed to write carelessly and not believe in the importance of clear and correct composition. Too bad, it shows.

Reply
Peter Sansone

September 16, 2014 at 2:00 PM

Thanks everyone, I’M like MIKE SPAETH old school of being Woodsman & Prepping!yet I don’t write about my journeys , but maybe someday I will!please keep me (us) informed on all the great things out there to learn from . best to all!

Reply
Tim

September 16, 2014 at 4:49 PM

Yes Schrade was bought by China. They are now made in China! Go on ebay and buy a real Schrade made in the good old USA

Reply
Bruce Hartog

September 17, 2014 at 6:53 AM

Yes the SCHF26 is the best knife besides some of the other ones that you recommend. Do I want one, YES I DO……but I am on fixed expensiveness and I already downloaded and paid $330.00 in you’re information & equipment! Unfortunately the SCHF26 was not one of them so when I can put the $30.00 together I will purchase that knife!!!!!!!

Bruce Hartog
Wildwood, FL 34785

Reply
cody pfoh

September 20, 2014 at 11:30 AM

Excellent article lots of detail which I love. This knife has it all and the fact that it is durable speaks volumes.

Reply
Tonya Tipton

September 22, 2014 at 12:32 AM

I like Schrade knives. I won one in a giveawy recently and I gave it to my husband and he just loves it. I might check out this one for him.

Reply
Jeff Hugo

September 23, 2014 at 4:11 PM

I think the knife is really great built tuff will hold up to what ever you can put at it when needed.

Reply
Jerry

September 30, 2014 at 4:32 AM

I live n Idaho & would like to know where I could Buy 1 of these fine looking
Knife’s ???!!!
Jerry ( Ret U.S. Navy )

Reply
- 'Above Average' Joe
  
  September 30, 2014 at 8:36 AM
  
  Hey Jerry, Not sure what store sells them near you, maybe Cabela’s or Bass Pro Shop, Possibly Academy. But you can also get it on amazon http://amzn.to/1ByeNSt
  
  Reply
Chris Breen

January 13, 2015 at 1:19 PM

The Schrade schf26 I have and loving it. It is perfect fit my hand plus has the balance of the knife.

Reply