Blade of all trades: Schrade SCHF9 survival knife review

Testing: • Testing the Schrade SC...
Schrade Extreme Survival fixed blade knife - specifications:
Overall length: 30.5 cm (12'')
Blade length: 16.5 (6 1/2'')
Spine thickness: 5mm
Weight: 426 g (15 oz)
Blade material: 1095 high carbon steel
Handle material: Kraton
Price range: $40-60
Where to get it:
USA: www.hrknives.com/schf9-schrade...
Canada: www.amazon.ca/Schrade-SCHF9-Ex...
Pros:
- Very tough blade with good edge retention
- Ergonomically shaped handle
- Low price for a highly versatile tool
Cons:
- Abrasive handle scales
- Sheath stitching does not seem durable
It's a versatile camping / outdoor knife that does chopping, batoning, whittling and other tasks pretty well. Interestingly it even works great for throwing.
Definitely high quality at a very affordable price.
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[@FireTrailPCT]

ve had my SCHF9 for over a year. It has been a Beast, a workhorse. As a survival knife, I'm not concerned about weight, sheath, or ergonomics. It fits great in my hand, and I have beat it to death since I've had it. It does everything an axe can do. I have a "backpacking" axe that weighs less than this knife. Think of the term "Survival" for a second. This knife will accomplish almost every task there is to survive. If you need something finer, go for an $8 Mora. It'll be super sharp, handle the "touchie" tasks, and be sharp enough to shave with if you so desire. If you need something to replace your axe, hack down a tree/limb, or baton, this is your animal. It's heavy for a reason. It's a work knife. Don't complain about: "It's too big for my hand". Get a different knife then. It's perfect in my hand. Again: Think Survival... If you had to cut off tree limbs, this will do the job. Don't be a wuss and bitch about it. Use it for what it's worth, a kick-ass beast of a knife that'll do most any chore/task, and at a more than reasonable price.

[@Olympia_Outdoors]

I think it's way to heavy even for the tasks you mentioned. It has the girth to be a good choper, just not the length. probably the best bottoning knife I've used though, but the blade I still think is far too thick to slice anything an is therefore a poor survival knife. plus in a survival situation you mite not have oil around to maintain it.

[@FireTrailPCT]

That's why I suggested an cheaper Mora knife for fine tuning tasks like making feather sticks. I personally have 6 different Mora knives for different reasons. Thank you for the comment, and Merry Christmas.

[@msyamil200]

I love how detailed and honest your review is with this knife, congrats man!

[@calebposey3196]

Schrade really seems to have impressed you! I love schrade myself, always have, and am glad to see you showing their quality!

[@Fasnic]

I Love this line of knives. I have taken it camping in Finland in winter and it served me very well.

[@rebelyell2741]

I’ve had mine now for eight years. I changed the edge angle and fell in love with it. So much I just bought another one. I paired it with a schf 42D with upgraded micarta handles. I like the TPE handle on the schf9 so much I didn’t want to upgrade them to micarta( I’ve got XXL hands). I also bought kydex sheaths for both knives.

[@eviljesus1482]

Still beating one of these up in 2022. The sheath stitching on the retention snap gave out, replaced it. Worn a hole from rubbing through the back of belt loop "flap" but still working. I finished stripping the finish and keep it waxed, reshaped the tip just a hair, etc. Damn good knife.

[@usmcshoey5151]

I've been carrying one for awhile now. I use it hard and its an outstanding knife for this price range.

[@BibleStudent4U]

Just got this knife a week ago and really love it. Most of the knives I've looked at have what I call "stick handles" meaning they aren't contoured. I have large wide hands so the feel and grip of a knife is important, I really like the contours this knife has and my hands never slip! Love the heft of the knife, great for chopping. Great buy.

[@BibleStudent4U]

I agree with you about the sheath not holding up, that's why I ordered a quality Kydex sheath made for the SCHF9 -- Awesome!! It's worth the extra money to have a great knife in a quality durable sheath. Besides knife and sheath still costs slightly less than a BK7, and I probably would have ordered a kydex sheath for the BK7 anyway. There are a variety of after market sheaths that will do well for this knife for about $30.00 US Spec-Ops has a basic modular 8'' sheath that also does great for the F9.

[@anguswhite1687]

I have this knife and it is the single best knife I have ever owned and for me that is saying a lot!

[@brassmatrass4795]

I bought a Schrade SCHF9 in order to relieve my Becker BK7 and realize now that the Schrade is a beast as well. Really great price for such a great knife.

[@wheelsgonewild1286]

Good review. I have the same knife and have been very pleased with it.

[@MrKelso159]

I took my grips off and used a belt sander to make them smaller for my hands and now the knife feels great !

[@kareemadham7166]

Can I use sandpaper and a good dust mask, to take off all those circle wavy pattern thingies on the handle?

[@JunkfoodZombieGuns]

I have one of these myself and the thing is STOUT! I have large hands though and the grip is very comfortable for me. My wife has the Sog Creed. That's a pretty beastly thing as well, but the smaller handle fits her hand well. Thanks for the review. (Even though I already knew this is a great knife.) And that price....can't beat it. Bang for the buck is strong with this one. :)

[@TheStygian]

I have pretty big hands and I like thicker knives, im diggin this blade! Very good Schrader! Only the sheat seems a bit bad.

[@TheBaconWizard]

Very much my kind of thing, love it, and for the price wouldn't mind giving some personal attention to getting the grip perfect.

[@St0rmrider73]

Great review, keep up the good work.

[@ratratratrat]

I've seen it as low as $26 on Amazon. I gave mine a homemade handle and leather sheath. Damn fine knife.

[@Goku32112]

Will you be doing a video on falchions? I find them to be an interesting type of sword.

[@jusfuknwidya]

The Schf9 is a great knife but I agree with most when I say that the rubberised is excelent but too wide. I also really like the schf10 but their grip really sucks as it is too hard but is shaped perfectly. I went for the Schf26 which is actually just the schf10 with the schf9 rubberised grip pattern but the grip it the same shape as the schf10's. It is also the cheaper of the 3 and in my opinion is the best feeling..

[@TimmyB1867]

definitley going on the short list for my hunting/bushcraft kit. I have a very good skinning knife by Buck knives, and my leatherman of course, but neither are well suited for heavy work, and while I carry a hatchet in my pack, I would like something actually tied to me

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

Have you ever reviewed the Kershaw Camp 10?

[@toska8664]

I use an F3 myself. I suggest you test it out. It's got a better grip and a more versatile design. Clipped false edge and has some well done serration to. It's better at finer jobs than the F9 but still retains it's raw cutting power. While perhaps not a durable as the F9, it's brilliantly done serration can saw through what you might otherwise have trouble chopping. Though out of the box sharpness varies from person to person so keep that in mind :)

[@NonciclopediaForEver]

I have one of these, it's a fine knife. The handle pattern edge doesn't bother me, what bothers me is the lanyard hole. It eats trough cord so fast that I ended up filing it. I use this blade a lot, though, and I have the bad habit of letting it hang from my wrist while I do other stuff, so that may not be a real issue. PS: I use a leather sheath, can't say anything about the factory one.

[@danmorgan3685]

That knife looks really neat. Problem is I do have small hands so that's a problem. Thanks for the vid.

[@finngriswold6124]

You should try out the Browning Black Label Pandemonium Fixed Blade Knife if you can get hold of one.

[@capncayenne7011]

Just bought one :) Thanks for your review, I'm sure I would have bought something terrible without it...

[@Maddawwg45]

they have changed the steel on the extreme survival series so i scooped up mine in 1095 while i chould still find em got mine on amazon for 27 US dollars

[@LEO1WOLF]

About the handle, where it maybe rough: Would heat to melt the ridges down make it conform a bit better (grip-wise)?

[@Airik1111bibles]

Dude I really have my eye on their new 36 bushcraft then I watched your video and now think the 9 is a nice knife, I have big hands and that palm swell looks comfortable to me, that's one of the things I hate the most with knives, the grip is always to small or to hard. Thanks for this video, now I have two Schrades I must have.

[@IthyphallicJad]

I'd be interested to hear your views on knives like the Fox 599 and other knives of this sort

[@lunawillows4126]

Look at outdoor pursuits their Canadian and have amazing prices. Really great service as well. But sooty for the choppy comments

[@inncubus666]

For future reviews if the handle scales come off as part of the design it'd be of interest to see them off in the vid; especially since, as you mentioned, you'd taken them off anyway.

[@yourfacemeetsmyfist]

I just bought the SCHF10. You should try them out, good quality blades aren't they?

[@Iammightymeaty]

That's one hell of a knife.

[@TheDaffyduck629]

Out of mere curiosity, out of all of the Skyrim sword designs, which one do you think would be the best sword solely on how it was made?

[@juliog6607]

cool video when is the bolo machete test and reveiw coming out?

[@H.J.Fleischmann]

Can you make a video for the best budget survival gear?

[@FayezSiddiqui]

Can you do a review on a microtech navy seal edition scarab ( underwater)?

[@enoughofyourkoicarp]

I'm surprised that the coating held up so well to the abuse you put it under, I would have expected at least a few scuffs but it looks as though it came through unscathed. Also, about the abrasive handle scales, although the idea makes me wince, you could try using fine grain wet and dry sand paper and maybe some kind of silicon oil just to smooth the edges a little. It might scuff the grip slightly but it would probably be a little easier on the hand afterwards.

[@DtWolfwood]

O looking foward to your Barong review :D

[@Wolfwolveswolf]

I think this Knife has a very appealing look to it. I do want to pick up one of their Knives, got one on my future list. But yah being Honest the look of this Knife did catch my eye, as the saying goes. Ha! A beautiful low budget though pretty good specimen Knife. One Knife is never enough! A person must have many, yah; or as many as the wallet allows! Carry On Skall

[@crackedhelm4292]

Hey Skallagrim I know this would probably be a waste of your time but would you mind making a video showing different sharpening techniques for different blades like this and perhaps older types? I know you probably won't but I would really like to see that.

[@jimmoiscuderiaolive3408]

very complete review !!!! many thanks !!!

[@BruceNitroxpro]

Try gun grease instead of oil. It's cleaner and works longer. Even a silicon plumber's high temperature grease works well.

[@ryanhojun]

Try more condor tool and knife stuff other than the bush cutlass

[@kylebates3627]

Good review Skall, more time actually looking at the blade kind of changed my opinion on it. Normally I'm not a huge fan of a big belly on a (fairly) straight edged spine; Normally when people put in the belly, it's to increase chopping power, but with the straight edge, you dont really have a lot of it to begin with, so you'd be better off making the entirety a bit thicker (I don't like the knife myself, but the Becker BK2 is a good example). All in all though, it seems like this performs fairly well. My only serious beef with this thing is the sheathe. It itself is okay, but I do not like that the plastic doesnt grip the blade. were I to get this, I would probably make a small kydex sheathe and rivet it into the.....material whose name I cant really remember. the rest of the sheath. yea, that. Great video.

[@lordjs9726]

I own one of these and I replaced the handle scales.

[@rainbowhiker]

You may want to use mineral oil on the edge. I see small bits of rusy.

[@jimspinasbook]

I was wondering what you thought of bucks 420HC? Specifically the reaper. It's the same hardness as 1095 if what I've read is true. And it's about half the weight. Any thoughts?

[@SkullSkillsSkates]

it's not just about the hardness.

[@kendric476]

420hc is okay steel.

[@tetsubo57]

I'm a firm believer in the idea that a 'survival' knife is the knife you have when you find yourself unexpectedly in a survival situation. That you do not really plan for a survival situation. One can be prepared of course but that is different than a plan. And the question for me is, would I have this knife on me in an unplanned survival situation? The answer is, no. If I could plan I would have a different load-out. I would have a 4" knife, a larger 10" knife and saw or axe. I don't have a large blade in my car boot survival kit for example. I will say that the lines on this blade are nice.

[@johndoe-sf4ux]

no daaaaaaa

[@8halfnhalf8]

If you're out camping however, you would want to prepare with a small knife like this (personal preference). I'd still bring a hatchet for wood but a blade of this kind comes in handy. I don't know if you should have any weapon for a survival situation outside of planned occasions as it would only invite escalation.

[@MementoMori1001]

tetsubo57 that's why you should carry the best survival knife with you 24/7.

[@MementoMori1001]

tetsubo57 that's why you should carry the best survival knife with you 24/7.

[@kingofladies04]

ur dum

[@1crimm]

Good vid right here

[@davidripplinger9367]

I bought a similar schrade and right out of the box it couldn't cut paper. The edge isn't doesn't even have a symmetrical grind toward the tip. Is it normal for knives to come out of the box needing significant sharpening, even edge profiling? Also, I'm new to knife sharpening and apparently really stink at using stones. I asked many friends for advice, but they're all content with a blade that isn't sharp enough to cut paper. I'm interested in buying the spyderco sharpmaker, but I'm afraid I'll stink at it and that I will still need something else to reprofile the edge. If I use sandpaper on the sharpmaker rods, will that be enough? Any suggestions?

[@barrymccociner1701]

+David Ripplinger Stick to your grandmas butter knife or you are likely to get hurt.

[@Olympia_Outdoors]

Every try a lankskey? they have guides to make sure the angles are correct an charts to show what grit to use. Or just practice.

[@0hn0haha]

+David Ripplinger I use 600 grit and 1000 grit. That, and a chisel to repair some deformed edges; and I get shaving sharp edges.

[@barrymccociner1701]

At the end of the day David you bought a schrade and thats what stinks.

[@LevaArz]

Isn't there some legal complications if you own any knife longer than 6 inches and its not a folding blade? Coming from North Van, people are so cautious even with small pocket knives, something this size could cause some serious alarm. Or have I heard wrong and it's perfectly fine?

[@BruceNitroxpro]

Are you from New Jersey? There, if you have one in your car and are stopped by a state police officer... you have to PROVE that you have a NEED for a fixed blade... a HUNTING LICENSE (which you can't get without taking a hunting course) or a FISHING LICENSE... which is impossible if you are 70+, thus making it impossible if you are too old. GREAT thinking, legislature!

[@lunawillows4126]

Review the buck omni

[@xilio2622]

If you have a sander you can take off the pad handle and make your own out of G10

[@NRGMedia88]

I would use a file, and smooth out the grip pattern edge.

[@KainYusanagi]

Or replace the grip/reduce the grip's size from the inside so it's not quite so thick, and bringing the grip scaling together across the tang, perhaps?

[@QbertEnhanced]

Does anyone have suggestions for a subhilt? I know Cold Steel makes one but I'm not a big fan of them as a company so I thought I'd ask about alternatives first.

[@ramiabiakar2391]

Why do you need a subhilt in the first place?

[@QbertEnhanced]

I find it an interesting design. Basically just a collector's piece.

[@ramiabiakar2391]

QbertEnhanced You can buy several subhilt blanks from usaknifemaker quite cheap. They only need handle scales and some polishing (unless you're fine with bead blasted finish.

[@razzorbladz]

id pull that handle off and put on a wood one hone the blade/tip a bit take off the paint blue the steel and make a leather holder for it

[@jibrilmuhammadabdullah5628]

I Love it, I own one myself and it is Awesome!!!!

[@Richard-xl4lk]

I'm so buying this:D

[@darkwolf291]

Personally, I'd much prefer a half fine half serrated, or even 3/4 fine 1/4 serrated for a survival knife. Cutting rope, vines, paracord, what have you, is much easier with a serrated edge.

[@8halfnhalf8]

Hello Skallagrim! What is the camera you are using to record?

[@Skallagrim]

Panasonic HC-V700.

[@pavankumarsilla2895]

ɷɷɷɷ I Have Watchedddd Thiss Movieeee Leakeddd Versionn Hereeee : - t.co/SjZpZXw5gt

[@Aconitum_napellus]

Have you ever considered getting a British "M.O.D" survival knife, they have really thick spines and they're built like tanks.

[@11Sparky111]

Is there any way you could decently remove the roughness from the handle? I mean it's only rubber.

[@Surtak]

use a file I imagine

[@11Sparky111]

That would probably give a pretty rough finish, unless you took the time to slowly go to finer and finer files. I've never really tried smoothing patterned rubber.

[@Surtak]

11Sparky111 This is fairly hard kraton from what I can make out, a fine file should be absolutely fine. You don't need to take off that much I think.

[@MrKelso159]

Surtak Real fine sandpaper on a palm sander works great ! A belt sander make the grips thinner and palm sander to smooth the grip. Made a world of difference !

[@johnrinehart2012]

Is there a version of this knife with no recurve ? If so I would be intersted in that .

[@paulwin9036]

No there exist no SCHF9D But Schrade did make a SCHF9nVersion of the knife.

[@johnrinehart2012]

That's a hollow grind version though. Is it not?

[@paulwin9036]

You would be correct also It has a stainless steel.

[@Nanchi]

they have like a entire series of these knives so ya probadly

[@guymako8768]

hey skall can you check out helle sigmund knife? its just gorgeous! all of helle knives are just beautiful!

[@Ko700el]

the thing that i don't like about this knife is the grip ..i'm not a fan of finger grips because that means you aren't comfortable of using it reversed ..

[@patrickdixon9897]

This vs kabar warthog csmp knife

[@Kohiro74Y]

This knife can be compare to the Kabar BK2 I guess.

[@spleen1666]

At least your sheath snaps shut. Mine wasn't done right, it's such a piece of crap sheath to begun with though so I don't care. I'll probably pick up one of those Kydex ones eventually.

[@chrismorgan4201]

spleen1666 The retention strap is adjustable, open it and adjust the velcro to a position that works for you.

[@JarkurYaroslav]

What type of oil would you recommend for knives?

[@Skallagrim]

Many people use mineral oil. Personally I use camellia oil.

[@JarkurYaroslav]

That's interesting, any reason why?

[@Skallagrim]

It's just what I saw recommended many years ago and I bought a relatively large bottle at the time, so I still have enough to last me for a long time.

[@ThePineappleKnight932]

Say you were in a survival situation, and you had to oil your big damn knife so you could chop big damn trees and hunt big damn bears, what would you use as the oil?

[@BruceNitroxpro]

Vernon682 Damned prayer oil.

[@Nightmarecit]

1095 is a great steel but it isn't that much expensive.

[@lunawillows4126]

With gut hook

[@Somerandomguy2998]

that edge looks thicker than me

[@faze_usmc6392]

Is this good for shopping and batoning?

[@barrymccociner1701]

+Lee Noble "Is this good for shopping and batoning?" - Its awesome for shopping...people see you with it and run from the isles so it you don't have to contend with crowds and always a checkout free.

[@faze_usmc6392]

Exactly

[@Olympia_Outdoors]

I think it's ok for choping and great for batoning. I did sell mine for 15 bucks after using it for 6 months...the hole thing was just to thick for me, the schf42 I think it is looks better...

[@barrymccociner1701]

Olympic Outdoors Dad Its a schrade so its good for nothing

[@richardwilliams4910]

+Barry McCociner like your post

[@rogantu]

that rust wouldn't bother me as I got some rust removal in my locker. I also hear coca cola works to remove rust (I also saw it in a russian video.)

[@michaelking8483]

skall do you just have spare phone books hanging around

[@mafan-_-]

Michael King doesn't everyone

[@michaelking8483]

good point

[@edwarddemouy1468]

Mi burro es el rio de la galleta de grasa salchicha.

[@kyleshepard3139]

huh, reminds me of the assassination knife from halo reach. in other words, KICK ASS.

[@Maedelrosen]

least its a carbon steel blade

[@tikkidaddy]

Have you heard the weird names people give their children lately?? A knife name and marketing mean nothing. Performance is what matters

[@Michael-ox2cx]

Not $50 dollars now

[@sangamonriverrats6769]

the scales fit like crap and create major hot spots .. so as it turned out, it has been chucked in a drawer and pretty much i can't even give it away LOL

[@chasenelson8684]

Did your minions help you with this review

[@SAsgarters]

Good review. Still wouldn't buy it. ;) They would have to make a few changes first: Overmolded grip, 2" longer blade, no choil (ie. it should be sharpened as close to the handle as possible), no recurve and the sheath needs to be simplified.

[@Skallagrim]

You are really anal about choils, aren't you? :) The recurve edge is actually quite useful.

[@SAsgarters]

***** I hate (with a passion) choils and sharpening recurved blades. ;)

[@Odood19]

SAsgarters I don't want to get too personal, but why do you not like choils?

[@SAsgarters]

Odood19 They waste the best part of the blade and the entire justification for their existence ("choking up") evaporates the second you remove them and actually sharpen the blade all the way to the handle. Essentially, they exist to solve the problem they created.

[@Odood19]

SAsgarters Interesting point.

[@corensam]

Too beefy, for the price i'd take an ontario marine raider!

[@concernedcitizen2898]

I’m sure when the knife was designed they didnt consider people would have little girl hands.

[@tikkidaddy]

Too bad Schrade doesn't make good knives now

[@Howjadoo22]

$50.00? Still a budget knife? Poor Canadians ;)

[@alchemist889]

***** They're just giving us a happy ending.

[@danmartin4552]

I do not like the term "Survival Knife" In general. What it will be used for 99% of the time is general out door use. And that 1% of the time you need to "survive" there is a good chance you will not have it, maybe if you leave it in your car, and you get snowed in while out in the woods or something random. It is an Outdoor knife in my book. I am not a fan of the handle on this knife. It is WAY too think, even compared to larger choppers with even thicker blades. The non-lined up edges of the handle and tang do not surprise me. With a better steel, better coating, and okay (I assume) heat treat, some money had to of been saved some where.

[@evalroach666]

nice finger nails bro.

[@edwardenglish6919]

Grasping at straws.