Imperial Schrade Cracked Ice Large Stockman Knife IMP14L

Featured in this video is the Imperial Schrade Cracked Ice Large Stockman (model # IMP14L). The blades are 3CR13 stainless steel. The closed length is 3.8 inches and it weighs 2.9 ounces.

[@WilliamsKnifeLife]

I like the Imperial cracked ice. They are decent for the price. From what I can find 3cr13 is equivalent to 420j2. Rockwells around 54 (52-55). It has great hardness, good edge retention, high wear, and corrosion resistance, plus it is easy to sharpen. For what we cut with pocket knives it's fine as a steel. Even though it's a cheap steel, it still performs well. Not the best, but you aren't paying for an expensive steel either.

[@matthewrix2164]

I don't understand why people dis 3cr13. It works very well for me.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

They do a good job with the cracked ice! They are much better than the Rite Edge and US Pride that go for around the same price. Yes, 3CR is about as entry level as you can get but it'll cut and it'll get you through a year of light/medium duty. And if it breaks or you lose it - you're out $6. A great first knife for that kid who is going to sharpen it 15 times a days and try an throw it at a tree and get it to stick!

[@garethbaus5471]

I have a sort of similar swirly imperial. I bought it for $8 over a decade ago, it isn't my favorite knife but it certainly gets the job done. The springs on my knife are borderline nail breakers.

[@BaxtersBlades]

That looks like a good one for the money for sure!

[@ANukeWithLegs]

Imperial is the American Opinel Made for the working man

[@theprestriedge4657]

I was wondering about the quality of this whole series.....Very nice and for six bucks how can you go wrong.

[@Toadonthehill.]

I’ve seen this for sale in the UK but it’s £20 🥺. I’m gonna get myself one now. Great show and tell brother 👍.

[@skcamerican]

I’ve been meaning to pick up the whittler in this series. I love a cheap, decent knife.

[@jeroenvoss6231]

They've put pretty decent knives on the market and this one is a good excample. A lot of knife quality for very low prices. Besides the cracked ice looks great too! Thanks buddy.

[@fpassow1]

I love the swirled plastic Imperials. I have all three sizes of trapper, small cannoe, and medium stockman. They look great. And the sharpness and grind on all full-thickness blades was great. The small blades on the stockman were not as good, but still great for the price. Yes, the steel is cheap. But overall I enjoy these knives much more than Schrade's recently made Old Timers.

[@RJsKnives]

Great video! The Imperial knives are a fantastic knife for the money. I have the black swirl medium stockman and I just love it. I am very impressed with the quality you get. These are a must buy if you’re in the market for a good every day working knife.

[@jimhebrank3936]

Like you with the Imperial, I picked up a newly produced Old Timer Trapper recently. I was nicely surprised to see that they now use 9cr18mov, which is basically Chinese 440C. The construction was pretty good for a value knife and it even had a decent walk and talk. Old Timer now has a Heritage series that I'm eager to check out. Thanks

[@MrBarlow]

You are right about the steel, nice little upgrade to a solid knife

[@halcooper6059]

I have one and it's a good value knife. Initially I was hoping it would be more impressive but at the low cost my expectations were not reasonable. The spring snap on mine is also good. My sheep foot blade appears to be thinner stock than yours. Mine has a couple of small gaps in the back springs like yours but not an issue. I would like brass liners if only for a better look.

[@khakicampbell6640]

Nice Bard Rock in the opening. ;)

[@misfitledoux1312]

Yo i been looking for a super cheap large stockman!

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I refuse to buy any pocket knives unless they come with XCd1400Vroom23Mov alphabet steel with a 71-74 HRC. And they need to have a tungsten carbide edge than can slice a homogeneous reactive armor plate in half without dulling. Why spend $6 on a practical EDC when I can refinance my house for the best knife that I ever? Oh yeah, because if my really expensive knife breaks the warranty will be voided! I better buy this one to do all the crap jobs so I can pull the best knife ever made out of the safe, and take a picture of it in case I need to show it off for a pocket dump on Facebook! I sure hope flash photography doesn't damage the super high tech material that covers my knife handle on my super secret ultimate steel knife with space age covers!

[@MrBarlow]

Hahah yes absolutely! Love the rant about blade steel Tobias

[@kimberlyrenej]

Bro wrote a whole essay over a three min knife video

[@mwillblade]

Carried an opinel for years while in the Navy, nice patina on it and it never rusted on me. It did cut the hell out of me while doing PM on the water tight doors. Luckily it was medical's doors, I was even luckier because I was a corpsman, no waiting in line.

[@Tatuato71]

Hahaha well done sir !!!

[@jelkel25]

Got the Congress with the black swirly pattern scales to see what these knives and Congresses were like. Must admit I thought it would be garbage too. It's very good for the price. Good grinds, solid little blades well centered and they do take an edge. I'd buy a bigger knife like a Stockman in this range but with hindsight a small wood working knife like a Congress would benefit from being in carbon steel.

[@MrBarlow]

I’m glad you mentioned the Congress because I’m on the fence about picking that one up too. It seems to be on par with the stockman I have. You convinced me 👍

[@carmineredd1198]

i bought a usa utica 3-7/8'' stockman for $6.99 from SMKW and a 5'' LB for $7.99

[@alpine1600s]

It's only $5.99 because the blade steel is 3cr13mov. Which is better than unlisted STAINLESS STEEL, but at least it will hold an edge. I found a vid on YT of a $24.99 damascus fixed blade, it was basically a damascus butter knife.🤦‍♂️

[@jdnotariano]

$5.99 must have been a sale? It is $11.99 now…

[@MrBarlow]

SMKW recently raised the prices on all Imperial knives. Some can still be found at the cheaper price at Chicago Knife works but they charge an arm & a leg for shipping if the order is under $100 :/

[@hoehlentroll69]

I like the knife, have it myself. But 3cr13 IS generic crap steel to be honest