Taylor Brands Schrade ST1

[J-sews]

The Schrade Cutlery Company of Walden, New York introduced the Tough Tool ST1 in 1997. It had an unusual sideways-opening blade style that some people liked, and others didn't. The knife blades did lock in place, but the arrangement caused the tool to be rather wide when folded. I can remember several aquaintences in the Construction Trades that carried Tough Tools on account of their size and dependability. These guys particularly commented on the strength of the laminated steel plier jaws.

Fast forward to 2004, when the once-mighty Schrade company declared bankruptcy, closed its doors and ceased production of the ST1 and all their other tools and knives.



But never fear, the Taylor Brands company soon acquired the proud old Schrade name and immediately commenced making knives and tools in China and stamping them with the Schrade logo. It's taken a few years, but the latest old product to be resurrected is the Tough Tool ST1.







A discerning eye will pick up on the fact that these Asian Tough Tools are not made with the same tooling that produced the ST1 in New York. Rather, the new tools are made along the same patterns as the old ones, with significant differences. Note for instance the laminated plier jaws, a signature feature on the original (upper photo, below) has been replaced with a plier jaw produced from a single casting. (lower photo, below)





Also worth noting is the blade selection, all of which used to be sharpened and polished to a tee, are now somewhat rougher and cruder in appearance.





I especially noticed the locking notch on the spines of the blades, with looked to have been done somewhat haphazardly with a snag grinder. (below)



So at first glance, I was somewhat underwhelmed by the appearance of the "new" ST1 Tough Tool from Taylor Brands/Schrade. However, to be fair, I was not able to put this tool through its paces at the Shot Show and do a thorough review. I'm supposed to have a sample coming my way in the next few weeks though, and will report in detail at that time.

*Note: the ST1 Tough Tool actually became available early last year. The ST2 Tough Chip, another model previously made in New York, will be available later this spring.

[Benner]

I especially noticed the locking notch on the spines of the blades, with looked to have been done somewhat haphazardly with a snag grinder. (below)

They look awful!

[Tsquare]

     I noticed an ST3 on that page at the top.  Any info on this one?

[Mike Micklea]

I'm so glad to see the greatest multitool ever made is making a comeback!

I still have my Tough "to open" Tool!!!

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

That looks like a really shoddy tool if ever there was one

[Sea Monster]

The ST3 looks a little bearish.

No?

[David Bowen]

I don't know, with that cork it looks more like it's "flairish"

David

[Spoonrobot]

Looks rough, and kind of sad.

That said I will probably end up buying one to add the form factor to my collection. For some reason the older American-made Schrade ST1s I see second hand always sell for astronomical prices, even though no one really wants one.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Anyone want to take a guess why I didn't write the Taylor review?

Def

[Benner]

Anyone want to take a guess why I didn't write the Taylor review?

Def

I was waiting for your comment. 

[Grant Lamontagne]

Me?  I would never comment publicly on what a crappy company Taylor is...  after all, they are very successful bottom feeders!

Def

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Is that lawsuit's I hear in the distance...

[Grant Lamontagne]

Go ahead and sue me...  with any luck their lawyers are just as high quality as their products, in which case I've nothing to worry about!   

Def

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Go ahead and sue me...  with any luck their lawyers are just as high quality as their products, in which case I've nothing to worry about!   

Def

,thats probably very true

[Grant Lamontagne]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again- If Taylor would like to put their money where their mouths are, I will happily test any of their tools and if I am proven wrong, I will post it here.  As any long time readers of my reviews here and on SOSAKOnline will know, I am not above being proven wrong, so I invite them to give it a shot.

It's an open challenge- lets see if Taylor has the cojones to take me up on it.

Def