Taylor Brands Schrade ST1

J-sews · **on:** February 11, 2008, 12:34:50 AM

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 · **Reply #1 on:** February 11, 2008, 12:40:11 AM

Quote from: J-sews on February 11, 2008, 12:34:50 AM

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)

(Image removed from quote.)

They look awful!

Tsquare · **Reply #2 on:** February 11, 2008, 05:03:43 AM

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

665ae · **Reply #3 on:** February 11, 2008, 07:06:07 AM

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! · **Reply #4 on:** February 11, 2008, 08:41:43 AM

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

Sea Monster · **Reply #5 on:** February 11, 2008, 10:47:43 AM

The ST3 looks a little bearish.

No?

David Bowen · **Reply #6 on:** February 11, 2008, 05:04:45 PM

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

David

Spoonrobot · **Reply #7 on:** February 11, 2008, 05:29:41 PM

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 · **Reply #8 on:** February 11, 2008, 06:04:37 PM

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

Def

Benner · **Reply #9 on:** February 11, 2008, 11:19:27 PM

Quote from: Defender on February 11, 2008, 06:04:37 PM

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

Def

I was waiting for your comment.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #10 on:** February 11, 2008, 11:29:51 PM

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! · **Reply #11 on:** February 11, 2008, 11:30:30 PM

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

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #12 on:** February 11, 2008, 11:34:55 PM

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! · **Reply #13 on:** February 11, 2008, 11:35:47 PM

Quote from: Defender on February 11, 2008, 11:34:55 PM

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 · **Reply #14 on:** February 11, 2008, 11:42:50 PM

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

hawkchucker · **Reply #15 on:** February 12, 2008, 12:16:16 AM

I would tend to doubt that they would take you up on the offer. My firm belief is that when these companies start to outsource thier tools. Disaster follows. Take in case the Original Schrade, Cammilus(ya watching this Gerber)I would tend to doubt that they would want testing done. It would show what garbage is being made now just to turn a profit.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #16 on:** February 12, 2008, 12:25:12 AM

I know, but if their lawyers come a- calling, it's nice to say I offered them the choice to prove me wrong!

Come on Taylor brands, show me what ya got!

Hell, show us all what ya got if you don't trust me. We'll do a pass around and everyone will get a chance to weigh in on your products!

Def

Spoonrobot · **Reply #17 on:** February 21, 2008, 09:28:59 AM

Quote from: Benner on February 11, 2008, 12:40:11 AM

Quote from: J-sews on February 11, 2008, 12:34:50 AM

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)

(Image removed from quote.)

They look awful!

Here's an American made ST1.

P.S. Does anyone know if Schrade stopped the lamination of the plier jaws during the last days of the ST1 production?

Right before they stopped making the tool I picked one up at Home Depot and seemed to remember it having the rivets for lamination but the plier head was actually just one piece with the rivets as decoration. I sold it a few years ago and don't have any pictures to check.

Benner · **Reply #18 on:** February 21, 2008, 12:31:56 PM

Now they look a bit better.

J-sews · **Reply #19 on:** February 21, 2008, 01:33:04 PM

Quote from: Spoonrobot on February 21, 2008, 09:28:59 AM

P.S. Does anyone know if Schrade stopped the lamination of the plier jaws during the last days of the ST1 production?

Right before they stopped making the tool I picked one up at Home Depot and seemed to remember it having the rivets for lamination but the plier head was actually just one piece with the rivets as decoration. I sold it a few years ago and don't have any pictures to check.

Interesting. I wasn't aware of that possibility. $:-\$

Spoonrobot · **Reply #20 on:** February 21, 2008, 01:54:22 PM

Quote from: J-sews on February 21, 2008, 01:33:04 PM

Quote from: Spoonrobot on February 21, 2008, 09:28:59 AM

P.S. Does anyone know if Schrade stopped the lamination of the plier jaws during the last days of the ST1 production?

Right before they stopped making the tool I picked one up at Home Depot and seemed to remember it having the rivets for lamination but the plier head was actually just one piece with the rivets as decoration. I sold it a few years ago and don't have any pictures to check.

Interesting. I wasn't aware of that possibility. $:-\$

I've sent the member I sold it to a PM but it has been 2.5 years so he may not have it. If I remember correctly I bought it at Home Depot on clearance for @20$ in mid-2005.

It appears Schrade did a little bit of their own production updating during the ST1 run.

I really wish other companies would datecode their tools.

J-sews · **Reply #21 on:** February 22, 2008, 03:31:07 AM

Hmmm, good eye there! Wonder why they would change the lamination pattern like that? (And yes, I wonder which one came first?)

Quote from: Spoonrobot on February 21, 2008, 01:54:22 PM

I really wish other companies would datecode their tools.

Then you're not going to like what we just found out from Leatherman.....

Spoonrobot · **Reply #22 on:** February 22, 2008, 03:45:06 AM

At least the enthusiast community is better prepared to date the tools now than in previous years when there wasn't such a cohesive and knowledgeable community.

The poster over on CPF replied that he still has the ToughTool and is going to check it this weekend, I'll update when he responds.