Schrade knives have been around for over a hundred years. Originally manufactured by the Schrade Cutlery Company, which was then bought out by the Imperial Knife Company, from 1946 until 2004 the Imperial Schrade Corp. had been in charge of the Schrade name and knives. In July, 2004, when Imperial Schrade went under, the brand again changed hands to Taylor Brands, LLC, which continues to manufacture the Schrade line (they also manufacture Smith & Wesson knives). What does all this have to do with the Schrade Tough Tool 21 Function Multi-Tool? Well, a couple things.
For one, it’s never a good thing when a company goes under. It seems to reflect something in the quality of their product. But there was ever anything faulty with the Schrade knives; they simply seemed to be overshadowed by other brands. The Tough Tool line, for example, was created in the late 1990’s – Leatherman had been making their very similar multi-tools for almost two decades by then.
I hear the old Schrade multi-tools (pre-2004) were tough as hell. They could take a beating and then some. A few of these are still available, through various sources, and it might be worth the effort to track one down. While Taylor is still making the Schrade multi-tools by the original design – which is great, as I will discuss shortly – there have been complaints that there must have been a change in materials, which are inferior in quality to the originals. I must point out that the old Schrade Tough Tools were manufactured in Ellenville, New York. The new Schrade Tough Tools are made in China.
However, the design of this 21 function multi-tool, in some ways, is better than a Leatherman. I like that you don’t have to unfold it to change tools, but there are still pliers, a wire cutter/stripper — sort of a hybrid Swiss Army knife and Leatherman. The other tools include a spear-tip blade, saw, metal/wood file, can opener, screwdrivers, awl, and scribe. A nylon sheath is included.
Find this Schrade Multitool:
