This post contains affiliate links. We may get paid an affiliate commission if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of the links on this web page.
Last Updated: August 12, 2019
The SCHF3 is a survival knife from Schrade. It weighs 13.8 oz, has 6.4″ hollow ground drop point blade, and a 5.6″ Micarta handle.
Buy the Schrade SCHF3 at BladeHQ
The Schrade SCHF3N is the non-serrated version of the knife. I generally prefer a non-serrated or fully serrated blade to a partially serrated so it’s nice to see Schrade offering these knives in a few different configurations.
Purpose and Durability
This is one of Schrade’s more popular Extreme Survival Series Knives. It’s intended use is as a survival blade, but it can also work as a full on tactical blade. From a reviewer’s perspective I will mainly be judging this knife on its survival qualities.
First of all, this is a full tang knife which is very important for a survival knife because most likely it will be used for heavy chopping tasks. Also, this knife is made of 440C high carbon stainless steel. This is a good steel for survival knives because it is very hard and holds an edge well. When you are out in the field, you need a knife that will retain an edge and be very strong.
The weight and shape of the blade is something else to note here. The SCHF3 has a drop point and gives it a classic combat knife look. The thick blade contributes to it’s 13.8 ounce weight. I think 13.8 ounces is right at the sweet spot for survival knives. Any lighter and the knife may not be good for chopping, any heavier and the knife becomes too bulky for it’s own good.
The weight combined with the large sweep of the blade makes the SCHF3 very good at chopping. The drop point makes the knife good for carving, detail tasks, and for piercing movements. This knife could be used for defensive purposes, or lashed to a stick as a spear. All in all this is a very versatile blade shape that is heavily constructed for maximum durability with combat and survival in mind.
Handle and Ergonomics
The handle scales are made of Micarta, a high pressure woven resin laminate. Micarta is a classic knife handle material because of it’s high mechanical strength and solid performance in all temperature and weather conditions. The slabs of Micarta are attached to the knife at 3 points with large allen bolts. The handle shape is very ergonomic with large finger choils and a nice light texture. This knife feels very good in the hand, it will be difficult to slip out when using, especially if you use the included lanyard.
The Sheath
This knife includes a heavy nylon sheath with a plastic insert, reinforced with steel grommets. The sheath is set up to be carried left or right handed and has a wrist lanyard. The sheath has a small external pocket you can use to hold a sharpener or small flint for fire starting. This isn’t a bad sheath for a $40 knife. The velcro retention clasp is good because it doesn’t get in the way when you are trying to draw the blade, and there are multiple ways to attach this knife to yourself or your gear.
Schrade SCHF3 Review – Final Thoughts
The Schrade SCHF3 is a well planned and nicely executed survival knife. When you consider that this knife can be had for around $40, it represents a tremendous value. Users of the knife on Amazon have rated the SCHF3 5 out of 5 stars.
- DIMENSIONS: 12 inch (30.4 cm) overall length with a blade length of 6.4 inches (16.2 cm) and a weight of 1 lb 6 ounces
- DURABLE: Blade is made of reliable 8Cr13MoV High Carbon Stainless Steel with a grey, micarta handle
- DEPENDABLE: Quick and easy access with the convenient ballistic sheath making it ideal for EDC
- SECURE: Have confidence that the blade will not slip with the security of the finger choil, finger grooves and jimping
- BE PREPARED: Knife features a full tang design and a lanyard hole
If you would like to buy a Schrade SCF3, I recommend purchasing it at Amazon.com or BladeHQ. Thanks for reading!
Hi Dan
Found out about your site during a random search for information on Striders and got sucked into reading all 17 pages.
I know this review was one of your earliest ones, hopefully you’ve realized that this knife is a knockofff of the Chris Reeve Pacific.
Thanks, Xiao. Yes, aware at this point unfortunately.
Dan
Dan:
Want you to know how much I appreciate your level headed, non-sensationalized, yet highly informative reviews. I’m trying to decide between the Schrade SCHF3N (8Cr13MoV) and the SCHF9 (1095-HC). Seems the main difference is 1) the steel, 2) F9 has the recurved blade. and 3) the handle micata versus Kraton. I will use this while backpacking for fire wood prep, camp chores, and bushwacking. Any thoughts on which might a better choice? Also, I see some comments where the SCHF3N is being made with 7Cr17 instead of 8Cr13MoV. Is that a problem? (And yes, I saw your exchange with Xiao) . If money wasn’t an issue, I’d get the Fallkniven A1, but for the money, I believe either of these Schrade knives will be acceptable.
Thanks!
Tom,
Thank you very much for the kind comment. Personally, I would prefer the 1095-HC steel. I do my best to not be a steel snob, but I really like high carbon steel in a camp / survival knife – especially in an inexpensive one. If the SCHF3N came in 1095 that would be my choice, but between the two as is, I like the SCHF9 more – mainly for the better steel.
Dan
Hello Dan. I am trying to get this straightened out because now I am confused and not sure. This knife was originally made of either 8Cr13Mov or 1095 carbon steel, but was changed (YouTube buzz) to improve it. As far as I can recall, the knife was made or changed to 8CR13Mov (Never in 7Cr13Mov) because like the SCHF10 (The 26 followed later, same model but TPE handle) this would make the knife a better all around blade due to the more rust resistant metal. Schrade does offer a few knives in 1095 carbon steel and they are good knives, but they only offer a few and that may reflect customer preference for a more rust resistant blade in humid environments and this probably appeals to the average, less informed buyers who don’t know the differences in materials and tip designs or blade profiles.
Somewhere I have seen the SCHF3 and SCHF3n declared to be 440. EHHHHH!!! Wrong.
There is also confusion regarding the SCHF40 series. The SCHF40, SCHF40L (Long Version), SCHF40D (Desert Tan) and SCHF40DL are listed as SJ2, but are in fact a superior metal and are SK-5 carbon steel. So if you need or prefer carbon steel, these knives are a bargain. I almost missed out on these myself, but plan to get one or two soon.
Sometimes people make mistakes, say or print the wrong information and it gets repeated and goes unnoticed, so I always check, because until I see the type of steel stamped on the knife I don’t feel I know for sure.
Hello from Oklahoma! The schf3n. I bought this knife in 2012. Just to let you all know, I’ve used and abused this knife for years now its 2019. I don’t know and don’t care what kind of steel its made from. I’ve chopped and carved, bodark, hackberry and other wood with this knife. I’ve battoned this knife. Used the tip to dig out broadheads from trees, cut deer and wild hogs up with it. Chopped up bait for jug lines and limb lines with it. Cleaned catfish, used it around camp to make tarp stakes, poles, fire crane, etc. This knife and its sheath are Tough! I used to be a buck knife guy. But I can tell you, this knifes just as tough if not tougher! If a knife is this tough, I don’t care what brand name or steel its made from. I bought 2 more to give to my sons. They will love’m too. People have become to hung up on nonsense in the outdoor world. Sad really. Carry and use what works for you and makes you happy. God Bless!