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Last Updated: August 5, 2019
The Schrade SCHF1 is a hollow-handled survival knife. The SCHF1 is almost exactly like the Schrade SCHF2 (I have a Schrade SCHF2 review here) however, the SCHF2 has a drop point blade shape, while the SCHF1 has a spear point shape. If you have already read the SCHF2 review this isn’t going to say much new because the knives are so similar. If you are interested in the best place to purchase the SCHF1 or to find more reviews, please follow this link to the bottom of the page.
Buy the Schrade SCHF1 at BladeHQ
Dimensions and Blade Shape
This is a medium sized knife with a 7.5″ long blade and a total length of 12.7″. The knife weighs 17.8 ounces which isn’t to bad from a knife made of 100% high carbon steel. Schrade does make a smaller, lighter version of the knife, the Schrade SCHF1SM. The blade on the SCHF1 is 7/32″ thick and has a hollow saber grind that chops and splits wood quite well. The SCHF1 is a spear point blade but Schrade also offers the Schrade SCHF2 which is the same size and style of knife but in a spear point configuration.
Steel and Construction
The SCHF1 is milled from one solid piece of SAE 1070 High Carbon Steel. 10 series High Carbon steel has always been popular choice for tools and cutlery and you may already be familiar with it.
10 series steel ranges from 1095-1050 (with 1095 having the most carbon and 1050 the least). Without going into too many details, 1070 is a good choice of steel because it strikes a nice balance between being tough, and holding an edge. (For reference quick reference: 1050 is the toughest steel in the range, but it doesn’t hold an edge well, 1095 holds an edge extremely well, but isn’t as tough.) 1070 is still very tough and holds an edge very well. I think 1070 was an excellent choice of steel for this survival knife. It’s a steel that I would like to see Schrade use more of, and I get the feeling due the popularity of these knives that we might get to see more Schrade knives in 1070 in the future.
The workmanship on the SCHF1 is very nice. It feels solid, all of the edges are clean, and it it’s been hit with a light gray matte finish that has held up well to chopping. The milling on the screw cap is nice and it threads tightly.
Handle
The SCHF1 is a hollow handled knife. Historically, hollow handled survival knives have a really bad reputation. Traditional hollow handled (“Rambo”) survival knives are 2 pieces bolted together. Because the 2 piece knives are simply bolted together they are very prone to snapping in half and are completely useless as a survival tool. The SCHF1 is different from these conventional hollow handled knives because of it’s one piece construction. I beat the hell out of this knife and it showed no signs of failure.
There is a steel cap threaded to the end of the hollow handle. Inside the handle is a screwdriver set. Whats nice about this screwdriver set is that you can easily remove it. Don’t get me wrong, screwdrivers are great, but for a survival knife I think the space is better used for a fire starter, matches or fishing kit. The cap has a rubber o-ring on it so if you decide to store matches in the handle, they won’t get wet.
Sheath
The sheath is a basic nylon sheath with a plastic insert and an external pocket. There are a few different ways to attach the sheath to you or your gear. It has a belt loop a couple tabs and some eyelets for various modes of attachments. It does an pretty good job with blade retention, with some modification you could make it a hair tighter and it would work better. I’m not sure how this sheath will hold up, I’ll have to give an update after using the knife for a few months.
Schrade SCHF1 Review – Final Thoughts
For right around $50 this is a great knife for the money. The 1070 high carbon steel, nice finishing, good sheath and near indestructibility all weigh heavily in favor of this knife. It is a little on the heavy side, but it is a very tough blade and offers some great versatility from 1 tool. It’s no wonder why the SCF1, the SCHF2 and the SCHF1SM are some of the most popular Schrade survival knives.
- DIMENSIONS: 12.7 inch overall length with a blade length of 7.5 inches and a weight of 1.12 ounces
- DURABLE: Blade is made of reliable SAE-1070 High Carbon Steel with a partially Serrated Drop Point
- DEPENDABLE: Quick and easy access with a multiple carry position ballistic belt sheath and removable storage pouch and lanyard
- FEATURES: Water Proof Hollow Handle End Cap with Removable Magnetic 10 pcs Bit Set and Lanyar
- BE PREPARED: 10-pcs Bit Set Infludes: 1 Bit Holder, 1 T bar, 3 Star Drive Screw Bit (ST10, ST15, ST20), 1 Hex Key Bit (5/64"), 3 Slotted Screw Bits (1/8", 5/32", 3/32") and 3 Phillips Screw Bit (PH0, PH1, PH2)
I recommend purchasing the SCHF-9 at Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for checking out the review.
will you be able to buy schf 10 soon in UK thank you william
This is a very good back-up blade. All of our kits have one of these. With a piece of wire, (stored in the handle.) and a length of wood or bamboo, it becomes a formidable spear very easily. Good piece of kit, bargain priced.