{"id":12636,"date":"2023-08-20T13:47:11","date_gmt":"2023-08-20T20:47:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/?p=12636"},"modified":"2024-04-09T11:02:25","modified_gmt":"2024-04-09T18:02:25","slug":"schrade-radok-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/schrade-radok-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Schrade Radok Review"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"author-info\"><img src = \"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/contributor1.jpg\" class=\"user-avatar\" \/> <span class=\"entry-author\" itemprop=\"author\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Person\"><a href=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/author\/matt\/\" class=\"entry-author-link\" rel=\"author\" itemprop=\"url\"><span class=\"entry-author-name\" itemprop=\"name\">Matt Davidson<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><p class=\"tdm-descr\">We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. Any products or services put forward appear in no particular order. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.<\/p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-700.jpg\" alt=\"Schrade Radok-700\" width=\"700\" height=\"131\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12637\" srcset=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-700.jpg 700w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-700-300x56.jpg 300w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-700-150x28.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><div class=\"buycontainer\"><a class=\"buyboxamz\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Schrade-Folder-8-75in-3-75in-Forged\/dp\/B09NMJ73J6?crid=11B0L5ZLEURRX&#038;keywords=schrade+radok&#038;qid=1692563321&#038;s=sporting-goods&#038;sprefix=schrade+radok,sporting,135&#038;sr=1-1&#038;linkCode=sl1&#038;tag=ki-1001-20&#038;linkId=1d59f2618dacd6ee1230c4ce8bb68a9c&#038;language=en_US&#038;ref_=as_li_ss_tl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">See @ Amazon<\/a><span class=\"buyboxspacer\"><\/span><a class=\"buyboxbhq\" href=\"https:\/\/shrsl.com\/46zq9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">See @ BladeHQ<\/a><\/div>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"review_wrap\">\r\n\t\t\t<div id=\"review-box\" class=\"review-box review-bottom review-percentage\"><h2 class=\"review-box-header\">Schrade Radok<\/h2>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"review-item\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><h5>Quality\/Performance - 59%<\/h5><span style=\"width:59%\" data-width=\"59\"><\/span><\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"review-item\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><h5>Value for Money - 54%<\/h5><span style=\"width:54%\" data-width=\"54\"><\/span><\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"review-summary\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"review-final-score\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>57<span>%<\/span><\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><\/h4>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"review-short-summary\"><p><div class=\"goodlist\">\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Pros: <\/strong>Smooth deployment and solid lockup from bearing pivot, nice to see Schrade making high-end knives<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"badlist\">\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Cons: <\/strong>Uncomfortable in the hand, bulky in the pocket, bad pocket clip, quality issues, detent too soft so it can open on its own, strange looking blade with bad geometry<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\nThe Schrade Radok is not what I\u2019d call the best first attempt at a flagship knife.<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"product\",\"name\":\"Schrade Radok Review\",\"description\":\"We know what you're thinking. Schrade still makes knives? Actually, it would be more accurate to say that Schrade is making knives again.\\u00a0 The history of the brand is long, storied, and troubled.\\u00a0 Dat\",\"sku\":\"\",\"mpn\":\"\",\"gtin\":\"\",\"brand\":{\"@type\":\"Brand\",\"name\":\"\"},\"offers\":{\"@type\":\"Offer\",\"url\":\"\",\"price\":\"\",\"priceCurrency\":\"\",\"availability\":\"InStock\",\"priceValidUntil\":\"\"},\"review\":{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"review\",\"dateCreated\":\"2023-08-20T13:47:11-07:00\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-08-20T13:47:11-07:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-04-09T11:02:25-07:00\",\"headline\":\"Schrade Radok Review\",\"name\":\"Schrade Radok Review\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/knifeinformer.com\\\/schrade-radok-review\\\/\",\"description\":\"We know what you're thinking. Schrade still makes knives? Actually, it would be more accurate to say that Schrade is making knives again.\\u00a0 The history of the brand is long, storied, and troubled.\\u00a0 Dat\",\"copyrightYear\":\"2023\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"Knife Informer\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Matt Davidson\",\"sameAs\":\"https:\\\/\\\/knifeinformer.com\\\/author\\\/matt\\\/\"},\"reviewBody\":\"We know what you're thinking. Schrade still makes knives? Actually, it would be more accurate to say that Schrade is making knives again.\\u00a0 The history of the brand is long, storied, and troubled.\\u00a0 Dat\",\"reviewRating\":{\"@type\":\"Rating\",\"worstRating\":1,\"bestRating\":5,\"ratingValue\":2.8,\"description\":\"&lt;div class=&quot;goodlist&quot;&gt;\\r\\n&lt;ul&gt;\\r\\n \\t&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Pros: &lt;\\\/strong&gt;Smooth deployment and solid lockup from bearing pivot, nice to see Schrade making high-end knives&lt;\\\/li&gt;\\r\\n&lt;\\\/ul&gt;\\r\\n&lt;\\\/div&gt;\\r\\n&lt;div class=&quot;badlist&quot;&gt;\\r\\n&lt;ul&gt;\\r\\n \\t&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cons: &lt;\\\/strong&gt;Uncomfortable in the hand, bulky in the pocket, bad pocket clip, quality issues, detent too soft so it can open on its own, strange looking blade with bad geometry&lt;\\\/li&gt;\\r\\n&lt;\\\/ul&gt;\\r\\n&lt;\\\/div&gt;\\r\\nThe Schrade Radok is not what I\\u2019d call the best first attempt at a flagship knife.\"},\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/knifeinformer.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/08\\\/schrade-radok.jpg\",\"width\":696,\"height\":170}},\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/knifeinformer.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/08\\\/schrade-radok.jpg\",\"width\":696,\"height\":170}}<\/script><\/p>\n<p>We know what you&#8217;re thinking. <em>Schrade still makes knives? <\/em>Actually, it would be more accurate to say that <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.schrade.com\/\">Schrade<\/a> <\/strong>is making knives again.\u00a0 The history of the brand is long, storied, and troubled.\u00a0 Dating as far back as 1904, the cutlery company founded by George Schrade eventually became part of a conglomerate of 5 other cutlery brands including the Imperial Knife Company, becoming Imperial Schrade in 1985, operating out of Ellenville New York.\u00a0 George himself was a forerunner in the automatic knife market, with a patent for his design for a push-button automatic knife back in 1892, another patent in 1907 for a push button automatic with a sliding safety switch, and a nearly 50 year span of being a dominant force in the switchblade market in the US before Congress outlawed the sale of switchblades in 1958, ruining a good time for everyone because they saw <em>West Side Story <\/em>and got all scared.<\/p>\n<p>The later end of Schrade\u2019s history is sadder, with the brand celebrating it\u2019s 100<sup>th<\/sup> anniversary in 2004 \u2013 and then promptly closing the Ellenville factory and laying off all its staff.\u00a0 The brand name and intellectual property rights to Schrade were then sold to <strong>Taylor Brands<\/strong> \u2013 the company that was licensed to make knives under the <strong>Smith &amp; Wesson<\/strong> and M&amp;P names, who also continued making <strong>Imperial<\/strong>, <strong>Old Timer<\/strong>, and <strong>Uncle Henry Knives<\/strong>.\u00a0 Those who\u2019ve had their nose in the knife market for long enough remember Schrade before the bankruptcy and Taylor buyout in 2004 and after being two entirely different things, and I don\u2019t have anything nice to say about their products after the acquisition.<\/p>\n<p>Then, 12 years later, the tables turned, and firearms manufacturer Smith &amp; Wesson\u2019s subsidiary <strong>Battenfeld Technologies<\/strong> (S&amp;W\u2019s accessories division) bought Taylor Brands entirely in 2016.\u00a0 Then, early last year (2022) Schrade announced they were redoing their entire knife lineup for higher quality with premium materials, using a good-better-best division strategy, including a new <strong>Alpha<\/strong> line that\u2019s entirely USA-made with high end steel and handle materials.\u00a0 There\u2019s also the <strong>Beta<\/strong> line that\u2019s a middle ground, and a Delta line with high-value affordable knives.\u00a0\u00a0 They\u2019ve sent over a few knives for us to check out, and the first one we\u2019re going to examine is the headliner: the <strong>Radok<\/strong> folder.<\/p>\n<div class=\"knife-specs-module\"><div class=\"bg-hash group\"><div class=\"knife-specs-text\"><h3>Key Specs: Schrade Radok<\/h3><div class=\"specs-wrap\"><div class=\"spec-item\"><div class=\"small-caps demi c-gold2\">Blade Length<\/div>3.75 in<\/div><div class=\"spec-item\"><div class=\"small-caps demi c-gold2\">Overall Length<\/div>8.75 in<\/div><div class=\"spec-item\"><div class=\"small-caps demi c-gold2\">Weight<\/div>4.2 oz<\/div><div class=\"spec-item\"><div class=\"small-caps demi c-gold2\">Blade Material<\/div>CPM-S35VN<\/div><div class=\"spec-item\"><div class=\"small-caps demi c-gold2\">Handle Material<\/div>Carbon Fiber<\/div><div class=\"spec-item\"><div class=\"small-caps demi c-gold2\">Locking Mechanism<\/div>Pivot Lock<\/div><div class=\"spec-item\"><div class=\"small-caps demi c-gold2\">Deployment Mechanism<\/div>Thumb Stud<\/div><div class=\"spec-item\"><div class=\"small-caps demi c-gold2\">Country of Origin<\/div>USA<\/div><div class=\"spec-item\"><div class=\"small-caps demi c-gold2\">Price Range<\/div>About $210<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<p>This knife is huge, eye-catching, expensive, and way out of left field for a seemingly moribund brand like Schrade: it offers <strong>CPM S35VN<\/strong> steel, forged carbon fiber handles, a pivot lock, and a $250 MSRP announcing the brand is back.\u00a0 The question, of course, is \u2013 is it any good?\u00a0 Read on to find out.<\/p>\n<h2>The Blade<\/h2>\n<p>By my personal preferences, the blade on the <strong>Radok<\/strong> is enormous.\u00a0 it measures 3.75\u201d long with an 0.10\u201d thick spine, and a&#8230; strange blade shape.\u00a0 It would be most accurate to describe it as a <a href=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/knife-blade-types\/\">modified Wharncliffe<\/a>, with a slight belly and a long curving spine.\u00a0 There\u2019s a large false swedge along the forward section of the spine, as well as a pronounced thumb ramp with the most aggressive jimping I\u2019ve seen in a long time.\u00a0 The strange shape of the blade, with its high peak ahead of the thumb ramp, means the primary edge grind is quite short, leaving the geometry of the blade relatively thick.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-1.jpg\" alt=\"Schrade-Radok-1\" width=\"800\" height=\"424\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12646\" srcset=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-1-300x159.jpg 300w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-1-150x80.jpg 150w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-1-768x407.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>That edge grind transitions into a diagonal plunge line that intersects with the short sharpening choil at the base of the blade.\u00a0 Looks aren\u2019t everything, but to my eyes the Radok\u2019s blade shape is unpleasant \u2013 all long and beaky and poorly proportioned compared to the handle.\u00a0 Wharncliffe blades are certainly useful, especially for breaking down packaging and acting as a stand-in for a utility knife, but it\u2019s kind of an eyesore that doesn&#8217;t get any better when it\u2019s closed, since so much of the blade sticks out of the handles even when it\u2019s put away.<\/p>\n<p>Blade steel is <a href=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/discovering-the-best-knife-steel\/\">CPM-S35VN<\/a>, which is fine but not great at this price point \u2013 the Hogue-built <a href=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/ritter-rsk-mk1-g2-review\/\">Ritter RSK Mk1 G2<\/a> uses <strong>CPM-20CV<\/strong> and costs less, for instance.\u00a0 I&#8217;m not going to complain about the functionality of S35VN, of course \u2013 it&#8217;s a great steel, made with powdered metallurgy for a finer grain structure and a cleaner edge.\u00a0 S35VN is an update of the older <strong>S30V<\/strong>, with slightly less carbon and vanadium in the blend but with the addition of Niobium, giving S35VN the same excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance as its older brother, but with improved toughness (resistance to chipping) and being easier for the manufacturer to machine.\u00a0 The blade has a vertical grinder satin finish across all its surfaces.<\/p>\n<h2>Deployment &amp; Lockup<\/h2>\n<p>The Radok uses what Schrade calls a \u201c<strong>pivot lock<\/strong>\u201d &#8211; ever since the functional patent expired on the <strong>Benchmade AXIS Lock<\/strong> in 2016, other manufacturers have been getting into the game but coming up with their own names since Benchmade still owns the right to the \u201cAXIS Lock\u201d name.\u00a0 Hogue has the ABLE lock, SOG has the XR lock, Gerber also uses the term pivot lock, and WE uses the term Slide Lock.\u00a0 They all <a href=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/pocket-knife-lock-types\/\">function basically the same<\/a> \u2013 a sprung bar slides into place on top of the tang of the blade to lock it open.\u00a0 Schrade\u2019s implementation of the Pivot Lock is standard as far as this style of lock goes and is also used on the Truix folder which we\u2019ll be reviewing in the future.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-2.jpg\" alt=\"Schrade-Radok-2\" width=\"800\" height=\"432\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12647\" srcset=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-2-300x162.jpg 300w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-2-150x81.jpg 150w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-2-768x415.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Deployment is via a pair of ambidextrous thumb studs with caged ball bearings in the pivot, and it gives a smooth flicking action with a light detent.\u00a0 Too light of a detent, in fact, with the considerable heft of the blade combined with the low resistance meaning you\u2019re able to open the knife with just a strong wrist flick \u2013 an issue I haven\u2019t run into in a modern high-end knife in a long time.\u00a0 Then again, the last time I carried a knife with a blade this big, it was the Zero Tolerance 0561, about ten years ago.\u00a0 And that knife didn\u2019t flick open under its own weight without releasing the lock or applying pressure to the flipper or thumb studs.\u00a0 The Radok uses an external stop pin to locate the blade in the open position, anchored to the two liners for stability.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-4.jpg\" alt=\"Schrade-Radok-4\" width=\"800\" height=\"397\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12648\" srcset=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-4.jpg 800w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-4-300x149.jpg 300w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-4-150x74.jpg 150w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-4-768x381.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Lockup is fine, exhibiting no horizontal blade play but slight vertical blade play right out of the box.\u00a0 While horizontal blade play can usually be tuned out with pivot tension (less so on bearing knives such as this), vertical blade play is usually an issue of tolerances and design.\u00a0 It does close exceptionally smoothly, thanks to the low-friction bearing pivot and heavy blade as well as the lack of friction from the lock when it\u2019s open, easily dropping shut under its own weight when the lock is released.<\/p>\n<h2>Features, Fit &amp; Finish<\/h2>\n<p>The Radok doesn\u2019t skimp on features for it\u2019s $250 MSRP, with a high-end steel, <a href=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/the-ultimate-guide-to-knife-handle-materials\/\">carbon fiber handles<\/a>, a sculpted pocket clip, and that fidget friendly lock and pivot.\u00a0 This is a knife that wows at first and disappoints on closer examination.\u00a0 It\u2019s impressive to look at, especially the marbled carbon fiber handle scales \u2013 they&#8217;re deep and lustrous to look at, with an intricate contoured edge all the way around for a more comfortable grip.\u00a0 The blade grabs your attention, for better or for worse, and the overall appearance of the knife is radical and unique.\u00a0 It\u2019s the small details that let this knife down.\u00a0 The ends of the scales are cut away from the liners to open up a lanyard pass through, and the corners of that pass through are pointy and sharp.\u00a0 They dig into the palm of your hand <em>every time<\/em> you open this knife.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-3.jpg\" alt=\"Schrade-Radok-3\" width=\"800\" height=\"463\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12649\" srcset=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-3.jpg 800w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-3-300x174.jpg 300w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-3-150x87.jpg 150w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-3-768x444.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s also the world\u2019s most aggressive jimping on the thumb ramp that takes off small pieces of your skin every time your thumb drags across it.\u00a0 Those beautiful, marbled carbon scales only line up with the stainless liners over about 50% of the circumference of the handles, and the edges of those liners have a visible burr on them that probably could\u2019ve been taken off with a few seconds on a high grit belt sander \u2013 but weren\u2019t.\u00a0 On the plus side, the blade is nicely centered when closed, and was\u00a0 sharp out of the box (even if the edge grind tapers as it nears the tip).<\/p>\n<p>Speaking of things that weren\u2019t done, when you have a knife with full stainless liners that stretches nearly 9\u201d long when open, one would assume some lengths were gone to to reduce weight, but those steel liners aren\u2019t skeletonized either.\u00a0 Maybe the assumption was that it doesn\u2019t matter since the scales are carbon fiber?\u00a0 It\u2019s baffling.\u00a0 While we\u2019re on the topic of scales, it\u2019s worth mentioning that the right side scale (the one with the clip on it) has several voids or pits in it while the other side doesn\u2019t.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-5.jpg\" alt=\"Schrade-Radok-5\" width=\"800\" height=\"351\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12650\" srcset=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-5.jpg 800w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-5-300x132.jpg 300w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-5-150x66.jpg 150w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-5-768x337.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Pivot Lock knives are inherently ambidextrous, except the Radok isn\u2019t &#8211; it has a sculpted pocket clip that\u2019s only configured for right hand tip up carry, and it\u2019s asymmetrical so it couldn&#8217;t work on the other side even if the scales and liners were tapped for ambidextrous carry.\u00a0 I\u2019m not a native southpaw but even I can confirm the Radok works just fine opening and closing in the left hand, so this seems a strange oversight.\u00a0 I\u2019ve railed against the proliferation of sculpted clips on \u201chigh end\u201d knives before and I echo my statements here \u2013 they&#8217;re fancy to look at and functionally worse in every way.\u00a0 Even stranger, the sculpted clip on this knife is stainless steel rather than titanium so it has even less give, which is especially important on sculpted clips since they don\u2019t have the natural spring effect of a stamped steel clip.<\/p>\n<p>Construction of the Radok is bolt-through, with T8 screws for the pivot, and T6 screws for the body and clip screws.\u00a0 The pivot has a T8 head on both sides which is always a bad sign, confirmed by trying to turn it \u2013 the whole pivot spins, requiring a second T8 bit and preferably a third arm to hold it in place for adjustments.\u00a0 This means that the pivot barrel isn\u2019t keyed the frame, another strange omission at this price point.\u00a0 Note that the clip must also be removed before disassembly since it\u2019s in the way of the center body screw coming out.\u00a0 Those center body screws stand proud of the scales, while the rear ones are flush.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-spine.jpg\" alt=\"Schrade Radok spine\" width=\"700\" height=\"126\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12651\" srcset=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-spine.jpg 700w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-spine-300x54.jpg 300w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-spine-150x27.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s quite a lot of branding on the Radok, with one side of the blade displaying the Schrade logo and the steel type, the opposite side with a serial number and a \u201cmade in USA\u201d flag with the Schrade logo inside of it, and the pocket clip displaying both the brand <em>and<\/em> the logo.\u00a0 Schrade did confirm that an OEM in the US is making these Alpha-series knives for them, and I\u2019m not sure which one, but I think they should lean on them a little harder or perhaps look elsewhere for a higher quality OEM because this knife is <em>not<\/em> impressive for a $250 MSRP.<\/p>\n<h2>Field Test<\/h2>\n<p>The Radok is big (8.75\u201d long when open and 4.2 ounces), and it carries big.\u00a0 BladeHQ lists the handle thickness at 1.125\u201d (meaning from top to bottom) but that\u2019s inaccurate or irrelevant because while the handle measures it\u2019s widest at the leading edge of the finger guard at 1.33\u201d by my calipers, with the blade closed the widest point is <em>1.630\u201d<\/em> from back of handle to spine of blade.\u00a0 This thing wastes more pocket real estate than a TI-82 graphing calculator, especially since it\u2019s also 5\u201d long and 0.53\u201d thick.\u00a0 The sculpted stainless steel pocket clip is truly miserable, being way too stiff to easily slide in and out of the pocket and with a very large contact spot and no ramp to ease entry.\u00a0 it also sticks out about a quarter of an inch for good measure and loves to catch on any nearby solid objects you walk past- sometimes pulling the entire knife out of your pocket, which is also unnerving since the blade is heavy enough for it to open itself.\u00a0 The huge pocket clip is brightly polished, leaving itself and the back corner of the knife with its pointy lanyard pass-through (also shiny and polished) sticking out to attract the wrong kind of attention when you might not want it.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-6.jpg\" alt=\"Schrade-Radok-6\" width=\"800\" height=\"391\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12652\" srcset=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-6.jpg 800w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-6-300x147.jpg 300w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-6-150x73.jpg 150w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-6-768x375.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>So it doesn\u2019t carry well, but how does it feel in the hand?\u00a0 Well, it\u2019s an <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">ergonomic disaster<\/span>, with the lanyard pass-through creating an instant hot spot that teams up with the bulky pocket clip to make using the knife generally unpleasant, as does the goofy thumb ramp jimping that you can use as a firestarter in a pinch.\u00a0 It\u2019s also notably imbalanced, with way more weight in the handle than the blade.\u00a0 On the plus side, the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">action is good<\/span> (when you\u2019re opening it on purpose) and the Wharncliffe blade shape gives you a nice needle point tip.\u00a0 Points to the handle shape for a well-defined finger guard, although the lack of a forward finger choil with this much overall length to work with seems odd \u2013 it would certainly be useful.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-closed-rear.jpg\" alt=\"Schrade Radok-closed rear\" width=\"700\" height=\"260\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12653\" srcset=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-closed-rear.jpg 700w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-closed-rear-300x111.jpg 300w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-closed-rear-150x56.jpg 150w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Schrade-Radok-closed-rear-270x100.jpg 270w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Wharncliffes make a natural substitution for a utility razor blade with the tip being considerably below the pivot, making it an effective box opener with minimal wrist angle needed for slicing open tape and packaging.\u00a0 For a Wharncliffe, the sharpened edge has more belly or curvature than you typically see, making it somewhat useful for roll cuts or food prep, although the wide angle of the primary bevel due to the shallow grind means it\u2019s not especially well suited to that either.\u00a0 I\u2019d like to see the blade of the Radok reconfigured with less meat on the spine and a higher tip into a drop point with a high flat grind, which would also allow it to take up less space in the pocket and cut better.<\/p>\n<h2>Alternatives<\/h2>\n<p><p><em>All these knives available at <a href=\"https:\/\/shrsl.com\/1ruz2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><strong>BladeHQ<\/strong><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>At $250 MSRP and $210 retail, the Radok is competing against other relatively pricey mid-range knives from manufacturers with a lot more experience in this field.<\/p>\n<p>As previously mentioned, the Hogue-built <a href=\"https:\/\/knifeworks.com\/doug-ritter-rsk-mk1-g2-knifeworks-exclusive-orange-g-10\/\"><strong>Ritter RSK Mk1 G2<\/strong><\/a> seems like a much better deal. It\u2019s also US-built with a premium steel \u2013 well, the RSK uses the superior <strong>CPM-20CV<\/strong> powdered metallurgy steel that\u2019s a step up from S35VN.\u00a0 It\u2019s 3.44\u201d long blade is a high ground drop point with a tough stonewashed finish, and it also uses thumb studs and a sliding bar lock for deployment and lockup.\u00a0 While the Ritter RSK doesn\u2019t utilize ball bearings in the pivot it\u2019s hard to tell the difference with how smoothly it opens, and the ergonomics of the knife in the hand are far superior \u2013 better clip, no hot spots, better balance, and better quality.\u00a0 We <a href=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/ritter-rsk-mk1-g2-review\/\">reviewed the RSK Mk1 G2<\/a> a few years ago and it\u2019s still the go-to recommendation for a larger high-end production folder, offering killer value for money and high quality for it\u2019s $170 retail price.\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t offer carbon fiber handles and comes in at a slightly heavier 4.5 ounces, but it\u2019s worth the extra weight.\u00a0 It also offers ambidextrous tip-up carry with its deep carry bent steel clip so it\u2019s lefty-friendly to boot.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/ritter-rsk2-700.jpg\" alt=\"ritter-rsk2-700\" width=\"600\" height=\"111\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-10085\" srcset=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/ritter-rsk2-700.jpg 700w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/ritter-rsk2-700-300x55.jpg 300w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/ritter-rsk2-700-150x28.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>There are Benchmade&#8217;s in this price range if you want the original AXIS lock, like the full-sized <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/shrsl.com\/4hhap\">Freek folder<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0\u00a0 It\u2019s pricier at ~$250 retail currently, but it offers a rare steel \u2013 powdered-metallurgy <strong>CPM-M4<\/strong> high speed tool steel with a corrosion-resistant cerakote finish.\u00a0 M4 is an incredibly tough steel, and the Freek is basically a Griptilian on steroids \u2013 with a textured, layered G10 handle, a beefy AXIS lock with ambidextrous thumb studs, and a left or right-handed tip up deep carry clip.\u00a0 While others have figured out sliding bar locks now, <a href=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/the-very-best-benchmade-knives\/\"><strong>Benchmade<\/strong> <\/a><em>has<\/em> been making them the longest, and the Freek is a great balance of heavy duty build with reasonable weight \u2013 it&#8217;s only 4.3 ounces for an 8.5\u201d overall length, and it\u2019s blade shape and geometry promise to be more useful than the Radok.\u00a0 Tool steels have more of a focus on toughness than edge retention but CPM-M4 has been popular in the EDC market despite this.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/benchmade-560-freek-700.jpg\" alt=\"benchmade 560 freek\" width=\"600\" height=\"105\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-6947\" srcset=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/benchmade-560-freek-700.jpg 700w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/benchmade-560-freek-700-150x26.jpg 150w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/benchmade-560-freek-700-300x53.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>One knife that used to get brought up in basically every conversation about big EDC knives but has seemingly fallen by the wayside is the evergreen <a href=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/spyderco-paramilitary-2-review\/\"><strong>Spyderco Paramilitary 2<\/strong><\/a> &#8211; or PM2 to it\u2019s close friends.\u00a0 The price has gradually crept up over the years \u2013 this plain-Jane variant with <a href=\"https:\/\/shrsl.com\/4hhaq\">black G10 and CPM-S30V steel<\/a> now rings up at $185 \u2013 but there is a never-ending stream of special editions with upgraded steel and different colors for a little more money, like this brown <a href=\"https:\/\/shrsl.com\/4hhar\">Micarta handled version with Cru-Wear<\/a> for ~$200 or this <a href=\"https:\/\/shrsl.com\/4hhas\">Digicam handled black-coated variant in S45VN<\/a> for $199.\u00a0 The basics of the PM2 are still there after all these years, with solid ergonomics featuring a full forward finger choil, the excellent compression lock (albeit not lefty-friendly, although Spyderco now makes dedicated <a href=\"https:\/\/shrsl.com\/4hhat\">left-handed PM2 variants!<\/a>), a four-position bent steel pocket clip, and a full flat ground clip point blade with a thumb hole opener.\u00a0 A modern classic, similarly sized to the Radok (3.44\u201d blade, 8.3\u201d open, 3.75 ounces) that\u2019s still worth considering.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Spyderco-Paramilitary-2-700.jpg\" alt=\"Spyderco Paramilitary 2\" width=\"600\" height=\"115\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-7207\" srcset=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Spyderco-Paramilitary-2-700.jpg 700w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Spyderco-Paramilitary-2-700-150x29.jpg 150w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Spyderco-Paramilitary-2-700-300x57.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Finally, for about the same price ($215 currently) you can pick up a <a href=\"https:\/\/shrsl.com\/4hhau\">SOG Seal XR folder<\/a>.\u00a0 It\u2019s also large and in charge like the Radok, with a 3.82\u201d long clip point also made from <strong>CPM-S35VN<\/strong> and a 9.125\u201d overall length.\u00a0 It\u2019s a heavy knife at <em>8.2 ounces<\/em> thanks to full steel liner construction and it\u2019s wide 0.18\u201d blade thickness and 0.69\u201d wide handles, but the Seal XR does the heavy-duty folder brief quite well.\u00a0 With its own version of the sliding bar lock called the <strong>XR Lock<\/strong>, the Seal XR features a ball bearing pivot and both a flipper tab as well as an oblong thumb hole for opening, heavily textured <strong>FRN<\/strong> handles with finger scallops, and an ambidextrous tip-up pocket clip with a lanyard pass-through.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/SOG-Seal-XR-700.jpg\" alt=\"SOG Seal XR-700\" width=\"600\" height=\"141\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-12638\" srcset=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/SOG-Seal-XR-700.jpg 700w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/SOG-Seal-XR-700-300x70.jpg 300w, https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/SOG-Seal-XR-700-150x35.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Wrap-up<\/h2>\n<p>I hope this review doesn\u2019t come off too harshly towards <strong>Schrade<\/strong>, because I\u2019m always grateful for more competition in the market and no one wants to see a storied name fade into making awful garbage like Taylor Brands put out under the moniker.\u00a0 But the Radok is half-baked, overpriced, uncomfortable to use, and unpleasant to carry.\u00a0 It\u2019s not particularly useful <em>or<\/em> attractive, it has quality and design issues, and it just seems a poor choice for the knife to serve as the <em>flagship of Schrade\u2019s entire brand revival.<\/em>\u00a0 Unlike Gerber\u2019s product renaissance, which has generally produced some very good knives like the <a href=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/gerber-fastball-review\/\">Fastball<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/gerber-sedulo-review\/\">Sedulo<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/gerber-savvy-review\/\">Savvy<\/a> we\u2019ve reviewed previously \u2013 with overall good design and the occasional minor issue \u2013 the <strong>Radok<\/strong> seems like a dud from the second it slips out of its packaging and painfully into your hand.\u00a0 I have higher hopes for the less strange-looking and smaller <strong>Truix<\/strong> folder, but as for the Radok folder, I recommend you spend your $200+ elsewhere for a larger folding knife.<\/p>\n<div class=\"buycontainer\"><a class=\"buyboxamz\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Schrade-Folder-8-75in-3-75in-Forged\/dp\/B09NMJ73J6?crid=11B0L5ZLEURRX&#038;keywords=schrade+radok&#038;qid=1692563321&#038;s=sporting-goods&#038;sprefix=schrade+radok,sporting,135&#038;sr=1-1&#038;linkCode=sl1&#038;tag=ki-1001-20&#038;linkId=1d59f2618dacd6ee1230c4ce8bb68a9c&#038;language=en_US&#038;ref_=as_li_ss_tl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">See @ Amazon<\/a><span class=\"buyboxspacer\"><\/span><a class=\"buyboxbhq\" href=\"https:\/\/shrsl.com\/46zq9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">See @ BladeHQ<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Matt DavidsonWe independently evaluate all recommended products and services. Any products or services put forward appear in no particular order. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. We know what you&#8217;re thinking. Schrade still makes knives? Actually, it would be more accurate to say that Schrade is making knives again.\u00a0 The [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12645,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[48,6],"tags":[98],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12636"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12636"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12636\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13429,"href":"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12636\/revisions\/13429"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12645"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12636"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12636"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/knifeinformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12636"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}