SchradeDelta Class Rigime Fixed Blade 8.5in with 3.83in AUS-8 Steel Blade and G-10 Handle for Hunting, and Bushcraft

Five stars even though it needed sharpening upon arrivalI gave this Schrade SCHF15 knife five stars even though it needed sharpening right out of the box, when I received it. And when I say it needed sharpening, I mean the blade was dull. Dull, dull, dull. It wouldn’t cut anything. It would tear things apart but it would not cut. But inspite of its dull blade, I still gave this Schrade five stars because of the overall value it offers for the price. In my view, this is one heck of a knife for the money and if all it needs is sharpening, it is still a great value for the price.I looked at, handled, researched and reviewed dozens of fixed blade knives, all costing much more or many times more than what this Schrade cost, before I ordered. I only trust fixed blade knives for heavy and/or survival type use.Having to sharpen a new knife right out of the box was certainly unexpected; it was the overall construction and design of this knife that kept me from returning it. Putting the arrival of this new knife with a dull blade aside, I like everything else about this knife; its overall design, the steel that was used to make it, the durable and adjustable nylon sheath, the fact that the knife is a fixed blade knife, the thickness and tanto style design of the blade, the non-reflective blade finish, the durability of the grip, and the way it handles and feels in the hand.The sheath works as expected and is a great addition.I paid around 34USD for this knife on Amazon and would order another tomorrow, if I needed one, even if I knew that the blade on the second knife would arrive dull.

I really like this knife. Been using it everyday for a few weeks now putting it to work with all my tasks and it has performed fantastically. Cutting down lots and lots of cardboard, wire, zip-ties, paracord, cloth and plastics. I've used it a fair amount to carve basswood, oak and birch too.I'm no knife expert and definitely not knowledgeable about steel, but the steel this blade is made with is really good at keeping an edge and taking some abuse on top of that. Seems to be a good balance of both for the uses I'm using it for. I've dropped the thing a few times onto concrete and have had the smallest little dings or burrs as a result, which were easily fixed with a few passes on a high grit diamond stone and strop block.It feels great in the hand and I actually like the style of grip they used on it. I don't do too much stabbing, but when I have I never felt like my hand was going to slip forward onto the blade. The full tang is nice and makes the balance feel good to me, center weight being just below the index finger grip.The holster is fine for me, I can see why some people might have complaints about it, but I haven't had any issues so far. It seems like it can and eventually will crack if the knife hangs up on something rigid and gets pulled away from your belt. I drilled a few additional holes for the sheath to be able to mount a little different. I'm a leftie so it's always nice to have open mounting options for storage. I do agree that an additional mounting screw on the opposite side of the sheath would be nice to stabilize better.All in all I love the knife. The price was incredible for the quality, and I look forward to using this thing to the end and having another ready to rock.

Ultimately, I give this knife 5 stars due to its overall value. Some of the things that other reviews complain about are simply issues you are going to have with a $30ish knife. If this knife were lost or stolen, you would replace it immediately. I can't say the same for a higher end, and thus higher price tag, knife. It more than does the job for the money.The good:--quality metal and construction for the money; based on the sharpening regimen I put it through out of the box, I would say the metal is similar in quality to Bucks 420 HC, which is quite good. Blade shape and profile make for easy sharpening on an Arkansas stone. Full tang means good balance and durability under hard use, grips are patterned in such a way that, though unconventional, provide significant purchase during use. The sheath, though basic, is utilitarian, modular, and made of durable material (kydex). The sheath hardware us easily replaced at any hobby or home improvement store adding to its longevity. I personally appreciate a no frills sheath, as it makes the knife itself more affordable.The meh:I say meh, because there's nothing bad, per se', about this knife. Does the hardware holding the sheath together seem as though it will wear out over time (especially if you are adjusting the crap out of it constantly or overtightening the screws)? Yes. Will the hardware on many things bought in the $30 price range wear out over time? Yes. Could you get off your fanny and replace the hardware for very little money with minimal effort and time? Yes. The grip is a bit narrow for my hands, but I have huge hands, and I am used to folders with fatter grips by necessity. This thinness contributes to the overall ease of carry and, if that is your thing, concealability, so it is not a meh factor per se'. The grind on the edge was not consistent from the factory, neither was it hairsplittingly sharp. It's $30 folks, remember. Using a hard Arkansas stone I ground down just enough of the edge where, when placed at a 22-ish degree angle on the stone no light shone through on each side. I then moved up to a black Arkansas stone, and it is now shaving sharp. With minimal time, effort, and know-how all the meh factors are easily dealt with, yielding a well above average, if not exceptional, product for the money. With realistic expectations about this knife you will be quite pleased with your purchase. If you like tanto style, fixed blade knives, and saving money, don't hesitate to pick up this little bargain.