Schrade Imperial Schrade IMP22L Large Folding Pocket Knife, Black

This knife feels and performs much better than it's pedigree and price suggest. It is a very high value purchase.Yes, it's under ten bucks. Yes, it's not American made. Yes, the fit and finish could use just a bit of work to really shine...but overall this is a great, solid workhorse of a knife.I bought one for myself, to see how the thing performs and if I liked it, and then I bought one for my friend's son on his 10th birthday. Every boy should have a good pocket knife, and this knife is a great entry-level blade. If it's lost, you're not out any great amount of money, and if you do the right thing and make the kid work to earn one for themselves then an afternoon helping rake leaves or an hour or two helping stack firewood more than justifies the cost.The handle is large enough to be comfortable and entirely gripped by the hand (the safest way to handle a blade), the lock is stout, and the traditional design just appeals to the boy in every man's heart. This is the perfect gift to teach knife safety and responsibility to a kid. A man never does anything in his life so important as when he kneels down to teach a child, and this is a wonderful tool to enable that.The blade is sharp and cuts very well, the stainless steel is super easy to maintain and clean, the handle is nice and smooth but offers just the right amount of grip, and it's just big enough to serve well for camp chores and food prep but also small enough to easily ride in a pocket. The action is a little tight and not the smoothest, but this blade is still an incredible value and a handy tool. A little usage to break it in and maybe a fluff and buff of the handle with some Scotch Brite and this thing really comes into its own.This Sodbuster is also great for opening boxes, sharpening sticks for roasting marshmallows, scraping some fatwood shavings for a fire, cutting open stubborn plastic packaging, and a thousand other things.It is 93 & ¼ % the knife a Case Sodbuster is, and for less than ten bucks that's saying an awful lot. Buy it and use the hell out of it. You won't regret the purchase.

I'm surprised that this handsome folder only cost $8. The blade is sharp - easily slices paper and shaves the hair on my arm. The blade snaps into the open position with a tight snap, and feels like it will stay there. It takes a deliberate firm grip to open or close the blade. An inattentive, careless user could cut themself. It looks well built and finely polished. It is finished finer than a some of the expensive knives that I've collected. Obviously some good quality control going on at this Schrade Chinese manufacturing plant.My skepticism about the Chinese steel and manufacturing was tempered by the price, so I bought it. I can't speak to it's durability yet because I just got it a few days ago. But I'm a hand tool aficionado, and I suspect that I will get a lot of use out of it. I appreciate the minimalist design.Its a full length pocket knife, 4 5/8" folded. Maybe to bit long for some as a daily carry. The blade is a handy length for slicing bread and preparing a salad. After I used it to cut some stiff plastic and 12 gauge copper Romex cable wire, I inspected the blade edge with an 8x lens. The edge still has it's original grind.After I've carried it and sharpened it a few times, I will try to update this review.

Received this via mail and it arrived on time......this Imperial (Schrade) Sodbuster is very similar to Case's Large Sodbuster......in fact, if they were place on their sides, (side not showing Imperial logo), this knife could easily be confused as Case Sodbuster....with that being said, upon close inspection, their are minor differences....the walk and talk of the Imperial knife is gritty, but does snap open.....additionally, it has something similar to a half-stop.....the back/ springs and scale area is a little rougher than Case's....but since both are hard use knives.....I would assume that gloves will or should be used....the Imperial's handle is a little wider than Case's......nail knick used for opening the knives are in the same place...more towards the center, though not exactly centered.....both knives centering was off, but Case's was the worst...the Imperial knife was sharp right out of the box....and well, I had to sharpen the case.....both use brass liners and pins.....Imperial made in China.....Case made in the US......you can purchase 2 Imperials for the price of 1 Case....so, if you are not a person who likes to spend a lot of money on knives.....this will be a great choice.....and if you're a Case fan....then stick with Case....I think that both knives can accomplish the same tasks equally.....I do not know about edge retention or ease of sharpening the Imperial....the Case took an edge very easily....and typically knives made in China under a brand name or sub contracted by a well known company such as Spyder, Boker Plus, etc.....the blades seem easy to sharpen and edge retention is pretty good, considering the price paid......I gave this knife a 4 star rating because I do believe for the money....it's a decent knife....this review is not intended to tarnish Case's reputation, but rather help those looking for a good sodbuster to make a good choice that is beneficial to them......sodbuster are built primarily as a hard working and simple tool.....if aesthetics are your main concern, you will have look beyond this one and the Case cheapest large sodbusters, as the are built for work......both are approximately the same size....I didn't include the specs, as they can be found on the internet.......hopes this help!