Test of the knife – Schrade Melee
Are you looking for a high-quality yet affordable universal folding knife for everyday carry, whether in the city or outdoors? The Melee model from Schrade might be just what you’re after.
If we start with a technical description, the “Melee Assisted Opening Folder” (hereafter referred to as Melee) is an assisted-opening folding knife featuring a framelock safety mechanism and a pocket clip that can be mounted on either side or removed entirely. The blade has a tanto profile, partially serrated edge, with an overall length of 89 mm, thickness of 3.2 mm, and is made of D2 stainless steel. The knife measures 203 mm when open and 114 mm when closed, with a weight of 139 g. The handle frame, including one of the scales, is also made from the same material as the blade. The opposite scale is crafted from G10 composite in a dark green color. Both the blade and handle scale feature a matte, textured “stonewash” finish. The handle includes a lanyard hole and is shaped for glass-breaking capability. The knife is primarily designed for everyday carry (EDC), but also suited for general-purpose or even "tactical" use.
Before diving into the performance qualities of this knife, it’s worth noting that if you prefer a drop point blade, the manufacturer offers the conceptually similar Reckon folder at the same price, using identical materials. Lastly, Schrade currently offers over 40 folding knife models in a variety of styles, materials, and price ranges—so there's something for nearly everyone.
Title photo: Schrade Melee
The tanto blade style has its critics and supporters alike, just as it has both strengths and weaknesses. Among the strengths is its ability to slice through flat materials—like cardboard, paper, or leather—cleanly and with precision, much like a utility or snap-off knife. Its penetration capability is excellent, and it's quite effective in slashing cuts as well. It can even be used for some light carving. On the downside, it's not ideal for food prep or for processing wood for kindling. That said, the Melee is a fairly robust model, capable of taking some abuse even in outdoor scenarios. But when it comes to serious bushcraft tasks, a drop point blade remains a more universal and practical choice. On the other hand, I found that the Melee could handle field dressing and skinning game reasonably well—I tried it myself in practice. It wouldn't be my first pick for such tasks, but when the situation calls for it, it performs better than expected.
D2 tool steel is, in short, somewhat superior to the well-known “baseline” 440C when it comes to durability, edge retention, and overall toughness. It’s not considered a premium grade, but in terms of performance, it's a more than decent steel—holds an edge well and is relatively easy to sharpen. Compared to 440C, it sacrifices a bit in corrosion resistance (though still classed as a stainless steel), but in this particular case, that’s a non-issue. The blade is treated with a surface finish that adds not only protection but also a visually appealing, non-glossy texture that resists dirt and grime—especially when processing game meat—which I was initially slightly concerned about.
Advantages/Disadvantages
+ build quality
+ excellent price-to-performance ratio
+ ergonomics and choice of materials
- style of assisted opening
Ergonomics are decent and universal. Nothing digs in or causes discomfort.
At the time of writing this review, I’ve had the knife for two months and have been carrying it nearly every day. I’ve also taken it hunting and camping multiple times. I’ve cut all kinds of materials with it and specifically tested the tip strength. The knife is well-made and, for a folder, impressively rugged. The materials are substantial, the fit and finish are tight, and there are no sharp or poorly finished edges. The ergonomics are well-suited for medium to large hands. I did have some issues with the assisted opening. On the plus side, the spring provides enough resistance to keep the blade securely closed, eliminating the risk of accidental deployment. At the same time, it's easy to overcome this resistance when opening. However, once you do, the blade snaps out so quickly that your thumb often loses contact with the thumb stud. With a bit of practice, you can get used to it and open the knife smoothly and quickly with one hand—but I’ll admit I could live without this feature. Aside from that, I have no major complaints. The Melee retails for 1,779 CZK on our market, which is a fair price considering the knife’s overall performance.
The Melee folder passed our test with flying colors—aside from the assisted opening.
You can purchase Schrade knives from the retailer STROBL.CZ s.r.o. For more information, visit strobl.cz or the manufacturer's official website – schrade.com
Photo Sources: Author’s Archive
Author: Tomáš Prachař
This article was originally published in Lovec magazine by Extra Publishing