Hot off the heels of the release of the new SCHF51 and SCHF52 models comes yet another Schrade exclusive at Knife Depot: the SCHF43.
This Schrade SCHF43 is a knife that’s been teased around the web for a while, with a whole host of video reviews popping up around YouTube. If you’re not familiar with the knife, it was designed by Chris Tanner of PreparedMind101. Although the official Schrade name is SCHF43, it’s commonly called the Jessica-X. The reason is that Jessica is the name of Chris Tanner’s Becker BK7. He set out to create his own design based off the knife and fondly called it Jessica-X. That name stuck.
The first thing you probably notice on the knife is the hefty handle. Sure, it may look large and unwieldy, but there’s a method to the madness. I probably won’t do Tanner any justice trying to explain (I’ll attach some of his videos of the knife at the bottom), but he took design cues from a few styles. The handle is reminiscent of a parang and gives the user a variety of holds, depending on the task at hand.
From the early reviews, this knife gets some pretty high marks as a versatile outdoors tool. The blade itself is 9 inches long of 1070 carbon steel and features a saber grind with some nice coating. The uniquely shaped handle is made from TPE, and there’s a hole for a lanyard at the butt.
You can now buy the SCHF43 at our store. Here are some videos of the early prototypes from Chris Tanner himself.
October 28, 2015 at 11:00 am
Jesssica-x will undoubtedly find its niche in the bushcraft world. Dave Canterbury is himself developing a large knife to replace axes & hatchets in many situations, like de-limbing, small chopping, etc. Axes & hatchets can be incredibly dangerous when in the hands of the inexperienced or casual user. Looks like Tanner beat him to the punch. Using a tool & baton is much safer than swinging an axe around camp all day. This is a paradigm shift away from axes that I approve and I am considering this purchase.
October 28, 2015 at 5:56 pm
I find that interesting. I’ve always been a big knife guy. This design was first drawn about 2 years ago. My only regret is that most of the early reviewers had samples with terrible edges. I myself had to rework it. Schrades QA guy in the factory got the message loud and clear, because the 6 new ones in my living room are ALL scary sharp. Once you get the hang of the three position handle, there isn’t much you cannot do with it. Kullcraven Bushcraft just posted a video carving a spoon with it. Combined with the Jessmuk, there’s nothing you can’t do. Those two will always be my biggest contributions.
October 31, 2015 at 3:27 pm
Thanks for the comment, Chris. I’m glad you were able to work with the guys at Schrade to get the knife you wanted, including a razor-sharp edge. I’ve yet to get my hands on the Jessmuk, but I’m sure it’ll complement the Jessica-X as another great all-around outdoor knife.
October 31, 2015 at 3:28 pm
It’s always great to have more options instead of the usual axe. These larger, more durable knives are definitely more versatile and useful. I didn’t know Dave Canterbury was developing a knife like that, but I’ll definitely check it out. Thanks.
October 28, 2015 at 7:08 pm
I gag a little whenever I see videos on yt or read posts on bfc where guys have named their knives. Of course they always give them female names so ya don’t think they’re weird somehow. :/ Even the so-called “King”–the Becker BK9 somehow gets referred to as “she” and “her” by these types.
Between the design of the knife–looks like he borrowed the handle from the Cold Steel Kopis Machete and the bend from the Becker Machaxe and slapped them on the spey blade from a traditional slipjoint, but blown up about 100x–and the mind behind it–I’ve seen his videos; need a barf bag to get through the ones about the knives with human names–I can’t take it seriously.
October 31, 2015 at 3:24 pm
Eh, if people want to name their knives, it’s up to them. As for giving them female names, I think it’s a long tradition to name inanimate objects with female names (people have done this with boats for centuries and may have been named after mythical goddesses). Also, giving knives names is a great way to help with the naming systems for people, otherwise you’d have to grab the Kershaw Model 3560 instead of the Kershaw Ember.
The SCHF43 is definitely a hodgepodge of design ideas with influences taken from other knives, including Becker Knives. I don’t think Chris Tanner ever hid that fact.
December 1, 2015 at 11:30 pm
I think that maybe you need to lay off the caffeine. Here’s a great idea-Don’t watch. Then you won’t get sick, and people like me won’t have to read about your rants that resemble, for some unknowable reason, the tantrums of a 15 year old cheerleader who lost her pom-poms.
I’ll tell you what, when Schrade or Ontario, or Cold Steel, or LCWright, etc come to you and ask you to design a knife, and you are putting out 2-3 videos a week on equipment and bushcrafting that is unbiased and the straight dog, I promise you I will start watching your vids. So as they say in my Fri poker games, put up or shut up.
May 26, 2017 at 11:05 pm
Hey buddy take your shitty negative attitude and cram it up your ass. This knife is very unique and one hell of a tool. If you dont like the knife or chris tanners videos then dont watch them. Sounds like you have a little more going on about chris then you think having to post your whiney thoughts on a website he is talking on. Go shut yourself in a cave and be negative in there save the rest of the world from your vile attitude! peace!
May 20, 2016 at 8:22 pm
Lame
July 4, 2016 at 9:12 am
Looks like a peice of shit
August 12, 2016 at 11:34 am
I happen to own the Jessica X and it is a fantastic knife. It has easily replaced two items, a knife and axe, with just a knife, thus reducing the amount of weight when backpacking. With the style of the handle it gives a person three different ways to hold it for different tasks. For a knife in the $50.00 range, it can’t be beat.
ChrisCP, as for your post, the entire content of it makes me want to barf. It shows what an insecure and jealous person you are. If you don’t like the videos Chris Tanner makes, then why bother watching them? You’re nothing but a Troll and you hate to see someone do well for themselves. You must have a truly miserable life that you feel the need to cut someone down for no justifiable reason.
As for the design of the knife, who cares if Chris took ideas from several different knives and combined them into one, it’s a great knife and it works extremely well. But I’m willing to bet you don’t own one, so how would you know.
Chris has the decency to not reply to your immature rant, but I just can’t let another hater like you slip by. ChrisCP you seriously need to take a look in the mirror and do a personal inventory. Grow up and get a life.
January 27, 2017 at 3:45 pm
Well said. No one is being forced to watch any you tube channel. And by the way, Jessica-X looks like a great tool and I can’t wait to get one.
November 14, 2016 at 7:17 pm
I saw the knife on y.t and was thoroughly entertained by the video. I think p.m 101 kicks ass so when I saw the knife, I bought it. It’s now my favorite big knife. The end.
July 1, 2017 at 12:23 pm
Have a look at this before you buy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbWmNg3BO0A&feature=youtu.be
July 1, 2017 at 7:20 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbWmNg3BO0A