Another budget blade: S&W Search and Rescue (pic heavy)

[sh00ter01]

I just recently purchased a S&W Search and Rescue model CKSUR2. I’ve always wanted a military Ka-bar style knife and after watching a destruction test on the S&W version, I decided to pick one up. When the knife arrived I was disappointed; the grind was god awful. It was so even on both side and near the tip the inclusive angle was about 75-80 degrees. Needless to say, this thing struggled to cut cardboard. I was pissed so I emailed Taylor Brands and he assured me I got a lemon and sent me a replacement knife with a good grind. Well before the replacement got to my hands, I had already re-ground the edge of the one I had bought using my Lansky sharpener. Now its sharp and cutting anything and everything (the one Taylor sent me as a replacement is up for ****** trade, don’t need 2 of the same knife, just email me). Anyway, here’s a short review of the one I reground.
I started with trying my hand at fuzz sticks, the knife preformed fine.

I then did a little drilling with the tip, had a nice hole fairly quick.

I then sharpened the end of a stick and made a notch (was going to make a trap but didn’t bother finishing it)

Here’s some of the knife with its sheath

Back side of sheath; there’re several carry options for this sheath

Knife, Sheath, and Diamond Sharpener (pretty coarse, probably around 300)

Random knife shot

Next I did a little digging with the tip. This wood was pretty dry but it had no trouble tearing it up.

-sh00ter

 

[sh00ter01]

Then I moved on to batoning

Had no problems batoning through it, even hit on the guard some with no ill effects.

I then tried cutting cross grain into a piece of wood using a baton (this knife is way to light to chop). I was able cut into it fairly easy for the wood being as dry as it was.

After all was said and done, I rinsed off the blade and found a little damage to the black coating

All in all, I’m happy with this knife (after I reground it). It held up fine with no signs of potential failure. No chipping or rolling of the edge; just as sharp as when I had started:thumbup:

-sh00ter

 

[Fletcher Knives]

good review. Did you find the rear of the guard getting in the way? I had to chop them off my KaBars to be comfortable for "delicate" work.

 

[sh00ter01]

good review. Did you find the rear of the guard getting in the way? I had to chop them off my KaBars to be comfortable for "delicate" work.

A little bit; with lots of use choked up on it I could see developing a hot spot cause of the texture. But I’m not worried about it enough to cut it off.:thumbup:

-sh00ter

 

[tknife]

Great pics. It looks much stouter than I would have thought too.