Any one have a J.D. Smith?

Grampa

Grampa

Joined
Jan 17, 2006
Messages
1,255
The J.D. Smith looks like an interesting knife. Has anyone gotten one yet? What do you think of it?
 
i have one.

some things i love about it, some things i dont understand, but dont necessarily dislike.

blade: great usable blade shape. true slicer. but, the grind stops about an inch from the scales. while it may be used as a choil, it isn't shaped as such, so im not sure that was the intent.

the "subdued" spydie hole is still accessed easily, and gives it a great look.

handles: great ergos, fits my hand wonderfully. i think its also the best looking spyderco out there. grippy, and i like the fg g10.

lock: lockbacks aren't my favorite, but ive been learning to appreciated them. no boye indent, don't know why. i think the boye indent is a great feature on the spyderco lockbacks. perhaps it would have taken away from the clean visual lines.

fit/finish: among the best ive ever received from spyderco. darn near perfect.

what i would like to see: same/similar knife w/ shorter "choil" area, liner lock, blk g10 or cf scales.

if you'd like some pics, let me know.
 
I have two, one to carry and one to stash. I second MORIMOTOM's comments minus the grind thing. That part doesn't really naw at me.

The fit and finish on both mine are as good as I have ever had from a Spyderco.

One thing I notice about the JD is the balance is heavier in the handle which makes the knife super steady in hand. I like that. Perhaps due to the SD element of the design. You can open your fingers a bit and the knife stays put.

I like them a lot! I carry the JD 1-2 days a week but only because I rotate a lot :D
 
Last edited:
the grind doesn't bother me, necessarily.

just dont understand why it is done that way.
 
Here are some pictures and comparisons:

DSC01509C.jpg

DSC1502C.jpg

DSC01512.jpg

DSC01495.jpg

DSC01494.jpg
 
I share most of your thoughts. I think its one of the best looking Spyderco designs. For some reason I don't think foliage green fits this knife. It was better in black micarta and I think CF would look killer.
 
Thanks, guys!

Interesting comparison with the Skirmish! I hadn't realized the handle was that big! Seems like a small blade for that large of a handle. I can also see what moritom is saying about the ricasso - it does seem larger than necessary.

Thanks again!
 
I sold my D2 Military to buy a JD Smith. I am really enjoying it, still a little tight, but I have been working it open and closed.
I'll post some pics soon.
 
one more thing,

i would prefer a screw construction as opposed to the pinned construction currently used.
 
My J.D. Smith has arrived. I really like the looks and design. It's very nice in the hand, and I really like the way the opening hole doesn't make a monstrous hump in the spine.

What I don't like is the very hard opening. The pivot came very tight, and requires far more effort to open than my Military or Para-Military. I've tried loosening the pivot screw, but by the time I've gotten the opening to a comfortable level, I have an unacceptable degree of slop when locked up.

Anyone have any ideas to correct this?
 
Grampa,

I can't help on that because both of mine came dead centered with perfect action. I can even flick mine if I wanted with a little bit of effort to get past the lock spring tension. I did have my dealer hand pick them for me though.

I'm suspecting your problem may be either that it needs a little good lube and some breaking in or a tight pin perhaps.
 
Last edited:
Grampa said:
What I don't like is the very hard opening. The pivot came very tight, and requires far more effort to open than my Military or Para-Military. I've tried loosening the pivot screw, but by the time I've gotten the opening to a comfortable level, I have an unacceptable degree of slop when locked up.

Anyone have any ideas to correct this?
Click to expand...

You have a few options.

Start with washing in hot, soapy water. Scrub the lock works with a toothbrush. Then dry off and lubricate with your favorite lubricant. Tighten pivot to desired amount to reduce any slop in the lock-up.

This doesn't work?

Shove as much toothpaste into the lock works as possible. Open and close repeatedly, I like to do intervals of 50. 50 open/close cycles and then wash out the 'paste and see how it feels with lubrication. Repeat until satisfied.

Remember, it's not just the pivot tension on the blade that causes stiff opening it's also a factor of the lockbar interaction.
 
Grampa said:
What I don't like is the very hard opening. The pivot came very tight, and requires far more effort to open than my Military or Para-Military. I've tried loosening the pivot screw, but by the time I've gotten the opening to a comfortable level, I have an unacceptable degree of slop when locked up.
Click to expand...

I had one of the original micarta models and it had this same problem. I worked the action for a while, but it never really loosened up so I eventually traded it.

I would definitely like to try one of the new sprint run knives. Unfortunately, no disposible income right now and nobody wants to trade for one.:yawn:;)
 
Mine is super tight as well. It wants to close shut almost all the way through the opening cycle. It bit my finger once already!!! I think I will try the tooth paste trick...thanks guys.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top