Are S&W folders any good for casual use ?

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Cruzer23

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Feb 7, 2010
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Just out of curiosity, are the Smith&Wesson folders that sell between 10-20 dollars any good ?
What is your experience with them ? Which one do you have ?
I got myself a Homeland Security one and I thought it was kinda flimsy and needs serious sharpening.

What do you think?

By the way I am new here, where is the Search button ? I am sure someone talked about these folders before me :) Just can't find it.
 
S&W knives are china made and are not of the best quality. there are many other knives out there that are better. I had one where i was unlocking it and the liner snapped off. i also had one where the blade play was so terrible it just couldn't be tightened. Basically try to stay away from Smith and Wesson. Look for knives by kershaw or spyderco. they make some very nice knives for a reasonable price. the always favorite one is the spyderco tenacious. the kershaw skyline is another one that is suggested. both can be had for around 30 or less.
 
Cruzer23 said:
Just out of curiosity, are the Smith&Wesson folders that sell between 10-20 dollars any good ?
What is your experience with them ? Which one do you have ?
I got myself a Homeland Security one and I thought it was kinda flimsy and needs serious sharpening.

What do you think?

By the way I am new here, where is the Search button ? I am sure someone talked about these folders before me :) Just can't find it.
Click to expand...

Welcome!

Its possible that their are some models from S&W that would work alright for light use, but its a definite that their are knives from kershaw, spyderco, CRKT around that price range that will be better made.

S&W just makes cheap knives cheaply, real knife companies make decent knives cheap.
 
Depending on what you need in a knife, buy the most expensive knife you can afford. To some who are new, spending over $50 or even $100 on a knife may seem like a lot but not having to replace or maintain a lesser knife means you save money in the long run. In my experience compromising on what you want is more expensive and you end up with knives you don't use. As TwitchyBlade suggested check out Kershaw or Spyderco for some decent yet affordable knives.
 
Smith & Wesson knives aren't highly looked upon here although there are a lot of good alternatives.

To answer your question about the search function it is only available to paying members.
 
Smith and Wesson makes great guns, but their knives are junk. Spend a few bucks more and get a Buck, Kershaw or Spyderco.
 
For $10 to $20 you should look for knives made by Kershaw, Spyderco, and CRKT. They have several models in that price range, and any of them will be better than your S&W.
 
I worked with a guy a couple of years ago that carried an old S&W knife in his back pocket, working in an industrial shipping/receiving dock. He used that knife for opening envelopes as well as prying out carton staples, and occasional prying open a wooden crate. It used to be black, but it was worn silver, both blade and handle. When asked, he said he'd purchased it many years ago.

I wouldn't buy an S&W today, but I'd challenge any knife to take the abuse that his old war horse did.
 
Some of the older folders were made with decent materials. The newer ones I've handled have been rather unimpressive in the fit and finish area though.

Who knows though, if you are able to find someplace where you can look through several models, you may be able to find one that will make an affordable EDC.
 
Excellent paper weights.
Not bad letter openers.
OK for nervous hands to flick while watching TV (which is helpful because you will find out how quickly the liner locks fail in way or another).
Might be ok for tackle or tool box as something you don't care if it gets lost.
I've had several and finally traded or sold them all off because I realized I could not trust them.
 
S&W knives were the "gateway" knives for me as well, like rmc85 mentioned. I have the knife he links to, and it's actually very well made for a S&W. I have noticed that the S&W's with the R.O.C. (Taiwan?) imprint on the blade are much better made than the regular made in China models; but I have several of their made in China knives that have been great beaters. I've killed several, but only because I've really abused them.

For a standard duty knife, one that you're not afraid to lose or scrape up, they're a good deal for the money. If you want something a little better finished and made of better steel, I'd go with CRKT or maybe a Spyderco Byrd model.

thx - cpr
 
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There are some decent options in the CRKT line if you pick carefully.
Agreed, the Spyderco Bryd's would be a good choice, or the Spyderco Tenacious which seems a bargain at the price.
I don't have one, but I keep hearing great things about the Ontario RAT-1 in the $20-30 range.
 
i also recommend the spyderco byrd line. they're good knives for the price. i have a crossbill that i carry everyday in my back pocket. good steel, decent edge, lots of knife and strong lockup, and with a couple of the models (crow, cara cara, crossbill) you can pick between a couple of different handle choices.
 
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