Are S&W HRT folders any good?

Darrel Ralph design = good.

Everything else = bad.

S&W's knives aren't made by S&W. They're made in China by Taylor Cutlery. The 440C is absolutely nothing like Benchmade's 440C. Same steel (presumably), but a vastly inferior heat treat. If I wanted a severe beater knife, a S&W might be OK, but not if you pay more than $15-20 for it. The general consensus here is that S&Ws are crap to low-grade knives, and the most glowing review you'll hear of them is that they're OK or acceptable. Believe me, you can do much, much better for the same price (or less).

The DDR designed S&W knives are indeed better than the regular stuff, but poor manufacturing can turn even the best designed knife into a hunkajunk.
 
I am one of those that brought their products, (yes, I know, guilty as charged. . .) but that was before my "elightenment" to quality knives.

I can only speak for another model I had, the SWAT model. After five years of hard use, the liner final gave and closed on me while I was chipping thru a block of ice. Forutunetely, I only had a minor nip in my pinky! Also, as I recall, it never really held an edge longer than 30 seconds any never gained a suitable edge when I tried to re-sharpen it (hence, only a nip).

To be charitable though, it was good "starter" point for what a modern "tactical" folder might look like and it had nice, non-slip ergos for various grips.
 
It is hard to believe that Darrel Ralph would put his name and reputation on a knife that doesn't cut. Can some one confirm whether the S&W HRT MG cuts or not? I'd like to hear from owners of the knife.




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"It is hard to believe that Darrel Ralph would put his name and reputation on a knife that doesn't cut. Can some one confirm whether the S&W HRT MG cuts or not? I'd like to hear from owners of the knife."

Good call OICW. I posted this awhile back.

This thread will illicit many derogatory comments. Some people have a problem with Smith & Wesson - some people have a problem with Taylor Cutlery and some have a problem with knives made in China.

The Chinese just completed their second manned space mission and they have been producing a version of what, for some, is probably the most reliable assault rifle ever made for the last 60 years.
Many of the major brand names we are familiar with are now sourcing at least some of their production in China.
If the principals at these firms trust their Chinese partners to deliver a properly heat treated blade - and these guys probably know a little more about this than I do - than I suspect that's what's happening. A lot of reputations and revenues would be adversely affected if this were not to be the case.

I do not have any direct experience with S&W knives or modern Chinese manufacture except that I purchased an Mtech (Master Cutlery) on impulse off of ebay a week ago. Interestingly, the same model also carries S&W badging and some of the Boker Magnum knives are also manufactured by whatever factory made these - likely many others as well.
It's a neat well made folder - aluminum handles and a fat and properly engaging liner lock. I'm particularly attracted to the large - flat ground - drop point fixed blade S&W is offering, SUR8 I believe, and may pick up one of those. The Kershaw Outcast has received many positive reviews.
 
I got a SWAT when I was inexperienced about knives. It has severe blade play. I spine-whack tested the lock and suprisingly it held! But more blade play developed. As far as edge holding, horrible. I can barely get a edge on it.
Oh yeah, another thing about the lock, when you hold it in a typical saber grip the liner lock is very easy to push over with finger and unlock the knife.
So was it worth $30? NO! I would never buy one again.

TBG
 
Everybody talks about the SWAT folders that have been around for probably a decade now. Assuming there was some problems with those knives, it hardly reflects on the folder in question or the changing environment of knife manufacture where China is now a prominent manufacturer of branded knives.
Nor does it take into account advances in know how / technology or imput from the major brands. Furthermore it is likely that any number of these brands are made in the same manufacturing facilities so that knives branded Buck - Gerber or S&W share some measure of quality control.

My experience is limited to an Mtech which I know are produced in the same facility as S&W and Boker Magnums. It is quite nice and I have no complaints.
 
I had a smith and wesson folder, it fell apart about 30 minutes after i bought it.
 
Awhile back there was a passaround of the FL2 frame lock and other than some screws needing some tightening after about the 12th person it worked good. Smoky Mountain Knife Works is haveing many of the S&W folders on sale for 8.99 for that price you can afford to pick one or two that you like the looks of and check them out. I bought the FL2 in "urban camo" and the magnesium folder and while they arent Benchmades they make good work folders for when I'm doing yard work and needing to cut weeds that get wrapped around my weedeater or scrap something or do something that I dont wanna use my good folder for.
 
The Darrel Ralph S&W HRT MG that I handled is different than the SWAT series. Can some one who ownes this knife comment on it?



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Just a quick comment on the S&W knives, I recently purchased several Trappers from Queen, Case, Camillus and Bear, I thought I had deleted the S&W Trapper from the list but ended up with it anyway, etched on the tang is Seki City and on the blade Japan, the listing in the catalog said AUS-6 steel blade. I will keep this one, looks ok IMHO.
 
Darrel Ralph design = good.

Everything else = bad.

EXACTLY!! I would NOT buy THAT, or any other S&W knife for that matter!
 
My shop is still getting S&Ws in. It's a pain because we don't sell them. They are starting to build up. Anyway, I have not seen any improvement in Taylor Cutlery's quality controll. I am still getting new owners coming into the store looking for screws that fell out of their handles. If they can't get a simple thing like a screw correct, how much hope can we hold out for their knives?
 
I guess I'll pass the S&W Trapper off as a Christmas gift, the information I have read and received on this forum has always been very solid and has helped me in my decisions and purchases. Thanks for the headups.
 
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