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Carson or Sawby?
- Thread starter Kublai
- Start date
- Joined
- Sep 30, 1999
- Messages
- 4,229
Carson!
Why? The man, the knives, the service.
Actually I dont know alot about Sawby but I can vouch for Carson's.
Great guy, great knives, great prices, great service.
But Paul after handling some of my Carson's a few months ago, you already knew that, didn't you?
Why? The man, the knives, the service.
Actually I dont know alot about Sawby but I can vouch for Carson's.
Great guy, great knives, great prices, great service.
But Paul after handling some of my Carson's a few months ago, you already knew that, didn't you?
- Joined
- Aug 8, 1999
- Messages
- 5,094
I own a small and medium Carson model 4 and a Sawby Combat Utility. Both are really great knives but they are very different. The model 4 is a standard liner lock that is very well executed with a good lockup. Carson's knives also come in a variety of blade styles, notably both drop point and clip point styles are available. These blade styles are good all around utility and hunting shapes.
The Sawby Combat Utility comes with the self lock which is a very reliable lock that works on a completely different principle from the liner or integral locks. I can't understand why this lock has not been adopted by a major cutler. Sawby makes a knife that is absolutely second to none in quality (no slam intended on Kit Carson at all). The Sawby is made from an integral piece of steel and is incredibly thin but strong. The scales are dovetailed and fit seamlessly. The Sawby is also completely ambidextrious with a reversible clip. The handle is rather long for the blade, which may not please some people. The blade is a hair under three inches but the overall length of the knife is 7.5" while a small model 4 has a blade of 3 or 3 1/8" in a package that is 7.25" overall. The blade on the Sawby is a sort of reverse tanto like that found on the Benchmade 940 with a bit more belly. It has the advantage of a very strong tip that can be used alot of ways. Both the Model 4 and Sawby Combat Utility can be had in a variety of steels including S30V (my Sawby is ATS-34). That said, my Sawby is bead blasted and is pretty rust prone. If you order direct from Sawby, have the blade satin finished, if possible.
Ultimately, chose whatever you like. Personally, I carried both my small Model 4 and my Sawby (plus an A.T. Barr wharncliffe) today. I don't see how you could wrong either way.
The Sawby Combat Utility comes with the self lock which is a very reliable lock that works on a completely different principle from the liner or integral locks. I can't understand why this lock has not been adopted by a major cutler. Sawby makes a knife that is absolutely second to none in quality (no slam intended on Kit Carson at all). The Sawby is made from an integral piece of steel and is incredibly thin but strong. The scales are dovetailed and fit seamlessly. The Sawby is also completely ambidextrious with a reversible clip. The handle is rather long for the blade, which may not please some people. The blade is a hair under three inches but the overall length of the knife is 7.5" while a small model 4 has a blade of 3 or 3 1/8" in a package that is 7.25" overall. The blade on the Sawby is a sort of reverse tanto like that found on the Benchmade 940 with a bit more belly. It has the advantage of a very strong tip that can be used alot of ways. Both the Model 4 and Sawby Combat Utility can be had in a variety of steels including S30V (my Sawby is ATS-34). That said, my Sawby is bead blasted and is pretty rust prone. If you order direct from Sawby, have the blade satin finished, if possible.
Ultimately, chose whatever you like. Personally, I carried both my small Model 4 and my Sawby (plus an A.T. Barr wharncliffe) today. I don't see how you could wrong either way.
ARtsig1
Banned
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- Jul 20, 2000
- Messages
- 3,692
Since I have a Carson and no Sawby, I would say Carson. The quality is simply outstanding. The fit and finish are second to none. The man KNOWS what a using knife should be, and builds it that way! Plus if you want a larger knife Carson builds them. The largest Sawby I've seen had a 3" blade. Of course I've never read anything negative about Sawby Knives, only good reports. I have a second Carson on order from Les R. from the Vanguard series if that tells you anything about which I really prefer.
Chefget
Gold Member
- Joined
- Nov 2, 1998
- Messages
- 5,055
Having owned both a large and small Carson Model 4 I can say these are some of the finest tactical knives available today. IMHO the large Carson 4 will someday be considered as defining the genre of tactical folders. They are superb knives.
That being said, Scott Sawby's knives are the next level...his are second to none.
The Sawby CU is in a league few knives every reach. The Sawby lock is a marvel of knifemaking; simple yet incredibly effective. One must wonder why this is not the predominate lock today. The Sawby CU is about half the width of the standard tactical folder (including the Carson 4), though argueably sturdier than any.
Here is my CU...all of my Sawby's are in the 'no sell/no trade' pile.
-Michael
That being said, Scott Sawby's knives are the next level...his are second to none.
The Sawby CU is in a league few knives every reach. The Sawby lock is a marvel of knifemaking; simple yet incredibly effective. One must wonder why this is not the predominate lock today. The Sawby CU is about half the width of the standard tactical folder (including the Carson 4), though argueably sturdier than any.
Here is my CU...all of my Sawby's are in the 'no sell/no trade' pile.
-Michael
I own a C/U and everytime I pick it up and examine it I realize more and more just how incredible this knife is. Chefget summarized it perfectly about Scotts knives being "the next level". I agree. I never owned or used a Carson ,but do have one on order. My opinion, only from handling them at knife shows, is Mr Carson makes a fine knife as well. I definitely recommend holding both before making your final decison. The handles are very different from each other and will probably help you make up your mind alot easier. Good luck
- Joined
- Nov 28, 1999
- Messages
- 14,985
I am going to offer my meager opinion as to my preference. I am only basing this opinion on the knives from each maker that I have had a chance to handle. I prefer the Carson. My reason? I have never seen a Carson folder that had any blade play whatsoever. Not even Carsons that had seen a good bit of use. I have seen a few Sawby folders with a teeny bit of play, however.
I dont know if this is a fair evaluation, so I offer it only as my opinion, for whatever that is worth.
I dont know if this is a fair evaluation, so I offer it only as my opinion, for whatever that is worth.
I think Sawby 1st became famous as an "art"knife maker.He can work with stones and pearls with the best of them.Carson makes mostly working knives.I know he can make an "art"knife also but I do'nt think its in the same league as Sawby.As far as I know the CU was the first tactical folder that Sawby made on his own.Carsons been making them for yrs.in many models and at a very reasonable price.I think the fit in the Sawby CU is amazing.You can run your finger nail over the part where the bolster meets the handle and not even feel the slightist bump.I own a CU and the only thing I do'nt like is the way the bolsters and clip show marks and scratches(I know bead blasted titanium does this but it just seems worse on this folder).As far as the lock goes Carson makes a liner lock and I've never heard of a problem with his folders.Sawby uses a self enclosed lock that he calls the "Self Lock".I have'nt had any problem with it but I only used the CU for very light duty work,cutting string or opening packages,etc.If you can remember years ago Buck had a big marketing campain to put out a folder with the "Sawby Lock"and droped it at the last minuet.I read the reason was the reliability of the lock.Sales people were getting embarressed demonstrating the folder and having the lock fail.These folders became the first knives offered by the Buck Knife Collectors Club.
I'm sure Sawby makes a better or more reliable lock than Bucks version was but any company looking at making folders with the Sawby self lock must think about the loss that Buck took.
I'm sure Sawby makes a better or more reliable lock than Bucks version was but any company looking at making folders with the Sawby self lock must think about the loss that Buck took.
- Joined
- Aug 8, 1999
- Messages
- 5,094
My local dealer told me that he had seen some Bucks with the Sawby self lock. I have never seen these knives and I wonder what their price point was. THe reason I say that is because I think that the self lock would work just fine if were produced on high end folders like the Axis locks of Benchmade. There cheapest Axis locks retail at something like $79 and most are in the $170 range.
One other note, the bolsters on the Sawby CU are stainless steel, not titanium.
One other note, the bolsters on the Sawby CU are stainless steel, not titanium.
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2001
- Messages
- 1,957
If I had the money, definitely Sawby.
As it has been mentioned before, Carson and Sawby is in a different class. One is more of art knife, and the other leans toward working knife (aside to the fact that Carson also makes a few of very nice presentation folder).
As it has been mentioned before, Carson and Sawby is in a different class. One is more of art knife, and the other leans toward working knife (aside to the fact that Carson also makes a few of very nice presentation folder).
Chefget
Gold Member
- Joined
- Nov 2, 1998
- Messages
- 5,055
I believe the reason the Sawby Lock was pulled because of the problem of the lock not 'snapping' closed, ie: the blade has to be pushed *all* the way into the handle with greater resistance towards the end.
With customers used to a knife blade closing the last 15% by itself, the knives were still slightly open when assumed to be safe. Whooops...
Even the Buck version is nice (currently trading at 4-5 times original retail)!
-Michael
With customers used to a knife blade closing the last 15% by itself, the knives were still slightly open when assumed to be safe. Whooops...
Even the Buck version is nice (currently trading at 4-5 times original retail)!
-Michael
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2001
- Messages
- 1,917
Just a note on the Sawby lock. The first time I ever used one I almost cut my thumb in half down the middle. It is placed just behind the blade and one must push toward the blade to unlock it. Any sweat, blood, or carelessness could result in a very nasty injury. Yes, Sawby fit and finish are tops, but the placement of this lock is questionable at best.
John
John
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- Aug 8, 1999
- Messages
- 5,094
I've been looking at and manipulating my Sawby self lock and I still think that it is an excellent design. That is not to say that one could not accidentally cut him or herself. I have cut my self with almost every kind of folder imaginable.
Daniel
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 3, 1998
- Messages
- 3,929
I don't think that you could go wrong with either maker.
I have 8 Carsons and one Sawby. I want to get more Sawby's. They have unbelievable fit and finish.
The one Sawby that I have is a thick bladed combat utility with maroon scales. I have not had any problems with rust on the bead blasted blade. My only complaint about the lock is that if you get dirt and crap in the lock mechanism it will not seat properly. This can also happen with a liner lock. The lock is a wonder to really look at and very ingenius.
The Carsons are also wonderful knives-a great value, fit and finish second to none, and still the best value in a good knife IMHO. Mike Obenauf is giving him a run though.
Take a Sawby and lock the blade and look at the backstrap where it meets the blade and you will really appreciate the workmanship. It is difficult to see where the blade ends and the backstrap meets-TIGHT!
Daniel
I have 8 Carsons and one Sawby. I want to get more Sawby's. They have unbelievable fit and finish.
The one Sawby that I have is a thick bladed combat utility with maroon scales. I have not had any problems with rust on the bead blasted blade. My only complaint about the lock is that if you get dirt and crap in the lock mechanism it will not seat properly. This can also happen with a liner lock. The lock is a wonder to really look at and very ingenius.
The Carsons are also wonderful knives-a great value, fit and finish second to none, and still the best value in a good knife IMHO. Mike Obenauf is giving him a run though.
Take a Sawby and lock the blade and look at the backstrap where it meets the blade and you will really appreciate the workmanship. It is difficult to see where the blade ends and the backstrap meets-TIGHT!
Daniel
