- Joined
- Aug 1, 2006
- Messages
- 1,506
I was going through a small basket that contained loose shotgun shells I had taken out of my pockets after days in the field, small caliber ammo in half-emptied cardboard boxes from days plinking, and older, low-end knives that were the beaters in my collection. Normally, I carry a Spyderco Pacific Salt (rainy days), Spyderco Military (upland/fowl hunting), or Spyderco Chinook III (whitetail deer or larger game), but despise the chore of post-dressing/work cleanup because I am so meticulous due to their greater cost.
Today, I found a great alternative in my basket.
Inside was a Smith & Wesson SWAT full-sized model with gray bead-blasted handles and a satin-finished blade. My father got it for me years ago for Christmas back in the days before my collection slowly evolved to Spydercos. I cannot believe I am prepared to give it so much praise, but such praise is not undue. It may be in my case only, but this really is a fantastic $35 knife. Others may disagree, and say that there are better choices, but I do like this knife.
This is an older model produced around the turn of the century by S&W's Performance Center in contrast to the more modern Taylor Cutlery Products (I believe the older models are superior). The approximately 3.25" cutting edge is hollow ground into a blade of 440C that takes a surprisingly hair-popping sharp edge and holds it for a good amount of time. It is a fierce cutting modified clip point. That being said, though the blade itself is not brittle, the finish scratches relatively easily.
The handles appear to be cast aluminum (not CNC machined or forged) and have rubber inserts. The pocket clip appears to be an afterthought to the design and is firm, but serves its purpose well for right-handed, tip-down carry. While it is not super-high-quality, it is not uncomfortable and the palm swell fills the hand nicely. There is a notched thumb ramp on the blade if you so choose to use it. A lanyard hole is also near the end of the handle.
What really shines to me for this particular knife is the lock. While the thumb stud in the blade seems hastily added---an afterthought, like the pocket clip----the lock is first rate. No knife I've ever had has opened more smoothly than this Smith & Wesson. My Caly3, the Military when it was new, the Chinook...anything in my collection, the SWAT surpasses them in opening smoothness and ease of disengaging. This is one SILKY knife. This is not a biased opinion; I am not a Smith representative. Hell, these knives are out of production with the Performance Center. I am just a Boy Scout who enjoys a high quality knife and certainly does not mind a discount price. After seven years of use, the liner lock is still solid with no blade play and truly is a gem, for a $35 knife and even in comparison with other more expensive blades.
All in all, the S&W SWAT has truly impressed me and I can also truly say that I am happy I found it for those nasty days when I don't want to carry the higher-dollar Spyderco, Benchmade, Buck, etc., field knives that I've come to love. It is a good alternative for those who cannot afford the aforementioned brands and I believe it is equal to or even possibly slightly superior to my Byrd Cara Cara, and I'm sure it will be my muddy day, can-afford-to-lose-it, blood-and-guts knife. Thanks Smith for making such a good product.
God bless you, America, and all our men and women overseas.
KATN,
Wade
P.S.: Pleased don't take this as a review from an inexperienced knife enthusiast who has not owned quality knives to compare such a piece to. This is my true opinion; it could be my particular knife, or it could not be. Has anyone else had a similar experience? Regardless....I do like Spydercos better still.
Glesser for Pres. in '08
Today, I found a great alternative in my basket.
Inside was a Smith & Wesson SWAT full-sized model with gray bead-blasted handles and a satin-finished blade. My father got it for me years ago for Christmas back in the days before my collection slowly evolved to Spydercos. I cannot believe I am prepared to give it so much praise, but such praise is not undue. It may be in my case only, but this really is a fantastic $35 knife. Others may disagree, and say that there are better choices, but I do like this knife.
This is an older model produced around the turn of the century by S&W's Performance Center in contrast to the more modern Taylor Cutlery Products (I believe the older models are superior). The approximately 3.25" cutting edge is hollow ground into a blade of 440C that takes a surprisingly hair-popping sharp edge and holds it for a good amount of time. It is a fierce cutting modified clip point. That being said, though the blade itself is not brittle, the finish scratches relatively easily.
The handles appear to be cast aluminum (not CNC machined or forged) and have rubber inserts. The pocket clip appears to be an afterthought to the design and is firm, but serves its purpose well for right-handed, tip-down carry. While it is not super-high-quality, it is not uncomfortable and the palm swell fills the hand nicely. There is a notched thumb ramp on the blade if you so choose to use it. A lanyard hole is also near the end of the handle.
What really shines to me for this particular knife is the lock. While the thumb stud in the blade seems hastily added---an afterthought, like the pocket clip----the lock is first rate. No knife I've ever had has opened more smoothly than this Smith & Wesson. My Caly3, the Military when it was new, the Chinook...anything in my collection, the SWAT surpasses them in opening smoothness and ease of disengaging. This is one SILKY knife. This is not a biased opinion; I am not a Smith representative. Hell, these knives are out of production with the Performance Center. I am just a Boy Scout who enjoys a high quality knife and certainly does not mind a discount price. After seven years of use, the liner lock is still solid with no blade play and truly is a gem, for a $35 knife and even in comparison with other more expensive blades.
All in all, the S&W SWAT has truly impressed me and I can also truly say that I am happy I found it for those nasty days when I don't want to carry the higher-dollar Spyderco, Benchmade, Buck, etc., field knives that I've come to love. It is a good alternative for those who cannot afford the aforementioned brands and I believe it is equal to or even possibly slightly superior to my Byrd Cara Cara, and I'm sure it will be my muddy day, can-afford-to-lose-it, blood-and-guts knife. Thanks Smith for making such a good product.
God bless you, America, and all our men and women overseas.
KATN,
Wade
P.S.: Pleased don't take this as a review from an inexperienced knife enthusiast who has not owned quality knives to compare such a piece to. This is my true opinion; it could be my particular knife, or it could not be. Has anyone else had a similar experience? Regardless....I do like Spydercos better still.
Glesser for Pres. in '08
