could it be?..............a new edc for me?

ARtsig1

ARtsig1

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That is the question. What I'm talking about is the J.W. Smith LDC-5 that just came today. Thanks again Gene! This is the second LDC-5 I've gotten and this one is pure stock. The other is customized with the ti backspacer and stag grips. This is a big knife and it is especially wide (top to bottom) in the handle. I like this as my hand really fits well and is very comfortable. A few things that really stand out to me;

Other than the width of the handle is the grooved titanium bolsters that allow easier access to the thumb disc. This is good since I like to tighten my blades a bit tighter than most people like. The handles are G-10 or micarta, don't remember at the moment, and have been blasted to achieve a gripper surface. Of course everything is built heavyduty with the extra thick liners and blade. The blade is another thing I like. It is a bowie clip point blade. No frills, just a good easy to use and good for everything shaped blade. Lockup is dead tight and the action is buttery to me, although somewhat tighter than it came.

The only negative I have is the placement of the pocket clip. It is mounted so that you end up with about 1 inch of the bolster out of your pocket. The bolster is curved, and a downward curve at that so on the other side only about 1/2 inch is sticking out. If it were mounted about 1/2" higher it would be perfect. Thinking I might ask John about relocating the clip, then again I may just live with it as is.............could be a lot worse things!:eek: :)

One more detail. The clip on the LDC-5's is about the best looking clip I have had on any knife. It is a piece of thick ti and it has holes down the length of it. One large in the middle then on on either side a bit smaller then one on either side of those also going smaller. The bend in the clip is also deeper than most you see.

All in all an excellent knife that is still an ideal carry piece!
 
Ahhh the LDC 5 :) . First off good review. I used to own this knife along with the other 9 from the original LDC series. All were great knives..very rugged and well made. The LDC 5 was, I believe, the largest one of the bunch while the Pardue came in a close 2nd. The scales are G-10 and I know what you mean by the clip. I have always thought that if I were to carry this one on me it would have to be in a sheath as it's too BIG of a knife to carry in the pocket :) . This was the largest folder that John ever made at the time. A great EDC!
 
Speaking of best looking clips, mine by far is one of Ken Onion's and it's also the closest to the handle i have ever seen.

mt-boa.jpg


I like the LDC series, there are some very fine knifes there and of course i think your JW Smith would make a good EDC! BTW Art all most every time i see one of your posts i wish it had a picture! :p hehe

James
 
So far the only folder I've seen close, and it is a tad bit longer, but not as wide, is the Vanguard/Revolution. The LS-1 series Smith's I have are also not as large overall. I think the one John is building for me, a take off on the Revolution only a bit bigger and thicker, might just end up being one of the larger ones he has built. Even though it is a big knife it rode very comfortable in my pocket this afternoon. I carried it for several hours and had no difficulty with it. I just like to have as much of the knife in my pocket as possible.

James, that is a very nice and :cool: clip no doubt. The LDC-5 clip is symmetrical, but still looks good, because it is different from all the other clips I have seen by J.W.

If I had just a little more skill I would mount this clip for tip up carry and place it on the edge of the handle as it would be a perfect fit. Will probably just talk to John about it.
 
Love them Onion Mid-Techs! Good idea about the pocket clip artsig1. Tip up carry is definitely the way to go.
 
Carried the LDC-5 all morning without any problem. I believe I will leave this one in my pocket for a while. The blade is suck a good user. The clip point style just lends itself to about every task I use a knife for.

The thing that still amazes me is the level of fit and finish you get on a Smith Tactical. You are getting the same fit and finish that you get on one of John's $2500.00 art knives! Everything is mated together perfectly and there are no little gaps anywhere, no daylight showing where it shouldn't. I have picked up tactical folders in the same price range as John's and held them up to the light and see light between the handle scales and frame. Light between the rear spacer and both halves of the frame. Not here though, not at all. Let me also say that this holds true for the knives of Mike Obenauf and Kit Carson. These guys have got it going on.

If you've never ever picked up a Smith, do yourself a favor and GET ONE, at the very least tell me where it is so I can get it!!:D
 
Dog gone it Art! Can't you show us some pics of your knives? You got quite a nice collection sure would be nice to see it.;) :confused: :)
 
Scott the best I can do is to tell you to go to usn in the custom section and look for a thread about N.C. Knifenuts Hero House meeting and you can see all the Smith's I have. Check them out and let me know what you think!
 
I doubt this will be your new EDC for long Art, don't you get a new knife every day?;) Seriously, I know someone else suggested it too, but get a scanner or a camera so we can see them!

Be well,

Leo Gilbert:D
 
Yeah already thinking about the two I have sent to John for steel backspacers. I KNOW I will end up with one of them in my pocket when they get back.
 
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