Educate me on swingguards please!

[Eric H]

Swingguards are a pattern that I've never given much consideration before--always seemed 'gimmick-y' to me.

A couple weeks back at a local gunshow, I happened to see a stag handled Puma swingguard on a dealer's table, so out of curiosity I picked it up to look at.

Opening that knife was incredible! Super smooth opening, with no half stop and just the right amount of spring tension. And that "snick" that it made locking into position--sounded and felt just like the thumb safety on my old 1911. Amazing.

So what I wonder is this--are they all this nice? Or was that knife that I handled just an excellent example?

 

[paulhilborn]

Eric, I am a SUCKER for a nice Swingguard and Puma make s a very fine one as does GEC. I LOVE the vintage CASE Cheetahs, aka Swingguards. Like everything my carry changes like the season's

There will be times where I back pocket carry one for a lengthy stretch along with a smaller Traditional in my front pocket.

Here are some of mine---not the best pictures but I'm to lazy to dig them out and take new pictures

I apologize as these pictures are in no particular order

 

[Bob W]

So what I wonder is this--are they all this nice? Or was that knife that I handled just an excellent example?

They can certainly vary by brand. Can't go wrong with one from Great Eastern Cutlery. Or if you can find one from AG Russell that were made by Boker, those are excellent as well. The Case Cheetah is pretty nice too. The Canal Street example I have is a bit sub-par compared to the others.

Here's an old review with pictures comparing the AG Russell/Boker, Canal Street, and Case swing guards.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/431947-AG-vs-CS-Swing-Guard-comparison

Sorry, I don't have one from Queen, Puma, or other brands to compare.

 

[brownshoe]

There is a really nice case/bose version, S&M too.

 

[SwingCut]

GEC does an exceptional job on their #64.