Guess who?

The 3-screw generic 'Microtech' clip is also a JWS standard.

Coop
 
Well done, Steven and Coop!:thumbup:

DSC01271.jpg


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I'm very pleased with this John W. Smith knife. I've been looking around for a folder for quite some time, and settled on John Smith as a maker whose work incorporates all the things I look for in a folding knife.

-thoughtful design
-dovetailed bolsters
-tight tolerances
-smooth action
-minimal use of fasteners
-top quality materials
-lots of titanium
-slim, unobtrusive carry
-a classic look
-minimal weight
-awesome steel
-a nicely finished and polished edge
-affordability

Due to the old skool look of the knife, and the popularity of flippers, I was able to snag this knife for 400 bucks including shipping from the States! Smoking good deal, and the knife was in absolutely mint condition. Well, until I dropped it on the concrete floor within minutes of opening the box, breaking the very tip off. Yes, there was swearing, but I was able to fix it pretty well. The knife has already been called into service many times, and I quite enjoy using it:).

A big thanks to Mr. Berry for hooking me up with a great knife at a great price!

There are deals to be had out there. It pays to be patient and really think about what you want in a knife before dropping coin on one:thumbup:
 
well, the clip appears to be titanium, so I don't know what that means. I assume that JWS made it, but I'd be interested to hear whether or not that is the case.
 
Lorien said:
well, the clip appears to be titanium, so I don't know what that means. I assume that JWS made it, but I'd be interested to hear whether or not that is the case.
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The clip is titanium. I would assume that JW got his blanks from Halperin, and made the shape and finish to suit.

I(and Coop it is assumed) was referring to the inspiration/originator for the clip shape.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
you were looking at folders for a while. Glad you got one. I have one coming myself :D
 
here's a clip pic for those who need to know;
DSC01273.jpg
 
Kohai999 said:
More of a Spyderco clip, but who's paying attention.;)
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I knew it was a designed clip attributed to some big name company. There it is. Thanks. :)

Lorien: I'd bet you a beer that it's a beed blasted steel clip. Check with a magnet. Mine looks JUST like this one.

You got a GREAT knife. No wonder about the hoopla about JWS's knives! :thumbup:

Coop
 
I did check it with a magnet, that's one of the ways I know it's titanium:)
Fasteners seem to be, as well.

Now, how to take you up on that beer...
 
He he he! Good for YOU. I'm only going with my experience. Looks like he's improved the methods.

I have family in Vancouver we'll revisit someday, not too far off. Bike ride and a beer sounds great! :thumbup: ;)

Coop
 
SharpByCoop said:
Bike ride and a beer sounds great! :thumbup: ;)

Coop
Click to expand...

Sounds awesome Coop:thumbup::D (Better a drunken cyclist than a designated driver...)

I like almost everything about this knife. Although it is really well put together and out of top notch materials, it fails the spine whack test miserably! The lock breaks free extremely easy. I'm a little surprised by this, however I'm not going to kick it out of bed for eating crackers:)
 
Lorien said:
Sounds awesome Coop:thumbup::D (Better a drunken cyclist than a designated driver...)

I like almost everything about this knife. Although it is really well put together and out of top notch materials, it fails the spine whack test miserably! The lock breaks free extremely easy. I'm a little surprised by this, however I'm not going to kick it out of bed for eating crackers:)
Click to expand...

Now mine does not at all.

Send it to John...he will make it right, and practically demands to do so. If it is not right, it should be made right.

I have a J.L. Williams that had the same problem and just a little roughening of the lockface with some sandpaper cured the problem.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Lorien,
That is great looking knife. Can't be sure from pics but I think STeven is on the track here a minor adjustment in the lock bar face will probably solve your problem. That is great looking texture on the CF.

Eric
 
Kohai999 said:
I have a J.L. Williams that had the same problem and just a little roughening of the lockface with some sandpaper cured the problem.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
Click to expand...

I did just that before I left work tonight and it's good to go!

There was a shiny spot on the lockbar seat where the machining marks are perpendicular to the width of the lock bar, which decrease surface area and directs the lockbar face off the lock. I sanded perpendicular to the machining marks with 320 and reassembled the bushings with ceramic grease. I noticed the bushing wear was uneven and I think the plastic bushings were compressed a bit because the pivot was tightened in order for the knife to cross the border without incident. New bushings are probably not a bad idea. The tolerances of this knife are so tight that an uneven bushing makes for difficult pivot preload.

But there is no way that I would send this knife off to Michael Smith with the expectation he'd even look at it for free. It's second hand, and as such, I'm either on my own or would insist on paying to have it fixed.
Fortunately, I'm a handy guy:)
 
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You mean John, not Michael..

I would think its normal to pay for shipping but I doubt he would want a knife of his out there with a bad lock. I don't think you should feel you are on your own or need to pay.
 
Michael J. Smith said:
Nice score.
Thats a lot of knife for the price.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much, and yes, it was a great score!
Definitely huge bang for the buck.

I'm really liking the look of the knives currently/recently available at Knifeart, specifically the SD2.

Very pleased with this knife. It is an extremely well made tool.
 
someone had contacted John Smith and sent him a link to this thread. John then sent me an email asking for me to send the knife to him for a tune up.
I gave him a call and we had a nice chat, he's a cool dude and a mellow fellow. He insisted that I not pay him for his time even though I'm not the original owner of this knife.

Now that, is service!

Trick is, I don't think I'm ready to part with this knife yet. I'm still IN LOVE:)
(and knowing that John still loves his knives enough to proactively offer to tune them up for free makes it all the better).

Huge recommendo for JOHN W. SMITH:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
 
Thats cool. I figured he would contact you when I saw his name at the bottum of this thread. I am a fan of his knives and would recommend them to anyone. I especially love his double bolstered fancy damascus folders and feel that I need to carry one at some point cuz I am crazy like that.
 
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