John W. Smith - SD3

[dbla]

I think it was BossHoss' post about John that first got me looking at him, or maybe it was another knife maker telling me him, I don't remember... But I just remember the phrase "A Knifemaker's Knife Maker." That's just not something you can ignore. Since then I've had the chance to handle a few righties, even almost bought a couple tip downers... But it never really clicked, until now... This was a friend's order, I had no idea he was on the list... Until he off-handedly mentioned it and I about shit myself, he ordered it lefty (he's backwards too)... and kept it a couple weeks himself then passed to me...

Specs:

Blade: 3.25"
OAL: 8"
Steel: S35VN
Weight: 4.6oz
Handles: Burgundy Micarta, hand-checkered

The F&F all around on this knife is bananas. If you run your finger across the bolster where the pivot is, you can't feel the transition from bolster to pivot. It's crazy.

The blade is some of the nicest hand rub I've ever had. The spearpoint swedge is insane and the grind is damn near 100% symmetrical. The shape is perfect with a little upsweep.

The handle material choices weren't mine to make, but I don't know if I would have done anything differently. The checking on the micarta is great, and the finish on the Ti is really something else, kinda like an "eggshell" or something. Perfect.

The clip is John's newest milled clip, and it works perfectly.

Anyway, thats it! Hope you all enjoy it.

-Aaron

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[marcus52AR]

Nice! I owned a jws in the past and it was absolutely impeccable. Extremely smooth. I don't know if they come any nicer. Kind of a double edge sword situation because it was too nice for me to use! I sold it damn.

 

[Lorien]

had a nice chat with John yesterday. He is definitely a 'knife maker's knife maker'. Salt of the earth, he is. And one hell of a machinist.

 

[boshi74]

very nice knife

 

[NorthernSouthpaw]

Exquisite. Sheer perfection.

I'm just stunned he sold it

 

[Kohai999]

I have been singing John's praises for years, as have his purveyors. Quite often, he makes almost a perfect knife.....and he is very cool to boot.

John W. Smith has a work ethic and ethos that puts many in the knife business to shame. "Family comes first"? Maybe in their world, but John somehow manages to do his JOB, and take care of family at the same time.

He should teach classes on THAT!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson