New Smith & Wesson

Bugs3x

Bugs3x

Joined
Feb 21, 2001
Messages
1,981
Please forgive me if I missed this subject. Did a few searches, but not as many as possible.

I just got my Blade mag -- July issue -- in mail today. Thumbing through it, found something which took my by total surprise. S&W has a new knife advertised. It is called the H.R.T. Taylor's name figures prominently. Much less prominently appears the reason for this thread: Darrell Ralph is the designer!

S&W gets so much badmouthing on the forums, I was astounded. Then again, it makes perfect sense to me for a company with identity problems to hook up with a knifemaker of Darrell's stature. It seems real possible to me for the knife with Darrell's name on it to give nearly instant credibility to S&W and Taylor that they flat have lacked in the past.

So, what do you all think? It has the flippers, and is made with 440C steel. Magnesium handle. Blade = 3.645". Closed=4.564". 4.03oz in weight. Slim overall appearance, but enough belly in blade for utility work.

Would appreciate comments/opinions. As for mem, I have 2 of DDR's custom collaborations, and have decided will try to buy them all, if I can stop leaping upon bargains in the sales forum. This one included. Will you buy?


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Asi es la vida

Bugs
 
Moving over to Knife Discussion. Although I am more than aware of the good things that have happened to makers with "factory collaborations" they are still factory knives.

A discussion of the effects of these collaborations fits in well here.

A discussion of a custom collaboration to me might be two or more makers getting together on a knife.

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" The real art of living is to keep alive the longing in human beings to become greater versions of themselves." Laurens Van der Post in memory of James Mattis
 
Did Darrel give permission for them to use the design? And they seem to have spelled his name wrong.
 
I also thought this was a realy strange add in Blade considering the past.I also wondered if they had Darrel's permission for this?
 
Yes they have my permission. Yes they spelled my name wrong.
wink.gif


I designed several knives with the MAKER of S&W knives before I got hooked up with Camillus and Delta -Z. Both were informed tat I had designs with them.

The Knife in the new add (this one only) needs to have Mike Lamprey's name on it also. I have contacted S&W about it, as has Mike. This was a detail oversight by Taylor. Mike and I colborated on this knife. Its his base knife with some design changes.

SO.... the upcomming Adds will have Mike's Name in them also. That was the intent from the begining. communicating through three parties becomes a PITA and confusing. We now have them updated on which knife for Mike and myself and how to spell my name right!

I AM NOT dealing with Taylor Directly. I am dealing with the maker of the knives.

I got to see the knife at the Shot show. Its a fair knife that opens with a flip.

Mike is a great knifemaker !
He is great to work with and deal with.

Thanks for the concern.

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Web Site At www.darrelralph.com
MADD MAXX !

[This message has been edited by Darrel Ralph (edited 04-25-2001).]
 
It is alive!

Look familiar?

lamprey1.jpg


Glad to see that it finally got done! If anyone had an idea about how hard Darrel worked to get this design produced, or how many manufacturers turned it away, they'd be amazed. I've always loved this knife, and I'll definitely give one of the S&W's a try.
 
ALSO
A big thanks to you Brian for your help in this confusion! We would have never know a cool knife like this exsisted!

Madd Maxx has the thumber stops and radius of this one thanks to Mike and you !




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Web Site At www.darrelralph.com
MADD MAXX !
 
Actually a pretty fair interpretation:

View


I'm interested in how that Mg handle is going to feel and work...

Is there anyone carrying it yet?
 
redface.gif
Darrel -- sorry about repeating the misspelling. Had left the knife upstairs when I began the post and guess it stayed with me. I've been confused on the double "Rs" and "Ls" some too. Won't repeat that mistake, I hope.
redface.gif


I totally failed to say that I thought it to be an interesting design and a good looking knife. Was just a bit shocked to see your name on the S&W/Taylor ad. That in itself makes it worth trying in my book, wanted to see how others felt about it.


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Asi es la vida

Bugs
 
I would not buy anything from S&W after turning traitor to the gun community.

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Ed Woo
 
Bugs
Mike And I had design input. As for materials and such NOPE.

Thats the Down side to colaborations. We get design input but price point is the big factor that the factory has to make to get the product sold.

Camillus and Delta-Z is different about this factor. I like that!

I like that


Fire Hose
As for politics I stay out of that stuff.
Not my concern...Its like religion!

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Web Site At www.darrelralph.com
MADD MAXX !

[This message has been edited by Darrel Ralph (edited 04-26-2001).]
 
Darrel
I agree with you on the political discussion. when you look at it you would also have to boycott Kimber (S&W makes their frames) and also Harley Davidson (from what I have heard that S&W makes some cast parts for them) It is kind of a two edged sword. I still carry a S&W daily as a duty weapon. I have found it to be more than adaquate .Oh well don't flame me guys I aint sticking up for them . Anyway I do not like the knives they have decided to put their names on.. They Stink

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I used to be disgusted .Now I am just amused....I feel much better now that I have given up all hope
 
I have always been suspect of knives that firearms companies put thier names on to generate revenue. The only ones I own are Colt folders which were made by Barry Wood. Dick
 
I feel its really sad that our freedom in this country has come down to compromise in situations like Smith and Wesson was in.

What S&W HAD to do to avoid a HUGH (class action) law suit was against the law if we did it to another person.

Political EXTORTION is what comes to mind.

Whats good for the goose is not always good for the gander. Funny how that works, huh?

Im not sticking up for anyone here. Just breaking it down to the question of Smith and Wesson's (or any gun company's) survival?

Also the question of how politics really work.



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Web Site At www.darrelralph.com
MADD MAXX !
 
I never thought I would actually say this, leave alone even think this, but that S&W knife (Lamprey/Ralph) looks real good! Ol' Dex might be in for a crow dinner when the time comes....
smile.gif


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Proud member: AKTI, NCCKG, NCKK, and SCAK


Living life on the edge

[This message has been edited by Dexter Ewing (edited 04-26-2001).]
 
Darrel:

You made a point of saying you didn't design the knife for Taylor, you designed it for the MAKER. Maybe I'm missing something -- I thought Taylor WAS the maker of S&W knives. Or are they just the importer? If they don't make them, who does?

Curiouser and curiouser.

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"I can't believe you stabbed me with this cheap piece of mail-order sh*t"
James Caan in 'Eraser'
 
I have no idea how Taylor makes, buys ect. all of their product. I just design.
Thats something to be disscussed with them, not me.


Like I said Mike and myself designed this knife. We dont have the privliage of production ideas and materials.

If I did it would be a TI frame and 420v blade hahahahhahhaha
wink.gif





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Web Site At www.darrelralph.com
MADD MAXX !
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Darrel Ralph:

If I did it would be a TI frame and 420v blade hahahahhahhaha
wink.gif

</font>
Click to expand...

Gee, Darrel, for the length of time you held onto mine, one would think that Ti and Damasteel were your favorite!
wink.gif


A quote from an e-mail by Mike, regarding the name, that lends more to your "designer can't control the product" theory:

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">I am not too wild about 'HRT' as a name... The first expansion which
springs to the British mind is 'hormone replacement therapy'!!</font>
Click to expand...
 
I agree on the S&W politics, this coming from someone who is extremely fond of S&W sixguns. At the same time I would like to see Taylor Cutlery start makeing some quality knives. It has been very imbarassing to have a TN manufacturer turn out such crape! RKBA!
 
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