New things from Cow Branch Road..............pic. included.

ARtsig1

ARtsig1

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........would be the newest framelock by none other than J.W. Smith! The model designation is FL-1, and so far is #1 in my book. First thing you notice when you pick it up is the weight of it as it is on the hefty side. Next is the way the cf overlays fit the palm of your hand and give the knife a feeling as if it were an extension of your arm.

Opening the knife is a pleasure all its on. With one push of the thumb you see the blade glide open, and if done right, just seems to fall into the locked position. The lockup is accompanied by a nice deep KER-THUNK that lets you KNOW the lock is engaged. Closing the knife requires a strong push on the frame lock as the way John cuts it and bends it it is quite strong. As a matter of fact it is the strongest spring I've ever felt in a framelock. As the blade comes to the closed position the frame lock ball detent snaps over and holds the blade in place with no doubt in your mind that the blade is going anywhere without you wanting it too. Lockup is tight in all directions as there is not a wiggle or a wobble and I TRIED to get a wiggle or a wobble out of it, believe me I TRIED!

As I said the knife is a hefty one and these specs will show that;

BLADE THICKNESS: .164"
BLADE LENGTH: 4.0"
HANDLE THICKNESS: .685" at the thickest point.
HANDLE LENGTH: 5.25"
OVERALL LENGTH: 9.25"
TITANIUM HANDLE PLATES: .130"
WEIGHT: 6.6 ounces

Well there you have it, the latest from down on Cow Branch Road in West Liberty, Kain-tucky! Btw I think it is John's finest framelock so far!!
:D :D :D :D :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :)

How 'bout a pic...........This one came from Boink, and actually shows a 3.5" bladed FL-1.
 
Excellent knife. Now, having one in my OWN hands, I know what you mean about that 'KERTHUNK' on his locks. What a great score you got!

Thanks for the descriptive write-up! :)

Coop
 
artsig1, great knife! Thank you for taking the time to write and share with us. This is what we want more of.
 
Art, you are very welcome for mentioning to John to save one for you - my pleasure since I knew you would be heartbroken not to have one of those. Got mine a WEEK (:D :D :D ) ago! Have been using it and let me tell you it is one of the finest folders I have handled - not super fancy but as Art said it is one of best have seen from John or anybody in the tactical genre. One thing I can't believe you didn't mention was that it has Ti back spacer which adds to the overall feel & looks awesome - hard to tell where handle leaves off & spacer begins. Art thanks for the specs - I'm not real big on specs - I tend to concentrate on the overall knife and how it handles and works in toto. I will try super hard to get some pics tomorrow & put them up here - need to see to appreciate size of this. :eek: :D :D :) :)

Bill
 
Here are some not very good pics of the knife - need to get some decent lighting - maybe after getting my new MAYO?

Bill
 

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Here are some not very good pics of the knife - need to get some decent lighting - maybe after getting my new MAYO?

Bill
 

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One more showing relative size:

Top: DDR Aftermath w/5.5" S30V blade
Mid: FL-1
Bot: Larry Chew Slayer w/3.5 S30V Blade
 

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Great pictures Bill! Of course it helps to have a great knife to take pics of:D :cool: I guess I have gotten so used to seeing the steel/titanium backspacers on mine that I failed to mention it. Like you the finish is such that you ask; "where does spacer stop and frame begin?" I don't know if it is the thickness of the materials used in this large framelock but suspect it is, that gives the knife the "crispness" it has on lock up and on closing. On opening you get the KER-THUNK, and on closing you have a SNAP.

I'm telling you folks, this is one more slick puppy!!!:D :D :cool: :)
 
Well Art, you are indeed correct, i just picked one of these bad boys up TODAY at BladeArt. :) The fit and finish is literally flawless, i have never seen better. I have the smaller 3.5" recurve with the red/black CF overlays, the blade is perfectly centered, the knife locks open with a very satisfying "snick" and closes with a very satisfying feel as well, exremely precise feel to this knife. And, as has been mentioned, the backspacer is so well fitted to the handles, its like its one piece, you really have to look for the seams! I have to say, this guy is making AMAZING knives, and for not that much $ either. I dont know, despite Art's "somewhat" outspokenness :) on JW's knives, he is still one of the best kept secrets out there (JW, not Art). I know so many guys are fawning over Mayos and Carsons, and im not in any way putting them down, they both make awesome knives, but JW is making knives every bit as good and they are available right now for a relatively low price. I have to say, Art is right on the $ when he praises JW's tactical knives, they are incredible.

Its funny, i also recently bought some Strider SNG's, and i really like them a lot, but when you compare the JWS to the Strider, you realize the JWS is in another league, of course theyre different knives, but while Strider's fit and finish is good, JWS's is simply perfection, like the finest mechanical watch.

I almost bought the JWS Scimitar framelock too, but i just couldnt bring myself to like the exaggerated "recurve" blade, a little too radical for me, but also, an extremely well made knife.

Im just glad that BA didnt have any other JWS's at the moment, or i surely would have spent WAY too much money today! As it stands, im already in BIG trouble. :)
 
Oh yeah, Art, forgot one thing. You said the framelock is stiff and hard to disengage, well my friend, try a few Strider SNG framelocks and see if you dont change your mind, all I can say is my poor, poor thumb... :) A Sebenza's lock is EASY after an SNG! :)
 
MEG, would I ever steer you wrong??:( Sounds like you had some fun!:D :cool: I must say you really racked up with those two. I have a Scimitar coming but it is going to go by John's house first for some cf overlays. I agree wholeheartadly with your views on the J.W.S. framelocks!

Now post up some pics of them bad boys!!
 
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