Passaround: Smith & Wesson FL2

Well, I was finally able to get the knife out the door to Atrick-Pay. Delivery Conf. # for USPS Priority: 0301 0120 0004 5401 9077

I liked the knife quite a bit, but just couldn't get used to the opening disk. It always seemed to bite my thumb more than I was comfortable with. I also prefer a thicker handle, but to some, the slimmness is a plus. I really liked the blade to handle ratio, as it seemed that there was just SO MUCH blade! And with it being so well shaped with a very defined recurve, it slices and cuts like a dream.

I have a much higher opinion of the blade steel, now, as it takes and holds a great edge, plus being very stain resistant.

Overall, I'd say it is one of the better buys out there in the price range, even competing with CRKT. I look forward to further offerings/collaborations from Taylor Cutlery.

DD
 
Ok after near a week of playing this will be leaving tomorrow for Lady Colt.
I’ll post the tracking number when I get it.

Ok, I haven’t read the other reviews so here it goes, from scratch.

I only have one EDC, I only carry a SHARP knife,
I have a Leatherman WAVE with me %70 of the time,
So my Pocket knife only has to cut!
That said the knife came with a pretty good edge from
The last guy. But 30 seconds of stropping on
2000 grit WETORDRY sand paper, got it up to a VERY
Sharp edge, I would say it’s close to the Spyderco Scary.
Quiet impressive!

The knives I have to compare this to would be:
A good quality but still cheap no name liner-lock (Now on known as POS)
Memory of the Camillus EDC I played with for a week (Now on known as EDC)
And my latest carry a Large Classic Sebenza (LC)

Handle:
The handle shape and design is much like the EDC,
Only bigger, and with a bigger cut out for the Lock release.
I liked the hole pattern on the EDC better because it
was almost the same on both sides, only one of them
on the FL2 is the same. The others are either blocked by
the lock or the clip.
I found the handle shape ok, but being so thin but so wide
makes it feel pretty wired and gave me some problems closing it.
It was just too pan-caked for me, a little more handle slab would
be good in my book.

Blade Shape:
BIG recurve! 3 ¾ sharpened edge and easily 4” “blade”.
The swedge is a nice touch but doesn’t quiet make it to
the point but the point is sharp enough without help.
As always the Recurve really digs in, I cut through
some card-board and while even sharp the edge won’t
push cut well, the smallest little pull and push and it goes
through it like butter. I used to dislike sharpening
these blades but now that I’ve gotten pretty good at stropping,
I was surprised just how easy it was to put a good edge on this.
Also I found that you can hold it about half way up the blade
And use it for pretty tight work. It’s also pretty good at curling ribbon that way :)

Opening:
The disk was a little disappointing but I’m a thumb stud guy
And the arc the disk makes is just a bit too wide for my thumb
(Probably why I stick to 3.5” normally)

Clip:
The clip is nice, I found it got hooked and pulled out (by jackets, Etc.)
Easier then I would like. It seems designed to handle 1/8” cloth.
Just a bit to wide for my jeans, but that would be easily fixed (if it was mine)
By bending the end of the clip down.


Looks:
Good! But hits one of my dislikes lots of exposed blade,
The worst case of this is with Spydercos because of the hole,
And on the FL2 you need the room to push on the disk.
The problem is with so much of the spine sticking out of the handle when
closed that I feel like the knife is open in my pocket, and stabbing me!
And I also just don’t care for the look of it.

Action:
I know I don’t take good care of the medal washers on my
LC but it always amaze me just how smooth Nylon/Teflon
is with just a little oil (any oil). While the FL2 may not
quiet qualify as butter smooth, it is far above adequate for
a user.
Tho. I should point out it doesn’t feel any better then the POS

Lock-up:
Is AMAZING! Really prefect in my book, The bar hits even with the
Tang, but could still go a little bit more to allow for wear.
And the pressure to release the lock is about right.
Also this thing snaps closed! The ball dent is the biggest and deepest
I’ve seen. I have no worries about this opening accidentally
Kind of wish the LC dent was more like the FL2 and I don’t
Remember the EDCs snapping like this.

Steel:
Ah, Yah there is the killer! While it takes a great edge and has held it
for about a week of decent use. I still wonder just why they don’t
say which 440 it is, and I kind of wonder about the heat-treat,
That is one of the places where the EDC really takes a lead,
If I have a question on it’s heat-treat or steel, I know a coupe
of guys e-mail address from here to ask.
And the LC is well a Reeve.

Overall:
Very nice! A lot of knife for the money, and if you
Can handle the size probably a better deal then the EDC.
It seem to fall a little long to me, The EDC was to small and
The FL2 is too big for me to be able to open and close it quickly,
I usually have to slide my hand at some point.
A wonderfully open design and should be easy to keep
Dust and rust free.
I did hear “That must be illegal” a coupe of times,
So that should be kept in mind (if you care)
And while the POS is really a nice knife that I’ve
seen sold for anywhere from $11-$30
The FL2 doesn’t seem that much better.
I guess I just have some quality worries.

Is it my new Every Day Carry?
No! It won’t replace my LC.
And I doubt I’ll be buying one either.
But it may show up at the bottom of my list
of stuff I would like to trade for.
 
Well, I have had this knife for a little while now and am the one that is finishing up this Pass-around.

I like this knife. It is very good for the money I feel. It provides enough handle for a good grip.

the blade is also ok, with the 440 steel being easy to sharpen, and yet holding the edge for awhile. I also like the recurve, it really helps when doing large cuts.

Overall I like this knife, and will use it a fair bit at work and such, where I am not going to want to be as concerned about having a expensive knife, just need one that cuts well.
 
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