S&M Wildcat Driller?

Joined
Jan 25, 2000
Messages
4,492
Just saw these and they looked quite interesting in the torched bone. A big hunk of knife with a broad blade in ATS-34. Anyone have one they care to share their opinion about?
 
I do indeed like the look of these. I'm a big fan of the GEC no 79 workhorse at the moment.
I will say that S&M has a bulbous grind at times near the mid height of their grind though which is what keeps me away for the most part.
 
This knife has potential to be a great slicer even if that involves spending a day with Mr. Krein. ;)

If I could count on the F&F and action being 1st class I would go for it. The price looks great for the materials involved.
 
Agreed Jamie aha. All of S&M has to be Krein Reground.
Hm the biggest issue with S&M is the possibility of blade play.
Mine didn't have any gaps but the blade is nowhere near flush in the open position with the backspring.
 
Had picked one up the second I saw them because I couldn't pass up the price - and that was all the justification I needed! Fit and finish was as good as I could have asked for: No blade rub, no gaps between bolsters and scales, clean as a whistle inside, no wiggle when open, only the slightest hint of light makes it through the backsprings.

The only possible complaint I could make is that the Wildcat is a bear trap. Fortunately, there's a solid acre worth of main blade to pinch open and the secondary blade, as it only rides on one spring, is a bit more forgiving.

Came sharp enough to not warrant a touch up and the full height grind thins the blade down nicely. Looks a bit rough in the below photo, but I'm blaming the lighting.
SM%20Wildcat%20Driller%20Open_zpskwdev8cd.jpg~original


For comparison's sake; next to a #72:
SM%20Wildcat%20Driller_zpssg3juwp4.jpg~original


-Nick
 
Dang Victor, you may have sold me on one. I can deal with a stiff pull, actually was hoping to hear that was the case. Good news on the finish, finish and function as well as the grind. Appreciated.
 
Looks a bit rough in the below photo, but I'm blaming the lighting.
SM%20Wildcat%20Driller%20Open_zpskwdev8cd.jpg~original

It's funny how sometimes one picture can change my mind about a knife -- like this one! I don't think it looks rough at all; that's a great shot. It looks intriguing, and I've now spent some time reading up on them.
 
The 1st time I was aware of this pattern was in `06 when Queen added it to the File and Wire Series
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They also made a few F&W that looked completely different as far as the covers go
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A couple years later Queen made a few with the Keystone shield
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Dave
 
The rest of the `09's with the Keystone shield...
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In the mean time I found that Queen had built some in `04, also with the Keystone shield but just 2 blades....
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Dave
 
In the mean time I found that Queen had built some in `04, also with the Keystone shield but just 2 blades....
IMG_0121.jpg


Dave

I'm fascinated by the jigging on this one; not sure whether I'm more intrigued by why they carved the valleys in the first place or infuriated by them not carving just a little lower so all the pins were sunk! While I find a small pen blade more useful, there's just something I like about the shape of that spey blade. It's as if the knife has a thumb.
 
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