S&W Black Ops - any opinions?

Molly-Coddle

Molly-Coddle

Joined
May 18, 2007
Messages
140
Any opinions on the S&W Black Ops, Plain Edge?

SWBLOP_LARGE.jpg

http://www.newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=4869

I know it's cheap and China or Taiwan made... But it looks like solid build for the $30 knife... And 440C... Anyone can share his experience using this one???

Or maybe better to get another "tactical" monster from S&W:
mp2s.jpg

Military & Police MAGIC Assisted
It has strange looking handle and unknown "stainless steel" blade, but comes with glass-breaker... :)
 
S&W is notorious for being incredibely lackluster.

this is what i wouldve purchased back when i knew nothing about knives.

i was always "omg it says swat on it it must be awesome! and its so cheap!"
 
I have 3 S&W knives. The quality really isn't good.

Seriously, for $30, you can get a Spyderco Byrd (quality chinese knife) or a Benchmade Monochrome (highly recommended).

If you up your budget $10, you can get a Kershaw Leek or Spyderco Native (very good knife, very good price). Both of these are American-made, as well (Native 1 is; Native 3 is Japanese).

$30 for that S&W is a rip. Don't do it when you can get a much, much higher quality knife.

Monochrome: http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=PRODSEARCH

Byrds (the flagship Cara Cara model can be had for $18): http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=1287

Native: http://www.knifesupply.com/eshop/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=SC41PBK

Leek (440A): http://www.knifesupply.com/eshop/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=KS1660

***********BTW, note that it has been reported that chinese 440C isn't even actually close to the real 440C, so don't count on getting the steel you expect if you go with the S&W*******************
 
I don't have those S&W knives but I had a tanto boot knife that was nothing special and a Homeland Security folder (pictured below). The folder had tight lockup, came very sharp out of the box and was very ergonomic. Fit and finish was very good and it felt very solid. The best thing about it was it cost about $13

2332123043_3d440ae51a.jpg
 
THG
I can spent more than $30 on a good knife... Just wanted to give a try to S&W brand... But as I see now - they not only cheap, but really low quality knifes :(
 
This somewhat a bit bias.. I know S&W are notorious for many of its Chinese made knives, but some aren't that bad. I happen to have one of the Black ops assisted folder, and it is quite decent with a high twenty price tag and is made in Taiwan. I would trust Taiwan made knives better than Chinese made ones even with Spyderco's name associated with it. Just my opinion. :D
 
S&W firearms are Good.

S&W Knives are not made by S&W. The Name is used to sell record numbers of junk chinese knives.
 
You can get the CRKT M16-10KZ at most serious knife seller for right around $20.00. Besides 440 steel variations in my humble opinion are very outdated. I dont buy anything of less quality then AUS-8. My 2 new babies include a Mcusta and my new Spyderco both VG-10..
 
S&W has a bad rep around here...but you can get an 'acceptable' knife if you keep your eyes open...and for less than $30.
I got this one at Harbor Freight tools for $8.00:
http://www.camping-gear-outlet.com/images/product/3_71238.jpg
It's a model CK70 , large and heavy, 3.5 inch blade, fit and finish are OK, lockup is good, and the blade takes a good edge.
It's not assisted but has a blade 'flipper' so it can be opened fast with a little practice. It's way too heavy for EDC
so my wife keeps it in the console of her car...just in case.

I'd NEVER buy a S&W knife by mail order, internet, etc...you want to be able
to open the box in the store parking lot, look it over and take it right back in to the return desk if it has 'issues'.

JMH
 
SekiCity421 said:
You can get the CRKT M16-10KZ at most serious knife seller for right around $20.00. Besides 440 steel variations in my humble opinion are very outdated. I dont buy anything of less quality then AUS-8. My 2 new babies include a Mcusta and my new Spyderco both VG-10..
Click to expand...


If the blades were actual 440C, they would hold an edge better than the AUS8. Mine do.

But knives coming from China are extremely suspect as far as actual alloy used. IMO "Knives from China" with falsely labeled blades are why the reputation of 440C has become tarnished.

Real 440C is an excellent blade alloy.
 
I have a S&W "HRT" that I use as a beater. Ergonomics is good and the blade shape is also surprisingly useful. Dismal factory edge, and the steel sucks. But I did manage to put an ugly edge on it with a coarse stone. Not pretty, but sharp enough to rip tough packing tapes without getting my good EDC's gunky.

If you do buy one of these, don't expect much.
 
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