S&W swvips Viper. 56K maybe.

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para-frame

Joined
Feb 15, 2005
Messages
204
Hello, this is my first review so be gentle.:o

The Smith & Wesson Viper is different to any knife I have seen before. The 440C blade is fips from the inside the knife handle to the locked positon. The button on the top of the handle releases the blade and it swings 180 degrees to lock in place, the button also releases the blade.

It is very well made (for a Tayler), the blade is pretty sharp out the box and comes without a noticable micro-bevel, the blade length is 2.5 in. The wierd handle shape is not the most comfortable but it is ok, the handle is type 2 powder coated aluminum. the lock up is great, it is solid with no side to side play.

The lock is like an axis lock but it locks parallel to the blade. It opens so easy that I am sure some cops/prosocuters may say it is a gravity knife. The blade apears to pivot on ball bearings of some sort but I have not taken it a part yet so i don't know for sure. it has a very stong pocket clip that only attaches one way.

Pros:
Cheap ($25)
Cool design
Fast opening
Sharp out of the box
Good lock up

Cons:
Somewhat uncomfortable grip
Clip only goes one way
Very hard to clip to pocket
Made by Tayler

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Sig and S&W:D(ok it is a BB gun but you get the picture)
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Yes I need to clean my carpet.
 
Can you send me the Quarter?

Seriously, I like the knife. Cold Steel makes a little fixed blade I really like and this reminds me of it. I've got a new one clipped to my back pack hanging down where I can just grab it and pull. S&W knives are much maligned here, but I've found some great and some not-so-great knives. The first Magnesium one they made caused me to buy some later generation ones that turned out to be made in China and were crap. They were tight, didn't seem to have any washers and were clearly not as well made. I suppose one could use the grip to make a fire, possibly, but that's the only redeeming quality.

I also got a few of the Extreme Ops Hawkbills and they have proved to be popular gifts. You can get them now at Smokey Mountain Knife Works for ten bucks, but I bought all mine at the same place for five bucks. They originally sold for much, much more and I think even at ten bucks they're a great deal. They seem well made, retain their edges in a respectful manner and they're great for cutting and working with wood. The serrated ones make for good weapons and cut most other things well.

This one looks worth having, but at $25, there are too many better knives around. Still, you make me want to keep an eye out for it.

Thanks for your review.

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The S&W Extreme Ops Hawkbill, serrated and un-. The frame is a
combination of aluminum and G10. Not bad for ten bucks each.
 
I actually got it for 12.50 (Turners sportsman has 50% off S&W knives for Labor day weekend) I havn't found it online for cheaper than $25, I think it is cool.
 
This is not a bad knife for 20 bucks. I have had a SWVIP, the larger verson of it, and it is quite fun to play with and the blade holds the edge quite decent. Paid 20 some bucks for it though. :)
 
For budget knives, I can't think of anything better than the Spyderco Tenacious (for bigger liner-locks) at around $25-$30 or the Kershaw Skyline ($20-$25).
Nice review, kind of like that Boker knife from a while back (not automatic IIRC).
 
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