S&W/Taylor Cutlery Darrel Ralph Collaborations

Dexter Ewing

Dexter Ewing

Joined
Oct 3, 1998
Messages
4,670
Just got in a couple of the new Darrel Ralph collaboration pieces made by Taylor Cutlery under the Smith & Wesson banner.

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One of the folders. This one also involved Mike Lamprey. Blade length is 3.6" and is of 1/8" stock of 440C. Double integral guards also are opening devices either by using the flipper method or usinig your thumb to push the top guard. Handle is of magnesium, this is the only production folder I am aware of that uses this material. Handle length is 4.5". Double stainless liners underneath. Liner lock®. Pocket clip mounted high to carry knife tip down.

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Fixed blade fighter/camp knife. Those of you who know Darrel's work will clearly see that this knife has his signature all over it. 7" recurve clip point blade is of .220" 440C. Handle is full tang construction with textured Zytel scales that are screwed on. Notched thumb rest. Kydex look-alike sheath with molded belt loop carries this knife in either horizontal or vertical positions.

Believe it or not, these knives are very well made. Lockup on the folder is spot-on. No play in any direction. Fit and finish of both are very good. The fixed blade IMO is particularly impressive. Only complaint about the fixed blade is the Kydex style sheath. It's not really Kydex, its some sort of thin thermoplastic. Got a flimsy feel to it and you can flex it easily with your hands. Time will tell if it will hold up. Riveted halves.

That's about it. Those of you going to Blade Show, owe it to yourselves to check these two knives out. They are of CRKT level of quality. At this point in time I have no idea on SRP, but will post here when I find out.

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Proud member: AKTI, NCCKG, NCKK, and SCAK

NC Knife Knuts @ Table 18-B at the Blade Show

Living life on the edge
 
Nice, but...

I don't care who designed it, or who made it - I will not buy anything with the S&W name on it.
 
I read somewhere that S & W was recently sold by the British firm that owned it to an American manufacturer of safety locks. I read that the British parent took about a $100 million loss on account of all the firearms litigation. Hopefully the new owners will manage it more responsibly.

DPD.
 
Thanks Dexter, those are a couple of fine looking knives. I really like the folder, is it available without the serrations?

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Keith

AKTI Member #A001338
 
That is –despite fighter blade pattern- how I picture a new generation camp/survival knife:
-ergonomically shaped full tang
-indestructible and inexpensive Zytel slabs (possibly with optional wood/horn/bone/whatever slabs)
-SCREWED ON slabs that are field-removable.

HM
 
This is a bit confusing. I've seen an ad that shows the same knife -- think maybe last month's Blade. But, Knife Center has on their News page a link to the new S&W Darrel Ralph design SWHRTF, which looks totally different. KC says it has "aircraft aluminum" handles, which are skeletonized considerably. They're selling it for $30. I sure hope it is KC that is confused.

Might be kind of nice to have a knife that you could use to cut kindling with, then shave a bit of the handle in for fire starting. I have to admit I really like the looks of it. Will be a bit tough to decide whether or not to continue to try to collect D Ralph collaborations or to boycott S&W. Does anyone know when the Paragee will be out?




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Asi es la vida

Bugs
 
Jason - those are screws in the handle. They are on both sides.

Keith - The folder is available in plain.

Bugs - KCI is not confused. There is another DDR folder, with skeletonized aluminum scales. Taylor Cutlery didn't send that one.

From what I can tell, these knives are probably made in Taiwan just like the CRKT, OE, and Timberline stuff. Along with the knives they sent a copy of the 2002 catalog (not a typo, that's what it says on the cover) and it appears that TC maybe up to their ol' shenanigans again. You might find some "new" designs coming out soon that are "highly reminiscent" of a SOG X42 Recondo and an Emerson La Griffe/CRKT Bear Claw like neck knife
rolleyes.gif


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Proud member: AKTI, NCCKG, NCKK, and SCAK

NC Knife Knuts @ Table 18-B at the Blade Show

Living life on the edge
 
I like the looks of both of these Taylor Cutlery knives. I went to their site to get more specs. but they aren't shown on the site yet. Is magnesium lighter or stronger than aluminum? Just curious!
 
speedrck - Magnesium, from what I understand, is just as strong as aluminum but at a fraction of the weight. From the looks of it, the handles of the folder are die cast. The knife feels as light as a Zytel folder.

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Proud member: AKTI, NCCKG, NCKK, and SCAK

NC Knife Knuts @ Table 18-B at the Blade Show

Living life on the edge
 
I believe that I was reading a Swarovski catalog and it contained a claim that the magnesium used in their best binocular frames is substantially stronger than the aluminum used by some competitors (and, as noted previously, lighter).

DPD.

[This message has been edited by DPD (edited 06-01-2001).]
 
DPD - thanks for the additional info. I've also seen some industrial supply catalogs that sell hand trucks with magnesium frames, in addition to ones made from steel and aluminum.

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Proud member: AKTI, NCCKG, NCKK, and SCAK

NC Knife Knuts @ Table 18-B at the Blade Show

Living life on the edge
 
Thanks for the info on these cool knives Dexter and DPD. I'm looking forward to checking out these blades as soon as they're available.

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Ray Carr

[This message has been edited by speedrck (edited 06-01-2001).]
 
Dex,
Magnesium has been around for a long time. Has been used extensively in the motorcycle and auto industry for years, (ever heard of mag wheels?). Very, very light and very strong. Used to be extremely expensive but advanced production techniques have lowered the price considerably.
I like the folder. I need a cheap Mad Max facsimile for my real thing.
wink.gif
 
Saw the fixed blade this past weekend at "The Greatest Knife Show on Earth". Marked R.O.C.. Republic of Korea? The fellow was getting $39.00 for these. Said they had been selling well and that was the last one. Seemed pretty nice but the R.O.C. marking turned me off. May end up getting one eventually because I really like the design.
 
Averageguy - the fixed blade is made in Taiwan

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Proud member: AKTI, NCCKG, NCKK, and SCAK

NC Knife Knuts @ Table 18-B at the Blade Show

Living life on the edge
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Bugs3x:
But, Knife Center has on their News page a link to the new S&W Darrel Ralph design SWHRTF, which looks totally different. KC says it has "aircraft aluminum" handles, which are skeletonized considerably</font>
Click to expand...

HRT is going to designate a new line for S&W, just like the old SWAT line. The HRT is the aluminum handled knife designed by DDR alone, and the HRT MG is the magnesium handled knife designed by DDR & Mike Lamprey.
 
I handled the folder today. It's light, feels good in the hand, and lockup is nice & tight, no blade play in any direction. But I found it a bit awkward to open. Maybe it just takes getting used to.

S&W also has a cool La Griff with thinner handles than the CRKT Bear Claw, AND, for all you LEOs, a special alttachment so you can hang it around your neck but cover it with your badge. Cool idea. Also a couple folders that feel nice but are clear design rip-offs, as usual for S&W. But the prices will apparently be very attractive.

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[previously incarnated as fishface, since 10/98]

the beatings will continue until morale improves
 
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