S&W's new DDR designed framelock, pleasantly surprised

shootist16

shootist16

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I wanted to take a closer look at the new FL1 when I saw a picture of it in Blade magazine's article on framelocks. I am a big fan of the Camillus EDC, but would like to see a bigger version. While the FL1 and EDC are two distinct knives, they are both Darrel Ralph designed framelocks. I was also glad to see that S&W used 440C in the FL1.

Previously I would never have given S&W a second look. I really had a negative image of S&W knives and Taylor Cutlery. My curioustity did get the better of me when I saw that my distributor had some in stock. I figured, "what will it hurt to look at one?" I couldn't help but notice on initial inspection how similar in construction the FL1 was to the EDC and Outdoor Edge Paragee. It locked up rock solid with no play in any direction. The blade centers up perfectly. Just to make sure I didn't get lucky with this example I inspected several of them. They were all similar in quality.

My initial impressions were quite positive, and with a suggested retail price of $56 :eek: I felt I didn't have much to lose. I bought one and took it home for further evaluation.

Initial opening was a litle stiff, but I am happy to report that it is getting smoother with use. It still locks up rock solid and there is no blade play. The handles are comfortable to me in a variety of grips. I would preferred to have seen a stonewashed blade instead of beadblast but I can live with it. Don't be surprised to see me occassionally carrying a S&W knife

This knife may have me eating crow when it comes to S&W :footinmou . This is another excellent DDR design. It also seems that S&W has stepped up to the plate and made a decent production knife. If you like the EDC but would like a bigger knife I would recommend a look at the FL1.
 
Design by one of the most famous custom makers around (very nice recurve, looks great with the handle), decent steel, low price...I consider buying this one. Thanks for sharing the information.
 
Cool! What are the specs...blade thickness/width/length, what is the handle made of? How strong is the point? Thanks!;)
 
I'll have to measure the knife for exact specs. The blade is slightly under 4". I believe the handle is 420J2 like the EDC and Paragee. I can't really say on tip strength. It has that false swedge that thins out the tip a little.

Here is another pic of the FL1 and one of the FL2.

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I also wanted to add that when the knife is closed there is enough real estate between the frame and thumb disc to allow a user to open the knife easily with gloves on.
 
Check with Roger at knifeworks.com, he has some in stock. I don't think they are up on his web site yet so you may want to email him. Price is under $ 40.
 
Dennis - thanks for your opinions on this knife. Looks like I will have to get one too! One question - are the washers Teflon?
 
Dennis,
Please, PLEASE, PLEASE test this baby out and tell us what kind of performance levels we're looking at here.
If it's anything near as good as my HRT Combat knife, well :eek: :cool: :D (sounds of rapidly receding feet and the roar of my 929's engine, then the sounds of me breaking every speed limit between here and my dealer.) DRAT! Forgot to lock the house! Oh well... :D
Can you do it?
 
Here are the official specs:

The knife is 5" closed and 8 3/4" open. The blade is 3 3/4" and the knives weigh 5.8 oz each. The blade is 440C.

The washers are teflon.

Dexter, you have to get one of these. I would love to see what you think.

Misque, if you like the HRT combat, you will like this knife. It has passed the spine whack with flying colors. It also cuts like a demon with that wicked recurve. Edgeholding seems to be pretty good. I have come to appreciate the 440C on my Benchmade Griptillian. I hope S&W's 440C is similar in its ease of maintenance.
 
Dennis - thanks. Heck yeah, I'm gonna get one to see for myself. It's a very nice looking folder for sure.
 
Roger's got em at www.knifeworks.com I ordered one of each style from him!:D Won't see one for a while yet! They are going to bodycoat for DLC and then one of em has to make it to Central America!:D :D
 
GOT MINE!!!
My FL-2 was $47.03 with tax from Ruff's.
This is a really nice piece for the money.
If your looking for a full sized version of the Camillus EDC, this is what you've been waiting for.
No joke.
The re-curve is really done right on this one. It is a good cutter OOB. I took it out to my shop and cut some rope and it crunched right thru the stuff. Zipped thru some cardboard pretty easily too. I haven't done a full blown cutting test yet, but my initial impressions are favorable.:)
I like the slim cross section of the knife also. It measures about 11/32" thick sans clip. This baby has heft with the full metal construction, but nearly disappears in the pocket. The clip is set below the pivot so the folder is easily retrieved from your pocket. Please look at the clip side of the provided pic to see what I'm babbling about.

Dennis,
Is the detent on yours really grabby? I don't know if it's because the knife is new or what, but, when mine closes that sucker ain't comin' open without a serious push on that thumb-disk. No accidental openings in the pocket with this folder.
BTW, thanks for providing the pics. That whet my appetite for this really cool knife.
 
Originally posted by misque
GOT MINE!!!
Dennis,
Is the detent on yours really grabby? I don't know if it's because the knife is new or what, but, when mine closes that sucker ain't comin' open without a serious push on that thumb-disk. No accidental openings in the pocket with this folder.
Click to expand...

It sure is. You can feel the detent grab the blade when you close it. There is no way mine will accidentally open.
 
Originally posted by shootist16
It sure is. You can feel the detent grab the blade when you close it. There is no way mine will accidentally open.
Click to expand...

The detent on mine is like that too. I looked on the lock bar and there is a BIG ol' ball bearing seated in there...bigger than what is normally used for side locks. It really grabs the blade shut.
 
Originally posted by misque

Dennis,
Is the detent on yours really grabby? I don't know if it's because the knife is new or what, but, when mine closes that sucker ain't comin' open without a serious push on that thumb-disk. No accidental openings in the pocket with this folder.
Click to expand...
Man! You guys weren't kidding! My mother, a 30 year old girl I know, and an older guy I know with arthtitis couldn't even open the thing! It's by far the hardest knife to open in my collection! Compared to my Benchmade Axis locks, it's like the difference in shifting a WW2 truck and 2003 Porche!

I have a few other small gripes with the knife:

1) The clip is not only not reversible, it's basically non-detachable! Sure, you can unscrew the 3 Torx screws that hold it in, but then it would still be attached by the main screw which the blade pivots around! And if you remove that main screw, you better have a shim handy, because otherwise the main screw will be loose.

2) This is admittedly really petty. O.K., if S&W/Taylor Cutlery went to the expense to use 440C steel and D. Ralph to design the blade, why doesn't it say so anywhere on the knife? My knives by Loveless, Blackie Collins, Crawford, Onion, etc. all say so.

3) This knife, when folded, has an honest to god dang near 1/2" of space between the blade and the bottom of the handle. Because of this, at it's highest point when folded shut, the top of the blade peeks out over 3/8" over the handle. To me, that seems like a lot of wasted space, and by that I mean excess space taken up in your pocket. The FL-2 is just shy of 1 1/2" wide when closed. I have a large Pointguard which is only 1 1/8" wide. Now that may not sound like that much, and the FL-2 is a bigger knife, but in looks and more importantly feel, it make a big difference(at least to me).

Having said all that, I do like the knife. Like the other guys said, it locks up solid, the blade centers nicely in the handle, and it feels good no matter how you hold it. Because the handle is big, you can really get a good grip on it, and if you decide to attack a redwood (please don't!), I doubt you would ever lose control of your knife.

And, as a working knife, that super-detent blade retention could be considered a plus. I can't see the blade ever popping open accidentally in anyone's pocket!

Bruise
 
I now have both the FL1 and FL2 and both of them are like that. Darrel Ralph told me upon me commenting on the grabby detents is that he wanted them to be like this so they won't open up inadvertently in the pocket. I think mine have become a bit less grabby now that I've been playing with them.
 
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