Significant difference in quality between JW Smith and Lambert?

darcuss said:
Attend a show and handle examples of each, or buy examples of each ;) I have my preference of the two after doing so, but it's my preference and what the hell do I know?
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Unfortunately I am in Colorado, so the next significant knife show in my state that I am aware of is not until August. If I post again I'll try to be more conscious of the way that I ask my question (like maybe asking "Please tell me what you like about John W. Smith knives and/or Lambert knives).

In the mean time I will figure out how to turn my PM function on and welcome any comments and advice.
 
rye_a said:
Unfortunately I am in Colorado, so the next significant knife show in my state that I am aware of is not until August. If I post again I'll try to be more conscious of the way that I ask my question (like maybe asking "Please tell me what you like about John W. Smith knives and/or Lambert knives).

In the mean time I will figure out how to turn my PM function on and welcome any comments and advice.
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Go to your "User CP". On the left side, under "settings & options", you should see "edit options". Click on that and then check the box for "Enable Private Messaging".

:)
 
I am not sure that the original poster can access PM's. Don't you have to have an elevated membership?
 
Just became a paid member and can get PMs (That's private messages, not the PMS my wife gets). Please feel free to pass along any thoughts you might have that you don't want to air in the forum.
 
haha! And thank god for that, eh?
 
Les Robertson said:
Short answer...Yes
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Good answer. It needed no more.

Les Robertson said:
HI Coop,

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So is it fair to discuss the pro's and con's of two or makers side by side? Of course it is. That is how you learn.
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Throwing two makers into the ring without their willingness is, at best, informative, and at worst, a public bashing. This IS learning, and it's also the internet with its warts.

Feel free to disagree. I am. Yes, I live in a Kumbaya world often. Thank goodness for that. :D

Coop
 
Hi Coop,

Once you and/or your knives become part of the "public domain". Your permission is no longer required for your and/or your knives to be discussed publicly (short of libel and/or slander).

Accurate, targeted and concise commentary on a knife and/or maker is always a learning experience for those who read those comments.

The key is to provide "educated" commentary. Lack of this knife education is where the "wart" starts to grow.

Too many collectors feel it is their duty to "defend" their favorite maker. Often they do not their lack of knowledge stop them....the "wart" grows.

Lorien posted that one maker has a better website than the other. Curious comment...as a website seldom if ever becomes an EDC. :D

So while he has not handled either makers knives to any degree..he felt it necessary to post a comment about the quality of their website.

A similar comment to put the ball back in his court would be...Only one of the two makers is a member of the very exclusive "Art Knife Invitational" show. Specifically the only maker of tactical folders in that group.

Rye has asked a very "nebulous" question. There are no specifics..use, price, favored materials (which would give further insight into the intended use), etc.

"Homework" is the key to getting the knife you really want.
 
Les,

Thanks for your comments. I am looking at the F-5 flipper from JWS (just wish it came in a 3.5" blade) and a custom dress Snap flipper from KL. I want ironwood scales, and have not decided upon bolsters. I like the way CF bolsters look with ironwood, but am not convinced of its long term durability; I like damascus, but worry that it would look too busy with the burl in the wood, all this has me leaning towards Ti bolsters. I want a knife that I will be able to use regularly for fairly light applications, and that will stand the test of time so I can pass it along to my son.

This is going to be an anniversary gift from my wife, and I would like to keep it under $800.

I hope these specifics help.
 
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rye_a said:
I am looking at the F-5 flipper from JWS (just wish it came in a 3.5" blade) and a custom dress Snap flipper from KL. I want ironwood scales, and have not decided upon bolsters. I like the way CF bolsters look with ironwood, but am not convinced of its long term durability; I like damascus, but worry that it would look too busy with the burl in the wood, all this has me leaning towards Ti bolsters. I want a knife that I will be able to use regularly for fairly light applications, and that will stand the test of time so I can pass it along to my son.

This is going to be an anniversary gift from my wife, and I would like to keep it under $800.

I hope these specifics help.
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I'm not Les, but I did talk to him on the phone last night.:)

Both makers do custom work, so if you have specific dimensions you are looking for, it would be good to contact them.

John makes his own damascus.

Either knife will take some fairly serious use and abuse, and with a fluff and buff from the maker, look good again when you decide to pass it along to your son.

J.W. Smith is somewhere in his 60's, I think Kirby is somewhere in his 20's. This age difference can have a LOT to do with how each maker views the internet, and the necessity of having an up to date website.

You should easily be able to keep this under $800, including shipping, happy anniversary!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Les, if you don't think that the difference between these two makers' websites has any relevance to this topic, then I can accept that and I won't argue with you.
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Hi Lorien,

Websites are a nice place to start to give you two dimensional pictures, material and pricing information.

Given John's reputation as a world class knife maker I am more interested in the photos and info on his knives.

I suspect the majority of John's clients are not "forumites".

Kirby on the other hand probably has gained more clients from the forums. Consequently, it is a smarter business move for him to have a "cooler" website to introduce his work.

Different business models for different makers who occupy different market positions.

As this thread has shown those who are familiar with John's work do not have much if any experience with Kirby's work and visa versa.
 
I'm in the reverse position of some who have posted here. I have seen and handled FAR more examples of Kirby's work than John's - as Kirby is a regular attendee at the CKG shows. The net consequence is that I am not positioned to offer any comparative commentary.

I can say that I have been VERY impressed with the quality of Kirby's knives from the standpoint of fit, finish, action, ergonomics, design and aesthetics. Were I in the market for such a knife, I know I'd be more than happy owning one of his.

Now, people who know the tactical market in general - and JWS's knives in particular - tell me that he is all that and a bag of chips. I don't doubt it, but I have no recent first hand experience to be able to comment one way or the other.

And as to whether John's seniority and impressive AKI credentials are meaningful value-added factors for this particular purchaser and this particular knife - that's not up to me, either.

Roger
 
here is a knife I'd love to own;
http://www.knifeart.com/johnwsmith4.html
I've had a hankerin for one of his knives for quite awhile.

any maker of this type of folding knife who goes the extra mile of dovetailing their bolsters and limits their use of fasteners to the bare essentials is almost always elevated beyond the others, in my book.
 
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on_the_edge said:
So why not tell us what your preference is and why? Hopefully, most of us who will read it will take it for what it is without judgment--simply your opinion (which may be different than ours if we have one, but that's not the point). And as with anyone's opinion, we are each free to give it the appropriate weight as we see fit, and again, without judgment from others with differing opinions.

I for one would like to hear what Les has to say on the subject, not because he will be right or wrong, but simply to hear his opinion. I am, however, quite capable of making up my own mind after hearing several opinions.
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Why not? While I do appreciate the open domain that is the internet and the freedom to post both praise and criticism without a maker's consent, makers make a living and feed their families based upon knife sales. I choose not to affect that with a response to a vague "who's the best?".
 
I love the look of Kirbys folders, but have only owned JWS and always kind of wanted to try one of Kirbys. I sorta rotate in and out of a tactical phase and i'm sure i'll grab one at some point in life. I think a knife is a knife and you would probably be happy with either. Both makers have good designs and I doubt either would make a knife that wasn't solid.
 
I have had the opportunity to look at KL's knives but have chosen not to as I have no interest in Tactical knives. However, I do have a JWS knife (non tactical) which I obtained some years ago from Roger and hopefully I'll remember to show it to him on his next visit and having seen JWS knives for many many years, I can say that there is no one that makes a liner lock knife that has as smooth an action as is available from his knives.

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I do remember that one Murray - but it's not the type of knife the OP was inquiring about.

Roger
 
I never handled JWS's work, but I've got a Kirby Lambert Inferno and another of his knives on order. Kirby is a pleasure to deal with, and a great knife maker. His F&F on the Inferno is fantastic, and I'm shocked that his knives are still in stock for the price that they go for.
 
Well I made a decision and have ordered a custom F-5 with ironwood scales, stainless damascus bolsters and a 3.5" blade From John W. Smith. Now the hardest part...the wait.
 
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