Smith and Wesson HRT Magnesium Folder

E

Edd Harbin

Joined
May 24, 2000
Messages
540
First I would like to say that all policy aside , S&W and taylor have come together and have started making some very good low budget knives . The HRT Magnesium will NEVER compare to a SEBENZA , but it's not supposed to . It does compare to anything CRKT has out , and also with many knives from the likes of Benchmade (flame on you nay sayers).

First , a few tech stats for the knife . It has a blade of 440c , and handle made of magnesium . The blade has a very good point , and nice lines . The grip is rounded well , with liner made of a stainless steel . It is a linerlock , well executed , and has dual thumb studs . It has "gaurds" on the front and back of the blade that have many uses .The back guard acts as a flipper , like the CRKT M-16 knives , and the front gaurd you can use like the EMERSON "wave " feture. That gives you FOUR ways to open this knife if you include the "wrist flip" . I have handled this knife for 2 weeks now , and no flaws have become aperant .

I have e-chatted with both knife makers Daryl Ralph , and Mark Lamprey , and both seem pleased with this knife project . Daryl said that if this knife wasn't made to a high standard , that his name would be pulled from advertising/promoting .As you can see if you look this knife up , his name is there . Mark lamprey also seemed to like this knife , and it is a production copy of one of his custom pieces .

I will be adding a performance reviem in the near future , and look forward to discusing this knife an the boards .
 
I've handled a friend's HRT and I'm impressed by the overall quality for the money. S&W did a good job with this knife. And so did the designers.
 
Hey, if it's pure magnesium, you could even use it in an emergency as a fire starting medium. Just shave a little off, and spark it, POOF! you have a high intensity fire!:D Of course, it is probably an alloy, and wouldn't work.:rolleyes: Oh, well...

I have yet to get a chance to handle these new offerings from S&W/Taylor knives. Things are definitely looking up. Now, if they would just give D Ralph credit for the Krait copy...

DD
 
For the price it's tough to beat for a tac folder. It's super light for the handle size and strength. Lockup feels like a fixed blade and the easy opening double guards are very functional. I've inspected closely all the HRTM's that have come through my shop and not one had a problem. So far my picky customers have been very happy with their knives. It seems S&W is on the right track having their new knives designed by custom makers and following through with good Quality control.
Has anyone found a problem with these knives? I'd like know!!!:D
 
I ordered one. It just seemed to make sense for the money. The materials are good and the QC also seems good. I'll drop in here when I get it and put my $.02 in.
 
I too was impressed by the S&W HRT Magnesium folder. It's a great looking folder with a solid lockup, is razor sharp and seems to hold a good edge. For the price, you can't go wrong. Now, I wouldn't go so far as to say the overall quality is like that of Benchmade's high end folders, but it certainly comparable to anything CRKT, Timberline, Outdoor Edge, and even other U.S. made brands release.
 
The big brown truck dropped my HRT off a little while ago. I have to say I'm very impressed. The knife handles beautifully, lock-up is solid and it's proportions are really nice.

All this in a very reasonably-priced piece. Excellent materials as well. My blade says "440", but the advertising all says 440C. Amazing for the price. It looks to be a real "user".

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this knife to anyone.
 
I noticed that too. I've seen the ads state the blade material is 440C as well, however, the box just reads 440, which usually refers to 440A. I still like the knife, but I wonder if the steel designation is accurate.

If you notice, the thumb studs on the HRT are the exact thumb studs used on the Timberline Discovery, which obviously suggests that the knives were made by the same Taiwanese manufacturer. As far as I know, Taiwanese made factory knives are usually AUS-8, AUS-6, and even ATS-34 in the case of some CRKT knives, but Taylor Cutlery states 440C.

If you recall the Smith & Wesson SWAT folder, you'll find that it is constructed exacly like the aluminium handled Junglee folders like the Foreign Legion or the Crocodile, again suggesting the same overseas manufacturer, except that Junglee states their blades are AUS-8, whereas Taylor states 440C.
 
By the way, here's a pic of Mike Lamprey's custom model and Smith & Wesson's for comparison:

lamprey_vorne_640.jpg


sw-hrtmg.jpg
 
Thanks for the pics, el cid!! That was going to be my next question. Was this knife available as a custom? You answered the question.:cool:
 
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