Smith & Wesson Knives

Confederate · Jun 18, 2006

There doesn't seem to be much doubt around here that Smith & Wesson knives are regarded as junk; however, not having experience with Smith's knives, I'm wondering what the overall criticism of these knives are? I've looked at a few and don't think much of their looks one way or the other. Both samples that I've examined worked reliably and were reasonably sharp out of the box. One had an aluminum frame; the other some sort of Zytel.

Both knives, too, would have sounded off alarm bells because of their modest prices. The knife steel was some sort of 440 (and one was labeled 440C).

So what is the story on these knives? From what I understand, none of their knives is actually manufactured by Smith & Wesson. Is the bad reputation based on the bad experiences of board members here, a knowledge of how they're manufactured, or ????.

Just curious. Thanks!

tom19176 · Jun 18, 2006

I have a few......they are mostly made by Taylor cutlery under license of S & W They are low quality and not safe for any kind of hard use. Most people on this forum care for higher quality kinves ( as do I ) and therefore they are calling junk what it is......This has been done to Winchester and Barretta also....the basic rule is do not buy knives that are based on a good gun rep as they have all sold their cutlery rights to China......

rifon2 · Jun 18, 2006

tom19176 said:
and Barretta also....the basic rule is do not buy knives that are based on a good gun rep as they have all sold their cutlery rights to China......

Beretta is different. The few Beretta knives I have are really nice, and made in Seki City Japan.

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Confederate - I was curious too about S&W, so I bought a couple. One with a suggested list of $81.00. (Paid $5.50.)

Poorly constructed, lots of bladeplay, dull blade edge, a sad state of affairs, really...

I think that up until recently the S&W knives were made in Taiwan and were OK for what they were. Once manufacturing went to mainland China, though, the stuff they're turning out - from what I've read, and more important, seen for myself - is just not very good at all.

tom19176 · Jun 18, 2006

I saw a few cheap Beretta knives, but if they are from Seki, then I agree they should be good.

synghyn · Jun 18, 2006

Yeah, I'd have to agree on the S&Ws, I've got one I picked up about 6 or 7 years ago that isn't to bad. Liner locks a little thin, so not a hard user, but it came relatively sharp, and has held up ok. For the price (IIRC about 20.00), not to bad. But I've seen several in the last few years that really looked and felt cheaply constructed. Played with one, that literally had the lock fail under light hand pressure on the spine, and like you said, few specify the type of 440.
Some of them are ok to look at, but I think the quality was questionable to begin with and has slipped even further now. I'd leave them be, but just my two cents of course, YMMV.

Jon

RedEdge77 · Jun 18, 2006

I'm gonna argue for the winchester fixed blades. I bought the big one and small one, both with wood handles. These 2 knives i beat the heck out of them, and they didn't show and signs of abuse till i started throwing them.:thumbup:

Chadilac · Jun 18, 2006

I have a "cute" little S & W lockback that someone gave me for Christmas--lplastic handle, no liners, 440C. It is a two-hand open and close. It is OK for opening boxes and stuff, but other than that, I have not handled their knives. I am a Benchmade fan, myself....

Ravenfeeder · Jun 18, 2006

Thought I'd chim in. I have a S&W tacticle "S.W.A.T." folder. It has a partially serrated tanto blade and liner lock. I'll bet there is not a law enforcement professional that carries one. The liner lock is thin, it's only made for right hand operation, as there is only one thum stud and the clip is permanently mounted. This is NOT good gentlemen. The blade steel is marked as ROC (Republic of China) 440. This tells me, now that I am more educated on the subject, as this was my first tacticle folder from a catalouge, that 1. poor conctruction, as I had to tighten the screws on the scales myself out of the box, 2. 440 although fairly corrosion resistent, dosn't hold an edge as well as 440C which would have been a better choice and still keep the knife fairly inexpensive (the one I speak of cost me $24.00 with shipping). The knife came pretty sharp out of the box. However, after a few cuts on things like boxes it has given up some of that edge. Emagine if it had to cut a harnace or seatbelt or Heavy leather. I would reccomend staying away from this brand, especially if your looking for a tacticle performer.

Rat Finkenstein · Jun 18, 2006

If you want a Knife with a Gun name, get an HK series made by benchmade.

Chadilac · Jun 18, 2006

Rat Finkenstein said:
If you want a Knife with a Gun name, get an HK series made by benchmade.

Well spoken!:thumbup:

rifon2 · Jun 18, 2006

Rat Finkenstein said:
If you want a Knife with a Gun name, get an HK series made by benchmade.

Chadilac said:
Well spoken!:thumbup:

Yes, excellent suggestion indeed.

Confederate · Jun 19, 2006

I have several Beretta knives and like them, although some of their multiple blade knives are very tight. Sounds like everything said here is what I've heard. Shame, really, that a good gun maker would prostitute itself like that.

I've seen the H.K.s and I know they're decent. Beautiful knives, especially the tanto one I saw.

bobaloo · Jun 19, 2006

If you want a Knife with a Gun name, get an HK series made by benchmade.

I recently bought a Browning Ice Storm for one of my daughters. It's made in Seiko, Japan, by Mcusta and has a nice VG10 blade. Nice styling, very well made and good steel. Picked it up for only $30 brand new, I thought it was a heck of a deal.

Shann · Jun 19, 2006

Its good to know that there are a few good ones out there. I have been automatically discounting buying any knife with a "gun name" on it.

Atrain · Jun 19, 2006

I just picked up one of the S&W homeland security fixed blades for $35. Stupid name, but decent knife for the price.

BenchmadeNut · Jun 19, 2006

Confederate said:
I've seen the H.K.s and I know they're decent. Beautiful knives, especially the tanto one I saw.

Thats because they are made by Benchmade.

ging · Jun 19, 2006

I have handeled one S & W knife and while it was nowhere near the quality of other knives out there (Spyderco for me

) it was not bad for the price, if only used for light cutting.

Slightly OT but....that was the only 'good' knife that I have seen in the UK that I did not own

Redguy · Jun 19, 2006

bobaloo said:
I recently bought a Browning Ice Storm for one of my daughters. It's made in Seiko, Japan, by Mcusta and has a nice VG10 blade. Nice styling, very well made and good steel. Picked it up for only $30 brand new, I thought it was a heck of a deal.

Yes I've seen one of those with aluminium scales. Very good knife, but simply not my style.

I had one older Smith & Wesson folder. It has the softest bladesteel I've ever seen.

TexasNativeDRJH · Jun 19, 2006

I will say that 90% of S&W's are junk, but this $20 model has been good to me as a beater. It doesnt specify a blade steel, but I know its cheap beacause it takes a wicked sharp edge that dulls almost just by looking at it. I polished and waved the knife to make it more enjoyable to carry. There is an urban camo version of this same knife that is much crappier quality by comparison. The screws were as soft as lead.

Flashpoint · Jun 19, 2006

I recently bought a Browning Ice Storm for one of my daughters. It's made in Seiko, Japan, by Mcusta and has a nice VG10 blade. Nice styling, very well made and good steel. Picked it up for only $30 brand new, I thought it was a heck of a deal.

I picked up one of those too; very nice knife for the price. I haven't found any knife any sharper out of the box. The pocket clip is very interesting as well.