Smith & Wesson

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roof_top_eagle

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Dec 29, 2007
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I was wondering what everyone here thinks about S&W knives?
I was looking around on ebay and there are some nice knives up there I just don't want to jump in and buy some without any feedback on their reliability and quality. Anyone own one or know someone who does who can vouch for how good or bad they are?

Thanks
 
Most are made for them by Taylor Cutlery, and most are not well made. If you get one really cheap, it maybe OK for light use only. Years ago they had a few good ones, but not anymore.....
 
The traditional S&W knives are decent enough knives. The tactical models aren't really known for their longevity. My father has an S&W bowie that he's cleaned a couple deer with. He likes the knife, and thinks its comfortable but even he admits that the edge retention isn't so good on it.
 
tom19176 said:
Most are made for them by Taylor Cutlery, and most are not well made. If you get one really cheap, it maybe OK for light use only. Years ago they had a few good ones, but not anymore.....
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Most are made for them by Taylor Cutlery, in China and have many of the negative properties often associated with inexpensive Chinese made knives.

I understand that the quality varies from piece to piece.

Caveat emptor
 
I'm possibly the only BFer who thinks that some them are good knives, but all a bit overpriced.
 
I have several. I really like the Extreme Ops folder with the drop piont blade. It work well and holds a decent edge. Seem to lock up tight. I have had it for three years and carry it quite often. It gets quite a bit of abuse because it cost 6.00. It was sure worth that and more.
 
If you're going to order some, get them through Smokey Mountain Knife Works. They offer
reasonable prices and, for now, free shipping (holiday special). One knife you can get for five
bucks is one of S&W's best. It's the Extreme Ops Hawkbill. These have been discontinued and
appear to be very well built. And how can you go wrong with the price? Even if you don't like
them, they make excellent letter openers...well, the plain edged ones, at least. The serrated
model works well for pruning and opening packages.

The G10 inlays and aluminum handle are of good quality. The screws are flush and the knife is
comfortable to hold. My plain edge sharpened up well and the blade configuration is good for
cutting and scooping. For 4.99 each, buy a couple. Scroll down, they're listed on
SMKW's home page. The price says $9.99, but when you check out, it'll be $4.99.

SWCKHB.jpg
 
udtjim said:
I have several. I really like the Extreme Ops folder with the drop piont blad. It work well and holds a decent edge. Seem to lock up tight. I have had it for three years and carry it quite often. It gets quite a bit of abuse because it cost 6.00. It was sure worth that and more.
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I have a couple of green camo Extreme Ops. When I opened them, they were covered with oil and reminded me of some of the cheap Llama revolvers I had ordered for friends 20 years ago. Obviously the quality was lacking (as it was with the Llamas). But despite their seven dollar price, they held a better edge than I expected, and better than my $48 CRKT Desert Cruiser with AUS8 blade, which I think was a lemon. Still, it's ironic. A seven dollar knife that had better edge holding than a more expensive knife.

Obviously, many of the S&W knives are made by different manufacturers. The odds of getting a good one are somewhat better than dropping coins in a slot machine.

SWFLCST.jpg
 
Ah hell I will pick two up free shipping, so it is 10 for 2 of them should be fun to practice my sharpening skills on. $9.98 for both with standard ground shipping.
 
roof_top_eagle said:
I was wondering what everyone here thinks about S&W knives?
I was looking around on ebay and there are some nice knives up there I just don't want to jump in and buy some without any feedback on their reliability and quality. Anyone own one or know someone who does who can vouch for how good or bad they are?

Thanks
Click to expand...

You get what you pay for. You'll hear that a lot on the forums here. My advice: don't get your hopes up, and maybe you'll be surprised. They make good general use knives (I have three) but they are not heavy duty by any means.

thx - cpr
 
the knives are poo, and the guns have been on a steady downward spiral. just my .02.
 
roof top. Don't buy them expecting wonders. Buy them for playing around with or practicing sharpening. One of mine is going to my suitemate for giving me beer.
 
Just an aside...S&W's new 1911's are VERY good guns...especially the scandium models, and I hear GREAT things about both the M&P rifle's AND pistols from avid shooters, LEO'S, and buddies who run a range. Their revolvers are also highly regarded. What I do hear a lot of negatives about are the Sigmas and some of their older model autoloaders like the 5906 and the 6906.

As for the knives, I don't own any, but maybe there is something to this, "buy a couple cheap to practice sharpening." Might be a good idea to do that before I try sharpening my incoming CQC-8. That sale still going on?

J
J
 
Some of the new SWAT IIs are getting some favorable reviews, but dang, they're still linerlocks. As long as S&W continues to put out knives with locks like this, I can't imagine they'll ever get serious about the folder market.

As for their autos, I've got a 656 and a 6906 and couldn't be happier with them. They've got stainless frames and at the time the 656 came out, the only other sure bet was the Beretta 92. The aluminum frame of the Beretta plus its size made the 656 a no-brainer, though many didn't care for the large grip; it fit my hand just fine. Right now, I wouldn't sell either, but it's tough to buy a really bad 9mm now. Gun magazines, like knife magazines, will never bad mouth a product until it's out of production. Advertising money covers a multitude of sins.

I just wish they'd put out decent knives. Still, they're a good source for "cheapies" and beaters. Even the Raven .25 $50 pistol had a following.
 
roof_top_eagle said:
I was wondering what everyone here thinks about S&W knives?
I was looking around on ebay and there are some nice knives up there I just don't want to jump in and buy some without any feedback on their reliability and quality. Anyone own one or know someone who does who can vouch for how good or bad they are?

Thanks
Click to expand...
The essential aspect of a "nice" knife is a good heat treatment. Sadly, that cannot be seen, even holding the knife in your hand. It can be experienced, but that opportunity typically follows purchase. So you are reduced to trust in the reputation of the maker for consistent quality.
 
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