smkw smith and wesson slipjoints

Jack142

Jack142

Joined
Aug 26, 2002
Messages
433
hi Gang,
In SMKW catalog on the last page they had some Smith & Wesson knives, slipjoints. My buddy likes slipjoints and I was thinking of getting one for him for christmas.
My question is do you know anything about the steel they use.
I just wondering how well it will hold a edge etc
My bud can kill a knife in a years time. The tips will be broken and it will be sharpened on a stone and ground bad.
I usually get him a shrade but well no more
I did get him a Rough Rider sowbelly he reallly liked it. and surprising that he hasnt killed it yet. It actually holds a edge for awhile. Not as good as my knives but I a admitted snob when it comes to knives.
Anyway, what can you guys tell me about S & W

Thanks Jack
 
In terms of steel they use AUS 6 on all the knives I know of except a few which they say uses 440C. Furthermore, the heat treat isnt that good so there knives dull pretty quickly yet they are not that easy to sharpen. If you know your buddy will like the knife then perhaps you should get it for him but, i have not had good expirences with them and you will probably not hear that many great things about their knives on this site.
 
I once bought a smith and wesson knife with two blades, a serrated one and a plain edge, the blade was labeled "Cuttin' Horse" both blades literally fell off 30 minutes after I bought it.
 
I haven't owned one of the new S&W slipjoints, but I'm sure they'll be a bargain for the money.

Take a look at Steel Warrior, Marble's and Remington, too.

All good knives made in China (some in pearl) and quite inexpensive.

The small lockback Remingtons are available in pearl (which is nice) but they've also come out with the same knife in a "Rimfire" model (with a .22 rimfire bullet shield) in red or green jigged bone and I like the look of them.

The workmanship on these is excellent and the steel is at least adequate. They may require more touch-up than some higher grade knives, but I haven't found the steel to be a problem yet in the ones I have.
 
My best slipjoint for the money by far is a Boker Magnum 4 1/4" sowbelly stockman in red jigged bone. Chinese made, but fit and finish is great. 440A steel. Cost me about $15 new on ebay.

After that surprisingly good experience, I bought a Steel Warrior 4" stockman as I had heard they were good value knives as well. Definitely a good value for the $12 I paid for it, but I wasn't nearly as impressed as with the Boker Magnum.

One of each is not much to go on, but based on my very limited experience I'd go with a Boker Magnum over a Steel Warrior.

As for S+W, I have no experience with their slipjoints, but I have the "Urban Camo" karambit and an HRT neck knife, both in 440C. For the $15 apiece I paid for these, they are excellent values.
 
I bought one of those big Boker Sowbelly magnums on e-Bay and it was excellent except it had a jagged chip out of the bone on one handle. Not huge, but not acceptable.

I sent it back and the seller was very professional and not only gave me my money back, but paid all costs (which a lot of them won't do).

Unfortunately, he didn't have another one at that time and this reminds me I should look for another one, because I think that's a great looking knife and i'm sure mine was just a quality control mistake.
 
Hi Gang,
Do you have any idea where I can find out what the steel is ?
Web site ? Phone call >?
I will look at the other knives that were discussed.
I just dont want to buy a knife that will break or dull with his first use.
I usually give knives as gifts for christmas. I bought a few schrades, a kershaw double cross and 1 rough rider since we been exchanging.
He likes the rough rider sowbelly with the abalone handles. It is a good lookin knife, and it does stay sharp for awhile. He brags about it all the time, its his edc now.
you guys also mentioned Marbles what do you know about them ? Steel etc

Thanks Jack
 
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