Who's got a J.W. Smith folder........

ARtsig1

ARtsig1

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.......Just ordered one from Larry B. I found a large recurve with micarta handles, titanium bolsters, and a 4" CPM420V blade. I've read several good things about this maker and his folders. So if you have one tell me about it, good and bad! Lets hear it.
 
I have two Smiths, a large recurve and a MRC. I have never seen or handled one of his art knives (they great though). J.W. Smith makes great tacticals that are probably best compared to Kit Carson and Mike Obenauf. They are both from Kentucky, I wonder if Kit helped Smith getting started or vice versa? Their knives resemble each other except that Smiths' knives tend to have less belly and look a bit more daggerish while Carson and Obenauf tend towards knives with very utilitarian profiles.

Both of my Smiths are very well made. My MRC is rock solid in terms of its lockup, it is very light and compact for a knife with a 3.5" blade. The large recurve is a great knife also, it has a very slight bit of vertical play (J.W. Smith offered to fix this, I just have not gotten around to sending him the knife yet.)

My MRC, is 154CM and has not seen much in the way of use, my recurve is 420V (S60V), I think. I bought it second hand. The knife is pretty tought to sharpen, but it holds an edge very well. The curve is a great cutter and fine overall work knife. The heavy 4" blade flips out very easily. Either knife would be great in pinch, but the recurve really can fly open.

Overall, Smith makes great knives. Although he is not as high profile, his knives are easily in the class of Carson, Obenauf, or Terzoula when it comes to tactical or hard use knives.
 
Thanks for the report Anthony. The one I have coming is most likely like your 4" recurve, minus the vertical play I hope:eek: I read elsewhere that Kit influenced J.W. as far as the folders went since they are close together. If the Smith is similar to the Obie and Carson's I know I will be pleased. In doing a search Les I came across that statement about J.W. being one of the top five. THAT makes me feel like I done good:D :cool:

BTW, Les you were all out of J.W.'s:( :( :(

But next time...............
 
I've owned 2 JW Smith folders in the past. I loved them. Fit and finish is superb. The smoothness has to be felt. JW knows how to make a folder. You will not be disapointed.

BTW, I carry a Carson M4 and sometimes alternate that with an Obenauf M2... The Smith is most definately in the same category as Kit, and Mike will be there with those 2 very very soon.

JR
 
I've got one that's being enhanced a bit right now. I'll post in the gallery when it's done. Aside from the other great comments on this example of world-class workmanship, it sits low clipped on the pocket fitting very nicely clipped in the right side of my right rear pocket. Almost disappears, but can quickly be brought into action.
 
Keep those comments coming! I really starting to think I done REAL good! Jeremy, the Odie large model 2 is my favorite carry and has been since I got it a couple weeks ago. I have placed an order with Mike for a large model 2 framelock.:D :cool: :)
 
Mr. Smith's knives are some of the best value in folders IMHO!

I bought my first one, an MRC, and I was so impressed with it that I went on a hunt for more. Now, I have 4 of them! Every bit of attention to detail that you will find in a Carson is there in a Smith.

Having not handled anywhere near as many knives as Les, I will defer to his expert advice: "He is one of the top 5 folder makers". Usually, Les is right on the money. (Just ask him!;) )

His new framelocks are outstanding!

The crew from Kentucky makes great knives!

Daniel :D
 
of things I can't afford right now. I've fondled John's knives at Plaza Cutlery and at the Solvang show where I was pleased to meet Mr. Smith. To me, his knives are incomparable.

While a John W. Smith folder is beyond my means at the moment, I'm really kicking myself for not buying a Chris Smith (John's son according to the folks at Nordic Knives) that I saw a couple months ago at a very reasonable price.

Live and learn.

jmx
 
..............WHERE HAVE I BEEN!! This is an outstanding piece of work. I was not expecting such big knife yet a small knife.:eek: Big in the build as in the thick liners, full backspacer, thick blade, and just an overall hefty feel to it. It feel much like my Carson and Obenauf folders. Small in the narrow blade, not the belly as on Mikes and Kits, but I like it nontheless. The handle shape is perfect with a dropped butt and flared bolster. Your hand just locks on. Lock up is excellent as is the action. The attention to detail is great. Dovetailed bolsters are a perfect fit. The makers mark is a diamond with JWS on the inside and is located on the bottom of the blade tang. Everything about this nice screams quality. Since JW is a protegee of sorts to Kit Carson as is Mike Obenauf it looks like I have a knife from each of the makers that comprise the "Kentucky Trio"!
 
The more I handle this knife the more I am reminded of Kit's knives. The shape of the handle and blade is not Kit but the overall feel and build show his influences, just as they show up on Mike's stuff. This is not a complaint of any type, rather a compliment of the highest order as far as I'm concerned! The pictures on web sites don't show this to be as big a knife as it is. I was expecting something a bit less hefty and a bit smaller. Bear in mind this ain't a complaint either! Again, by big I mean thick liners and thick blade (almost 5/32" if not that) The blade is thicker at the rear of it and gradually thins out towards the tip, very light and handy in the hand.

Anyone on the bubble on one of these better hop on it.........before I do!!!;) :eek:
 
Artsig, you should get a knife by J.W. Smith's son, Chris. From everything I hear, he makes great knives and they are prety inexpensive for customs. That way you will have a Kentucky quartet instead of a trio.:)
 
.....www.nordicknives.com for $400.00 that looks sorta like a MRC with a more pronounced clip. At the time I did not know he was JW's son. Just went back to look and it is sold. Still on there though if you want to have a look. It is under Tactical Folders.

The more I've carried the Smith today the more I have come to like it. I wasn't too sure at first about the design, even though the build had me sold. I was thinking that the blade was too narrow along with the handles being narrow from top to bottom. I wasn't too sure about all the curves in it either. Today though as I handled it some I begin to appreciate that narrow but thick handle as my hand seems to be a perfect fit and each little curve is in just the right spot for my hand to fit like a T. That narrow blade has grown on me too, especially since it is nice and thick at the rear and gradually tapers down towards the point. The recurve was also very slight but today in cutting some cardboard that "sweet spot" ate right through the cardboard like butter.

I'm telling you..........I think I'm gonna like this knife!!
 
I saw it, handled it, and should have bought it. The action felt just about like one of his Dad's knives. There was a tiny mis fitting of one scale to the bolster and I obsessed about it. Now I'm kicking myself for not just buying it. It was a really sweet knife.

I hope there's some Chris Smiths at Blade West.

jmx
 
I was browsing some knife sites last night... Knifeart had 2 Chris Smith folders. $350 each. You might want to take a look.

JR
 
.......and have finalized the trade. I bought a knife a few weeks ago that has been put up since it came. I haven't had it out because I got hooked up with the Obenauf's and the Smith's. I wasn't going to be carrying the knife either so I got back in touch and there was a large recurve framelock with the "flipper" and carbon fiber overlays available so I did a trade! Hope to have it here by Friday.

Looks like I have to put the Obie up for a bit and get the Smith back out to carry..........at least until Friday!:D :cool: :D
 
Art,
I have 3 JWS folders and have posted several threads, (along with many other forumites), about how quality they are. You must have had your head in the sand and only came up for Sebenza's!;) I have to say, I can't stand recurve blades and my JWS's AREN'T recurves but they ARE as quality as any folders I've ever held. I want to give Michael Mahony, ("miquet"), credit for making me aware of JW's craftmanship.

Also Art, check out my update of the "Mega" folder!
 
:eek: :eek: :eek: You may be onto something Gene! I had seen and heard about the Smith's but every picture I saw made them look to be smaller and maybe even daintyfied. It was not until I actually got one on the way that I received several emails from some Suspects about how much these were like a Carson/Obenauf. You know, big build! And of course they were. I am really anticipating seeing the framelock. Even though it is listed as a recurve the large RC recuve I have don't have a whole lot of recurve to it.

I will go check on the mega bowi.........uh folder right now!:D
 
Art, I had gotten the one from TAD that is very similar to Dexters, but with less bullnose in tip. But thte recurve is AWESOME!

Fit and finish is excellent. Wish the handle had more purchase, though. I might be dealing with Mr. Smith on a custom lefty version.
 
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