S&W SWHRT9B boot knife - any opinions?

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dogngun

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I just bought 2 of these online - they are the black powder coated stainless steel double edged blade, a 4 3/4" blade, rubbery grip with black leather sheath and spring steel belt clip. Got them for about $16.60 each, free shipping. Are these from Taylor distributing? They are made in China and seem to get good owner reviews.

Many years ago, I had a similar-smaller-Gerber boot knife that was stolen...and since the recent Gerbers are made in China, I thought these might be a good substitute...one is intended as a gift for a young lady in WV whose grandpa taught her how to use a knife seriously...

Any experience or opinions with these or the current S&W fixed blades in general is appreciated...thanks.
 
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dogngun said:
Any experience or opinions with these or the current S&W fixed blades in general is appreciated...thanks.
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I sort of hate to give you mine, because you've decided to buy and I disagree with your well-reasoned decision.

I wouldn't buy a revolver from Gerber, Kershaw or Case. When I buy a knife, it's from a knife company - not an unknown manufacturing company seeking to capitalize on the name and logo of a well established gun company. I don't buy "Colt" knives, I don't buy "HK" knives, I don't buy "Uzi" knives and I don't buy "S&W" knives - these all strike me as knock-offs of better designs by real knife companies that are sold at a price point intended to excite teens who don't know any better.

I managed a gun store for two years between college and law school, and I saw some mighty schlocky knives of this type brought in by distributors. Maybe it's changed since then, but I've not seen any proof of it. I stick to knives by knifemakers - whether big ones like Böker or Benchmade, or little guys making pieces one at a time. I feel that there are some terrific and innovative designs that have come out in the last 30 years in this focused market, and that these are amazingly useful - and I feel I can trust these knife-only companies to make and stand behind a good product with good steel.

If you feel you got a good value for your money and that the knives you received are good for your purposes, that's all that matters and I'm happy for you. My opinion on "gun brand" knives is totally irrelevant. But, since you asked . . . that's not a pond in which you'll find me fishing.
 
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Have to agree with Erich.........with two addendum...........

1.What quality of knife do you think you are getting for $16???????

2. If the young lady in WV knows her knives..... You'd better add a couple hundred to that $16....... if you expect to "get lucky"!!!!!!



My kit will usually have 2 knives...... a good one and a generic utility knife for dirty jobs to save my "good knife".

I've had a Kershaw diving/boot knife since the mid-80s..it was cool and I was young,...........never found a use for it........

It's been years since I've had to take out a sentry with a knife..... and I try to never bring a knife to a gun fight.........LOL


Edit: Thinking about it I think that Kershaw was around $40 in 83/84...MSRP today $70
 
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I have to agree with everyone. I avoid knives made for gun companies. I have an out the front S&W knife and I hate the thing, I keep thinking the safety is going to fail.

If you want some really good suggestions go over to The Blade Forums, they are really knowledable of there and can help you find some great knives.

And never forget what they say, "You get what you pay for."

One other good company you might like is Cold Steel.
 
The reason I got them was because I thought they would be of at least acceptable quality because of the S&W name...I see I was wrong. I have 2 old Remington-made PAL WWII knives that are what I use for hiking, etc, and I will probably send her one of those and return the boots.

FWIW, most of the owner reviews I have read agree with you...unfortunately, I read them after I had already made the purchase.

Thanks.
 
Numerous makers (mostly in China) tend to put the S&W logo on things that are not licensed by S&W. In order to be licensed by S&W check the catalog's, if licensed it will be listed. Otherwise it is the same quality that you find on cards in the truck stops.
 
Another thing to consider is that double edged knives are illegal in some States, not sure about the two States mentioned.
 
Have I have mentioned, I am a gun collector but a knife accumulator.
The only Smith blades that I ever liked are US made Blackie Collins designed.
Lately I have morphed into a Bark River fan. I like to tell folks that I have been to the PI, DI, ZI and the UP. The Bark Rivers are made in the UP.
In this pic repost, the grey handle neck knife is a Snody design. They tell me he is a Texas good old boy. I never actually met anybody named that!
 

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Mack said:
Another thing to consider is that double edged knives are illegal in some States, not sure about the two States mentioned.
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Here in PA it's not legal to carry a double edged knife, but legal to own one, which is kind of pointless...In WV, it's pretty much the same.

I'm sending my friend an old Ka-Bar 7 1/2" fixed blade hunting knife from the 70's, I believe...4" blade, sharp as hell, and a good quality knife.

The boot knives I got are OK, but nothing special and maybe average quality, but pretty useless.

FWIW, I's not about "getting lucky"...I'm 67 and have had several heart attacks and I feel like I get lucky when I wake up in the morning.
 
I also have a 'boot knife' - made in the USA by Camillus....

Scary sharp...........but, I have absolutely no use for it..I don't wear boots!!:)

I can't imagine using it on anyone....I would have to get way too close!

The 9mm would be much more better.;)

 
dogngun said:
I have 2 old Remington-made PAL WWII knives that are what I use for hiking,

Thanks.
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Probably the best all around knife ever made, big enough, but not so thick it can't be used for food preparation. Tough to find a "hunting" or "combat knife" that can slice an onion. Also the steel they used was awesome holds a really nice edge. The best part is the handle is actually big enough that your hand is not hanging off.

I love my ka-bars, but the Pal navy deck knives are far better IMHO. The bottom ones in this picture that are closest are Pal knives of different sizes, note the one with the wooden pommel due to war time shortages. The rest of the row is Navy deck knives made by different companys.

comparison002_zps85b1b272.jpg


If S&W were the manufacturer of these knives I am sure they would be top quality, but they are farmed out. I have some S&W knives that I think were made by Camilius, they are good quality. Best bet is to look at what country they are made in. All in all I think you will be happy with your knives for what you paid. Ed
 
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I have 3 S&W knives, all are made by Taylor and are acceptable for the price i paid. I have an HRT3, the smaller double edge boot knife and it's perfectly acceptable for the $7.00 I paid. Obviously it doenst compare to my CRKT Sting or Gerber Gaurdian but they were 4x the price. I have to say my Kershaw Cryo2 I EDC has been exceptional for the $30 price. Sure I would love to stock pile ZTs but with 4 kids and one going to college next year dropping $200+ on a blade won't sit well with the wife. lol.
 
I have a S&W Border guard 4, serrated, tanto tip. I like it. Hefty knife. Good lock up.

I had a BG2 that I abused frequently. My hunch is the lock was bad to begin with.

Taylor took it in under warranty and sent me a new BG4. They are decent knives for the price, I'd buy more.

They obviously aren't Spydercos or anything. But you can't compare a $20 knife to a $100 one. For their price point they perform well.

Sent from my SGH-T769 using Tapatalk 2
 
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