neeed info on S&W SW5000 knife

.45mtngun · Nov 21, 2018

Gentlemen,
Recently aquired S&W switch blade marked "Smith & Wesson/S.W.A.T." on one side of the blade and "SW5000/Taiwan" on the other. Half of the blade is serrated. Whats interesting is that it also has a thumb "button" for assist opening as well. The knife is in 95% condition.The blade appears to be of very good steel, very hard and never sharpened.Any info on the history and data would be appreciated.
Thanks for your time.
Jim

opoefc · Nov 21, 2018

For many years, S&W knives were made in the USA by their licensee, Taylor Cutlery Co. Until S&W bought Taylor a couple yrs. ago to add them to the new "American Outdoor Brands" conglomerate. There was a period about a doz yrs. ago ( in my recollection) that Taylor outsourced some of their S&W knife production to Taiwan, however Anti-Chinese quality sentiment hurt the sale of these Taiwan marked knives. although their quality was very good, probably equal to US made Taylor knives. Your knife was one of the Taiwan made products. Now, having said all that, Taylor made 1000s of tactical type knives, all with S&W's name on them, that were not accepted by S&W marketing for inclusion in the factory knife catalog for various reason, and I suspect a marking indicating Chinese manufacture may have been one of the reasons. You would have to do a search of all the S&W knife catalogs, to see if model SW5000 was ever listed as an official factory authorized knife. The knives not accepted for the S&W catalog were dumped on the wholesale knife market for a buck, or two, and that's why you see them for sale for $5- $10 at Big Five, and swap meets. etc. Worth the money. Ed.

.45mtngun · Nov 21, 2018

Ed,
Thanks for your reply. From what i can tell this knife looks pretty well made. Many years ago i uses to collect knives. This knife was carried some but looks to have never been sharpened except for the factory. Thanks again,
Jim

neeed info on S&W SW5000 knife

.45mtngun

US Veteran

opoefc

US Veteran

.45mtngun

US Veteran

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