Are S&W Knives Underrated?

[KBG]

I've carried and used knives for years, though never as heavy as some woodsmen. Still, I've read numerous articles and I've formed my own opinions (many whom I've shared at forums such as this). But this is one I've mulled for some time, and it's based on observation and experience. Are S&W Knives on the whole underrated? Or are they overrated? My opinion is simple and perhaps predictable: YES to both!

First to dispel the beat: are they underrated? It depends on the knife and the time that's being discussed. Several years ago, S&W blade steel was pretty much 440C, it had an “iffy“ reputation. Many serious users shied away from it. And it was understandable. The construction was poor and the steel quality was an unknown. These clearly didn't didn't represent what a company, the likes of which Smith & Wesson was supposed to represent, was supposed to be made of. The term was, for the price (generally $7-$9) it was a bargain. And though the construction wasn't the greatest, it wouldn't catastrophically fail and take your fingers with it. And the 440C blade wasn't bad. Not bad at all.

Then there was the HOMELAND SECURITY fixed blade knives. It was an astoundingly good knife at a very reasonably-priced knife. Again, it was a 440C slab of heavy steel, but this time of excellent construction. It had very good chopping and cutting capability and it's edge holding was excellent for a camping knife. The only thing required, really, were work gloves because the ergonomics were horrible. But at the prices I paid for the ones I got and still have not opened or used, it was a deal! In fact, the sheath alone would cost me more to make than what I paid for the knife, which was $19.95 (shipped). Today, the blade is made from some cheap Chinese steel. May still be a great deal, but I did some searching on eBay to find the 440C models. In fact, many eBay sellers advertised their blades as being 440C, and I cancelled the transaction when the sellers couldn't confirm they had the 440C models.

Do what do you think? Good or bad experiences with S&W?

 

[BillyMagg]

I've carried and used knives for years, though never as heavy as some woodsmen. Still, I've read numerous articles and I've formed my own opinions (many whom I've shared at forums such as this). But this is one I've mulled for some time, and it's based on observation and experience. Are S&W Knives on the whole underrated? Or are they overrated? My opinion is simple and perhaps predictable: YES to both!

First to dispel the beat: are they underrated? It depends on the knife and the time that's being discussed. Several years ago, S&W blade steel was pretty much 440C, it had an “iffy“ reputation. Many serious users shied away from it. And it was understandable. The construction was poor and the steel quality was an unknown. These clearly didn't didn't represent what a company, the likes of which Smith & Wesson was supposed to represent, was supposed to be made of. The term was, for the price (generally $7-$9) it was a bargain. And though the construction wasn't the greatest, it wouldn't catastrophically fail and take your fingers with it. And the 440C blade wasn't bad. Not bad at all.

Then there was the HOMELAND SECURITY fixed blade knives. It was an astoundingly good knife at a very reasonably-priced knife. Again, it was a 440C slab of heavy steel, but this time of excellent construction. It had very good chopping and cutting capability and it's edge holding was excellent for a camping knife. The only thing required, really, were work gloves because the ergonomics were horrible. But at the prices I paid for the ones I got and still have not opened or used, it was a deal! In fact, the sheath alone would cost me more to make than what I paid for the knife, which was $19.95 (shipped). Today, the blade is made from some cheap Chinese steel. May still be a great deal, but I did some searching on eBay to find the 440C models. In fact, many eBay sellers advertised their blades as being 440C, and I cancelled the transaction when the sellers couldn't confirm they had the 440C models.

Do what do you think? Good or bad experiences with S&W?

"Cheap Chinese Junk",,, I had one I carried because I didn't care if I lost it or not,,,, I think I had it in my pocket when I went to Busch Stadium, and there it stayed, not worth the 4 block walk back to the parking garage....

I have had a few "Swiss Army Knives", I think I had two Cadets, loved em, would shave like nobody's biznez, but would NOT hold an edge.... carbon steel makes a much better blade than any stainless

I have my Dad's made in Solingen stag Bowie, its been sharpened and not mint, but very nice, I have a Puma, also stag, but a much nicer knife, and a large Buck Bowie,,, assorted "Old Timers", from my Dad, and Pappy in Law, both passed...

and two new Case XX pocket knives, on with two blades, and a Persimmon dyed bone handle, (my wifey saw me pick it up and admire it, at a Gun show, when I set it down and left she went back and bought it for me for Christmas this year), and a "Stockman", with a beautiful bone handle....

oh, and I have a small Benchmade Griptillian, with the "axis" locking mechanism, now that is a knife!

 

[Marshwheeling]

I once had an S&W-branded knife. This was many years ago, before I knew anything about knives or guns. Even in my state of limited knowledge, it astounded me that a reputable manufacturer would let its name be put on such an obvious piece of junk. The blade was no-name stainless that would barely cut a sandwich. It rattled around in tool drawers for a couple of years until the molded handle broke and I binned it.

I have never felt the urge to buy another S&W knife.

 

[jeffrefrig]

I bought one at Graingers a while back. It's one of those ones to keep in the car: it has a seatbelt-cutting slot to use with it closed, a window-breaking point on the heel, and a sharp blade that I've never used. Imported from the far East. I think it may be serrated on part of the blade. About $20 or so. If I have to use it once, it will be OK, but it's only $20 for a reason. No complaints here. It will stab someone, no problem, if they try to molest me through the window!

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I believe the overall answer is NO!
The long ago original Blackie Collins blades were not bad but probably overpriced.
As time goes on, the knives gets cheaper and quality goes down.
Then Here comes lower quality offshore production.
Just they are some more blister packed blades down at the big Box!
I have owned several.
This is the only one I kept.

 

[billwill]

S&W did not excel in this category of hammering and cutting steel. Much better choices out there for your hard earned $$

 

[kwselke]

I do not believe that Smith & Wesson made knives, they sold knives. As a knife brand Smith & Wesson means nothing to me as a knife consumer. I have some cheap knives marked Duck Unlimited too, I recognize them for what they are.

 

[double-dipper]

I had one got it from Orscheln's Farm and Home. cheep knife. I forgot it was in my pocket when I went through security at the airport and the TSA agent said I could get out of line and go mail it back to myself. I said no thanks its yours now. I carry an OLD TIMER now.

 

[kwselke]

I believe the overall answer is NO!
The long ago original Blackie Collins blades were not bad but probably overpriced.
As time goes on, the knives gets cheaper and quality goes down.
Then Here comes lower quality offshore production.
Just they are some more blister packed blades down at the big Box!
I have owned several.
This is the only one I kept.

That appears to be a quality knife. Do you have any idea who made it for Smith & Wesson?

 

[Marshwheeling]

I suppose everybody knows that S&W bought Taylor Brands a couple of years ago. Taylor owns the Schrade, Uncle Henry and Old Timer brands, and makes knives under those brands in China and Taiwan. Taylor had also been making knives for several years under contract to S&W. There was speculation at the time whether the acquisition would result improvements either to the Taylor trademarks (presumably as a result of S&W influence) or to the quality of S&W-branded knives (ditto).

As it happens, not too long ago I bought a fairly recent Schrade release, the SCH55, designed by Brian Griffin. I had never heard of Brian Griffin, and the sch55 is not the type of knife I ordinarily buy, but Griffin described at some length his knife and the considerations that went into the design in a long thread in Bladeforums. I liked what he had to say, and the knife was not expensive. I guess you could say I now have another S&W knife, made in Taiwan.

Schrade SCHF55 Blackbird, And Some Little Known Facts | BladeForums.com

 

[k22fan]

That appears to be a quality knife. Do you have any idea who made it for Smith & Wesson?

That is one of the Blackie Collins designed 1970s knives. That drop point was the only folder. I believe that S&W actually made them but I'm not certain. They came in smaller versions of the two piece handgun boxes. The fixed blades were serial numbered. The serial numbered box end labels were similar to handgun box end labels. I forget if the folders had serial numbers. Factory pamphlets wrote the blade steel was 440. SMKW ads have described them as 440A. Factory pamphlets also wrote that all of the fixed blades except the shortest Skinner were forged. The folder is the most numerous Blackie Collins design followed by the Bowie. A NIB 1970s S&W knife looks great in a S&W collection but buying one is an expensive way to get a tool.

 

[kwselke]

That is one of the Blackie Collins designed 1970s knives. That drop point was the only folder. I believe that S&W actually made them but I'm not certain. They came in smaller versions of the two piece handgun boxes. The fixed blades were serial numbered. The serial numbered box end labels were similar to handgun box end labels. I forget if the folders had serial numbers. Factory pamphlets wrote the blade steel was 440. SMKW ads have described them as 440A. Factory pamphlets also wrote that all of the fixed blades except the shortest Skinner were forged. The folder is the most numerous Blackie Collins design followed by the Bowie. A NIB 1970s S&W knife looks great in a S&W collection but buying one is an expensive way to get a tool.

My favorite dive knife of all time was a Blackie Collins design. I believe it was branded Tekna or Tabata, Japanese scuba equipment manufactures. 440A has a high chrome content, on the order of 17% I believe, it is very rust resistant but mine rusted anyway. I'm thinking your knife was probably made by Camillus or maybe Buck. A beautiful is beautiful no matter what name is stuck on it.

 

[mauser9]

Yeah that is what I figured. Cheap steel that probably does not hold an edge. Like shoes and boots many of our formerly made U.S.A knives now made overseas. Much better off with a knife from Case, Buck, Topps, or even Kershaw with more quality steel. When I was a young teen I bought a Puma Skinner made in 1966 with that Pumaster carbon steel. Best one I still own and cost me around $30. More of a collector item now.

 

[kwselke]

Yeah that is what I figured. Cheap steel that probably does not hold an edge. Like shoes and boots many of our formerly made U.S.A knives now made overseas. Much better off with a knife from Case, Buck, Topps, or even Kershaw with more quality steel. When I was a young teen I bought a Puma Skinner made in 1966 with that Pumaster carbon steel. Best one I still own and cost me around $30. More of a collector item now.

Yep Puma 440A steel was cheap back in the day.


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[THE PILGRIM]

The Blackie Collins designed the Smith Knives including the 6060 Folding Hunter- some sources indicate that the non-folders were in fact made at Springfield,
The Model 6060 knife came out in 1974 as part of the Blackie Collins, (a renowned knife maker), designed this knife at S&W. The Model 6060 Folding Hunter knife, designed in 1972 was not made by S&W as the factory was not tooled to produce a folding knife, so the production was contracted out to three knife making companies, Carolina Knife Co., Alcas and Bowen. The standard production Model 6060 had a special pressurized natural wood, called "Wessonwood." Model 6060 could have been ordered from any of the three Knife Companies, but I believe that this knife (the one for sale whose ad I copied) was probably made by Alcas or Bowen.
This knife comes with the 109W Original Leather Case and the Original Box.
No clue who made the one I have!

 

[k22fan]

[...] I'm thinking your knife was probably made by Camillus or maybe Buck. [...]

The 1970s Model 6060 folder pictured above is not mine. It belongs to THE PILGRIM. Its handle shape, choil and square cornered bolsters do not match any Buck or Camillus pattern that I am aware of. Also neither Buck nor Camillus were known for mirror polished blades.

 

[Narragansett]

The Benchmade axis is a solid lock up. I believe S&W knives are made by Taylor cutlery in China, Taylor also makes Schrade knives. Also China. Schrade went out of business in their 100th year. They made some 100 year labeled commemorative lockbacks. I have a few in the box new. I carry autos. I have Benchmade, but they are slow IMO. I carry Piranha, Protec, and micro tech. I have a couple old fixed Solingen hunters that you can shave with. never could part with the money for a Randall or wait the 4 years to get one. My fixed blades are Camillus, Kabar, ans Olean. They all made Ka Bar design for the USG.

With the exception of the Solingens that I have had for 50 years, there are only US made knives in my safe.

The demise of Schrade was terrible. Three generations at a time worked for them. A local economy really felt the pinch. A way of life changed

Some things are sacred, and my knives are one of them. Some of the USA kershaws are nice, and there are a couple other others that just don't come to mind, but knives and guns at least for me, come from the US of A.

Almost forgot, I have a S&W folder. It was a gift in a 2 part tin. It is still there unused

Just my .02

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I have a lot of knives made just about everywhere.
I prefer US made.
And I also hate the demise of the American Knife industry.
That’s why I think it’s important to support the survivors.
And when it comes to traditional folders, Great Eastern in Titusville, PA is hanging tough!
They make several lines of folders using mostly traditional 1095 Steel.

Great Eastern Cutlery - Traditional American Pocket Knives

 

[diyj98]

The few S&W knives I've examined reminded me of many of the S&W labeled shotguns. Cheap foreign made junk that they just slapped their name on.

 

[Rivoak01]

I once had an S&W-branded knife. This was many years ago, before I knew anything about knives or guns. Even in my state of limited knowledge, it astounded me that a reputable manufacturer would let its name be put on such an obvious piece of junk. The blade was no-name stainless that would barely cut a sandwich. It rattled around in tool drawers for a couple of years until the molded handle broke and I binned it.

I have never felt the urge to buy another S&W knife.

Yup. I think they are just peddling their brand name to a third party.


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