opinion s&w hrt mag
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VikingBlood
Member
I handled one in a store, i mostly liked it, but be warned: the thumbstud is mainly for show, I couldn't open it with the stud. You use the hilt protrusions like a Carson flipper, as seen on CRKT's M16 line. I didn't buy it, so I can't comment on the steel or anything like that. Seemed to be put together pretty solidly, though, and it does look cool.
Don Gwinn
Moderator Emeritus
I don't want to discourage you; I'll just say that I've never been impressed with the quality of Smith and Wesson's knife line. S&W has nothing to do with the manufacture of the knives, they just licensed their name. For $40 there are much better choices out there from Spyderco, Benchmade, and even old favorites like Buck.
Nifty gadgets are great, but they don't replace quality. If you like the "flipper" opening style in that price range, I'd look at the licensed Kit Carson copies CRKT makes. I don't own a CRKT and can't claim to be an expert on them, but the ones I've handled and used have been well-made.
I notice Botach Tactical acknowledges the "influence" Darrel Ralph's Mad Max had on this design. I wonder if S&W licensed their design from Mr. Ralph? It looks like they changed it just enough not to need license.
My recollection is imperfect, but wasn't S&W the company that ripped off the "Krait" from DDR without so much as a thank-you? Perhaps they've learned from the experience.
You can probably use the S&W for the rest of your life with no problem, but if you can stay in the same price range and get better quality, why not?
Not that it really matters, but I wonder why they call this an "HRT Magnesium?" It has a 440C blade and plastic grips, so where's the Magnesium?
YMMV, etc. etc. etc., but IMHO the blatant copying in the knife industry is out of control. If you want a cheaper copy of a custom maker's design, I'd go to Kershaw, CRKT, Ontario or Benchmade for a start. These people are also making copies, but they're doing it right by maintaining high standards for quality and paying the designers licensing fees.
Nifty gadgets are great, but they don't replace quality. If you like the "flipper" opening style in that price range, I'd look at the licensed Kit Carson copies CRKT makes. I don't own a CRKT and can't claim to be an expert on them, but the ones I've handled and used have been well-made.
I notice Botach Tactical acknowledges the "influence" Darrel Ralph's Mad Max had on this design. I wonder if S&W licensed their design from Mr. Ralph? It looks like they changed it just enough not to need license.
My recollection is imperfect, but wasn't S&W the company that ripped off the "Krait" from DDR without so much as a thank-you? Perhaps they've learned from the experience.
You can probably use the S&W for the rest of your life with no problem, but if you can stay in the same price range and get better quality, why not?
Not that it really matters, but I wonder why they call this an "HRT Magnesium?" It has a 440C blade and plastic grips, so where's the Magnesium?
YMMV, etc. etc. etc., but IMHO the blatant copying in the knife industry is out of control. If you want a cheaper copy of a custom maker's design, I'd go to Kershaw, CRKT, Ontario or Benchmade for a start. These people are also making copies, but they're doing it right by maintaining high standards for quality and paying the designers licensing fees.
Tamara
Senior Member
The only S&W knife I have (a Power-Glide) was bought for the novelty value of the design.
For actual use, there have to be a dozen better blade companies than the "S&W" and "Colt" knives at the same price point: CRKT, Kershaw, Spyderco, Camillus, Buck...
For actual use, there have to be a dozen better blade companies than the "S&W" and "Colt" knives at the same price point: CRKT, Kershaw, Spyderco, Camillus, Buck...
Don Gwinn
Moderator Emeritus
You're not going to regret that one. If you do, you can always send it to me. 
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