- Recommended Uses For Product: Camping
- Brand: Smith & Wesson
- Model Name: SWA24S
- Special Feature: Lightweight
- Age Range (Description): 21
- Included Components: Knife
- Handle Material: Aluminum
- Color: Multi
- Blade Material: Carbon Steel
- Style: Extreme Ops – Box
- DIMENSIONS: 7.1 inch (18 cm) overall length with a blade length of 3.1 inches (7.9 cm) and a weight of 3.5 ounces
- DURABLE: Blade is made of reliable 7Cr17MoV Black Oxide High Carbon Stainless Steel with a black, aluminum handle
- DEPENDABLE: Quick and easy access with the convenient pocket clip, finger flipper and ambidextrous thumb knobs making it ideal for everyday carry
- SECURE: Have confidence that the blade will not slip with the security of the liner lock
- BE PREPARED: Knife features jimping and serrations
- GUARANTEED: This product is covered by a Limited Lifetime Warranty. For questions or warranty contact us at [email protected]
B. –
I’d been telling myself that I was going to buy a pocket knife for years, but somehow never really got around to it. I would start to look, but the sheer number and styles available out there frankly intimidated me. I always ended up getting “analysis paralysis” when trying to choose and gave up. One day, I happened to see this knife on sale for around $10 and, as I have long trusted Smith & Wesson as a reliable brand, I figured it was worth a shot. If it didnโt fit my needs, then I would only be out a few bucks; no big loss.I will mention that I was also undecided on whether to choose a manual/thumb-assisted or a spring-assisted opening knife. When this caught my eye, it came to be that a manual/thumb-assisted opener was going to be my first. (Note: I actually ended up getting bothโ read below.)I received the knife and I was pleased with the weight and construction. It fits nicely in the hand and locks solidly. I felt that it would suit my everyday cutting tasks just fine.Know that when you first get this, it will need to be broken in like many folding knives. Not being used to opening a knife with a thumb stud, it was a little difficult for me at first because the hinge was tight. Again, this could be expected of a brand new knife.After some practice, I finally broke it inโ but it did take some 100-200 open/closes to get it nice and smooth (or to be able to “flick” it open with a snap of the wrist). While breaking it in, you will have to use the finger/thumb flipper (the part on the backside that you press downwards on with your thumb to push the blade out of the handle) then use your other hand to fully open itโ or use the thumb stud, if you’re able to. For those that may still be new to knives or for those wondering: there is no spring-assisted mechanism on this knife at allโ the blade will not fully open using only the flipper. It is fully manual and you will have to push/slide it open with your finger(s).Once you get it nice and broken in, you will be able to use the thumb stud to swing it open (this still does not feel natural or smooth to me, and I personally never use the studs). I think many would opt for the easiest and quickest way to deploy this knife, which is with a quick snap of the wrist. To me, this is far more convenient than using your thumb to slide it out. Of course, this isn’t the safe or recommended way to open a knife, and there are obviously situations where you would obviously not want to do this.I have been using the knife for a few months now, and I have found a few weaknesses:A couple of weeks into using it, I was in the garage working on something and I lost my grip. It fell on the ground. The drop was not far or hardโ just a normal drop from about waist highโ but it damaged the knife. It landed on smooth concrete (garage floor) but it was enough to scuff/chip the paint off in several places, it broke the thumb stud and it even bent the tip of the knife a bit. It fell parallel to the floor, so it didnโt land on the blade.What I mean by โit broke the thumb studโ is that it came looseโ and what I mean by that is that the thumb stud(s) are not soldered to the blade, which was unexpected. It is more so like a barbell threaded through a hole in the blade, rather being part of the blade itself.It now spins when you touch it, and it rattles because it is slightly loose which is really annoying. Donโt get me wrong, itโs still usable… but since it spins, the stud isnโt as solid. I hope what I said there makes sense. (Update: I got really tired of this and was able to fix it. If this happens to you, use pliers to squeeze the sides of the thumb studs together, as in a vice or press. Be sure to use a rag or padding or the paint will scrape off the studs.)I was also disappointed the blade bent like it did from such a short-distance side impact. What that says about the strength of the blade may not be favorable.Know that the paint on the handle is quite easily chipped and scuffed, so donโt think it will be pretty forever. Weโre not worried about fashion here, though. Itโs a tool, and when you use tools they get wear and tearโ so thatโs not a picking point really… but I do wish the finish on the handle was better. (Tip: Use a black permanent marker to pretty it up and cover scratches and dings in the finish.) To my surprise, the oxide finish on the blade still looks good, it has not scuffed or scratched thus far (in my use) and it is easily sharpened.I realize that this damage was a result of my own actions, but I also think it’s also important to appreciate that most everyone drops their pocket knife from time to time. This is not particularly “unusual” wear and tear for daily use.I also want to note that after this I also bought a very similar S&W tactical pocket knife that is spring assisted. I found the grip on that knife to be very uncomfortable, like rough sandpaperโ and I really didnโt like that. It also deploys the blade with such violent force that it feels dangerous. Due to that, I ended up actually preferring and using this manual opening version over that one for my EDC. I say all that for anyone who is going back and forth on which of the two to get like I was.Regardlessโ even with the loose thumb screw, bent blade tip and the chipped/scuffed finish, it still works great for simple common tasks like opening packages, cutting string, etc… whatever we all use our EDCโs for.Overall, itโs a very decent knife for the price. If I wanted something that would last years and years I might find a bit higher quality knife, but for everyday tasks this one will surely suffice.If youโre looking for a light, simple EDC, I can recommend this one. Just donโt expect it to be there with you sipping piรฑa coladas on the beach after retirement. It will last you long enough though, and for the price, it is as good as or better than I had expected and Iโm happy with my purchase.(Final note: I ended up buying several different pocket knives over the next several months and with many disappointments, I found “the one” for me: Kershaw Brawler Folding Pocket Knife (1990). This is my sweetheart. The handle is made of much better material, it feels more solid and the spring-assisted opening is as smooth as butter. I recommend that you spend an extra $10-15 and go for that one. In my opinion, you will be much happier with the Kershaw. It is very similar in specs to this one and it is my new EDC, replacing this one. Still, for those that don’t want to spend that much, this knife is still reliable and quite a bargain.)
Mark Sharper –
For the price this is a great EDC knife. There when you need it. No fuss, just does what it needs to. Recently had to go into a federal building and forgot I had it with me. It was taken(I understand why). The guy was a jerk because I couldn’t even get it back after leaving the building. No worries, just ordered my second one. I’ll take the blame for that and for the price no big deal. I would have felt a way parting with a more expensive option. All in all this is a great knife, had no issues the first time. It did seem a bit dull, but easy to sharpen. Great as a beginner knife and just as a backup.
PRBM –
I originally ordered this knife for gift. I checked the knife out before actually wrapping it. I had hoped that it would “flip” open easier that it did. The knife is not “spring assisted”. The blade is very sharp from the factory. Unsure if I will keep if for myself or gift to another family member. Note: I have been carrying a different brand, but very similar knife for several years. It is spring assisted and I really like the knife. I had hopes that the S&W would be spring assisted as well, or at least a little easier to “flip” open. The knife is a good knife I think, if you are not looking for a very fast open out of the box.
Caroline J. –
I love this knife! As a young girl, I wanted something small that I could put anywhere. Itโs not chunky so itโs easy to hide and I can actually fit it in my pockets (which is a miracle because womenโs pants pockets are honestly disappointing). My only issue is that itโs a little stiff, so I initially couldnโt open it with one hand, but I was able to loosen it so itโs all good now. I definitely recommend!
Matthew Miller –
I’ve had this pocket knife for a few months now it has had no problems and seems to be a little dull when you first get it but it is easy to sharpen and is there when you need it easy to open and close also has a serrated edge so in my opinion this is a great pocket knife it does it’s job very well.
Eric –
Great knife for the price. Only complaint is that is does not hold an edge under medium and hard use. It is what I expected. If I was looking for a knife that I used all the time for any serious I would drop a few more bucks. For the money this is a great knife, easy to sharpen, easy to use, the weight distribution is good, really no complaints except for the durability of the sharp edge.
Dustin –
Bought this knife for work.. Iโve been through too many cheaper knifes that end up breaking or screws coming loose. Came across this โSmith & Wessonโ a (reputable name), figured Iโd put the name to the test. I am not disappointed. Itโs very sharp, well made, and simply perfect. Itโs not spring assisted, but a little flick of the wrist will open it easily..
Kayla –
Difficult to close but I guess that adds to the safety and reassurance of it not randomly opening up in your pocket and slicing you ? kind of have to pick your poison but other that that this is quite the handy knife for me and I’m a 17 year old girl with tiny hands