Customer Reviews

Smith & Wesson SW820 Boot Knife

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

i hope i'm giving an accurate review and that this knife is as good as the first production run, which is what i currently own.

i paid about $40 some 15 years ago for the 820 and was impressed. the knife has a healthy blade that comes sharp and stays sharp. it will accept a better edge after being pulled across a leather strap though. the first job i put mine to was an automotive belt. wife calls me from work saying her car was making such a loud squealing noise that she was afraid to drive it. A/C compressor was locked. good thing it had it's own belt. and i had that knife. one of the security guards was watching as i cut a decent sized belt with one easy slice. he was astounded and asked where he could get one.

anyway, like that job, there have been many more over the years and the thing has held up fine. the finish of this knife is very tidy. balance is superb. the handle is rubberized and fits the hand nicely with excellent grip. it comes with a black leather duty sheath with belt/boot clip that matches most black leather duty belts etc, with the tooling common to most. the thumb break snap has always been a little snug, but not terribly hard to open, and does a great job of keeping the knife secure, in any carry position. the blade is not actually double edged. the back is a false edge, which is just fine with me. the point is tapered down to a fine needle tip that is about as sharp as it gets. the lanyard hole is actually a rounded brass insert through the end of the handle. i'm real excited to see this knife for sale again, as i thought they were history and have often wished i could own another.

well, just got it in today. couldnt find my purchase history or review history (amazon glich?) so i'm adding another review.

the knife i recieved today is not the first production run like i purchased years ago (see my first review) but it looks the same. same nice handle and same blade, although this one is indeed a double edge, unlike the previous which has a false edge. the blade was not as sharp and a little rougher than the original. the case was twice as thick as the original and seemed to have a better thumb break snap that opens easier than the original.

the only real face scruncher here was the tip of the blade being a tad bent. i will have no problem working it out with a coarse stone, but still, it was obviously mishandled before packaging.

overall, i am pleased for the money. i'd have paid twice as much in a shop.