AutoZone carries S&W knives, are they any good?

[smolck]

I have CC'd for some time now and think I might like to have an option other than just my gun. I was in AutoZone the other day and saw they sell some defensive knives for like $13. Any good?

Link to their website Search: knives | Specialty Knife | AutoZone.com

They had all of the ones listed in the store.

Thoughts?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[varob]

I don't know a lot about knives, but I would think for $13 bucks it's probably some made in China junk.

[ace587]

depends on what ur use is for. If its for regular box cutting then its fine. the quality of steel will be in much priced higher models.

[bwaltman]

You usually get what you pay for. If you want a reasonably priced quality "defensive" knife then look at kershaw, cold steel, and spyderco.

[Guantes]

If you don't already carry oc, I would spend the money on that instead of a knife.

[buckeye .45]

I have had a few, they were junk, and didn't hold up very well, at all. Usually they were broken to th point they were unusable after just a couple months.

[rigel42]

They are decent knives. I believe "Taylor Brands" is the manufacture and they are all 1095c steel. At least I think, I'm not 100% sure. I own 2 and I like them. Keeping the expectations realistic for a $13 knife they are a bargain.

EDIT: Looking through their catalog it appears they use 4034 steel, not 1095c on the bulk of their knives. I still say they are Good "Cheap" knives.

[Spade115]

I personally have had some and I think they are junk as well. but I use my knives for more then cutting paper.

I would go with a winchester knife over a S&W knife. I see they have kershaw at autozone also but 44 dollars i would buy the skyline but goto walmart since there they have it for 30 (14 dollar difference)

I will take the sheffield (10 dollar knife at autozone) over the 13 dollar S&W one.

found this looking for a cheap knife
http://www.knifecenter.com/item/BO01...ctical-folding

14 dollars

[MinistrMalic]

In clicking through the link they had a couple of Kershaws on there...those are probably decent. Remember, you get what you pay for!

[GrandBob]

S&W,Winchester,Remington...all are contract knives built in either China or Taiwan.
Skip that crap and get a real knife.

[Quicksabre]

I'd spend the money on a good knife, if it's for SD. I might get one of the S&W just because I like the name brand (both my CC's are S&W) but would not carry a $13 knife to potentially defend my life. Nor would I carry one without proper training, but that's another story.

I carry a Spyderco Delica Wave, about $120 if I remember correctly. The wave allows me to do a weak side, true one-handed open, not spring-assisted at all, in the proper icepick grip with edge outward, and it's FAST.

"The carry system is addressed via a 4-way clip (accessed via allen wrench) allowing for ambidextrous operations. For quick-draw applications I reversed the clip so the "wave" would be activated by the front side of my pocket, therefore I am opening the knife in reverse grip, with the blade facing outward. It's a much firmer and faster draw this way, drawing straight up instead of pulling your arm back. Whenever I drew the knife in front of someone they never realized it was already open just inches away from them." Spyderco Delica Wave - Realfighting Organization

I've been training/teaching martial arts for over 25 years; I have a special love for edged weapons (in addition to firearms). I did a LOT of research before settling on this blade, but my needs might be different than yours of course. The main thing is, get a good blade, get a similarly-configured TRAINING blade (Spydreco makes one just like the Delica Wave, about $80), and TRAIN with it just as you should be training with your firearms. Save your pennies.

Oh and make time for empty-hand training as well, enough time to get proficient at it; since you might find yourself without all the fancy hardware some day yet still needing to ruin a BG's day.

reviewSpyderco.jpg

[smolck]

Nor would I carry one without proper training, but that's another story.

Thanks for all responses. I have trained in martial arts and with edged weapons so that is not a problem.

[RugerRon]

I always buy mid-grade. Whether it's tools, parts, equipment, guns... whatever. I carry Ruger, Glock, S&W guns. I carry a Kershaw Blur Tanto knife ($50 at Walmart).

Once you get out of the cheapo category the difference in quality from the good mid-range products to the "high-end" stuff is usually insignificant. You end up paying a lot of money for bells and whistles or brand recognition. My guns go bang every time, so why would I pay hundreds more for a Kimber or a Sig Sauer? Paying over $100 for a pocket knife is silly in my opinion.

And, a $13 knife is undoubtedly going to be a piece of crap, but you already knew that.

[smolck]

And, a $13 knife is undoubtedly going to be a piece of crap, but you already knew that.

Actually, I am not to proud to admit that I didn't. I know nothing about knifes. We always trained with plastic ones and I never bothered to look at buying anything for SD. I appreciate everyone's feedback!

[mrjam2jab]

How about this one for $9.95?