John W. Smith Deluxe SK1 Folder

John W. Smith makes at least as fine a knife as anybody in the Tactical Knife World--functional, efficient, & effective, while being superbly Fitted and Finished. His knives are extensively collected by his fellow knife makers, and if he only had a presence on Facebook, Instagram and/or the Knife Forums, his knives would bring twice what they now sell for.

Every time I am asked what is a good value in the Tactical Knife World--John W. Smith is my suggestion. "Who?" or "John W. Smith?" is unfortunately the reply I often get.

This piece is IMHO one of the best knives I have ever seen from him....

John W. Smith made it for his good friend (and long time JWS Knife Dealer) Jerry Schroeder out of Cincinnati, Ohio. When I saw Jerry last weekend in Jersey on Set-up Day, he handed me a several knife pouches and said you got first shot at these.

The first knife I opened was a beauty (Open Pivot) by RJ Martin, next a Terzuola (Flipper,) then an incredible Burch (1-off Variant) Flipper.

The last knife in the group I opened was this Smith Deluxe SK1...as soon as I opened the case my brain started racing. It looked and felt 100% JWS, but John does not upgrade his Tacticals like this one is....

• I have never seen a JWS Tactical with a beautiful Damascus Blade and contrasting Damascus Bolsters
• Nor have I ever seen a JWS Tactical with a 3-D (Carved out of a single piece of Damascus) Pocket Clip.

Wow, what a piece...the parts and pieces that John reserves for his Fine, Dress, and Art Knives--but in one of his best tacticals!

My brain started to hurt...this was about the best John W Smith I have ever seen, and this was the best knife of the bunch of a bunch of GREAT knives I was holding!!!

I took them all. (Thanks very much Jerry.)

• Outstanding High-Polished Lightning-Strike Carbon-Fiber Handles that look like a million bucks and feel great in hand.
• He Beautifully Contoured the Dovetail Finished the Damascus Bolsters.
• And Bladed it with a Slightly Over Thick Satin-Finished Clip-Point Grind.
• John Beautifully Dual Finished (Jeweled w/Polished Edges) and the Titanium Liners
• The 3D Tip-up Pocket Clip's Finish Matches the Blade.
• There are Dual-Scallops that Facilitate both Righty or Lefty Blade Deploy.
• The Geometry of the Action is Perfect, as is the Feel/Resistance of the Action.
• It Flicks AS GOOD AS any Flicker you have ever Flick--Flick, is it nice!
• Lock-up is Textbook Good-Perfect 100% Far Left-side Overlap.
• And Lock Release is purposely Just Tight Enough that one will not in any situation accidentally release the lock.
• Specs: 3 1/2" Blade; 8 1/4" OAL; 6.30 Ounces. Would be Wonderful for EDC, and Perfect for any Knife Collection 
• Condition: New from John W. Smith in a Dealer to Dealer Deal