Smith and Wesson KnifeSmith & Wesson is better known for its handguns and ammunition than for its knives. Although many Smith & Wesson models carry tactical names like Swat, Homeland Security and Extreme Ops, blade styles and opening systems frequently qualify them as sporting knives. Many are suitable for civilian use, even though still popular with military and law enforcement personnel. Smith & Wesson no longer manufactures Smith & Wesson knives, which are now made in China and marketed by Taylor Brands, LLC.

Company History

Smith & Wesson began with the invention of a new type of firearm, and much later nearly met its end by cooperating with federal gun control policies. Smith & Wesson knives came and went somewhere towards the end of the cycle. The company began in 1852 when Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson formed the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company to produce and sell their invention, the volcanic pistol. The concept of a lever-action pistol failed to catch on, causing the sale of their first enterprise to Oliver Winchester.

Smith & Wesson departed in 1856 to try again, this time with the Smith & Wesson Company and the Smith & Wesson Model 1, a pistol with a revolving chamber which fired sealed metal cartridges. Rollin White owned the critical patent rights and assigned the patent to S&W in return for a royalty on every pistol sold. In 1964 the company passed from Wesson family control into the ownership of corporate entities. Tomkins PLC of Britain owned S&W in 2000 when the company signed a fateful agreement with the Clinton Administration, accepting limits on sales and controls on manufacturing standards. Consumer boycotts hit the company hard and angry gun owners flooded the market with used S&W weapons. By 2001 the company was in new hands, owned by the Saf-T-Hammer Corporation, who chose to immediately rescind the gun control agreement. Smith & Wesson became Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation in 2002.

Knives

Civilians seeking a Smith & Wesson knife today should look for drop point or bowie style blades with either one-hand manual opening or assisted opening systems. Since Smith & Wesson originally focused on the police and military markets, many S&W knife models retain a tactical look, with upswept points and recurved edges that find fewer applications in camping and hunting. Simpler blade styles make better sense for utility work and general outdoor uses.

Today’s Smith & Wesson knives do come from Chinese foundries, which deliver knives at lower cost but made to lesser standards than the old S&W knives. Many owners find the knives a welcome bargain, with features you’d find in knives priced in the hundreds rather than the tens of dollars.

See all of our Smith and Wesson knife reviews below


Smith and Wesson

Smith & Wesson Liner Lock Knife, Combo Edge SWMP5LS | MAGIC Assisted Opening Automatic M & P

The biggest attraction of the Smith & Wesson SWMP5LS Liner lock knife isn’t the upgraded design. What makes this five-inch (folded...
JT Hats
1 min read

Smith & Wesson Tactical Ballpoint Pen, Black Ink | Blue Aluminum Pocket Clip

If you’re just not comfortable without some sort of self-defense device on hand and knives no longer fit your lifestyle, there...
JT Hats
1 min read

Smith & Wesson Assisted Opening Knife, Black | Tactical Tanto Stiletto HRT OTF

Smith & Wesson’s H.R.T. O.T.F (Hostage Rescue Team; Out The Front) knives aren’t quite as dramatic as their names, but they...
JT Hats
1 min read

Smith & Wesson Tactical Folder Tanto Knife | Scooped Black SWMP2BS

With one of Smith & Wesson’s easiest assisted opening systems, the S&W Military Police M.A.G.I.C. Scooped Tanto offers both tactical and...
JT Hats
1 min read

Smith & Wesson Tanto Plain Edge Blade | Military Survival Knife, Black

Smith & Wesson’s Military Police Magic Assisted Tanto shows good quality in an American-sponsored imported design. The Taiwanese makers of the...
JT Hats
58 sec read

Smith & Wesson Tanto Powerglide, Plain Edge | Folding Butterfly Balisong Knife

The Folding Powerglide Tanto from Smith & Wesson uses some of the basic concepts of the balisong or butterfly knife, but...
JT Hats
44 sec read

Smith & Wesson Survival Military Knife | Bowie Sawtooth Special Ops SW3G M9

Smith & Wesson’s updated version of the Ontario Knife Company M9 Bayonet, the SW3G Special Ops M-9 includes the essential features...
JT Hats
58 sec read

Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops Military Pocket Clip Folder Knife | Titanium Camo Tanto Blade

This lightweight pocket clip folder is a little too military to be a great utility or camp knife, but the camouflage...
JT Hats
46 sec read

Smith & Wesson Spec Ops Folding Clip Knife & Analog Watch Tactical Set

In this gift set from Smith & Wesson, the well established manufacturer of police and military equipment, you get a good...
Ken
56 sec read

Smith & Wesson Bullseye Hatchet | Stainless Steel Camping, Survival Ax

Smith & Wesson’s stainless steel Bullseye is an economical and reliable camp ax with a few odd points of styling that...
Ken
57 sec read

Smith and Wesson Extreme Ops Bullseye Stainless Steel Knife, Liner Lock, Tanto Point

Take a look at this Smith and Wesson Bullseye Extreme Ops knife. At only 3.22″ long, the 440C Teflon coated stainless...
Ken
1 min read

Smith and Wesson CKSUR7 Search and Rescue Kukri | Stainless Steel Fixed Blade Knife

Smith and Wesson often comes out with knives that are just on the outer envelope of sensible. This Search and Rescue...
Ken
49 sec read

Smith & Wesson Special Ops Knife | SW2B M-9 Bayonet Challenger

Here’s a heavy-duty knife that’s worth taking a look at. If it’s a Smith & Wesson product, chances are it’s got...
Ken
46 sec read