The Smith and Wesson Extreme Ops Knife is currently one of the most popular knives online and has earned stellar reviews on e-commerce sites, so it wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect that it’s a solid knife. That said, not all knives are made to be good in the same way and not everyone has the same expectations for a knife. What works for most folks leaving these reviews online may not work for you, or maybe they can, except there are better options out there specifically for you.
So, let’s have a look at the Smith and Wesson Extreme Ops Knife by starting with the brand’s rep and pinning down what you need to check for when buying a knife.
What to Look for When Buying the Smith and Wesson Extreme Ops Knife (Or Any Knife)
If you haven’t heard of Smith and Wesson before, they’re a firearms manufacturer based in Massachusetts and they’ve been around since 1856 — long enough to establish a reputation for quality.
The brand has since expanded into making everything from decorative tin signs to men’s shoes to women’s handbags designed for concealed carry. And yes, they look good. Talk about range.
But back to knives. Smith and Wesson makes fixed blade and folding knives for EDC, throwing, survival, and everything in between. Many of the knives are fairly interchangeable for most people, but these are going to be your main concerns.
The Blade’s Metal, Design, and Size
Big knives look cool and intimidating, but let’s be real here: Are you really going to find a use for it? For most people, the answer to that is no. The best EDC knife is going to be lightweight, portable, and small. That means anywhere from 3 to 5 inches in length, just so it can always fit in your pocket or anywhere else on your person.
Blade size aside, another thing to look at is the knife’s edge. Your choices are typically serrated, straight edge, or a combo of both where half of the blade has a serrated edge and the other half is a regular straight edge. Straight edge knives make smooth, clean cuts and allow for better precision, while serrated knives are better suited for slicing through strong material. Think of the serrated edge knife as something akin to a little saw in your pocket.
Fixed Blade vs Folding Blade
Many of the EDC knives we’ve reviewed before, like the Gerber Sedulo, are folding knives. This one is really up to you. Fixed blade knives are usually stronger, especially if you get one that’s full tang, while folding blades offer better portability.
Is the Smith and Wesson Extreme Ops Knife Any Good?
In a nutshell, yes. The Smith and Wesson Extreme Ops Knife is a great knife, especially when you consider that it can be bought for under $20. The liner lock keeps the blade firmly in place, it has a compact 3.1-inch blade, it has ambidextrous thumb knobs, and the blade is a high carbon, not blackwash, so you don’t have to worry about maintenance.
Serrated Clip Point Blade
The knife has a 3.1-inch serrated clip point blade that curves towards the tip to give you a fine, easily maneuverable point that’s easy to use for tasks that require more precision. Think makeshift screwdriver or something similar — not an ideal use for your knife, but definitely an option if the need arises.
You’ll also notice that half of the knife has a straight edge for slicing while the other half is serrated so you get both functions in one EDC knife.
For Ambidextrous Use
Buying tools, gear, and even just using most objects that require fine motor skills can be a hassle for anyone who isn’t right-handed. After all, most people are right-handed so most tools are made for right-handed folk.
Not the Smith and Wesson Extreme Ops Knife. It’s fully accessible for everyone and has a comfortable, ergonomic handle that helps keep the blade firmly in your hand even in wet conditions.
Relatively Easy Maintenance
Sharpening this blade is fairly straightforward. The black color of the blade might have you wondering if it’s a blackwash blade, but it’s just black high carbon stainless steel.
Since it’s made of high carbon steel, you can count on this knife to keep its edge for much longer compared to regular stainless steel knives. However, this extra hard metal can be harder to sharpen. Again, it’s hard, so it takes you longer to sharpen the knife.
Final Thoughts on the Smith and Wesson Extreme Ops Knife
As previously stated, the Smith and Wesson Extreme Ops Knife is a solid EDC knife for anyone on a tight budget. It’s sturdy, made of durable material, is comfortable to use, and has a convenient combo blade. You’d be hard-pressed to find drastically better knives at under $20.
If that sounds good enough to you, you can find this knife here.