Who else carries a JD Smith?

catamount · #1

I'm carrying mine again after some new :spyder: s replaced it as my primary EDC for a while. I like everything about this knife; not too big, not too small, narrow, pointy FFG blade, minimal hump, looks great, and it just feels good in my hand.

Farmer Brown · #2

I have one, but don't carry it around (yet).

I would consider it to be the perfect dress knife if not for the Foliage Green scales (horn or mother of pearl wouldn't be out of place).

The Deacon · #3

Tom, for me the JD Smith comes infuriatingly close to being a great knife. If the ricasso and front edge of the handle were reworked a bit to create a usable and esthetically pleasing 50/50 choil it would be a very good knife. If the point in the grip area was also eliminated, it would be even better. If, after those changes were made, they added dual bolsters and some attractive scales, it would be off the charts fantastic. :D As is, mine sits on a shelf.

SmoothOne25 · #4

i was gonna pick one up but at the last minute i said i just couldn't do it. to me it lacks something to make it a true spyderco. no offense to the creators or the people who may love it but it also reminds me of a fillet knife that is just not unique enough to buy. i only use one knife at a time and don't carry quite a few that i buy new sometimes and they are just collected and because of that i just think that this knife would never get used and for its price i just cant do it when there are so many new spydercos coming out. but i get you i took a long hard look at this knife and was close to getting it

hope that doesnt sound mean

npueppke · #5

I agree with Deacon's points on this one. It's got a very good handle, and it carries extremely well in the pocket, but it could do with a 50/50 choil... and a stronger point-I was afraid to even cut cardboard too harshly with mine.

gac · #6

I carry mine almost every day, it is a beautiful knife. The green G10 turns it from a gentleman's knife into a "real" knife.

I am careful with the thin tip and make sure not to do any prying motions. The knife is difficult to open with a tight pivot. I should try and lube it for easier opening.

catamount · #7

gac wrote: The knife is difficult to open with a tight pivot. I should try and lube it for easier opening.

Mineral oil works very well, especially if you are inclined to use your knife for food prep.

I definitely prefer G-10 scales to the original micarta. Dark blue would've been my first choice, but I don't mind foliage green at all.

I'm a fan of finger choils, but I find the less pronounced one, without jimping, on the Smith provides more flexibility for using various grips. I know some have concerns about their finger sliding onto the edge, but this hasn't been an issue for me at all.

npueppke · #8

I had no problems at all opening my JD smith... I actually don't have it any more so I don't remember if I used my thumb or my middle finger, but I was able to flick out out pretty easily without much wrist action.

Raqudu · #9

catamount wrote:I'm a fan of finger choils, but I find the less pronounced one, without jimping, on the Smith provides more flexibility for using various grips. I know some have concerns about their finger sliding onto the edge, but this hasn't been an issue for me at all.

+1, Tom. The large ricasso and the shape of the handle form a very useful choil.

My Smith has been a part of my EDC rotation since it arrived (thanks again!) By coincidence only, my rotation is all foliage green: J. D. Smith, D-2 Millie, and D-2 Para, depending upon my mood.

Jenner 515 · #10

My JD Smith is my #1 carry for the past four months.

It has replaced such EDC favorites as the Police3, D2 Millitary, D2 Para FG Manix, FG Endura and Caly3.

It is a gorgeous knife, just the right size in pocket and in hand. Wicked sharp, with an edge that's easily touched up.

I liked mine so much I actually picked up a second for the safe.

If they wanted to keep this design and re-do with another color g-10 (say dark blue) I'd buy two of those.

MCM · #11

I like both my G-10 and Micarta P/E versions.
Problem is, my S90v Manix 2's have eclipsed my rotation.

May end selling lots of knifes due to this anomaly.

noddy · #12

As of today I carry a JD Smith - and really proud to, too

What a knife! Dead elegant. Hilariously sharp. Just enough give in the tip of the blade to make it useful, and plenty robust enough at the ricasso end of things for chewing up wood and so forth.

I am terribly impressed!

TVOSK · #13

I carry mine everyday...best knife of 2009!!!

noddy · #14

Just in case of interest, I put a rather flattering review of the Smith up on BB :)

http://www.britishblades.com/forums/sho ... hp?t=90003