By J. "Culpeper" Bellicini - October 2008
Disclaimer: Please know the knife laws in your area pertaining to assisted and/or automatic opening knives.
DescriptionM.A.G.I.C. stands for Multipurpose, Assisted, Generational, Innovative Cutlery and refers to the dual patented (6651344 6276063), assisted opening mechanism that is an integral part of this series of knives. This knife was designed and manufactured in Taiwan.
Smith & Wesson SPECLS Large Special Ops. Green Alum. Handle w/Black Tanto Blade, Combo Features:This knife has an industrial feel to it. Knife pops open with a thumb stud or with a spine button that functions almost as an automatic and has a side safety switch, as well as, a liner lock system. The knife appears rugged and built for looks as well as functionality. Blade steel is 4034 stainless, which is equivalent to 420C (non-standard slightly higher carbon version of 420). Most people refer to this as "surgical steel" but I prefer "marine steel" since it is a good saltwater use cutlery steel, which is often overlooked when describing this type of steel in general. Sharpness of blade out-of-the-box slices paper and is not razor sharp. The serrated portion of the edge is extremely sharp. These knives are advertised to wear well and hold up to abuse.
Manufactured by Taylor Brands LLC (formally Taylor Cutlery): "Manufacturer in the field of cutlery, namely pocket knives, hunting knives, collectors knives, survival knives and utility knives, multiple tool pliers, knife accessories, namely knife rolls, knife packs, knife display boxes, knife sheaths." Markets knives and tools mainly through online/paper catalogs and sporting goods/hardware stores.
Knife tests will be average abuse for this type of knife to include testing the assisted opening action of the knife. Grading system is a simple, "Satisfactory" or "Unsatisfactory". There is no final or overall grading system. That will be left for the reader to decide.
Video #1: Looking at the knife
Inspection/quality of new knife was satisfactory.
Video #2: Slicing a potato
Slicing performance was satisfactory.
Nothing remarkable to report on the slicing of the potato. Potatoes are slippery to slice due to the vascular storage area (meat of the potato) that tends to grip the edge.
The tap water in my area is extremely hard and I want to abuse the knife with it to corrupt it with several different types of minerals including iron and calcium as well as hot water, detergent abrasives, humidity, heat, and freezing temperatures. I will post results after each step.
Integrity Step #1
Subjected to 40-minute dishwasher cycle with dishwasher detergent and no heat dry.
Integrity Step #2
Subjected to water freezing (6 degrees F above zero).
Integrity Step #3
subjected to dirt/sand and mud slurry.
The integrity of the knife's action has not been materially affected by exposure to heat, water, humidity, moisture, and freezing, dirt/sand, mud, or combination thereof. The knife is no worse for wear.
Integrity performance was satisfactory.
Warning: Abusing the liner lock system by stabbing the knife into something like a 55 gallon drum may cause the liner lock, not the blade, to fail and causing serious injury.
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