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Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Sheath, Weight
Cons: Pocket Clip
Extraordinary Features
Bought the Swift III because M4 is my favorite blade steel, and the Recon 1 is one of my top two or three folding knife designs. The relatively thin and flat handle makes the Swift III carry very well in the pocket, and the profile w finger cutouts provide a secure grip in virtually any orientation. Full steel liners make it even more rigid than the Recon 1. Full handle size gives excellent fit for big hands even in gloves. Just the right amount of traction enhancement. I really like the Atlas lock, unobtrusive and easy to actuate. Coupled with an equally unobtrusive and superb safety latch design to lock the blade both open or closed. The open assist is nicely calibrated to enhance opening without over doing it. The blade closes about 2/3 before engaging the spring, making it quite reasonable to close one handed. Excellent. The pocket clip is nice looking, and well constructed. You won't notice it at all while using the knife. Deep pocket. It is stiff though, seemingly like a number of Cold Steel knives. Hard to put in, hard to draw out of a reinforced pocket edge as on most jeans or tactical pants/shorts. That's the only disappointment on this knife. I'm carrying it in a belt pouch most of the time. Still a 9/10 plus, depending on how much the pocket clip bugs you.