The women of Smith & Wesson are fearless, badass, and fiercely competitive. From competition shooters to active hunters, we are talented artists who will put up a good fight. You don’t get a chance to hear from us very often, so we wanted to change that. Since there are hardly any reviews by women on EDC knives we decided to share with you our thoughts. We sat down with the Smith & Wesson catalog of knives with one simple goal: to tell you which knives are our favorites and why. Whether you’re breaking into the EDC space or have a knife collection to fill an entire room, we hope you find something that fits you. For all you ladies who carry, tag us on social media and show us your steel.
Smith & Wesson Black Ops
This is my EDC, I use it for everything
About Alex
confident, passionate, steadfast
Alex is a Marketing Coordinator here at Smith & Wesson. She also does a lot of work with Crimson Trace and while she's an expert on lasers and great with a pistol, she's no slouch when it comes to knives. She regularly carries and values gear that performs up to her high standards while meeting the bar of her particular aesthetic tastes. Alex looks for a do-it-all knife that she can rely on for any situation that's dependable and looks great in action.In Her Own Words
"I like the action on the knife, it's easy and opens quickly. I like having a knife I can open without having to think about it. It also has a locking mechanism that I like so when I put it in my pocket I don't have to worry about it. It’s so easy to open and close I can do it one-handed with your finger or thumb. I also like the pocket clip. This is my EDC knife and I use it for anything that comes up all day every day. The grip on it is great, it’s easy to hold and the handle has an indentation for our index finger which is really comfortable to use."
"The Alligator"
About Emily
charismatic, creative, protective
Emily is a Graphic Designer for Smith & Wesson and Lockdown. You’ll see her work on everything from packaging to graphic design across those websites. Emily is a proud mom and brings her keen eye for design to the table which helps craft the aesthetics of our brands and give us invaluable insight into creating a unique look and feel we’re all proud to call our own.
In Her Own Words
"This knife is more about style to me than anything else. It reminds me of an alligator which is my nickname for it. It has a really cool style that really draws me in and makes me want to pick it up. I didn’t think I’d use the jimping on the back of the blade but the more I handle the knife, the more my thumb naturally winds up there. I also think the blade shape itself looks really cool. The assisted opening action is really smooth and quick to open which is an important feature for me. My favorite feature on the knife is the locking mechanism that keeps the blade from deploying, I like the added safety features since I’m one of those paranoid moms. The size of the handle itself fits really well into my hand, it’s a medium-sized knife which is perfect for me."
The Benji
About Heather
analytical, driven, honest
Heather is the Digital Retention Specialist for Smith & Wesson. She’s been in the outdoor world for most of her life. Before coming to Smith & Wesson, Heather was a US Olympic Archery Alternate competing at world-class level. While she knows a bow like the back of her hand (and has helped more than a few of her coworkers clean up their draw), she’s in tune with the knife world and uses her knowledge to feature our knives in many of our marketing initiatives.
In Her Own Words
"What I love most about this knife is that it’s small enough to fit into any pant pocket I have. Women’s pockets tend to be criminally small and I like having one I know can fit them all. If I don’t have pockets, I love that it comes with a belt clip and lanyard hole so that I can either clip it on or attach it to my keys. The tanto blade, while very durable, remains cute with the length and design of the grip. The G-10 has a great texture to it and gives the Benji a sleek design. When you’re working on a bow, whether it’s for string making, refletching, or retying nock points, you will always need a blade handy. Since this one is smaller and fits nicely in a quiver, I can have it ready for any situation that requires me to make a quick fix. I also have smaller hands, so when I need a knife to open quickly and easily, this is my go-to."
M&P M2.0 Ultra Glide
About Kelsey
determined, practical, self-reliant
Kelsey is our Digital Marketing Manager. She wrote the book on knives and can recite it from memory. She's the resource everyone on our team turns to for all things cutlery. Kelsey is a lifelong hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman with a trained eye for all. She’s a competition 3-Gun shooter and wields a shotgun with surgical precision. If it happens in the outdoor space, Kelsey is familiar with if not an expert at it.
In Her Own Words
"This is my go-to knife. It has a slightly overmolded handle and a great feel to the grip. It’s well-sized for my hand. I don’t like smaller knives because I use them for a lot of functional work and I want more control on where the blade takes the cut. That’s also the reason I like the drop point blade on the knife, because it gives me plenty of surface to slice with. Drop points are also easier to sharpen and put an edge back on. I can use this knife for everything from cutting boxes, to whittling, to self-defense. It’s always ready to go. The ultra glide technology is my favorite function of S&W knives, and all of my favorite knives use it. The ball-bearing system is unbeatable when it comes to assisted opening technology. I also like the small pocket clip so I can control how deep it sits in my pocket. I don’t have to worry about it falling out. This knife is also about the same width as a pistol magazine so I can open up a pouch and drop it right in. I’m big on everything having its own space so I like knowing exactly where it is and that it’s not bouncing around when I get back to it."
M&P Folder
About Nichole
crafty, thoughtful, witty
Nichole is a Digital Marketing Specialist. Although Nichole is new to the knife world, she's not a novice in the outdoor realm. With over a decade of experience in shooting sports, Nichole competed at the National 4-H Shooting Sports Championship four times. She now helps youth get involved as a certified 4-H Muzzleloader, Pistol, and Western Heritage instructor. When she’s not at the range, Nichole enjoys fishing, quilting, and spending time with her goldendoodle, Caliber.
In Her Own Words
I like this knife because it’s slender and has a few color options. It's a really smooth open, and you can release it without it snapping. The size feels great in my hand; big enough that I can get some work done without it being clumsy. It fits really well in my palm and feels like an extension of my hand, I really like how natural it is to use."
The Velocite
About Ronelle
adventurous, outgoing, pragmatic
Ronelle is the Brand Manager for Smith & Wesson accessories and Lockdown overseeing everything from brand direction to product development. She is instrumental in bringing Performance Center knives back to the USA having them soon to be American made. Her knowledge of the tactical scene is second to none, having worked at Crimson Trace before her role here. She’s a competitive shooter, outdoor enthusiast, and a fearless leader in the industry.
In Her Own Words
"The Velocite is my everyday knife. The high-quality steel and drop point blade withstands everything from opening boxes to being a screwdriver. The textured handle makes it easy to hold onto while still being a lightweight polymer. Assisted opening means quick response when needed, which is usually as a tool, but I carry it for defense as well. It's always with me."
The Sideburn
About Taryn
calm, empathic, loyal
Taryn is a Marketing Coordinator for Smith & Wesson and dominates the range. Shooting is an integral part of her life, so much so that her pets are named after her favorite rifles. She's a competitive 3-gun shooter, an NRA certified rifle and shotgun instructor, a hunter, and owns a wide collection of firearms that she loves to clean. Her shooting has a zen focus and a perfectly balanced approach, which translates over to her knife of choice. Taryn brings an aura of calm to any situation she walks into and has a unique harmony with the world around her. Though she’s soft-spoken around the office, she lets her marksmanship do the talking for her at the range.
In Her Own Words
"I love this knife because it’s aesthetically pleasing, it reminds me of a barbershop. It has a modern, sleek design and is easy to open and close. The ultra glide opening mechanism gives it a quick and crisp snap. It fits ergonomically well into my hand and the size of the knife doesn’t feel too big. I feel like it’s something I can pick up and quickly open so it’s ready to go. It’s my all-around go-to EDC for everything from opening ammo boxes to cutting string. It’s sleek, smooth, and a great knife."