From John Isham
AIK’s Brown Recluse Swing Guard

If you’re a fan of Swing Guards, you’ll have to have one of these because they are THE BEST built SGs on the market. As with all Brown Recluses, the construction is so tight that the knife feels as if it’s hewn from a solid billet of steel, open or closed —no exaggeration.
I now own two Brown Recluses, the other one being a Wasp-body w/Hellrazor bolsters & deep brown buffalo scales. They are the most beautifully constructed handmade switchblades in my collection and, I think, on the market.
If you are comparing the Brown Recluse to the Lepre/Campolin Black Widow, STOP. Both have a fulcrum blade release and may have a wasp body, but other than price, nothing else is even comparable. The steel (440 A) used on the Black Widow is vastly inferior, the horn used for the scales is of obviously lesser grade and one only has to zoom in on the photos of both knives to see that there is simply no comparison in workmanship. Look especially at the fit of the scales to the frame and you’ll see for yourself.
Release is VERY fast and lockup, as stated earlier, couldn’t be more solid. The scales on my knife are made of super select buffalo horn making it a VERY beautiful piece as well. The fact that my Brown Recluse Swing Guard has its serial number 6 engraved on the inside of the liner makes me feel privileged to own such a rare knife. I don’t know why all Brown Recluses aren’t serialized, but only the swing guards are.
Be aware that the super-tight construction comes with a small price: Brown Recluses have a break-in period during which the release is very stiff, but it’s only temporary and well worth it. To me, it seems like the Adams' family set out to make the Brown Recluse series with a specific goal in mind: to make the world’s best-built handmade switchblades. Obviously, I think that they have succeeded.

Rating: [5 of 5 Stars!]