Really good fair and in-depth review of what I think is a really special and underrated knife. It’s really one that grows on you, and has become a favourite of mine. Just something about the combination of quality, cutting performance and unique chilled-out looks makes it a real standout to me.
Great Video! I love this design in 2023 and it will be really hard to find since they will be discontinued? Such a weird design not using the Spydeflick but it has Ti scales and with a wharncliffe! Just purchased from Blade HQ for $189 can't wait to have it my collection! Keep sleeping 😴 people 🤣
💯 agree. Bought mine last week from Blade HQ. My feeling is after this is discontinued it will become a desired collector's piece and go up in value in the secondary market.
I spent 4 hours in a knife store with thousands of knives.. i checked out the top shelf brands and among all of if the hideous tactical plasticy Battlestar Galactica lookin knives.. this thing just POPPED. The matte titanium with the polished stone wash steel.. OOF!! If you've out grown tacky neon sneakers, sports jerseys and track pants.. this knife is for the denim wearing, waxed cotton, linen, leather, wood and steel, classic car driving fellas... a grown mans knife. 19th century English design.. lots of cool history with the wharncliff. *Reverse grip, ring finger deployment is as classy as it gets*.. she looks like a quality straight razor.. Real gentlemanly. If you're on the fence, go pick one up and feel the quality. You will learn to flick and deploy this thing like it's your job... Like the boss shepherds before you. GREEN EGGS & HAM, Sam I Am... GREEN EGGS & HAM 😍
The SMKW "Swayback" in black micarta and 420 steel (which is still used by Buck knives) has been one of their most popular slip joint knives, produced in two batches and now sold out...all within a year. Hardly a cheap throw-away...though inexpensive for the quality. Something more knife companies should remember.
A cut down version would be enticing. I handled a few at my local store too. It feels well built and robust, but I'm definitely on the "hate it" side with it's looks and design. I think it feels great in hand if you turn it upside down! It's just a really awkward knife. Can't wait to see the chop job though because that would immediately improve the ergos and weight distribution!
I prefer the Golden Colorado Spyderco’s, but to each their own. A lot of the knives out of Taichung do look amazing though. I think that is probably why people like them more. The American made Spyderco’s tend to be a bit more practical IMO, then some of the nice materials and pretty knives coming out of Taiwan.
hxp will have better edge retention at those geometries than cpm20cv. 20cv does not hold an edge well with verry thin geometry, it needs alittle beef behind the edge to het the most out of it. I am thrilled they started putting hardened lockbar faces in.....yesssss finally.
Thanks for this review. I have one on order and would be very interested in finding out more about the clip yours has. Totally agree re the lock bar relief; it definitely would’ve looked better if it was on the inside. Thanks again.
Your review is great as usual. As a lefty I see no reason to pay Sypderco’s price for this knife even though I like the look. It is really overpriced, but then all there knives are pushing it price wise.
Also I prefer no lock insert when done right. Makes the lock up more reliable. All my slysz designs were fine. After zt and other steel inserted frame locks, im weary. seems like jake hoback, Bill Koenig and Shirogorov are the only companies that can pull that off haha, abd they are $$$$. Ive had the advocate and a millie with a ti framelock and insert and both slipped.
Matthew Forest :- Chris Reeve has no problems with titanium on titanium frame locks. I agree with you. Also, the addition of a steel insert on the lock bar tends to increase the knives' prices.
God I love the bowie, I had one but the spyderhole cracked through just from regular use. I babied it actually. Its a known issue at spyderco. That thin area and the jimps around the hole leave a weak spot..
Matthew Forrest I’ve seen a few broke there and yeah anytime you have a hole leaving an area that thin you definitely run that risk however I’ve been lucky so far and I use all my knives some harder than others so I’m sure it could definitely happen to me as well
Joshua9 I’m not certain but I think the custom design that this knife is designed after was done a long time ago but if not the actual Swayback pattern started in traditionals way before both of them. Case has one and the GEC Viper are two traditional ones I can think of
Agreed, but the Swayback has its own place and will be hard to get now that they will be discontinued in 2023? I just ordered one from Blade HQ for $189. Love the wharncliffe blade, and how different it is not using the spdyflick? I can't wait to get it! 🔥 It has Titanium scales also. What Spyderco in 2023 comes with Ti scales nowadays for that price?
Really good fair and in-depth review of what I think is a really special and underrated knife.
It’s really one that grows on you, and has become a favourite of mine.
Just something about the combination of quality, cutting performance and unique chilled-out looks makes it a real standout to me.
This knife has really been growing on me. Wish I would have watched this great review sooner, I may already have bought one.
Great Video! I love this design in 2023 and it will be really hard to find since they will be discontinued? Such a weird design not using the Spydeflick but it has Ti scales and with a wharncliffe! Just purchased from Blade HQ for $189 can't wait to have it my collection! Keep sleeping 😴 people 🤣
💯 agree. Bought mine last week from Blade HQ. My feeling is after this is discontinued it will become a desired collector's piece and go up in value in the secondary market.
I dig the look of this one and I love that polished stonewash finish!
Good idea with buying the rough rider cheap knife b4 making the big purchase, plus as a bonus, you get a knife! Great video!
I spent 4 hours in a knife store with thousands of knives.. i checked out the top shelf brands and among all of if the hideous tactical plasticy Battlestar Galactica lookin knives.. this thing just POPPED. The matte titanium with the polished stone wash steel.. OOF!!
If you've out grown tacky neon sneakers, sports jerseys and track pants.. this knife is for the denim wearing, waxed cotton, linen, leather, wood and steel, classic car driving fellas... a grown mans knife. 19th century English design.. lots of cool history with the wharncliff.
*Reverse grip, ring finger deployment is as classy as it gets*.. she looks like a quality straight razor..
Real gentlemanly.
If you're on the fence, go pick one up and feel the quality. You will learn to flick and deploy this thing like it's your job... Like the boss shepherds before you.
GREEN EGGS & HAM, Sam I Am... GREEN EGGS & HAM
😍
I think it’s beautiful
Love the design .. Solid review , thanks for sharing .👍
Really liking this one 👍
The SMKW "Swayback" in black micarta and 420 steel (which is still used by Buck knives) has been one of their most popular slip joint knives, produced in two batches and now sold out...all within a year. Hardly a cheap throw-away...though inexpensive for the quality. Something more knife companies should remember.
A cut down version would be enticing. I handled a few at my local store too. It feels well built and robust, but I'm definitely on the "hate it" side with it's looks and design. I think it feels great in hand if you turn it upside down! It's just a really awkward knife. Can't wait to see the chop job though because that would immediately improve the ergos and weight distribution!
I prefer the Golden Colorado Spyderco’s, but to each their own. A lot of the knives out of Taichung do look amazing though. I think that is probably why people like them more. The American made Spyderco’s tend to be a bit more practical IMO, then some of the nice materials and pretty knives coming out of Taiwan.
Did you ever chop down this Swayback?
Nice! That clip is perfect for it. Glad it worked out for you. 👊🏼
hxp will have better edge retention at those geometries than cpm20cv. 20cv does not hold an edge well with verry thin geometry, it needs alittle beef behind the edge to het the most out of it. I am thrilled they started putting hardened lockbar faces in.....yesssss finally.
Wow Great knife. Thank you for your video, Sir. Have a knife day. Regards dirk
Thanks for this review. I have one on order and would be very interested in finding out more about the clip yours has. Totally agree re the lock bar relief; it definitely would’ve looked better if it was on the inside. Thanks again.
Stig Lagerfeld I know it’s an MXG Clip and I’ll try and find out which one 👍🏻
Stassa23, thanks very much 🙂👍
The clip is the MXG Manix 2 specific deep carry clip. I have it on mine and it sits perfectly flush with the scale.
Jose Colon, thanks very much
We also have the pena x series swaybacks coming in the weeks to come to
KILLERFITzz86 :- l'll keep my eyes open for those knives!
@@blueeyeswhitedragon9839 shipping to dealers now
Marcin Slysz (“Swish” correct pronunciation)
I agree about the clip...though l am a wire clip fan for any knife.
Your review is great as usual. As a lefty I see no reason to pay Sypderco’s price for this knife even though I like the look. It is really overpriced, but then all there knives are pushing it price wise.
Also I prefer no lock insert when done right. Makes the lock up more reliable. All my slysz designs were fine. After zt and other steel inserted frame locks, im weary. seems like jake hoback, Bill Koenig and Shirogorov are the only companies that can pull that off haha, abd they are $$$$. Ive had the advocate and a millie with a ti framelock and insert and both slipped.
Matthew Forest :- Chris Reeve has no problems with titanium on titanium frame locks.
I agree with you.
Also, the addition of a steel insert on the lock bar tends to increase the knives' prices.
God I love the bowie, I had one but the spyderhole cracked through just from regular use. I babied it actually. Its a known issue at spyderco. That thin area and the jimps around the hole leave a weak spot..
Matthew Forrest I’ve seen a few broke there and yeah anytime you have a hole leaving an area that thin you definitely run that risk however I’ve been lucky so far and I use all my knives some harder than others so I’m sure it could definitely happen to me as well
Does your local shop have anymore of them? Great review as always!!
Zak Beaulieu they’re out sorry
I would love to know what exact clip that is? I just recently bought a swayback.
It’s from mxg gear, I’m sure if you went to there site and clicked on the Spyderco clips you would find it. I don’t know what it’s called
@@Stassa23 thank you! I really appreciate it.
Looks like a copy of the crkt swindle which has been out since at least 2013
Joshua9 I’m not certain but I think the custom design that this knife is designed after was done a long time ago but if not the actual Swayback pattern started in traditionals way before both of them. Case has one and the GEC Viper are two traditional ones I can think of
I think is over hyped, imo spyderco should have brought back the bowie, with up grades.
Agreed, but the Swayback has its own place and will be hard to get now that they will be discontinued in 2023? I just ordered one from Blade HQ for $189. Love the wharncliffe blade, and how different it is not using the spdyflick? I can't wait to get it! 🔥 It has Titanium scales also. What Spyderco in 2023 comes with Ti scales nowadays for that price?