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I think the sad thing is it’s only a frame lock why couldn’t it be a ball lock like the q-ball I wish there was more creative locks for anything this price
Spyderco should bring it back with the lock modification and the original blade finish and make it available to all of their retailers. I was one of the first on the waiting list with knife joy and never received an email when the latest batch came in. I’ve decided I can live without one of those things. Thanks MC
I’ve only bought one knife on the secondary market, and it was a Z-Wear Sprint Run. It was a factory second due to “micarta looking dirty/used” and was a good price. Other than that, if I went to eBay to buy every knife I missed the entire hobby would be moot. Where would the joy be in getting it afterwards for more money? There’s ALWAYS another knife you’ll HAVE TO HAVE.
They sold out in less than 30 mins and then a week later emailed their knife joy members the option to sign up for some extras they were releasing for them
Artificial scarcity also exists. I was watching a video on a knife midgards messer was making, and they flat out said they didn't want to make too many as not over saturate the market. They aren't spyderco, but "come on", they all do it.
Love that knifejoy put this out. Despite all the people shouting about how overpriced or overhyped it is i know there were so many people who were excited to get this knife new who would not have had the opportunity without knifejoy making it happen. So glad they made sure more people could access their grail knife :)
The only thing that gives me pause about criticizing the price is that I am curious what the cost is for Spyderco to set up a production line for this (or any) knife is. With a knife in continuous production, those setup costs are divided across every knife produced. In this case, those costs are spread across a rather limited run. More so even than sprint runs, which at least are usually variations of currently produced knives. I'm not discounting their also taking advantage of FOMO though. I'd just love to know where the balance is.
I have a few spyderco knives, and what i really like about them is the characteristic shape and the unlock like the paramilitary 2 (thats why i have different versions of this model)
Why have a reversible pocket clip when there is little to no access to the finger hole for lefties? No relief cut on that side. I guess only option would be reverse flick?
I think it took 30 minutes to sell out and it sounds like it went smoothly. I will say it that the pricing on this one seems counterintuitive. The more Slysz Bowies they make, the less each one is worth. I'm all for them releasing as many as the market will bear but scarcity usually drives price. But it did sell out. Hopefully this will have an effect on the secondary market.
I didn’t go after it on the drop, then a few days ago, I got an offer from the KJ+ Buyers Club to buy one of the holdbacks. I considered it briefly, but knew I wouldn’t keep it and couldn’t stand the thought of becoming a flipper, even though I happen to love capitalism and enjoy money! I offered to get it and pass it on for retail to a few of the guys I’ve dealt with in other knife groups, and all of them passed as well! I’m thinking this well may be getting close to being tapped out. Hopefully 🤞🏼
I love these knives. I have the original and the knife joy version from the first run. irritates me they didnt do the lock bar insert the first time. what would have made this one better, is if they did the scale finish the same as the original, except blue, and stonewashed m390.
I just don't understand why Spyderco doesn't re-release it on their own. There's obviously a huge demand. Keep the lock bar insert, go back to the original scales and blade finish, and they could sell as many of them as they could make, forever.
I'm just hoping that they see this demand and now that the design changes are already in place they can keep pumping out more instead of having to wait 2+ years for a Knifejoy batch, I wouldn’t even mind if they kept the dealer exclusivity so long as they make multiple exclusives through multiple dealers
Love the video and the message behind it. If we can affect the secondary market to discourage people from flipping, that would be great. Until then, I love hearing people say we need to keep trying
Love the rant! I have no problem with people reselling on ebay. As long as it's an auction and it starts at what they have invested in the knife (knife cost and shipping). I have a couple Nutnfancy Spyderco's I'm planning on doing that with.
The knife isn't overpriced, it's over hyped... It always has been. It also the best example of artificially created scarcity, something sprint runs proliferate. The Shaman in Z wear is my all time most carried folder, however it should have been a regular production model. It was also the last time I bought anything in a limited run. Not being able to buy two more for my boys without participating in the scalper madness was the last straw.
I want one so I'll have to wait till available and the expense definitely major consideration but at least hold out till it's decent on regular retail market
I wasn’t able to get it, it came out a day before payday.. but did pick up a the exclusive green pm3 in 20 cv and recent sick af, Sprint run Stretch 2 XL that they surprisingly had in stock instead for the same amt of money haha
I’d wanted to get one of these for a really long time, like since i first started collecting knives. But i refused to pay the prices on the secondary market (eBay, etc.) so i was pretty stoked to see this KnifeJoy drop. And a couple weeks after getting it i still like it a lot. Yes, it’s overpriced, but tbh so are many other knives. Carrying it and using it, i don’t feel like i got ripped off or anything like that. It’s a great knife to use, and to me, i can’t find any quality issues or flaws or anything like that. For me, this knife was worth the price.
It was a grail for my collection so I bought the KJ exclusive. I know it’s overpriced, but I was paranoid that I may never get one elsewhere. I was definitely not gonna get the $750 eBay listing so this was the lesser of the two evils. I do regret spending that much but I love the knife.
If something sells out immediately, it's appropriately priced. It might be more than you like, but it isn't overpriced. Ferraris are sick, but I don't get to have one lol. Buy one or don't 😅
You're right, but I think people are intuitively assessing it against similar opposition - materials, design, etc. It's "overpriced" compared to its immediate competition, which cost less. Part of the pricing is capitalising on the combination of perceived value of the original and artificial scarcity of the current model. Those things distort the market and the manufacturer/seller are gaming that.
Great review. I’ve wanted one. But timing was off. I didn’t have an extra $450 to throw on a collector knife. I also felt it does not hold up to all the new knives with similar materials. Additionally I’m not a fan of frame lock. I’ve had them fail. Although the stainless steel lock bar likely was a great upgrade. In fairness I have some Microtech’s and other high price knives that I’ve beaten and there still kicking. But generally I don’t usually abuse or seriously use expensive knives. Expensive is anything above the $300 mark and the majority of my collection is closer to the $220-250 range. So to sum it up I had to skip this round mostly do to lack of funds. And all the rest is comforting my financial decision. 😀 PS it is surprising that the slyz Bowie is a permanent part of spyderco knives .
Spyderco is one of the good brands I criticize the most, it's not even just the pricing with them that I hark on, it's the amount of sprint runs and exclusives that breed scalpers. It's just the fact they're basically just that as a brand now, exclusives and sprint runs. I hardly remember the last time they had consistently released new designs because the new release catalogs in the last five years have been mostly the same designs and different steels and scales. Variety of material is fine, it's just STOP, there needs to be emphasis on new designs and Spyderco fans not encouraging them to make like the 10th variation of the SAME KNIFE, like I am trying not to use profanity with how frustrated I am with their stagnation as a brand.
They don't just do exclusives. Retailers ORDER exclusive runs from spydercos a lot, but spyderco has always released regular production stuff. They also still release new models. The issue is that people aren't as interested in their new models as they used to be, and spyderco doesn't seem to do it as often. It makes it easier to leave selective complaints like this.
@@metal_complex I could see how retailers could be a part of this complaint. It just feels like every brand is hyping new designs and Spyderco is kind of over there hyping mostly the same because they really don't have to because of this or that, it just works. They used to be the brand releasing all sorts of weird and unique stuff, now even the clone brands are proactively releasing more original designs than Spyderco, which is sad to even state.
Since Spyderco has factories they work with in China, Taiwan, Japan & US. They could "theoretically" have scales made in China and blades done in Japan or the US then assemble and do the lock-up geometry in the US. How much that would affect pricing I don't know, and if they even would have the capacity with all their other US projects.
I’ve written out several different responses to this and I keep deleting it. Every idea I’ve had just ends up seeming unrealistic and undoable and just not buying it on the aftermarket seems the best bet. That and the original sellers not having a limit to production.
As a new knife collector it's been interesting watching the buzz for this extremely normal and (imo) dated looking design. They really need to get some flush hardware and tighten up the lock bar gaps.
More power to ya. While I've never spent that much on a knife (and I totally would if TRM did a drop of titanium Atoms and I could get one), I've spent several thousand on knives in the last couple years. If it trips your trigger, I'm glad you got one. I just don't get it.
I was in the operating room when it dropped 😢 hopefully I can get one next time. Update: got one from the email!……after I just bought a tr-2 operator = poor man status
Same thing drives me absolutely insane in the Rosie market, people buy them at $750 and instantly flip them for $1,200 and everyone’s just okay with it
Of all the issues with the knife the cost ranks last for me. Ive sold all my Spyderco Taichung Ti stuff for most of the same issues with the Bowie. Orginal Bowie Issues: 1. Lock Stick 2. Spydie hole access 3. Hardware (too much too small) 4. Backspacer 5. Overtravel 6. Pocket Clip 7. Blade to scale ratio 8. Laynard Hole 9. Blade steel (I like XHP but doesn't belong on a Ti rust resistant knife) 10. Pivot size and design 11. Lock bar robustness (issue with most Ti Spyderco) 12. MSRP and Secondary Spyderco as most manufacturers and custom makers especially learned years ago artificial scarcity is an important tool to keep their brand in demand so thats absolutely the only reason there is interest in this knife. Definitely credit due to Nick for kicking off some of the SB hype but it was and is intergal to the high end in knife market anyways.
I get people's concern with price, but my favorite knives are from hinderer and CRK. I know, i know, people have something to say about the hrc. Works fine for me and being in the military i put both through their paces with ease. With that said, get what you like and afford.
Spyderco is just using these high demand, limited release knives to inflate their brand value. Yeah, it's overpriced, and yeah people are buying it at these prices, but ONLY because they are a limited release. If these were regularly in production, and there was no fear of missing out, people simply wouldn't be paying these prices.
Yeah, snatched one of these as well, very, very classily executed. Them Taichung boys no their way around a framelock. Also me: listens to seven minutes hearing flipping the knife, thinking isn’t that what you’re supposed to do? Who’s paying people to open their knives? Ohh … He meant sell
Thanks metal complex for all the content you provide. Its funny, i think the original price at 450 doesn't seem that out of place. Mind you , this knife doesnt appeal to me but i can respect what it is. Like you said the secondary market is bonkers. I think people just like to buy these for bragging rights to be honest. Its not the best design and the clip and lack of reverse clip make it even less appealing. I would way rather have a pm2 than the bowie. 😅
They are only buying on the secondary in order to acquire the knife. Not because they need it, but they want it, regardless of usage or collection intent. Likely they will flip it again later.
I recently picked up a crucarta pm2 on the secondary, brand new, fantastic knife, USA made, came with a deep carry lynch clip for $170. IMO 10x the knife that this is. With options like that, how can you possibly justify this knife? Maybe you can, but I can’t.
They could have at least gave people a nice titanium pocket clip and keeping the original (durable finish) scales for that price. That wire clip already wore off the scale finish 🥴
This kind of anodizing isn’t very durable. It’s not a knock to Spyderco, it’s just chemistry. No matter what clip is on here it’ll wear through the anodized layer sooner or later 🤷🏻♂️
I do have one of the original ones. I like it and wont sell it but wouldnt buy one these days if i didnt have it. back then it easily an exceptional knife but these days it isnt exceptional anymore. there are other great knives for less money
Flippers did the same thing with the microtech socom bravo mini. At first, they were asking $500 for a $325 knife, which is ridiculous and kind of scummy.so I just said phuck it ill wait and see if more drop, if not I just won't get one. Luckily, they did.
$449? Jesus man. All I want is a good edc with good action and a similar steel for under $200. Preferably 204P or even lc200n for the toughness. Seems like Kizer drop bear is my best option
I bought one…I am hanging onto it. Everyone assigns their own value prop to things..the price is the price. I love Spyderco as a brand, and there are some releases that I will it pass up.
Well, at least they made it with a left hand carry option!! As far as the Spasz Bullie goes, it's okay, I guess? I personally wouldn't pay over $200 for it, but that's just because it's not that desirable to me. I mean I love Sypderco knives, but this one is just meh. If people think it's amazing, that's cool, I ain't judging or hating. I'm kinda surprised that Spyderco doesn't just re-release it themselves. I mean are they gonna Edna Mode this thing, and never look back?
I personally like the look, but if people think it's too expensive don't buy it money talk. I live in europe so I pay a premium on all knives I still buy knives .(buy it or dont but please peeps don't winge)Also you're lucky on a drop or not, simple as. Love the content MC
My biggest complaint about the knife itself, pricing and hype aside, is that it feels too big for what it is, kind of like a PM2, except far, far more expensive. It carries like it’s a much larger knife, but it really kind of has a stout, medium-length blade. A lot of the pictures of it give it this kind of presence of a larger knife, but it’s really not at all. That could easily be a positive for some people, but for me, I’d rather just go for something that carries big and IS big, rather than this medium-ish size that’s wide and takes up more space than necessary for the features I think the design in general is a very good example of a basic high-end framelock that was impressive 10 years ago, but now every Chinese knife company in existence pumps things with identical materials and near-identical build quality out daily, so it’s really only got this abstract hype element to keep it from being buried in the sands of time. It’s a fine knife, but it’s not this transcendent thing that you can’t get the look or feel of anywhere else, so I guess I don’t really understand it, even as a Spyderco fanboy. They could easily turn these into lineup mainstays for $100 to $200 less than they charged for them in the most recent drop, but they won’t, because the almost-supernatural hype this model demands makes this better to them as a recurring overpriced event drop. Less knives have to be made, less cost spent on materials and machining, but more money for the effort. I can’t blame them as a business, but it does, in my opinion, kinda suck
It's the free market. It's up to we the people. If someone wants to buy a $20 box store knife, fine buy it. If someone wants to buy a $1k knife that's mass produced. Let them. No one is making people buy a knife someone bought to " flip." The overwhelming majority of these knives are ridiculously overpriced. And that's still putting it mildly. Like a baseball card. You can't live in it. You can't eat it. They're not exactly heart valves. They are both luxuries whose demand for and price cap will,and should be set by the free market. After the events of late. I have had my fill of people dictating what something should be worth.
And the video was ultimately negative with the final message being "dont buy this". A free knife won't buy my approval. Lots of companies send me free stuff. I'm not that easy to manipulate. Stop looking for a reason to complain. Watch the whole video next time.
Most of these people in the comments talking so much and never even held a bowie. I carry and use mine 24/7. I have the og kj release. They say the bowie is overpriced and will buy a Rosie and not complain about price. I also carry a Rosie on me 24/7 and I complain about the price on the Rosie more than a Bowie
I’m confused. The only reason this knife costs so much is because Spyderco is choosing not to produce enough of them to meet demand. They’ll make enough PM 2’s so that everyone who wants one can own 5 and give two more away. So yeah, knife flippers aren’t being “knife bro’s,” but it’s silly to blame anyone other than Spyderco for how hard they are to get and how much they cost on the secondary market… Also, anyone buying over-priced knives on eBay needs to try harder. There are much better places to find pre-owned knives. The prices on eBay are always stupid.
Noice but I'll stick with my pm2 even though that cost me $300 with the new clip and scales 🤷♂️ if u like something the price doesn't really matter much 🤙🏼 (also prefer USA made)
Spyderco sets the manufacturing limit. Spyderco is loving this. AS THEY SHOULD. What happens after that is basically just people doing dumb things and if they can afford to do dumb things, cool.
Expensive and limited does not necessarily mean overpriced. I am not buying a $250+ knife, just not me. But I accept that I am cheap vs calling something overpriced 😂
I absolutely have to hold a Slysz Bowie someday because the hype surrounding them is completely insane. There's a FB group, Spyderco Millie, PM2, Para3 Club, and after this latest drop shipped every post for a week solid seemed to be about people getting them in the mail and wanting to remove the anodized finish, I guess so the knife will resemble the OG. And half the comments were about it being overpriced followed by a list of "better" knives you could buy for that money.
I would genuinely love to hold one. I am curious if it is more comfortable than a shaman. this isn't an overpriced statement. For me this knife is a museum piece that reflects a different time in knife history and quality. Thats what makes it special rather than it being the best knife ever (though I am sure it is an amazing knife).
@@myhandlewastakenandIgaveup I'm being sincere. I would love to handle one. If I'd had the budget I would have probably picked one up at the drop. You don't get a reputation like that for nothing. The only Spydercos I regularly carry are the Shamans. I bought way too many of them a couple of years ago.
@@jeffoff7795 I get it. That reputation had to have been earned to have initially formed the rabid fanbase (and nick shabazz hyped it up to hell and back). In general my desire for knives like this (any consumer craze) is vastly tempered by my disinterest in fomo. Given that fact I couldn't tell you my honest desire level bc I doubt there will ever be a market where I am not fighting with other people to buy one. Check pawnshops. I have had some great knife come ups in pawn shops. I was curious about pena front flippera and picked one up for $100 from a shop a few months back. A lot of people flip knives at pawn shops after they get bored of their impulse purchases.
@@myhandlewastakenandIgaveup That's the thing, it's a museum piece at its current pricing and availability. It's the perfect example of what a forward thinking manufacturer would have released to dominate the industry for a decade, back in 2010
I think it was mid 2010 I think. I bought 2 a long time ago. It was expensive back then, but they were really popular and IMO better then this version.They should've kept same color and finish. Price is what it is. Don't want it that bad lol...I don't care enough 😊😂
I didn't say it would lower the price. I said very specifically that it wouldn't change retail but would eliminate the incentive for secondary market flipping
I think it's funny that people shit on the bowie with no mechanical problems but then run out and go buy a $655+ payson that has incredibly horrible lock stick
Knife Joy wanted $450, and those same knives are $600 and up on eBay. Spyderco Slysz Bowie is not worth this much. Spyderco needs to reduce scarcity on this knife to end this nonsense.
Knife collecting isn't a charity. Spyderco is keeping this knife as expensive as they can, and I don't blame them. MC I have literally no idea why you would think there would ever ever ever be a reason Spyderco would ever produce more than they want to, or do anything to lower the price of this thing at all. They aren't our friends, they're a business that is designed to milk us for every penny they can. If people are dumb enough to pay $450+ for this thing, then they deserve to have their money taken.
Nope, didn’t rush out and buy it and I didn’t rush out and buy the Bugout either. There are millions of us out there for whom paying over a hundred bucks on a pocket knife is not affordable or responsible.
I love mine. Really nice having the lock bar insert. I did have to run some 2000 grit over it so the handle smoothed out. Ill probably delete ano as well. BUT…this thing is nice. Getting smoother every day(like my other slysz’s). Its definitely a classic functioning knife. I think thats why it appeals to crk fans too.
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I think the sad thing is it’s only a frame lock why couldn’t it be a ball lock like the q-ball I wish there was more creative locks for anything this price
Honestly, I’d like to see a re-release or run of the original recipe. Stonewashed finished CTS-XHP blade and the original scales.
Would kind of defeat the point of discontinuing a model.
I agree ☝️.. Spyderco would make a lot of money
I agree….i love the original configuration much better
Spyderco should bring it back with the lock modification and the original blade finish and make it available to all of their retailers. I was one of the first on the waiting list with knife joy and never received an email when the latest batch came in. I’ve decided I can live without one of those things. Thanks MC
I’ve only bought one knife on the secondary market, and it was a Z-Wear Sprint Run. It was a factory second due to “micarta looking dirty/used” and was a good price. Other than that, if I went to eBay to buy every knife I missed the entire hobby would be moot. Where would the joy be in getting it afterwards for more money? There’s ALWAYS another knife you’ll HAVE TO HAVE.
They sold out in less than 30 mins and then a week later emailed their knife joy members the option to sign up for some extras they were releasing for them
I like the blasted blue seems to hold up better and has more color fidelity when exposed to skin oils and dirt.
KnifeJoy just today made email request orders go live for the slysz bowie. They've handled this drop VERY well.
As a new collector, this is my first grail knife and im happy to get it at retail.
That’s rad congrats!
Artificial scarcity also exists. I was watching a video on a knife midgards messer was making, and they flat out said they didn't want to make too many as not over saturate the market. They aren't spyderco, but "come on", they all do it.
100 percent most custom makers do this on purpose to sell fewer knives but for outrageous prices.
Love that knifejoy put this out. Despite all the people shouting about how overpriced or overhyped it is i know there were so many people who were excited to get this knife new who would not have had the opportunity without knifejoy making it happen. So glad they made sure more people could access their grail knife :)
The only thing that gives me pause about criticizing the price is that I am curious what the cost is for Spyderco to set up a production line for this (or any) knife is. With a knife in continuous production, those setup costs are divided across every knife produced. In this case, those costs are spread across a rather limited run. More so even than sprint runs, which at least are usually variations of currently produced knives. I'm not discounting their also taking advantage of FOMO though. I'd just love to know where the balance is.
Around $120 if I were to take a guess . One do the tubers said Reate s prices were around $120 per knife .
I have a few spyderco knives, and what i really like about them is the characteristic shape and the unlock like the paramilitary 2 (thats why i have different versions of this model)
Too much for too little, there are knives at a fraction of the cost that offers exponentially more. It's basically a collector's peice at this point
It's 100% a collectors piece at this point.
Collector knives are part of the hobby as well! I have a few of the “collector” spyderco knives and I kind of love them for what they are completely!
Your part of the problem that he always complains about in his videos
If one can get two with one as a safe queen then you can have a user and a collector.
BTW MC free is a really good price
That’s what most knives in this hobby become 😂
Why have a reversible pocket clip when there is little to no access to the finger hole for lefties? No relief cut on that side. I guess only option would be reverse flick?
Agreed I will weigh in on this later the weather is too nice and this will take a bit more time to compose as I started and .....
I think it took 30 minutes to sell out and it sounds like it went smoothly. I will say it that the pricing on this one seems counterintuitive. The more Slysz Bowies they make, the less each one is worth. I'm all for them releasing as many as the market will bear but scarcity usually drives price. But it did sell out. Hopefully this will have an effect on the secondary market.
More were released by KJ two days later.
I wish they would come out with a version of this knife with a more budget friendly steel say(14c28n,vg10)at the original or close price,sign me up
I didn’t go after it on the drop, then a few days ago, I got an offer from the KJ+ Buyers Club to buy one of the holdbacks. I considered it briefly, but knew I wouldn’t keep it and couldn’t stand the thought of becoming a flipper, even though I happen to love capitalism and enjoy money! I offered to get it and pass it on for retail to a few of the guys I’ve dealt with in other knife groups, and all of them passed as well! I’m thinking this well may be getting close to being tapped out. Hopefully 🤞🏼
I'll say this. I will buy it when they bring back the original finish on the blade, even if the knife is overpriced.
I love these knives. I have the original and the knife joy version from the first run. irritates me they didnt do the lock bar insert the first time. what would have made this one better, is if they did the scale finish the same as the original, except blue, and stonewashed m390.
I have one of the original Knife Joy exclusive Slysz Bowies. I love it. Glad to have it in my collection.
I think it’s rad that people who missed out on the original can get a newer variant. I personally would not go for it but can see the appeal.
I love the design, it looks really cool. If it was actually priced competitively I would definitely buy one
I just don't understand why Spyderco doesn't re-release it on their own. There's obviously a huge demand. Keep the lock bar insert, go back to the original scales and blade finish, and they could sell as many of them as they could make, forever.
I'm just hoping that they see this demand and now that the design changes are already in place they can keep pumping out more instead of having to wait 2+ years for a Knifejoy batch, I wouldn’t even mind if they kept the dealer exclusivity so long as they make multiple exclusives through multiple dealers
Love the video and the message behind it. If we can affect the secondary market to discourage people from flipping, that would be great. Until then, I love hearing people say we need to keep trying
Completely agree. Their price was the lesser of two “evils” so it didn’t bother me
Love the rant! I have no problem with people reselling on ebay. As long as it's an auction and it starts at what they have invested in the knife (knife cost and shipping). I have a couple Nutnfancy Spyderco's I'm planning on doing that with.
The knife isn't overpriced, it's over hyped... It always has been. It also the best example of artificially created scarcity, something sprint runs proliferate. The Shaman in Z wear is my all time most carried folder, however it should have been a regular production model. It was also the last time I bought anything in a limited run. Not being able to buy two more for my boys without participating in the scalper madness was the last straw.
I want one so I'll have to wait till available and the expense definitely major consideration but at least hold out till it's decent on regular retail market
I wasn’t able to get it, it came out a day before payday.. but did pick up a the exclusive green pm3 in 20 cv and recent sick af, Sprint run Stretch 2 XL that they surprisingly had in stock instead for the same amt of money haha
I’d wanted to get one of these for a really long time, like since i first started collecting knives. But i refused to pay the prices on the secondary market (eBay, etc.) so i was pretty stoked to see this KnifeJoy drop. And a couple weeks after getting it i still like it a lot. Yes, it’s overpriced, but tbh so are many other knives. Carrying it and using it, i don’t feel like i got ripped off or anything like that. It’s a great knife to use, and to me, i can’t find any quality issues or flaws or anything like that. For me, this knife was worth the price.
It was a grail for my collection so I bought the KJ exclusive. I know it’s overpriced, but I was paranoid that I may never get one elsewhere. I was definitely not gonna get the $750 eBay listing so this was the lesser of the two evils. I do regret spending that much but I love the knife.
If something sells out immediately, it's appropriately priced. It might be more than you like, but it isn't overpriced. Ferraris are sick, but I don't get to have one lol. Buy one or don't 😅
You're right, but I think people are intuitively assessing it against similar opposition - materials, design, etc. It's "overpriced" compared to its immediate competition, which cost less. Part of the pricing is capitalising on the combination of perceived value of the original and artificial scarcity of the current model. Those things distort the market and the manufacturer/seller are gaming that.
Great review. I’ve wanted one. But timing was off. I didn’t have an extra $450 to throw on a collector knife. I also felt it does not hold up to all the new knives with similar materials. Additionally I’m not a fan of frame lock. I’ve had them fail. Although the stainless steel lock bar likely was a great upgrade. In fairness I have some Microtech’s and other high price knives that I’ve beaten and there still kicking. But generally I don’t usually abuse or seriously use expensive knives. Expensive is anything above the $300 mark and the majority of my collection is closer to the $220-250 range.
So to sum it up I had to skip this round mostly do to lack of funds. And all the rest is comforting my financial decision. 😀 PS it is surprising that the slyz Bowie is a permanent part of spyderco knives .
I'm glad you are honest in this video. Does that mean you aren't on other videos? Haha, just messing with you. Love your content MC!
I just bought the full sized titanium sheepdog from Kizer and I like it more. I paid $112 for it and it’s just as smooth and the grinds are cleaner.
Spyderco is one of the good brands I criticize the most, it's not even just the pricing with them that I hark on, it's the amount of sprint runs and exclusives that breed scalpers. It's just the fact they're basically just that as a brand now, exclusives and sprint runs. I hardly remember the last time they had consistently released new designs because the new release catalogs in the last five years have been mostly the same designs and different steels and scales. Variety of material is fine, it's just STOP, there needs to be emphasis on new designs and Spyderco fans not encouraging them to make like the 10th variation of the SAME KNIFE, like I am trying not to use profanity with how frustrated I am with their stagnation as a brand.
They don't just do exclusives. Retailers ORDER exclusive runs from spydercos a lot, but spyderco has always released regular production stuff. They also still release new models. The issue is that people aren't as interested in their new models as they used to be, and spyderco doesn't seem to do it as often. It makes it easier to leave selective complaints like this.
@@metal_complex I could see how retailers could be a part of this complaint. It just feels like every brand is hyping new designs and Spyderco is kind of over there hyping mostly the same because they really don't have to because of this or that, it just works. They used to be the brand releasing all sorts of weird and unique stuff, now even the clone brands are proactively releasing more original designs than Spyderco, which is sad to even state.
If this was $250-300, this would be such an amazing knife
I don't even know if it's worth that much. The competition at that price range is huge.
The hype was enough for me to get one, don't know if I'll hang onto it.
Since Spyderco has factories they work with in China, Taiwan, Japan & US. They could "theoretically" have scales made in China and blades done in Japan or the US then assemble and do the lock-up geometry in the US. How much that would affect pricing I don't know, and if they even would have the capacity with all their other US projects.
There’s a bunch of expensive knives higher on my list than this one, but I would be happy to put this in the collection one of these days.
I’ve written out several different responses to this and I keep deleting it. Every idea I’ve had just ends up seeming unrealistic and undoable and just not buying it on the aftermarket seems the best bet. That and the original sellers not having a limit to production.
As a new knife collector it's been interesting watching the buzz for this extremely normal and (imo) dated looking design. They really need to get some flush hardware and tighten up the lock bar gaps.
You should do a video of similar knives that are priced right.
Sometimes I get the urge to buy one again but I already know it'll feel like a toy in my hand compared to my fighter flipper carry.
Its cool but I just want an og one... 😢 I liked the CTS XHP steel.
i really like mine 😊 would probably buy it again
More power to ya. While I've never spent that much on a knife (and I totally would if TRM did a drop of titanium Atoms and I could get one), I've spent several thousand on knives in the last couple years. If it trips your trigger, I'm glad you got one. I just don't get it.
@@hificat101 Your best shot at a TRM titanium Atom is a TRM attended knife show.
Spydie Chef not contoured (scales). Also uses LC200N instead of this knife’s M390.
As much as I dont get the "Bowie", I super duper want a Spydie Chef.
I was in the operating room when it dropped 😢 hopefully I can get one next time.
Update: got one from the email!……after I just bought a tr-2 operator = poor man status
Same thing drives me absolutely insane in the Rosie market, people buy them at $750 and instantly flip them for $1,200 and everyone’s just okay with it
Truth.
Of all the issues with the knife the cost ranks last for me. Ive sold all my Spyderco Taichung Ti stuff for most of the same issues with the Bowie.
Orginal Bowie Issues:
1. Lock Stick
2. Spydie hole access
3. Hardware (too much too small)
4. Backspacer
5. Overtravel
6. Pocket Clip
7. Blade to scale ratio
8. Laynard Hole
9. Blade steel (I like XHP but doesn't belong on a Ti rust resistant knife)
10. Pivot size and design
11. Lock bar robustness (issue with most Ti Spyderco)
12. MSRP and Secondary
Spyderco as most manufacturers and custom makers especially learned years ago artificial scarcity is an important tool to keep their brand in demand so thats absolutely the only reason there is interest in this knife. Definitely credit due to Nick for kicking off some of the SB hype but it was and is intergal to the high end in knife market anyways.
the fact that it can't be reverse flicked and the wire clip scratches the scales is why I wouldn't own this knife even if it were $300.
Clip doesn’t really matter, anyone with any sense at all will put a lynch clip on it
@@shadowcastyt That's exactly why the clip matters dufus it's too expensive to put off the shelf blister pack quality parts on...
I reverse flick this all day long. Same with the Spydiechef. It’s not great access, I’ll agree, but it’s certainly easily doable.
I want this knife but the wire clip is what will keep from ever buying it at that price. I despise wire clips on a knife at this level.
eBay is surprisingly not outrageous today. Saw one for $445 with free shipping
I get people's concern with price, but my favorite knives are from hinderer and CRK. I know, i know, people have something to say about the hrc. Works fine for me and being in the military i put both through their paces with ease. With that said, get what you like and afford.
All that needs to happen is Spyderco re-release it as a regular production model. Problem solved.
Spyderco is just using these high demand, limited release knives to inflate their brand value.
Yeah, it's overpriced, and yeah people are buying it at these prices, but ONLY because they are a limited release. If these were regularly in production, and there was no fear of missing out, people simply wouldn't be paying these prices.
That's exactly what I said in the video 👍
Yeah, snatched one of these as well, very, very classily executed.
Them Taichung boys no their way around a framelock.
Also me: listens to seven minutes hearing flipping the knife, thinking isn’t that what you’re supposed to do?
Who’s paying people to open their knives?
Ohh … He meant sell
Thanks metal complex for all the content you provide. Its funny, i think the original price at 450 doesn't seem that out of place. Mind you , this knife doesnt appeal to me but i can respect what it is. Like you said the secondary market is bonkers. I think people just like to buy these for bragging rights to be honest. Its not the best design and the clip and lack of reverse clip make it even less appealing. I would way rather have a pm2 than the bowie. 😅
They are only buying on the secondary in order to acquire the knife. Not because they need it, but they want it, regardless of usage or collection intent. Likely they will flip it again later.
Got one and couldn’t be happier with it
I bought a Gayle Bradley 2 instead
I recently picked up a crucarta pm2 on the secondary, brand new, fantastic knife, USA made, came with a deep carry lynch clip for $170. IMO 10x the knife that this is. With options like that, how can you possibly justify this knife? Maybe you can, but I can’t.
They could have at least gave people a nice titanium pocket clip and keeping the original (durable finish) scales for that price. That wire clip already wore off the scale finish 🥴
This kind of anodizing isn’t very durable. It’s not a knock to Spyderco, it’s just chemistry. No matter what clip is on here it’ll wear through the anodized layer sooner or later 🤷🏻♂️
I do have one of the original ones. I like it and wont sell it but wouldnt buy one these days if i didnt have it. back then it easily an exceptional knife but these days it isnt exceptional anymore. there are other great knives for less money
Flippers did the same thing with the microtech socom bravo mini. At first, they were asking $500 for a $325 knife, which is ridiculous and kind of scummy.so I just said phuck it ill wait and see if more drop, if not I just won't get one. Luckily, they did.
$449? Jesus man. All I want is a good edc with good action and a similar steel for under $200. Preferably 204P or even lc200n for the toughness. Seems like Kizer drop bear is my best option
We want a Magnacut Metal complex collab version
I know it’s not quite relevant to this video, but I can’t wait to see and hear your thoughts on the CJRB Prado!!
It looks super cool though I know MC isn't a fan of wood handles
@@l4so102true, they carry g10 also!
@@jakebanks4365 oh cool didn't see that one
I bought one…I am hanging onto it. Everyone assigns their own value prop to things..the price is the price. I love Spyderco as a brand, and there are some releases that I will it pass up.
Well, at least they made it with a left hand carry option!! As far as the Spasz Bullie goes, it's okay, I guess? I personally wouldn't pay over $200 for it, but that's just because it's not that desirable to me. I mean I love Sypderco knives, but this one is just meh. If people think it's amazing, that's cool, I ain't judging or hating. I'm kinda surprised that Spyderco doesn't just re-release it themselves. I mean are they gonna Edna Mode this thing, and never look back?
A G-10 version would be sick
I personally like the look, but if people think it's too expensive don't buy it money talk. I live in europe so I pay a premium on all knives I still buy knives .(buy it or dont but please peeps don't winge)Also you're lucky on a drop or not, simple as. Love the content MC
It looks very similar to my m4 tenacious. Just costs four times more.
My biggest complaint about the knife itself, pricing and hype aside, is that it feels too big for what it is, kind of like a PM2, except far, far more expensive. It carries like it’s a much larger knife, but it really kind of has a stout, medium-length blade. A lot of the pictures of it give it this kind of presence of a larger knife, but it’s really not at all. That could easily be a positive for some people, but for me, I’d rather just go for something that carries big and IS big, rather than this medium-ish size that’s wide and takes up more space than necessary for the features
I think the design in general is a very good example of a basic high-end framelock that was impressive 10 years ago, but now every Chinese knife company in existence pumps things with identical materials and near-identical build quality out daily, so it’s really only got this abstract hype element to keep it from being buried in the sands of time. It’s a fine knife, but it’s not this transcendent thing that you can’t get the look or feel of anywhere else, so I guess I don’t really understand it, even as a Spyderco fanboy. They could easily turn these into lineup mainstays for $100 to $200 less than they charged for them in the most recent drop, but they won’t, because the almost-supernatural hype this model demands makes this better to them as a recurring overpriced event drop. Less knives have to be made, less cost spent on materials and machining, but more money for the effort. I can’t blame them as a business, but it does, in my opinion, kinda suck
Well said.
It is kind of like a mini version of my Spyderco K2 I prefer the K2
K2 is a beast!!
It's the free market. It's up to we the people. If someone wants to buy a $20 box store knife, fine buy it. If someone wants to buy a $1k knife that's mass produced. Let them. No one is making people buy a knife someone bought to " flip." The overwhelming majority of these knives are ridiculously overpriced. And that's still putting it mildly. Like a baseball card. You can't live in it. You can't eat it. They're not exactly heart valves. They are both luxuries whose demand for and price cap will,and should be set by the free market. After the events of late. I have had my fill of people dictating what something should be worth.
Spyderco needs to man up and re-issue the SB....solves all the problems.
“Knifejoy didn’t pay me to do this video…” - they just gave me a $500 knife and a great subject for a video
And the video was ultimately negative with the final message being "dont buy this".
A free knife won't buy my approval. Lots of companies send me free stuff. I'm not that easy to manipulate. Stop looking for a reason to complain. Watch the whole video next time.
Most of these people in the comments talking so much and never even held a bowie. I carry and use mine 24/7. I have the og kj release. They say the bowie is overpriced and will buy a Rosie and not complain about price. I also carry a Rosie on me 24/7 and I complain about the price on the Rosie more than a Bowie
according to alot of posts i was reading it stayed in stock for 27 minutes ! LMAO 26 minutes longer than i expected
I’m confused. The only reason this knife costs so much is because Spyderco is choosing not to produce enough of them to meet demand. They’ll make enough PM 2’s so that everyone who wants one can own 5 and give two more away. So yeah, knife flippers aren’t being “knife bro’s,” but it’s silly to blame anyone other than Spyderco for how hard they are to get and how much they cost on the secondary market… Also, anyone buying over-priced knives on eBay needs to try harder. There are much better places to find pre-owned knives. The prices on eBay are always stupid.
My mom doesnt have a dog. And if she did, it wouldnt have fleas.😅 Love your take on this one. And Nicks
Noice but I'll stick with my pm2 even though that cost me $300 with the new clip and scales 🤷♂️ if u like something the price doesn't really matter much 🤙🏼 (also prefer USA made)
Spyderco sets the manufacturing limit. Spyderco is loving this. AS THEY SHOULD. What happens after that is basically just people doing dumb things and if they can afford to do dumb things, cool.
Expensive and limited does not necessarily mean overpriced. I am not buying a $250+ knife, just not me. But I accept that I am cheap vs calling something overpriced 😂
I'm so sad/angry they don't ship outside the US
Theres alot I would like here in Sweden aswell. 😅
I do not own one and will most likely not buy one as I have a SpydieChef and LOVE IT! Made a quick video and will do a follow up soon.
Didn't Shabazz do the math and show that the raised price comes in under inflation?
Yes, if we assume the original price wasn't "too high". Most were in agreement that it was already overpriced, but I believe Nick covered that as well
Yes, I think the price is way to high for that "Plain Jane" Folder.
I absolutely have to hold a Slysz Bowie someday because the hype surrounding them is completely insane. There's a FB group, Spyderco Millie, PM2, Para3 Club, and after this latest drop shipped every post for a week solid seemed to be about people getting them in the mail and wanting to remove the anodized finish, I guess so the knife will resemble the OG. And half the comments were about it being overpriced followed by a list of "better" knives you could buy for that money.
I would genuinely love to hold one. I am curious if it is more comfortable than a shaman.
this isn't an overpriced statement. For me this knife is a museum piece that reflects a different time in knife history and quality. Thats what makes it special rather than it being the best knife ever (though I am sure it is an amazing knife).
@@myhandlewastakenandIgaveup I'm being sincere. I would love to handle one. If I'd had the budget I would have probably picked one up at the drop. You don't get a reputation like that for nothing. The only Spydercos I regularly carry are the Shamans. I bought way too many of them a couple of years ago.
@@jeffoff7795 I get it. That reputation had to have been earned to have initially formed the rabid fanbase (and nick shabazz hyped it up to hell and back).
In general my desire for knives like this (any consumer craze) is vastly tempered by my disinterest in fomo. Given that fact I couldn't tell you my honest desire level bc I doubt there will ever be a market where I am not fighting with other people to buy one.
Check pawnshops. I have had some great knife come ups in pawn shops. I was curious about pena front flippera and picked one up for $100 from a shop a few months back. A lot of people flip knives at pawn shops after they get bored of their impulse purchases.
@@myhandlewastakenandIgaveup That's the thing, it's a museum piece at its current pricing and availability. It's the perfect example of what a forward thinking manufacturer would have released to dominate the industry for a decade, back in 2010
I think it was mid 2010 I think. I bought 2 a long time ago. It was expensive back then, but they were really popular and IMO better then this version.They should've kept same color and finish. Price is what it is. Don't want it that bad lol...I don't care enough 😊😂
It'd be cool if they made a new version of this rather than continuously we're releasing the old one.
I don't think bringing it back to full production would lower the price. The Shaman is going for $270 after all.
I didn't say it would lower the price. I said very specifically that it wouldn't change retail but would eliminate the incentive for secondary market flipping
@@metal_complex My bad. I guess I'm still tilted over Spyderco's latest price hikes.
I think it's funny that people shit on the bowie with no mechanical problems but then run out and go buy a $655+ payson that has incredibly horrible lock stick
Guilty lol
@@metal_complex 🤣👊🏼🍻🍻
Knife Joy wanted $450, and those same knives are $600 and up on eBay. Spyderco Slysz Bowie is not worth this much. Spyderco needs to reduce scarcity on this knife to end this nonsense.
Knife collecting isn't a charity. Spyderco is keeping this knife as expensive as they can, and I don't blame them. MC I have literally no idea why you would think there would ever ever ever be a reason Spyderco would ever produce more than they want to, or do anything to lower the price of this thing at all. They aren't our friends, they're a business that is designed to milk us for every penny they can. If people are dumb enough to pay $450+ for this thing, then they deserve to have their money taken.
Nope, didn’t rush out and buy it and I didn’t rush out and buy the Bugout either. There are millions of us out there for whom paying over a hundred bucks on a pocket knife is not affordable or responsible.
I love mine. Really nice having the lock bar insert. I did have to run some 2000 grit over it so the handle smoothed out. Ill probably delete ano as well. BUT…this thing is nice. Getting smoother every day(like my other slysz’s). Its definitely a classic functioning knife. I think thats why it appeals to crk fans too.