Slysz Bowie

[Bodog]

Summary:

Great knife
"Sebenza killer"? No

I'm not a CRK owner or fan boy but I've handled enough to see them for what they are. Maybe 10 or 15 of them over the course of a couple of years.

I turned in a mantra and a sprint PPT that had some issues. I sent the knives to Sal and evidently Sal and Eric both looked at them and said they wanted to keep them for R/D. So they offered me full MSRP credit. I chose a Slysz Bowie and a round bead lanyard. The Slysz Bowie has an outstanding reputation and is often touted as being one of the best production knives available, from Spyderco or anyone else. And it rides on PB washers.

I got it in the mail today and have been examining and playing with it for about half an hour.

I have to agree. It IS one of the finest production knives I've held. Ever. Out of probably 300 or so different models from various companies. Or more, I don't know.

It's still just a little stiff but I'm not counting that towards anything because most knives will be right out of the box if they're going to last any length of time.

And the rest is so minute that I can't put into pictures what I see and are so inconsequential that I don't feel like naming them. The only niggling that might be worth mentioning is the chamfering of the spyderhole. It makes it just a touch hard to swing the blade out unless it's a purposeful motion. The detent is just a little too strong at this point for how it's supposed to deploy.

Suffice to say, this is how a production knife should be done. I believe it's just a little over priced considering the competition but it screams quality. There's nothing honestly bad with it that is really worth making a fuss about at this point.

And Sal/Eric/Rebecca/Charlynn/whoever it actually was, thank you. I was beginning to lose a little faith in Spyderco. This rekindled it.

And to be honest, the overall design itself, while great, isn't a military. I'd love to see a military made with the same attention to detail and with equivalent tolerances. The military is about the most perfect design I could grab ahold of and wrap my mind around. This isn't a design or knife in general that I want to let go of, though. It's genuinely a nice knife and it is impressive.

The round bead lanyard is just a bit too long in most aspects for my personal tastes but is otherwise really nice and goes well with the Bowie.

I'll be submitting some outdoorsy pictures within the next week or two.

You guys are awesome!

[Xplorer]

It's great to hear you're happy with your new knife! :)

I've had my Slysz Bowie for almost 2 years now and it's better than ever. A couple of things you have to look forward to...the detent will work in very soon and the tight tolerances that make your knife a little stiff today will quickly turn into a liquid smooth action with no blade play. The feel and sound of opening my Slysz Bowie is by far the best of all production knives in my collection...and is endlessly satisfying.

I have a little different perspective on the Sebenza killer question. Maybe it's somewhat based on the sequence of events for me.? I bought my Slysz Bowie before I ever held a Sebenza. Then, it just so happened that every time I've picked up a Sebenza and considered buying one I had my Slysz Bowie in my pocket. I'd compare the two, and at best I can say every Sebenza I've opened feels equally well made but not necessarily any better. So every time I've wound up thinking "where's my extra $150 going?..I could buy 3 Slysz Bowies for the price of 2 Sebenza"...and even though that kind of "rational" thinking maybe shouldn't be applied to knife purchases, each time I put the Sebenza back on the counter. So for me, the Slysz Bowie has really been a Sebenza killer...3 times in fact. :p

I hope your new knife serves you well for many years! :spyder:

Best regards,

Chad

[paladin]

Slysz Bowies are not enough like Sebenzas for me to consider them Sebenza-killers...

*the handle ergos are vastly different <I realize mine are canvas Mic. inserts, but the "plain" Sebbies have the same outer contours>

*the blade deployment is very different.

*the pivots are not alike.

*blade steel is different.

*blade grinds are no way similar.

*pocket clips are not the same.

*differently designed phosphor bronze washers.

*Sebenzas are designed for user takedown & maintenance...Bowie ELU takedown = voided warranty.

*price points very different-- hence the Bowie "killer" moniker-- I get it.

There are a few similarities-- rollover spine, monolithic Ti slabs, & Reeve Integral Lock being the most noteworthy. So, I can see why some users might call the Bowie a Sebenza-killer for a few reasons...but those reasons the comparisons are drawn are for some of the most aesthetic parallels between the two models. The actual, important <IMHO>, differences are quite vast between the Bowie & Sebbie.

I feel like Macin Slysz designed his wonderful Bowie to fill a different niche than the Sebenza. My only proof of this, I concede, are the differences I've noted above and -- most importantly-- how I personally use the knives. Meaning.... which one I grab for which task, carry occasion, and expected use for the day I am faced with...the fact that I consciously note the difference for use shows me they ARE different.

It was inevitable that the comparison were to be made between the two...it was the same with the Sage 2. And the killer image had to follow because of the disparate price points.

They're all great knives. They are different knives. And admittedly some of the differences aren't that "different" at all between the two-- some are quite sublime. But I recognize the differences and I say "Vive la difference!"

A lineup of the Killers surrounding their prospective Victims

[SuckSqueezeBangBlow]

Slysz Bowie is my favourite knife with the Techno a very close second

[Surfingringo]

Congrats on the knife. I have handled several of those and every one has been superb! I love the handle but the blade profile is just a bit too far from what I typically use...that's the only thing that has kept me from purchasing one. Incredible f&f though and as you said, the knife screams quality.

[mattman]

I love mine for all the reasons stated above, however, it would likely become the last knife I ever bought, if it was offered with more of a drop point/less belly profile.

My current one saw a lot of pocket time initially, but I came to realize that, for my needs, the leaf shape profile suits me much better.

I will continue to rotate the Bowie into my carry, if only to marvel at the f&f, and the spectacular contouring on the scales that is sublimely executed.

[Pied]

I couldn't resist any longer - I ordered a Slysz Bowie.

Did one of you own an original Slysz knife? It is not so easy to find information about the price and the order procedure. The Swayback is one of the most beautiful knifes I've ever seen and I would like to buy one of these. Also the Mouse GenII (Techno design) is a masterpiece.

[Bodog]

After carrying it a couple of days I have some points that are just personal preferences that would make the knife function better for me personally.

Too much belly, a pointier tip would be great.
Prefer no sharpening notch.
This knife would be awesome with a detent ramp carved into the tang.
I'm not a fan of spyderholes that don't bite/grip my thumb.
Some kind of overtravel stop would probably be unnecessary but would add a little confidence.
The thumb gimping could have more bite.
I like the wire clip but a milled clip would be stronger.

And now some things I really like.

Everything being chamfered/crowned is really nice.
The blade finish is really nice
Rides really nicely.
The lockup "thunk" is really satisfying.
Opens and closes very smoothly. It's not a flipper and i am not asking for it behave like one.
It's a really solid knife. I like carrying it.

As most importantly, it cuts well and is comfortable while doing it. I probably wouldn't want to use it if I was a butcher or professional wood carver but for most activities I think it'll work really well.

[jonnieb]

I recently went to my local B&M store to try out a Slysz. I'd been on the verge of ordering one for a while, but had noted some of the ambivalent comments on the fora, and didn't fancy spending that much (new, around $450 CDN) on a knife that wasn't a sure thing.

Bear in mind that I had previously anted up for a Sebenza 21 Micarta, and was very interested to see how the knives stacked up.

Everything I had heard about the knife in terms of fit and finish was true; it felt great in the hand, and was smooth as silk.

However, in comparing and contrasting to the Sebenza:

1) Size
Pro It fits between the large and small Sebenza, for those who think there aren't enough CRK options wrt size

Con It felt a little small for the width of the blade and handle

2) Finish
Pro Has the superior feel of the best Taiwan made Spydercos

Con Still not quite up to the level of the Sebenza (you have to disassemble the knives to really see this)(No, I did not disassemble the Slysz on the store counter)

3) Price
Pro Cheaper than a Sebenza, new

Con For the same price, (barely) used Sebenzas are available

4) Blade
Pro Full flat grind, lovely finish

Con Too wide, and too much belly and upsweep for my particular tastes

5) Handle
Pro Nicely contoured TI scales

Con Doesn't feel as secure in the hand as the Sebenza, not sure the finish will hold up as long

I decided not to buy the knife, and shortly thereafter lucked into a mint Sebenza 21 Insingo (large) for less than the Slysz would have cost. :)

I still might get one if I could find a used sample (hard to do right now in Canada).

Is it a Sebenza killer? No. In fact, that may be the problem, that it is perceived as being in the same range. So why not ante up a little more and get the "real" thing. It just doesn't feel $400 special to me. No doubt my opinion might have been different if I hadn't got a Sebenza first.

Now the Gayle Bradley 2, what a lovely knife, and for much less money! Has a real personality IMHO :)

[Pied]

My Slysz Bowie came today, but I send it back. This knife was my grail for 2 years...

My exemplar had rust (titanium - > rust !?) on the stop pin, asymmetric edge (not the big problem but 420 Euro) and a stiff (I don´t know the correct eng. word) lock up.

hmpf, saddest day for a spydernut

I ordered a Sprig now... Maybe I will grab a Bowie on the second market one day. I love the Techno and also the Slysz Bowie is a great knife. But in Germany, the price is 420 Euro and after this experience I am not willing to buy a new one for this price.

Edit: One picture. You can see the "rust" (brown spot on the pin). I think it´s only on the surface and not a big problem. The lock was the main reason why I send it back. You see, the contact area from the blade on the frame lock is very small (dark spot). When I tried to close the knife, the frame lock jammed.

[Surfingringo]

After carrying it a couple of days I have some points that are just personal preferences that would make the knife function better for me personally.

Too much belly, a pointier tip would be great.
Prefer no sharpening notch.
This knife would be awesome with a detent ramp carved into the tang.
I'm not a fan of spyderholes that don't bite/grip my thumb.
Some kind of overtravel stop would probably be unnecessary but would add a little confidence.
The thumb gimping could have more bite.
I like the wire clip but a milled clip would be stronger.

This ^

*except for the overtravel stop which I have no use for and would only add extra cost.

[Surfingringo]

And now some things I really like.

Everything being chamfered/crowned is really nice.
The blade finish is really nice
Rides really nicely.
The lockup "thunk" is really satisfying.
Opens and closes very smoothly. It's not a flipper and i am not asking for it behave like one.
It's a really solid knife. I like carrying it.

And this. ^