Many of you regulars or lurkers already know I'm pretty active here and like to post my own little reviews and tests on knives I get, since my job requires a lot of cutting and a lot of times similar materials day in and day out, making comparisons a bit easier to make.
I've never handled the original version of this knife, so with all the hype from the internet and Shabazz, I was coming into this knife with some pretty high expectations, though I also had some concerns. I've heard the term "Sebenza killer" thrown around a few times, and having now owned 2 different CRK models for a few months now, I feel pretty capable of making an honest comparison.
I have a Small Sebenza 31, which I don't think would be fair to compare to the Bowie because of the size difference, so I went into it thinking that the Bowie would be compared to my Large Inkosi Insingo.
Upon handling the Slysz Bowie, I wasn't immediately blown away by the feel/quality of the $400 knife in my hand. A much different initial feeling compared to my CRK's. It's hard to explain, it wasn't a disappointing feeling really, but more of a "ok, this is it?" feeling. It's comfortable, much slimmer than I imagined. It's tall, to help with filling out the hand, but it feels like it should also have a bit more width, hand filling properties to it. The anodized scales quickly shows marks just from handling the knife, as well as quite a contrast in color from under the wire clip compared to the rest of the scales. I do like the different color/coating on the hardware and clip though. I would have preferred an open back construction, the black G10 backspacer seems like a cheap route to take on such an expensive knife. The subtle contouring on the scales is nice though.
Here's a comparison showing how slim the knife is compared to the Inkosi, granted the Inkosi also has micarta inlays which make that knife, for me....much more comfortable and the ergonomic winner here.
![Image](https://i.postimg.cc/Hs1ZjQh3/20210504-185457.jpg)
Yes, the Bowie has great action and flicks open with authority (I know this is a HUGE thing for some people) BUT...the famed "middle finger flick" is nearly impossible due to the lock bar covering half the hole. The Inkosi is broken in and can be flicked via the thumb studs with the thumb or middle finger. If that sort of thing matters to you, the Inkosi gets the slight nod there for multiple ways to deploy the blade.
They are similar in size, but obviously the blade shapes are quite different. For my preferences and line of work, I find the Bowie shaped blade a bit tough to get used to. Really have to crank my wrist to utilize the tip, where the Insingo blade on the CRK is much better suited for my duties. The grind on the Bowie is very even, and the ffg is ideal. The CRK too a lot of work to get to where I have it now. Both knives have a beautifully done crowned spine, with the Bowie also having a flat area before the crowning just past the jimping, a great touch for added comfort and control when really choking up. So out of the box, the Bowie wins there. I'm sure I could get used to the tip with more practice and pocket time.
![Image](https://i.postimg.cc/5y521BXj/20210504-185825.jpg)
![Image](https://i.postimg.cc/W3jyC0c5/20210504-185758.jpg)
![Image](https://i.postimg.cc/0NvZyxXQ/20210504-185706.jpg)
Both knives carry comfortably in the pocket, but the Inkosi does take up a bit less pocket real estate. Chalk up another point for CRK
![Image](https://i.postimg.cc/26hZbBqN/20210504-185736.jpg)
Both knives lock up great! Strong, no worries about slipping. For whatever reason the Bowie was never CQI'd to have a lock bar insert, which seems like an odd feature to leave out on a knife in this price range. The Inkosi has one, as well as a thicker, bank vault frame lock. Easy point for the Inkosi...though I honestly don't see that being an issue for the Bowie. Chances are if you're buying a $400, you already have plenty of other knives to fiddle with and this should never wear out or cause issues.
![Image](https://i.postimg.cc/3rqsJ4Xx/20210504-185624.jpg)
Lastly, when it comes down to knives in this price range I also have to give the nod to CRK. You get a larger box with your knife. It comes with a DOB certificate, warranty card, tools for disassembling the knife, lube, loctite, microfiber cloth (some models even come with a leather pouch for carrying the knife) The Bowie didn't come with anything like that. Just little things like that I also consider when buying a knife on this price range.
I'm not knocking Spyderco or the Bowie. I think the Bowie is a very nice knife, one of the better quality Spyderco knives I've handled. But just from a day of carry and use, I can assure you...this knife is no "Sebenza killer" granted the Inkosi I compared this to has the inlays and made that a $550 knife, but I can assure you that the plain jane version of the Inkosi would still trump the Bowie at a very comparable price. It's something about CRK'S that you just have to handle one to understand.
Not that I understand anything about how the Bowie was made and is priced, but if you told me this was a $270-325 knife, I would probably say it's worth it. But at $400...absolutely not.
I hope this can help anybody debating on a Bowie or possibly any variant of a CRK in the future. Feel free to ask any other questions I may not have included here!