Smock vs. Sliverax

[stuehler]

All,

I'm interested in getting my first Spyderco on bearings, and having a hard time deciding between the Smock and the Sliverax.

Aside from the obvious difference in shape - they have a lot in common - bearings, s30v, flipper and Spydiehole, CF/G10 scales over steel liners, and comparable price.

Which one would you choose?

Any advice and insight about the relative strengths/weaknesses and pros/cons of each would be much appreciated!

(I know there are a few other options, including the Amalgam, but that one is a little longer than what I'm looking for...)

[JRinFL]

For me it is the Smock, of which I now own two. I have a modified Sliverax around here somewhere that the previous owner removed the flipper tab. It's one of the designs that either fits you or it doesn't. It does not fit me well. I'd like it a bit better if it still had the flipper tab, but still not enough to carry frequently.

The relatively neutral grip, button lock release, reasonable sized Spydie hole, and blade shape put it way out ahead of the Sliverax for me. A great EDC knife and also a fidget toy if you are into that.

Good luck in your decision.

[Manixguy@1994]

If I had both I would vote . I’m a big fan of the Smock . MG2

[Evil D]

Sliverax for me but I do envy the Smock's button compression lock, I just absolutely do not want that huge cutout on the blade.

[olywa]

I've never had either in-hand, but I've always liked the 'flow' of the Sliverax design.

[TomahawkT10]

Smock with some copper or brass scales. The added weight makes the action even better.

[JSumm]

Very interested in what owners and users of both think on this. These two were on my try next list and I can't decide. Love the flow and overall design of the Sliverax. Love the blade on the Smock, and I'm sure the button compression lock is a joy. Excited to read the opinions of both in use.

[Mrchunkle]

Smock is more fun to fiddle around with. Sliverax has very anemic flipping action. Smock looks kinda mall ninja with the speed holes in the handle. Sliverax is a bit bigger than it looks, but the blade goes aaaaall the way up, vs the smock

[blueblur]

Sliverax for me but I do envy the Smock's button compression lock, I just absolutely do not want that huge cutout on the blade.

I’m in this boat too. I wouldn’t mind trying a button comp lock but the rest of that model doesn’t jive with me.

The sliverax is a comfy knife with a unique edge to hand placement. It carries well and has great edge length for its size.

[JRinFL]

Sliverax for me but I do envy the Smock's button compression lock, I just absolutely do not want that huge cutout on the blade.

As Fly Fishing Rick says, you do get used to the cutout. For me the pros on this one outweigh the cons and I had the same objection about the cutout. However, for some jobs you absolutely want a different knife.

[Coastal]

I have a Sliverax, and it's very nice. My only complaint is that the blade is unnecessarily thick, the same gripe I have about most Spyderco knives, and knives in general. Other than that, it's great. In fact, it's great, period. Carries smaller than it looks. I have no idea how it features a longer, thicker blade than the Smock, a longer handle, and still manages to weigh almost half an ounce less. Whole lot of edge. Nicely efficient design! Not fidgety, though.

I don't have a Smock, and don't plan to get one, but I'd love to try the button comp lock on some other design.

[mikey177]

I really like the Sliverax. The flipper on mine works very well, and the knife locks into my hand thanks to the thoughtful handle shape.

I've thought about buying a Smock several times, but at an aesthetic level I dislike the way the blade cutout was executed.

[vilePossum]

Sliverax.
The smock is cool and all, but to me it is more a nice toy than a good knife, though people will certainly disagree...
Ergos on the smock simply weren good for me when trying to cut boxes for example with hot spots etc. The blade shape is nice, but the heel of the blade tends to catch onto stuff that you are cutting.
Button compression lock is good and it flips without issue.
The sliverax was a bit of a letdown as a flipper, so much that I considered getting the flipper tab removed, but works well with the spydie hole.
In all other aspects like cutting, ergos etc the sliverax was superior to the smock for me.

[sn0wman72]

Smock for me as I like the blade shape and the button lock

[elena86]

Smock

[JRinFL]

Pictures of a de-fipperized Sliverax for Bolster.

[Sharp Guy]

I have both and like both but if I had to choose one it would be the Sliverax no question. For me it's just a better overall design and better at actually being a cutting tool. I should note that I did have to increase the detent on mine. Well...I didn't really have to but I chose to. It's much better now IMO

[GT99]

Smock hands down, not really sure how the voting favors the sliverax, Its not even a top 20 spyderco while the smock is probably top 5 in a lot of peoples lists

[Evil D]

Smock hands down, not really sure how the voting favors the sliverax, Its not even a top 20 spyderco while the smock is probably top 5 in a lot of peoples lists

Lol according to who?

[Bolster]

Pictures of a de-fipperized Sliverax for Bolster.

Thanks for the photos, man. That has got to be a safer knife without the flipper tab. It's a beautiful knife tab or no tab.