Swick Thoughts (with pics)

[Cl1ff]

How good is the sheath retention? I’ve been thinking of getting one for my PFD but I was concerned about it falling out.

Maybe a little too good. Mine arrived today and I find that, as a neck knife, I can't draw the knife unless the other hand is holding the sheath.

The sheath definitely “breaks in” a bit, but try using your thumb to push while simultaneously pulling with your other fingers like you’re making a fist (with your index in the ring).
You should be able to pop it out and have it ready to go.

[dsvirsky]

It's starting to loosen up. Trick I learned a long time ago is to leave the knife in the sheath, partially drawn, with the full thickness of the blade at the "sticking" point -- in this case, the lip of the sheath.

[Connman]

Some swick pics for Sal and the Caspian he mentioned . These are part my kayak and surf fishing carry . Finger hole knives are perfect to free up fingers for tasks and prevent dropping the knife.

[dsvirsky]

Just want to say, since I didn't before, Spyderco did an outstanding job on the knife itself. I also have a Swick 2 and a Swick 4 and you can see and feel the CQI that went into the current version.

[Buddafucco]

That's not a mirage... That's a PlainEdge Swick5!

[Buddafucco]

If anybody is curious about the date codes on the boxes... These are mine...

Swick5 PE= CV (March 2022)
Swick5 SE= GV (July 2022)
Swick6 PE= IV (September 2022)
Swick6 SE= IV (September 2022)

[ACutAbove]

Thanks for the pics in this thread, I was contemplating just getting the 6 as it's what's available to me atm but I think the grip shown means I will probably need a 5.

I was wondering what people's thoughts are on PE vs serrated on this particular model, what would be the reasons to go for one or the other for this model?

[4077th]

I was wondering what people's thoughts are on PE vs serrated on this particular model, what would be the reasons to go for one or the other for this model?

Rule of thumb, go with teeth.

[Cl1ff]

I would keep in mind that Spyderco’s serrations are chisel ground and that typically means the edge apex is more acute.

This also makes the very tip a bit thinner.
I don’t have a PE Swick to compare to my SE, but I did slightly bend the tip of my Swick while testing it. I just twisted the tip in a small, but hard, twig. I’m happy to say it was super slight, only at the tip (smaller than the edge bevel), and it sharpened out easily.

I think that indicates the LC200N steel is done right for the model in that it would bend rather than chip or break in important situations.

I also think it is good since now the initially razor thin tip has been slightly thickened by my sharpening, which really was a quick job on my CBN plate, so I think it is plenty tough now.

I got it to use mostly as a Salt knife that has a really secure grip while I’m moving around in awkward ways on a kayak or in trees and I think it’s perfect for that role.

The serrations pull cut really well, and I prefer them, but I think the PE Wharncliffe shape is a very useful design and it it will probably have a slightly tougher edge/tip out of the box.

[Evil D]

Bumping this thread for some advice from anyone that has both the 5 and 6 and larger hands. These seem to be going on sale at a lot of places, I'm suspecting maybe getting discoed soon too so I'm going to grab one up while I can.

I would actually prefer the finger hole to be smaller if possible, it seems like it's the more ergonomic option especially if you try to hold the handle underneath the hole.

If anyone is willing to actually measure finger thickness and help me make a decision I'd appreciate it.

[mikey177]

@Evil D, I have the Swick 5 and 6, but I have small to medium sized hands, so my input might not be helpful.

The difference in hole diameter is only 3 mm. On the Swick 6, which has a hole diameter of 23.1 mm, my index finger still has considerable wiggle room.

[Evil D]

@Evil D, I have the Swick 5 and 6, but I have small to medium sized hands, so my input might not be helpful.

The difference in hole diameter is only 3 mm. On the Swick 6, which has a hole diameter of 23.1 mm, my index finger still has considerable wiggle room.
swick5_swick6_hole_size.jpg

I think for me the inner hole diameter matters less than how much larger the underside is as a result of the larger hole. I think if the smaller hole will fit my finger that's what I'm going with.

[zuludelta]

Bumping this thread for some advice from anyone that has both the 5 and 6 and larger hands. These seem to be going on sale at a lot of places, I'm suspecting maybe getting discoed soon too so I'm going to grab one up while I can.

I would actually prefer the finger hole to be smaller if possible, it seems like it's the more ergonomic option especially if you try to hold the handle underneath the hole.

If anyone is willing to actually measure finger thickness and help me make a decision I'd appreciate it.

I own both the 5 & the 6, but wear medium-sized Mechanix gloves, so my experience may not necessarily be applicable to you.

I almost never carry the Swick 5, precisely because the Swick 6 feels more comfortable when holding it without engaging the index finger hole—the latter is still perfectly usable when held this way. The Swick 5 has this large forward swell because of its bigger index finger hole, and in my hands, that makes it very, very awkward to handle when gripping it without using the index finger hole. As @mikey177 noted, the actual inner diameter of the hole in the Swick 6 is only 3 mm less than on the Swick 5. I am able to use the Swick 6's index finger hole even when wearing Mechanix M-Pact work gloves (the ones with the protective rubber overlays over the back of the fingers) and thicker cold weather work gloves and it only becomes an overly tight fit when I'm wearing oversized, super-thick rigger gloves.

Unrelated to your original question, but something you might also want to consider: the fit of the Swick 6 in the sheath is noticeably more secure, at least in my specimen. It makes an audible click, and the knife goes in and out of the sheath in just one way. It takes a slightly vigorous tug to pull it out, and there is almost no way it is accidentally falling out of the sheath under normal circumstances if you decide to carry it as a neck knife. The fit of the Swick 5, while decent (there's no rattle), isn't as secure and feels just a bit sloppy. There isn't really a click when I put the knife in, more of an increasing level of resistance, and even with repeated use, I'm never entirely sure that I have it seated in at its most secure. I can also shake the Swick 5 out of the sheath if I do it hard enough, and that makes it a no-go for me as a neck knife or for carrying the knife sheathed-but-loose-in-the-pocket, though it's still perfectly carryable IWB (my preferred carry method for the Swick) or OWB.

[aicolainen]

Bumping this thread for some advice from anyone that has both the 5 and 6 and larger hands. These seem to be going on sale at a lot of places, I'm suspecting maybe getting discoed soon too so I'm going to grab one up while I can.

I would actually prefer the finger hole to be smaller if possible, it seems like it's the more ergonomic option especially if you try to hold the handle underneath the hole.

If anyone is willing to actually measure finger thickness and help me make a decision I'd appreciate it.

I own both the 5 & the 6, but wear medium-sized Mechanix gloves, so my experience may not necessarily be applicable to you.

I almost never carry the Swick 5, precisely because the Swick 6 feels more comfortable when holding it without engaging the index finger hole—the latter is still perfectly usable when held this way. The Swick 5 has this large forward swell because of its bigger index finger hole, and in my hands, that makes it very, very awkward to handle when gripping it without using the index finger hole. As @mikey177 noted, the actual inner diameter of the hole in the Swick 6 is only 3 mm less than on the Swick 5. I am able to use the Swick 6's index finger hole even when wearing Mechanix M-Pact work gloves (the ones with the protective rubber overlays over the back of the fingers) and thicker cold weather work gloves and it only becomes an overly tight fit when I'm wearing oversized, super-thick rigger gloves.

Unrelated to your original question, but something you might also want to consider: the fit of the Swick 6 in the sheath is noticeably more secure, at least in my specimen. It makes an audible click, and the knife goes in and out of the sheath in just one way. It takes a slightly vigorous tug to pull it out, and there is almost no way it is accidentally falling out of the sheath under normal circumstances if you decide to carry it as a neck knife. The fit of the Swick 5, while decent (there's no rattle), isn't as secure and feels just a bit sloppy. There isn't really a click when I put the knife in, more of an increasing level of resistance, and even with repeated use, I'm never entirely sure that I have it seated in at its most secure. I can also shake the Swick 5 out of the sheath if I do it hard enough, and that makes it a no-go for me as a neck knife or for carrying the knife sheathed-but-loose-in-the-pocket, though it's still perfectly carryable IWB (my preferred carry method for the Swick) or OWB.

I can't speak for David, but I found this to be helpful.
Swick has been on my list for quite a while, but the delayed availability choked the momentum a bit and my focus moved on to other models.

I wear size L(10) gloves, but my fingers are on the lean side, so I was always quite certain the 6 would be the best fit for me, but with a caveat. With the finger hole allowing for a very secure hold on the knife in most situations, some of the appeal for me is the perceived benefits this could serve in the cold season. But of course then I have to consider glove compatibility... Suddenly the 6 wasn't all that clear cut of a choice and I started to fear I might need one for each season - or try to predict when/how I was most likely to use it and make a bet on one size.

For the intended cold season use, I expect wool liner gloves to be what I'm likely to wear, and those aren't very thick. That taken into account, this recent discussion has helped reassure me that the Swick 6 might be the best option for me, independent of season.