Bodacious Discussion

[JSumm]

Getting closer to the serrated blacked out version. I can feel it. I think I will have to wait until a sales event though.

[Evil D]

Getting closer to the serrated blacked out version. I can feel it. I think I will have to wait until a sales event though.

I've had one on preorder for quite a while now just to see if I luck out and get one faster that way. I carried my Bodacious today and despite acquiring some really top tier models lately it's still my favorite Spyderco. It really could be the only pocket knife I own (pending the steel and edge type options).

[Skywalker]

that looks really, really good blacked out. price is wild though.

Wait for a MAP holiday and look for stacking coupon codes... I paid $187 for a satin from SMKW in July, couldn't have been more than a month or two after they started showing up at dealers.

[JSumm]

Getting closer to the serrated blacked out version. I can feel it. I think I will have to wait until a sales event though.

I've had one on preorder for quite a while now just to see if I luck out and get one faster that way. I carried my Bodacious today and despite acquiring some really top tier models lately it's still my favorite Spyderco. It really could be the only pocket knife I own (pending the steel and edge type options).

I get it. I could have just grabbed the satin PE, but I like how this one looks in the blacked out format. Add in SE and that is enough to get me to bite. I figured this one is going to get a bunch of variants, so I'll wait on a plain edge variety. Personally, I would jump on a SPY27 PE.

Or if Sal wants to give it a go, a SPY27 serrated edge and let's call it a day.

[kennethsime]

I was kinda hoping we’d see the Crucarta version with this reveal.

[Buddafucco]

Black Blade, PlainEdge:
DLT Trading... https://www.dlttrading.com/spyderco-bod ... u=C263GPBK

KnifeWorks... https://knifeworks.com/spyderco-bodacio ... -c263gpbk/

Deadwood Knives... https://deadwoodknives.com/p-c263gpbk-s ... e-c263gpbk

[SaltyCaribbeanDfly]

Black Blade, PlainEdge:
DLT Trading... https://www.dlttrading.com/spyderco-bod ... u=C263GPBK

KnifeWorks... https://knifeworks.com/spyderco-bodacio ... -c263gpbk/

Deadwood Knives... https://deadwoodknives.com/p-c263gpbk-s ... e-c263gpbk

That is one good looking knife!!!

[Paul Ardbeg]

that looks really, really good blacked out. price is wild though.

Wait for a MAP holiday and look for stacking coupon codes... I paid $187 for a satin from SMKW in July, couldn't have been more than a month or two after they started showing up at dealers.

$187 is a great deal. Here in Europe they go for $330 to $380. If it goes on sale it will still be $280.

[JSumm]

Well, I have been waiting for the blacked out serrated version, but National Knives has these for $209 if you create an account. Maybe go to your local store and talk to the owner and ask nicely. They just may honor that price .



First impressions are the same when I handled this at Blade Show a couple of years ago before it was announced. It's awesome! Definitely will become a favorite of mine. I've been hoping for a choiless Golden made model since there were rumors of a possible move of the polestar. Well the wait is over!

I really like the smooth G10. Has a chalky not slippery feel. I need to compare it to the PM2, but are the handles actually thinner??? Looks and feels like it. Goes in and out of the pocket nicely. I like the flat scales on the compression lock. Compression locks and contoured scales don't play nicely together if you pinch to close (Shaman and Kapara).

[Evil D]

Well, I have been waiting for the blacked out serrated version, but National Knives has these for $209 if you create an account. Maybe go to your local store and talk to the owner and ask nicely. They just may honor that price .



First impressions are the same when I handled this at Blade Show a couple of years ago before it was announced. It's awesome! Definitely will become a favorite of mine. I've been hoping for a choiless Golden made model since there were rumors of a possible move of the polestar. Well the wait is over!

I really like the smooth G10. Has a chalky not slippery feel. I need to compare it to the PM2, but are the handles actually thinner??? Looks and feels like it. Goes in and out of the pocket nicely. I like the flat scales on the compression lock. Compression locks and contoured scales don't play nicely together if you pinch to close (Shaman and Kapara).

I think I've (reluctantly) reached the same conclusion about the rounded handles and operating the lock, I can't deny that the Bodacious is easier for me to close than a Shaman. I'm still absolutely looking for thick rounded scales though just to see how they feel. For now I have some media blasted titanium scales and back spacer due to arrive Tuesday.

I also liked the smooth G10 a lot more than I expected, both in looks and feel. Over time they pick up scratches and snail trails similarly to titanium and build up a patina and I like it a lot. I really want one of these in 15V.

[JSumm]

@Evil D have you looked at AWT? They changed my biggest complaint about their existing scale lineup. They were all too slick. They have an aggressive pattern now with contouring for the Bodacious. It does change the grip a bit. But my experience with their scales have been very positive. The Bodacious version adds a finger choil. I actually do not have any issues with finger grooves when they work (CRK Inkosi). I just prefer them in the thicker scales versus the blade itself. Just a preference thing. Rockscale makes some titanium, but they are flat. They eliminate one liner to offset weight.

I'm going to leave this one completely stock and use the heck out of it. The golden models look so dang good blacked out. And honestly there is not much I would change on this model.

I bet we will eventually see this one in all the standard configurations. SPY27, Crucarta, and hopefully the sprints. 15V and S90V & CF.

[Evil D]

@Evil D have you looked at AWT? They changed my biggest complaint about their existing scale lineup. They were all too slick. They have an aggressive pattern now with contouring for the Bodacious. It does change the grip a bit. But my experience with their scales have been very positive. The Bodacious version adds a finger choil. I actually do not have any issues with finger grooves when they work (CRK Inkosi). I just prefer them in the thicker scales versus the blade itself. Just a preference thing. Rockscale makes some titanium, but they are flat. They eliminate one liner to offset weight.

I'm going to leave this one completely stock and use the heck out of it. The golden models look so dang good blacked out. And honestly there is not much I would change on this model.

I bet we will eventually see this one in all the standard configurations. SPY27, Crucarta, and hopefully the sprints. 15V and S90V & CF.

I have but I really want to hold them to be sure if that grip change works for me.

I went with some from Rockscale, much more plain but I'm looking forward to seeing the finish wear over time.

[Evil D]

These are from Rockscale Design, I requested that they make them without a thumb hole groove on the side and asked them to media blast the back spacer to match the scales. Their design does replace the non lock side liner. Turned out pretty ok















The media blasting has a fine texture, almost like a high grit diamond sharpening plate and it sparkles a bit under direct light. I'm still hoping to see some more machined texture designs but so far most of them change the grip shape and that's the last thing I'm looking to do on this knife, I love it just how it is. Rockscale do have some machined patterns that are cool but I'm looking for more of a 3D texture. I would really love something like Strider's old Gunner Grip pattern.

[cabfrank]

Wow. I tend to keep things stock, but that is fantastic.

[Wallach]

It looks gorgeous for sure. How are their tolerances? Did it go back together with no blade play, good action?

[Evil D]

It looks gorgeous for sure. How are their tolerances? Did it go back together with no blade play, good action?

Overall seems ever so slightly thinner, meaning the pivot can now be tightened down more snuggly than before. Originally I had the pivot cranked all the way tight, and there was zero blade play even with the lock pressed in but I like being able to tighten it a wee bit more in the future when things start to wear and loosen up. Drop shut just needs dialed in to your liking.

I did have to fiddle around with blade centering though. Out of the box it was perfect but with these scales it needed some screw fiddling to get it centered but I did get it there.

[JSumm]

Looks great David! Those are the scales I will eventually grab. I actually planned on getting them for a Manix until Spyderco announced the Bodacious. Figured RSD would eventually expand their lineup. Glad they did.

[Evil D]

Looks great David! Those are the scales I will eventually grab. I actually planned on getting them for a Manix until Spyderco announced the Bodacious. Figured RSD would eventually expand their lineup. Glad they did.

I've been talking to about 4 makers trying to get them to do different variations on their scales but I'm not much of an influencer so nobody has taken me up on anything yet. RSD were willing to make the small changes on their scales that I asked for so they got my business. I think a lot of them are playing it safe waiting to see how well this model sells, and/or are going with the same formulas that have been successful sellers for other models they make scales for like the skinny mods.

I even tried to work with a local engraver to try to laser a texture into the factory scales but that'll have to be more of a machining process, it turns out that G10 is pretty resistant to lasers, at least beyond just etching a pattern onto the outside. I was hoping he could do a deeper pattern like are done with gun grips but I guess that material is very different from G10, he said it's the fiberglass in the G10 that makes it hard to engrave.

[WilliamMunny]

Now that everyone has had the Bodacious for a while is it preferred over the Shaman?

Biggest takeaways I have heard is that the Shaman feels better in hand but the blade thickness hurts slicing performance. While on the other hand the Bodacious has more working edge and thinner blade but just does not feel as good in hand. Am I missing anything?

[JSumm]

Now that everyone has had the Bodacious for a while is it preferred over the Shaman?

Biggest takeaways I have heard is that the Shaman feels better in hand but the blade thickness hurts slicing performance. While on the other hand the Bodacious has more working edge and thinner blade but just does not feel as good in hand. Am I missing anything?

I mean the Shaman is probably going to feel better in hand than pretty much any other Golden made G10 model with its contoured scales. The Bodacious is not bad in hand, it is similar to every other Golden made G10 model. None of them really have any significant chamferring at the edges of the scales and that really makes a difference.

I think you just have to decide do you want a choil or no choil on a knife this size. My preference is no choil on mid to large models, but that is completely a personal preference. I don't mind and even like them sometimes on smaller models.