Schempp Bowie Just dropped!

[bearfacedkiller]

I would love pics and a review. This is a must buy for me but I just bought two older knives that I had been wanting for a while and funds are tight.

Give me something to hold me over, please!!!

[gbelleh]

Mine won't be here until Tuesday. The only wild pics I've seen so far are on eBay. But I'll probably post some pics and impressions when I get mine.

[OldSarSwmr]

Mine arrived today, unfortunately it was dark when it got here so pictures are indoor and not great . WireEdge Roger and ohcyclist both have pointed out some of the most noticeable peculiarities with the knife. The Liners along with the Spydiehole are pretty sharp and the detent is barely there along with the liner lock being between approx. 95-100%.
The knife is beautiful though and I fully admit that I love Mr. Schempp's designs. The grind is extremely well done on my knife and the overall finish on the knife is exceptional. Not one single scratch on the brass bolsters, that is very impressive.
Remember, I just took this knife out of the box. I have not cut with it or used it. These are just initial observations.

[farnorthdan]

Thanks for the pics, this one looks very nice, cant wait until Tuesday when mine gets here, missed delivery by half a day.

[bearfacedkiller]

Awesome, thanks! Look forward to more. :)

[gbelleh]

Thanks for the pics.

I don't mind late lockup, but a weak or non-existent detent doesn't sound so good. Here's a video screenshot of the prototype. Looks like about 50% lockup. I'm curious to see where mine will be.

[paladin]

I received a factory fresh Memory that had a very late lockup like your Bowie...no issues nor worries for me either... :)

Both knives are crafted from rather thin blade stock, so perhaps "engineering" consistent lockup may be more difficult on such models :o ...

Just wish this particular ethnic offering featured wood, or bone, or stag covers ...

I realize the ethnic series is open to interpretation and by design it's not bounded strictly by traditions, but when I think "Bowie" I think Riverboats, buckskin shirts, & coonskin caps--- not Carbon Fiber ...

The American Bowie Knife approaches "sacred" status in the hearts of many Americans, and as such, it is difficult to "redux"...

On the plus side, it looks as if crafting & retrofitting more traditional scales would be possible, if one had the skills, precision, & additional disposable income...

Thanks for the pics :)

[bearfacedkiller]

With the 2.4mm stock there might be some late lockup on a few of these. That is why I thought this should have been a backlock.

[tvenuto]

With the 2.4mm stock there might be some late lockup on a few of these. That is why I thought this should have been a backlock.

Yea I'm with you here, but the liner/frame lock allows far more flexibility when it comes to blade/handle shape. I doubt the current configuration could have accommodated the workings of a backlock.

[timlara]

Yea I'm with you here, but the liner/frame lock allows far more flexibility when it comes to blade/handle shape. I doubt the current configuration could have accommodated the workings of a backlock.

Yup, Ed Schempp basically says just that at about 3:25 in this interview about the Navaja: He often prefers liner locks because it essentially gives him the freedom to focus on the aesthetics of the design without worrying too much about how the lock is going to fit into the shape.



I think the thinness of the Schempp Bowie is definitely a factor with regard to the tolerances of the lock mechanism. It's probably pretty difficult to get the spring to vary in tension by just a fraction of a millimeter, but in this case, that's all it takes to make the difference between 40% lockup and 80%. The model I handled felt plenty secure and didn't have any play whatsoever, though.

[v8r]

Mine arrived today, unfortunately it was dark when it got here so pictures are indoor and not great . WireEdge Roger and ohcyclist both have pointed out some of the most noticeable peculiarities with the knife. The Liners along with the Spydiehole are pretty sharp and the detent is barely there along with the liner lock being between approx. 95-100%.
The knife is beautiful though and I fully admit that I love Mr. Schempp's designs. The grind is extremely well done on my knife and the overall finish on the knife is exceptional. Not one single scratch on the brass bolsters, that is very impressive.
Remember, I just took this knife out of the box. I have not cut with it or used it. These are just initial observations.

I really like it, but that late of lock up would bother me. My Schempp Navaja has pretty late lock up for my taste, but not that extreme. I just wish Ed would do more Lock backs like the Persian and Kris. Those locked up like a bank vault.

[gbelleh]

Both my Centofante Memories have very late (90%+) lockup, but so far, they're rock solid, and haven't moved. I'm more concerned about the detent. That is what will keep a knife out of my pocket, due to the real potential for accidents.

[camvdcs]

Got mine yesterday. Lockup was at about 95% +. Spydies I order usually lock up at 10% - 50%. I found gripping the knife a little awkward for me (but that's just me). I wished it was a lockback. I'll probably send it back for refund or exchange.

[demoncase]

The only criticism I expect to hear is that the brass bolsters will show scratches with time. Yes, Captain Obvious, they will. They're brass.

That genuine made me LOL.

Back to the knife, it's the brass bolster AND carbon fibre combination that's putting me off- There's some Luddite portion of my brain going "Traditional bolster with high tech scale material?...404 File Not Found- Does NOT Compute!" and try as I might I can't seem to talk it around:D

That's a purely aesthetic point for me, and your mileage may vary etc etc

[gbelleh]

Well, Daniel Boone probably would've had a carbon fiber handle on his Bowie too, had it been available.

[gbelleh]

Well I just received my Schempp Bowie, and I couldn't be more pleased with it. Fit and finish are great. Lockup is solid, blade is centered, blade edge is sharp. The liners are crisp, but I wouldn't say overly sharp. Closed detent is definitely there. Not the strongest ever, but totally acceptable. It takes a good shake to get the blade to fall out. Not an issue. Lockup is at about 55%. This knife is better than I was expecting from early reports. I seem to have gotten a very good one, up to the standards Tauchung has set. I'll be carrying it today for sure.

Some pics.





Lockup isn't late on all of these. Mine is just a bit past 50%, smooth and solid.

[swigert]

Just ordered from CS. Im excited for his one. It's a little different from my usual taste. Also my first Schempp design.

Should be here Thursday if Jeff can get it out today.

[ohcyclist]

So for those with examples that have some issues, would you send back to trusted dealer or into spyderco?

[farnorthdan]

Got one of mine today, everything is perfect except for the weak detent, by far the weakest of any of my :spyder:'s other than that its a stunner for sure and I'm looking forward to #2.

[3rdGenRigger]

Just ordered from CS. Im excited for his one. It's a little different from my usual taste. Also my first Schempp design.

Should be here Thursday if Jeff can get it out today.

The down-tilted blade is really awesome on his designs once you get used to it. Feels very natural once you do some hard cutting. Mine is on the way and should be here once I'm back from my Whitefish snowboarding trip...I'm very excited to get it into hand.