These are just my thoughts on one of the most sought after recent releases from Spyderco. I would love your feedback and dialog on the knife. IG: / alchemy_1 Email: Alchemy.1@yahoo.com
I agree completely with all of your points. The “cool” lock disengagement creates too many other design problems that I don’t like. That choil is hard to look at, let alone actually use. And yes, I’ve handled one. A carried my buddy’s for a couple of days while I was fixing his tip.
asmith001 I just don’t get it. Not that I have to get every knife, but I don’t see how every review of the knife has been glowing. Not one mention of any issues/problems/concerns 🤷♂️
I like the knife. I may be biased since I've followed the maker from his knife pimping days. I was proud of his accomplishments as a knife maker. I love to see new designs come out in nice materials.
This was my first video of yours. I subscribed right away. It is a great review. Your insight and explanations address real world issues with the knife. You make it look easy and that's impressive.
Another Spyderco where the lanyard hole takes presidense over clip placement . I so wanted to like this knife because the customs are awesome looking but 600 plus dollars .
kerryrwac Opening up a model to production definitely gets the knife into more hands. The compromises that go into the process doesn’t always work out though.
@Alumapro23 I give it a pass because it is slim in the pocket, comfortable in my hands in multiple grips, sharpens and cuts like a dream, it is easily open and closed one handed, and fun to play with. The "choil" that seems to bug everyone does not bug me at all... There really is no downside for me.
Agree for the most part. Really the only reason to buy this is for the opening and button lock in my opinion. I might still get one if they ever restock them this year.
Awesome, brother! There were so many things that bugged me about this knife, and no one was talking about them until this, I feel like. Thank you! This was a very insightful, and enjoyable video.
Very good analyzation of the knife. I think your view about distance from cutting edge is important. This knife would be hard to leverage correctly, accuracy of cuts and power to the cutting edge both being problematic. Thanks for a very informative review. Also glad to see age and hand problems being mentioned. Everybody who likes knives is not in the 25 to 35 year range. Kudos, Furbs.
Old Fool Thanks for the kind words 👊. I hope this opens a broader discussion about the knife over the everything is roses approach that this knife has received.
Valid points. I think it was overhyped. I was looking forward to it, until I got it in hand. I left it sitting on the counter when it first came out. Not for me, to each his own.
I've never complained about the CF/G-10. I think people get too knit-picky sometimes, I bought the KJ 20CV version & some Smock made red G-10 scales for mine. Just need to get a deep clip now!
The second I saw the handle I was confused how to hold it. Thanks for the informative review. I would have liked this more if it had a compression lock and a finger choil like a Manix or pm2. I think the blade shape looks awesome. I would love to try out that blade but the handle kills it
I realize that this would be impractical but I almost wish that knife manufacturers would follow some of the hand gun folks and offer different size grips for the same "innards". Another great review. Thanks.
looks like blood will get into those holes, and be hard to get out. gotta remember, the masses want toys, and knives mixed together. flipper mandatory, to satisfy the kids who just gotta play.
very good review. liked and subscribed. that distant blade kinda blows the button compression lock ingenuity. the lack of jimping on the corner opener kills it for wet or sweaty hands. even so, it's cool for the collector or somebody with a large rotation of knives. probably a try before you buy for the serious user.
I Love mine but I rounded off the choil with my Dremel and made it a deeper semicircle the second day I had it. Huge improvement. My index finger can easily go in the choil now. The original custom smock this knife Is based on has a deeper semicircular choil. I’m not sure why they didn’t copy the original in this respect. Whatever the case, mine does now and it’s awesome. Edit...one other thing. The flipper works much easier if you activate it slightly from the side. Don’t pull your finger directly down behind the knife, twist it just a bit and pull a hair from the side.
Justin d Thanks, man. I’ve done some on my IG, but with the number of questions I be been getting, I think the new SnG needs to be up on the review table 👊.
7 downvotes, hmmm. Goes to show how many people have really attached themselves to this knife without physically experiencing it and giving massive social media praise. Great review, very thorough, I dont believe I will be picking this one up. Gimmicky comes to mind.
Dren Archer Thanks, man. Yeah, I’m not against a down vote, but I would like some reasoning behind it. In this case. I even tried to word it in a way where we’re having a dialog , but I guess some just want to be negative. 🤷♂️
Great review been waiting for you to post. I agree with you on a few cons, especially ergos and cutting edge. I also feel things like the peel ply get a pass because Smock was a knife mod guy that made a great name for himself. Nothing against him, but there is always hype and anticipation in this hobby. For the price real carbon fiber should have been used, or some micarta. Smock used lots of micarta lol. Anyways thanks for the vid bro!
phillip peck Thanks for the thoughts. Micarta would make a lot of sense and it seems to be what a lot of people are going to any way. I forgot to mention the use of real CF on the Kaparra and how it’s only $20 more. CF is nice stuff, when done right. I also like micarta too though 😄😄😄. 👊
Glad to see you're still around. For some reason you are not getting into My suggested feeds and I am not getting any of your video release update alerts. Thought you fell off the face of you-toob for a while there.
Thomas Tsunami That crazy algorithm 😄. I was a bit sporadic there for a moment, but I’ve been hitting it consistently on Wednesday’s and Saturday’s for a good bit now. I just uploaded 2 more Saturday vids and one Wednesday vid today. So I should be good for at least another week. My goal is to consistently put out 2 per week. A short on Wednesday’s and a long on Saturday. Thanks for sticking with me 👊
@@Alumapro23 I enjoy your videos. I like all things sharp and pointy, not just flippers, so really appreciate your take on traditionals, as well as your take on the odd (for you it seems) flipper/flickers>
Thomas Tsunami Yeah, I went through the flipper frenzy with everyone else back in the early 2000’s. It’s out of my system 😂😂😂. I own 1 flipper. My Jeremy Robertson El Patron. That also happens to be the only custom I’ve held onto.
I'm gonna go ahead and say I don't like it. I'm not a stickler for blade-to-handle ratio, but if the handle is going to be THAT much longer than the cutting edge, I feel like it should be a useful one. People knock the pm2 all the time for having such a lopsided ratio, but at least it's in the interest of having an amazingly useful grip area. In this knife's case, the whole middle 3rd of the thing while open is kinda off limits. And if that only happens in order to make room for the button area, then I feel like making it a button design was a mistake. Sure. I suppose it's all pretty neat, but I still don't like it.
Dave Glarner That’s what I don’t get. The PM2 is pretty much certified gold in the knife world and even it gets that observation communicated frequently. Problem or not is up to the individual, BUT it gets mentioned. How does this knife get a pass?
I could see all of those points for a reviewer. I’m just a dude that likes knives so I’ll share my thoughts from that viewpoint. The ergos are off a bit as you mentioned and I think the finger choil should have been done similar to the pm2 to protect your finger from sliding onto the blade. However, I’d really only use that to do fine cutting task and that doesn’t include stabbing anything for me. I personally don’t care about blade to handle ratios as long as it doesn’t aesthetically look ridiculous. The PM2 was my favorite knife (the para3 is taking its place) and as you mentioned, it’s off in that aspect. I am not a fan of any flat CF laminate or not. I knew going into this I was going to replace the scales just as I have with many of my knives. If I have a knife that @rcbladeworks makes, I’m probably going to get a set and make the knife more my own. This is my first and likely last front flipper. Don’t have anything against it, it’s just not for me. I don’t mind it on this one because I feel like it’s executed well and it has other opening options (spydie flick) that I prefer. In the end, I think it’s a cool looking knife a good production version of a custom knife. I’d rather have the custom, but that’s a chunk of change whereas this brings it into a more affordable price range for me personally.
b1ghoosier Thanks for the feedback. I want to talk owner to former owner. I’m not a high volume review guy with hook ups. I’m a user that has a channel to spread info though. I’m not a reviewer. I bought the knife to use and understand it and because I couldn’t see how everyone says the knife is great when it clearly isn’t a flawless execution. All of those view points make total sense and I’d totally get if that’s how the knife was being put forward by the community. Hey, “I like the knife because of X, but it does have things I have to overlook that I don’t like”. Not, “this thing is great, best fidget knife there is. So glad I waited a year to get one.” The way the knife is talked about, in general, seem a bit disingenuous, at best.
Alchemy_1 I see that. It definitely had a hype machine quality to it. Do you think it’s because of the designer himself being a part of the community? Support “one of our own” type of thing? I really wanted it as soon as I saw it but missed the first round. The same would hold true for me if gavko hooked up with a manufacturer and put out a non-flipper nurse. I really want one of those as well... partially because I’m an actual nurse and that would bring my two nerd worlds together :)
b1ghoosier I say this as a Spyderco guy. I think Spyderco is one of those companies that can do no wrong...almost. I think the following will not hear anything they think is slander. Spyderco is not the only group like that, but there is definitely a strong group think situation going in that community. To an extent, I get it. We all like certain brands and support them even when we shouldn’t sometimes. I also get that Spyderco has been influential in knife history starting off with sharpeners and then moving into knives where they came up with the idea for the pocket clip. However, even the king can be wrong sometimes 😂. I’ve been hearing a lot about this Nurse. I’m going to have to look it up. I haven’t seen Gav’s stuff in years. When he first got started, I’d see it everywhere. I’d even see him making posts about his sales on gearbastion or whatever the site was. I haven’t seen or heard from him in years though. Probably since he moved and got married. That’s how long 😂.
Cause it’s not a flipper. You can choose to use it as such, but that is not it’s intended purpose, therefore there will be imperfections and flaws in it’s actuation
@@BigShaneGillis I'm confused! It's not a flipper but it has a flipper. Then what is the flipper for exactly. I understand its a button lock, but it has a flipper for flipping....
Drew L I was going to ask a similar question. Are you saying the knife is not a flipper or the tab is not designed to be used as a flipper? Either way, why would they half do a knife that, at some point, was meant to have some kind of flipping action?
@@Alumapro23 exactly! I started to think I was confused about it. But yeah if it has a flipper and a good flipping action, then pretty much its a flipper...
Great review on a very compromised knife. Sacrificing blade edge to accommodate a contrived lock is silly. The ergos have no real theme either. Seems like the designer just tried too hard to pack in "features" without the necessary design harmony. I'll pass on this one. Thanks for the illuminating review!
I really wanted to like this knife, and had it on order for months before it was released. The wait time was definately a turn off. The cutting edge length vs the total knife length is off...I like to get as close to one inch more handle than blade (edge)...no more. Then the pocket clip allows too much knife to stick out of the pocket...a deep carry pocket clip would have really made this knife more pocketable. Then there is the arrogant attitude of Kevin at Smock knives...very much NOT willing to consider changes to his design before release. (There was some small change, by Spyderco regarding the pocket clip, but the result did not allow the knife to ride lower in the pocket). I also believe the pocket clip is ugly, and I am aware of the compromise due to the lanyard hole. So even though I wanted to purchase this knife before release, I would not accept this knife as is, and canceled my order.
The pm2 is a perfect implementation of design. The blade to handle is wack but it’s part of the design and it works. The smock is the opposite of that. Form over function
Matthew Forrest I agree. The point I was hoping to get across is pretty much exactly what you’re saying. Even as beloved, accepted, and wildly popular as the PM2 is, even it gets mentioned that the blade to handle ratio is not ideal in the sense of making the best use of the knife real estate. So to speak. If even that knife takes some criticism/it gets mentioned, how in the world is it not even a mention on this knife? Not in one single review. 🤷♂️
I like it but that fish hook choil is too big and going to get caught on everything. Very surprised anyone was like “yeah perfect” wtf is up with that button? It ruined it 😂. I have felt that way about strider knives for years
Great review! Got the Smock. So far I love it. It is definitely in my carry rotation along with my PM2 and Para3. Yes lengthwise while closed it is right in the middle of both the PM2 and Para3, but it feels thinner in pocket and since it is not leaf shaped it is more narrow in width. I find that this makes it easier to carry and get my hand in and out of my pockets. This is especially true when I wear more fitted clothing for office or business. So for me it really comes down to what I am doing for the day and what I am wearing. That's the beauty of having a few great knives in my collection.
Will's Way It is definitely more thin when closed. I love the 3”ish sized blade if I’m going to carry a modern to the office. Love the Bugout, Strider PT, Emerson mini a100, Spyderco Brower, and one or two others for that role. A good bridge between a full sized knife and a knife that’s easy to carry and use in an office setting.
I like the lock. Outside of that the blade design is awful and the handle makes up for it by being equally as fucked. Not impressed with Spyderco all that much lately. From their designs to their price hikes. Wish they'd add blade replacement to their warranty, since their prices have gone way up.
I'm glad you brought up the CF/G10 Laminate not being an issue on this knife. I think his flipper tab being up towards the top end of the knife is just his signature now. After modding 100's of Boker Kwaikens I'm kind of glad he kept the flipper tab like it is for this design. There should definitely be some gimping before the sharping choil to give more of a secure feeling for choking up on the knife. I love the concept of the button compression lock, but I can't get with that giant choil. I wish there was some way to make that choil smaller. If it was smaller I might give it a try. His customs look pretty damn good. I've never interacted with Kevin.He seems like a nice guy. After hearing about him taking forever to get through his "books" for custom orders and pimp jobs I'm not so sure I would order directly from him, but if I saw on of his customs pop up for a good, used price on the secondary I would probably pick one up.
James Frutos Yeah, I don’t have anything against the maker or the buyers of the production version. I just feel like everyone is just saying, “it’s great”, but clearly there are several things in this knife that the knife buying community, as a whole, has killed other knives for way less. The custom seems worse/better in different aspects. For one, it’s smaller. That has to put you closer to the edge, but then there’s the choil thing again. That’s just my take from seeing them side-by-side. I haven’t handled one in person and generally try to stay away from speaking too much until I have.
Couldn't agree more!! Way over hyped and over rated, the design is ordinary to use at best, too many compromises just to add a button to the compression lock, which didn't need fixing in the first place.... plus the designer is a complete douche bag given how many people he has screwed over on custom orders.... I think some reviewers give it a pass for the novelty factor, maybe they should really edc AND use it for a few weeks first instead of trying to be the first video out there. Keep up the great content mate 👊
Agree with you, the other reviewers would seem to be taking a page out of Hans Christian Andersen's " the emperor's new clothes". No one wants to be the one to state the obvious. Thanks for your review. Excelsior!!
based on pure aesthetics and design, its not exactly a looker. lots of things that dont make sense... at least to me. not sure why its so regarded???? i guess that is subjective but honestly this one is not workin for me. spydercos are very much ergo and this thing is not it. its unnecessarily too long for how little cutting edge you get. as far as i am concerned, this is just BAD design. the button lock conflicts with the blade shape... SO LETS CUT A CHUNK OUT FROM IT! problem solved! smh
I've seriously been looking at one of these to purchase. But I agree with the same issues that you have, not to mention it takes a magician to get one they sell out so fast! To be honest I can't get my mind off of a Strider I feel like you really get your money worth with a Strider. Sorry about off topic but every time I see your Strider's it makes me happy to know that you put them through use. And I want a seriously tough EDC. Great video brother 👊👍
A Ray Thanks, man. IG is a great place to keep up with the drops. Most shops put up they they have a drip coming or it’s there. Lots put up preorders last week, some said they were expecting another shipment this week, and several have been putting up that they have/had them in stock over the last day or 2. Hapasnyper has one for sale with a Lynch clip for $180 (not sure if that’s shipped to Canada). Been listed for over 12 hours. I’m surprised. I like my Striders. That’s been a convo, of recent, on my IG page. Some are saying they have horrid lock stick from the ones they just bought. I haven’t experienced that in the new ones, but 2-3 people say they have. Some say they’re going to ride it out and some have said they’re not for them. I say, make sure the tang/lock face are clean, put some graphite/sharpie on it, and keep using it. Even if it does stick, it goes away if you use the knife and don’t just take pics with it. 😂 Long ramble....but that brings me to an idea I had while I was talking to someone about Striders and it made everything make sense. I’m constantly getting questions that I personally don’t even think about on here. The most frequent is how much weight do my Ti scales add to my Bugout. I don’t even own a scale and have never weighed a knife. The Bugout is light and with the scales on, it’s still light. However, one of the guys that bought and then sold the Strider he just got said it was the most tool (in a good way) knife that he’s ever handled. That made it all click for me. I’m a Strider guy. I do like some nice features and some nicer finishing, but at the end of the day, the knife is my tool and I treat it as such. Every “group”, Spyderco guys, Benchmade guys, custom knife guys, have their own thought process and POV. I never thought about that and why I was getting questions I don’t think about and never think about after they’re asked/answered. I learn as much from you guys as hopefully you learn from me. 👊
Smoky Mountain Knife Works just got them back in stock this morning 4/13/2019. I ordered mine at 4:30am and didnt have any problems. Check them out if you want one
Mathew Strange Good store. I was blown away when I stopped by year before last. The only thing they don’t have is a good court and lounge. What are your thoughts on the knife?
Weird review. Reviewing a flipper knife and knocking it for being a flipper. Saying at the beginning of the video that you've never had a need for jimping on a folding knife and then later saying you would have liked to see jimping on this folding knife. Very strange
@@WestcountyWill Oh, you were that kid in class. Got cha. I think you also were the kid that thought too hard as well. You’ve taken what I said totally out of context. A front flipper is not a flipper. It’s a gimmick that was used for a short period of time and then was phased out across the market. No, I’ve never seen a need for jimping on a knife for CUTTING. Folding knives are not supposed to be jabbed into things or used for other type of things a fixed blade would be used for. Even then, most of the surface area is on the handles. Handles with high traction are much more efficient at creating friction. For FLIPPING, it is common to have some type of texture on the tab because you DO need traction there since you are purposefully sliding your finger over an edge. Hopefully that did not go over your head. I appreciate the watch and comments. You actually made me go back and watch a 3 year old video to make sure I had full context. I hope you and your family have a great end to your weekend. Thank you for sharing some of that time with me.
@@WestcountyWill I never said it was a dedicated flipper. You really do overthink, don’t you? I said it is not a flipper. It is a knife with a front flipper. You watched so closely, but you didn’t see the 3 minutes or so I talked about the placement of the thumb hole? I’d be interested to see your Smock video.
That’s an opinion. And opinions are like assholes. Everyone’s got one and they all stink. I personally find it’s an absolutely gorgeous, sleek, handsomely modern design. I love it more than nearly anything Spyderco has released in the better part of the last 8-9 years.
I have two of these and I agree with ya on gripping the knife too far back. That’s the main problem that I have with it. That’s the only place the ergos are good.
John M. Runyon Interesting. What makes you keep them? Not that there’s a right or wrong knife to carry or that it’s any of my business. I’m just interested and having a conversation.
Alchemy_1 I pre-ordered one from Knifecenter months ago and I just got it yesterday. While I was waiting for the pre-order to arrive I purchased one from a different retailer a couple of months ago. I probably will get rid of one of them. The grip being so far from the blade is the only real problem I have. Some guys are taking the 2nd detent from the knife and it free’s it up even more. You can then push button and flick it open. I want a Strider SMF GG.
John M. Runyon Got cha. Yeah, I don’t trust the Knife Center preorder thing. I always hear lots of poor experiences with their system. Either super long waits, no communication, or just flat out not getting knives that were preordered. Man, I wish they’d do some more DGG. I know a lot of the people I talk to are wanting CC. Let’s keep our fingers crossed. I’d be all over an old profile tanto SMF with RG DGG 🤤🤤🤤. 👊
Alchemy_1 I’m done with Knifecenter. The card I used to do the pre-order with wasn’t approved. Since I already had one, I didn’t make a point to make sure there was enough available credit. Instead of calling me, the went through my past purchases and found a different payment method. I don’t like that.
John M. Runyon Thanks, man. Yeah, a guy earlier called me a reviewer. I’m just a user that happens to like to share info and sometimes people watch 😂😂😂. I don’t have any hook ups and I’m not looking for any. I am part of a group that gets access to some knives, but I don’t really even ask for too many. I think I got the WE whatever it was called to bring some diversity to the channel and I’m down for a TRM Atom when they come out. I’m buying an Atom though 😂😂😂. Only knife I’m anticipating this year.
