761 vs Slysz Bowie. Which Do You Like ?

Wolverine666

Wolverine666

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These are both good-looking frame locks with great steels , nice Ti handles and a definite cool factor. But which do you like and why ?

My thoughts : the 761 is a little sleeker (which I like) and has M390 which I have found to be an outstanding steel. But I have read numerous posts/reviews about the fit and finish being subpar and the detent being exceptionally weak. But that could just have been the first run of 761's. This one is also more expensive at $331. But I really like the look of this knife. So I'd pay the higher price tag if I knew they had the detent and build issues resolved.

The Slysz Bowie looks a bit wider and (for me) that translates into a more noticeable carry. However , it weighs about the same as the 761. I have very little experience with CTS-XHP but I've read a lot of positive feedback. This one has also recieved high praise for superb build quality from many people here on the forums. It's also @ $265 making it $66 less expensive than the Benchmade. I've been on the fence about this knife but after reading such good reviews I'm on board all the way.

Of course , I have yet to handle either knife in person. So this is just from what I've read and seen online.
 
I have both. I like the Slysz far better.

The 761 has little "issues" like the weak detent and the fact that it does not carry tip up. Mine also arrived with a misaligned blade, which I was able to correct, but don't think I should have had to. It's got a lot of good things going for it too and I still like it a lot, it's just got a couple little issues.

The Slysz doesn't have any issues as far as I'm concerned. The fit and finish on the Slysz is a notch above. Tip up carry. Polished blade with beautifully rounded spine. Blade deployment just as smooth and fast as the 761 without using bearings. More solid feeling lockup. And the Slysz carries very discreetly with it's deep carry clip and it's fairly thin (although wide) in the pocket. It doesn't look like anything more than my Techno when it's in my pocket, and it's actually thinner.

Although I prefer the Slysz, I would say these are both sweet knives and I suggest that whichever one is calling you will probably make you happy.
 
The Slysz bowie impressed me. Fills the hand, pocket clip carries nicely, and I wasn't expected it to be such a strong slicer.
 
All the reviews I found on CTS-XHP suggests it's close to D2 but no where near m390. Tip up only is a ridiculous fail to me. I won't be buying the Slysz. I do have the 761. It feels great in the hand. It has a great blade shape. Detent is strong and it's super smooth.
Can't go wrong with the 761
 
I own the 761 and have handled the slyz bowie at the knife store. The slyz is very well made and feels good in hand. the 761 fells good in hand. My conclusion is the 761 has superior blade steel, but the slyz seems to be a stronger knife. Take your pick.
 
I don't have the Slyz . But I love my 761 . The detent is really good , it's extremely smooth , slim , great blade steel .
 
My only gripe with the Slyz Bowie is the modest size, it's, imo, one of those blades that needed to be bigger.
 
NetshadeX said:
My only gripe with the Slyz Bowie is the modest size, it's, imo, one of those blades that needed to be bigger.
Click to expand...

At 4.37" closed , I'd have to agree that it's a bit small for the type of knife that it appears to be. But I can't make any official judgement calls until I hold one. I do like (a lot) that it has a slimmer profile than most Spydercos with no hump around the hole. And this seems like a good excuse to try out some Carpenter steel as I've been curious.

The 761 is just so damn sexy. As long as the issues with the first run are ironed out then I'm all over it like stink on a monkey.
 
I'm a large knife person. The Slysz just misses it. I'm going to get the K2 which seems in the same style as the Slysz. Without the negatives.
 
I have both. I carry the Slysz more because the clip on the 761 is too tight on thick pockets. In fact, this is one of the things that keeps me from liking the 761 more.

I don't like the tip-down carry or the milled clip on the 761. It looks nice and flows with the lines of the handle, but it is a two-handed operation to clip it to pockets. I polished the underside of mine and it helped some, but there is just not enough spring to slip it over a fat pocket seam on jeans.

I like BM's M390 better than the CTS XHP, but both are top quality steels.

The Slysz just feels solid and beefy, like it could take a beating. The 761 feels super smooth and while I'm sure it is pretty solid, I don't feel like I would ever want to use it hard. I'm unsure how the 761 bearings would like being in a really dirty environment, while the Slysz is so simple in its construction that there isn't really anywhere for dirt to build up.

As far as the K2 is concerned, I don't think it's really comparable to either of these because it is much more unwieldy in the pocket. As I've learned more about steels, I've learned that 10V is a great slicer steel, but it is prone to chipping. It is also not stainless, so depending on where you live it may not be the right option. It feels nice in hand and it's a really big knife, certainly cheaper than both the Slysz and 761, but less pocketable. If you end up with any of these, you'll be stoked for sure. Then you'll probably end up getting the other ones anyway. So just prepare your wallet for a flogging.
 
I absolutely love my sebenza, but I recently got a slysz from the exchange and it has at least temporarily kicked the sebenza out of my pocket. A couple of the biggest selling points for me were the slightly more manageable blade length, and most importantly, the lack of the weird bumpout shape for the spyder hole.

As had already been said, it feels beefy, but without being too much. I don't have experience with the 761, but I feel like the slysz would be very tough to compete with.
 
Please don't watch the video. It's horrible. It's even referred to as cheap advertising for his sharpening business. It was debunked over countless threads and owner testimonials.
 
That video did a good job of giving undue bad press to a great knife. :thumbdn:

First production run issues were worked out quickly. My 761 suffers none of those issues. Sweet folder.
 
My 761 is a first pro and it's great. There were individual issues and a bunch of bobble heads repeating the same bad info
 
I'm not going to watch the vid. I'm sure I'll eventually buy a 761 and I'll be able to judge for myself. I'm sure the first run of 761's has long since been sold anyway. I want it and the Slysz. Just a matter of which I'll get first.
 
Even though I have my preference, these are both knives I would suggest anyone should buy. I'm glad to be able to use both.
While nothing will substitute for holding them, I thought a few comparison pics might be helpful.
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The 761 looks nice, but the clip reminds me of the one on my 755mpr...so no thanks.
I think the Slysz has everything going for it. I WILL buy one. It comes from the great Taiwan Spydies, which is as good as it gets in fit/finish. And with perfect blade-steel, length and handle width (0.440"), I am just waiting for the right buy...
 
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