Genuine Slysz Bowies

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Sharperthansticks

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Sep 19, 2017
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Now that the Slysz Bowie has been discontinued (was that a wise move?), they're going for some fierce money on eBay. Has the S.B. ever been cloned?

No, I'm not asking how to get a clone; this is one of those questions about the probability of getting a clone vs. the real deal. Please spare me the lectures about eBay. ("Well, was it worth it...? For a few dollars more and peace of mind..." Yeah, yeah, yeah, Yoda; I get it; you're very wise.) Let's all please stick to hard facts specifically about the S.B. Thanks.
 
The answer is yes. I don't wish to post links to cloned blades so to not encourage counterfeiting, but if you wish to research some more on your own just use Google which will lead you to YT and more.
 
There's a sticky right here on the Spyderco forum for identifying clones. Also just googling it will show you they exist. There's probably a lot to learn about clones but here is not a good place because they're frowned upon, so Google really is your best friend for this.
 
I locked the thread earlier because you guys answered the question I asked, and I figured anything more would just be a pile-on, butt then i assembled an Imgur album of pictures of the S.B. I bought. (The pictures were taken by the seller. I haven't yet received the knife.) If anyone of the appropriate knowledge would be so kind as to take a look at the Imgur album and tell me if you think that the knife is legit (or not), I'd be grateful. Here's the link: https://m.imgur.com/gallery/FnW4r .
 
Looks legitimate to me. What's ('re) your cause(s) for concern?

Edit: OK, I did some detective work and now know where you bought and how much. Your seller has 100% feedback on that Big Site and although he sells / dabbles in knives, I still don't see a big deal or a major cause for concern. I have also had bought some nice and genuine knives from knife enthusiasts on that Big Site. If anyone buys a Slysz Bowie for a bargain basement price, then I could see the cause for concern but since you didn't and also you bought from someone who seems to know knives, unless you have major buyer's remorse just try to enjoy the knife as it looks and seems 100% authentic.
 
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Casinostocks said:
Looks legitimate to me. What's ('re) your cause(s) for concern?
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Thanks for your response. When I bought the knife, I thought, Until the Slysz Bowie was taken out of production, it was a sleeper; no one would have bothered to clone it, since it wasn't even popular enough for Spyderco to continue making it. Once I found out that it has, indeed, been cloned, I worried, but not for any specific reason other than the fact that I bought it from a stranger on eBay.
 
Sharperthansticks said:
Thanks for your response. When I bought the knife, I thought, Until the Slysz Bowie was taken out of production, it was a sleeper; no one would have bothered to clone it, since it wasn't even popular enough for Spyderco to continue making it. Once I found out that it has, indeed, been cloned, I worried, but not for any specific reason other than the fact that I bought it from a stranger on eBay.
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I sat on the fence regarding the Slysz Bowie for a long time just because I don't like this so-called "Bowie" themed knives (whether fixed blade or a folding type) but to be fair, the Slysz Bowie does not really have an aggressively shaped Bowie blade, whatever one's interpretation may be! I managed to a used one off the Exchange on here after they were announced discontinued and I got a great deal but the knife needed TLC although not extensively used or abused. So let me phrase it to you this way to perhaps put your mind at more ease:

My used Slysz Bowie "looked" more fake than the one which you have bought based on the pictures because the Spyderco logo did not look quite as clear and sharp. Once I received it, I took it upon myself to take it apart to clean the knife and upon inspection of the nuts, bolts and the guts and of mine; I'm 100% convinced to its authenticity plus the fact that I had to send Spyderco photos in order to get some fresh pivot screws from them. Again take this for FWIW, but yours looks genuine to me.
 
The beauty of the SB is that it's a simple thing done well, right? Wouln't that make a clone pointless?
 
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Casinostocks said:
I sat on the fence regarding the Slysz Bowie for a long time just because I don't like this so-called "Bowie" themed knives (whether fixed blade or a folding type) but to be fair, the Slysz Bowie does not really have an aggressively shaped Bowie blade, whatever one's interpretation may be! I managed to a used one off the Exchange on here after they were announced discontinued and I got a great deal but the knife needed TLC although not extensively used or abused. So let me phrase it to you this way to perhaps put your mind at more ease:

My used Slysz Bowie "looked" more fake than the one which you have bought based on the pictures because the Spyderco logo did not look quite as clear and sharp. Once I received it, I took it upon myself to take it apart to clean the knife and upon inspection of the nuts, bolts and the guts and of mine; I'm 100% convinced to its authenticity plus the fact that I had to send Spyderco photos in order to get some fresh pivot screws from them. Again take this for FWIW, but yours looks genuine to me.
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Right after Spyderco discontinued them, there was still new old stock on the reputable marketplace. Then that was gone, but you could still get one for around 300 - 330 on the forum. I hesitated. Those were gone. Then you could get them for 350 on the forum. I hesitated. Then you just couldn't get them at all on the forums, and eBay is the only place you can get them. (I confess I don't know anything about Reddit.) I got mine for around 400, which, believe it or not, is actually a good price nowadays on eBay, but then I found out from you guys that there are clones! I might send you a PM this evening to ask what to look for right up close that might scream "Clonnneee!!!"
 
Sharperthansticks said:
Right after Spyderco discontinued them, there was still new old stock on the reputable marketplace. Then that was gone, but you could still get one for around 300 - 330 on the forum. I hesitated. Those were gone. Then you could get them for 350 on the forum. I hesitated. Then you just couldn't get them at all on the forums, and eBay is the only place you can get them. (I confess I don't know anything about Reddit.) I got mine for around 400, which, believe it or not, is actually a good price nowadays on eBay, but then I found out from you guys that there are clones! I might send you a PM this evening to ask what to look for right up close that might scream "Clonnneee!!!"
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I really can not comment on what you bought beyond what I have already stated that IMHO you have bought a genuine Spyderco from someone who seems to know his knives and dabbles in knives on the Big Site. As to what to look for when you disable any folding knife which you suspect of having been cloned are inconsistencies in the hardware, fit and finish so far as utilization of inferior material in its construction.
 
Casinostocks said:
I really can not comment on what you bought beyond what I have already stated that IMHO you have bought a genuine Spyderco from someone who seems to know his knives and dabbles in knives on the Big Site. As to what to look for when you disable any folding knife which you suspect of having been cloned are inconsistencies in the hardware, fit and finish so far as utilization of inferior material in its construction.
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Gotcha. I didn't see your edit to your previous post until now by the way. Your most recent response left me puzzled and wondering whether you were trying to tell me that I bought it from *you*. Now that I read the edit, it all makes sense.

No buyer's remorse except for having not bought the knife a month ago on the forum so I wouldn't have to wonder even a little bit. :-)
 
Sharperthansticks said:
Gotcha. I didn't see your edit to your previous post until now by the way. Your most recent response left me puzzled and wondering whether you were trying to tell me that I bought it from *you*. Now that I read the edit, it all makes sense.

No buyer's remorse except for having not bought the knife a month ago on the forum so I wouldn't have to wonder even a little bit. :)
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OK, that makes sense. FWIW, I don't sell my knives on eBay and also will not be letting go of my Slysz Bowie ;)
 
Ok, I did some online research and, unless I'm crazy (which, admittedly, is reasonably possible), it is stupidly easy to tell a clone Slysz Bowie from a real one. All of the clones have one ridiculously glaring feature in common.
 
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