Help Deciding

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goingonatrip

Joined
Jul 20, 2016
Messages
17
I'm torn between three knives right now:

  • Spyderco Slysz Bowie
  • CRK Small Insingo
  • Reate Wave

All are titanium frame locks, but after that they are all pretty different. Different steels, different aesthetically, different opening method, different prices, etc.

I'm wondering if anyone has experience with all 3 and what they would choose out of the 3 for an EDC (including business casual for the weekdays)? The Wave looks great and M390 seems to be a great steel; I prefer the looks of the Slysz to the Insingo, but every hails CRKs as the best of the best.

Current collection/rotation consists of the following:
  1. PM2 with natural linen micarta SketchenScales
  2. 0562 CF
  3. 0450 CF anodized by TWS777 on Instagram
  4. Kizer Gemini
  5. *Just Sold* 940-1501

I'm pretty newly registered to the site, but have been lurking for a while. If this should be posted elsewhere, just let me know!
 
It depends on what void you are trying to fill..
I love my CRK's and I switch between my 3 regularly. But if you are just getting one because of the hype, you may be let down. They are fantastic EDC knives so I will never tell someone not to get one. That being said, I don't always recommend them. Some guys want a good knife but a bit flashier. You can't go wrong with a classic.

Never had a Reate but they put out good stuff. Are you feeling a flipper?

I've never owned the Slysz Bowie because it just never appealed to me in the looks department.
 
I don't know the Reate knives, but they get good press here.
The Insingo is a good folder, but I'm not sold on CRK heat-treat, even if I have had a ton of CRK's.
The Slysz Bowie is 0.140" stock, but flat ground to 0.125"...(similar to CRK blade thickness), but my Slysz is 0.017" behind the edge, and it's ONE MEAN SLICING MACHINE. The small Insingo is just less than 4" closed length, and I cannot hang onto it. The Slysz Bowie is just fine...quite a bit longer, and it's a good fit to my large hand.
The Slysz is also a "better" blade-steel, IMO, as it is CTS-XHP with a HT of 61-62, IIRC. The CRK's are usually S30V or S35VN and 57-59 hardness. A matter of choice here, although the Bowie will hold an edge much longer, but perhaps will be a bit more brittle, although you may never see that in practice.
I'd pick the Slysz Bowie every time, although have no opinion on the Reate.
 
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We're always more than happy to help someone else spend their money. I'm a Chris Reeve fan, so I vote small insigno.
 
I was torn between a small insingo and the slysz, and was expecting to love the CRK, but when I handled it it really underwhelmed me. I went with The slysz, and it has been fantastic for edc, and is a great slicer. It's all up to you, though I recommend you handle it before you buy.

Sent from my D6708 using Tapatalk
 
I would base my decision on whether I preferred thumb-studs, thumb-holes, or flippers. I prefer holes, so of those three I would chose the Spyderco.
 
Thanks for all the opinions thus far!

I'm leaning towards the Slysz at the moment. It seems to be a good size for EDC. Pics of it by itself made it look like a 3.75"-4" blade but when compared to something like a PM2 is seems to be a pretty reasonable length and width. The CRK still piques my interest, but I hear so many stories of someone getting them in hand and being unimpressed. And I love the look of the Reate and love flippers but should probably get something without a flipper as 3 of my 4 current blades are flippers.
 
I have heard Reate knives are fantastic! Take your time and a good look at all three
 
All three are fantastic knives, but considering what you already have in your collection, I'd go with the Slysz Bowie.
 
I have a small Sebenza with me today at work, but there is no knife I've enjoyed carrying/using/making love to as much as the Slysz Bowie. Its a little big for my office, but sometimes it makes an appearance on dress down Fridays. Something about the geometry makes it deploy like it's assisted... Coming from flippers you wont be disappointed. I'll take a pic with your other knives when I get home if my CRS doesn't act up.

27357126170_3133cc7501_h.jpg


Craptastic quick pic:
20160815_181444-01_zps96nu8z1x.jpeg
 
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Thanks abbazaba, great comparison pic! It seems to be not that much larger than the Gemini, but considerably larger than the Small 21. How does it carry compared to the Manix? They seem to be pretty comparable in overall size.
 
I actually almost mentioned that you NEED a Manix, but its quite a bit larger in hand. The Slysz somehow carries very slim and unobtrusive in the pocket... Something I would attribute to the rounded/ radiused handles. The largest complaint I see about the Manix is the width of it closed in pocket, which is true, but it's one of my favorites for sure.
 
Abbazaba, I've had a Manix 2 LW for a while, but the clip seems stripped and cant be removed so I don't carry it much anymore.

Jakemex, yes, but nothing too "fancy" as I want it to be something I will carry and use on the weekends too.
 
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