- Joined
- Aug 30, 2014
- Messages
- 1,097
Yep. Another one. It's no doubt been asked before, and I'm sure it'll be asked again: if you had to choose just one Spyderco from your collection to keep, and say goodbye to the rest, which one would it be, and why?
For myself, it's the Slysz Bowie. It's an impeccably designed titanium frame-lock with the best fit and finish I've seen on a knife under 400$. The 3-D contoured titanium scales and stone-washed CTS-XHP blade are perfect. The glass-like coating and flawlessly radiused spine are particularly nice features. I was concerned it might be too small, because it's not a big knife; the blade-length is just under 3.5 inches, and designer Marcin Slysz gave the Bowie a very close blade-to-handle ratio. The Southard has almost identical, slightly larger dimensions (Southard = 3.46" blade, 7.96" OAL; Slysz Bowie = 3.42" blade, 7.79" OAL); even though I was really impressed with it, I couldn't hold it comfortably, and stopped carrying it. In contrast, the Slysz Bowie's rounded handle somehow locks all four fingers up tightly and comfortably, for a remarkably secure grip with minimal, unobtrusive jimping. The action is silky smooth, the lock-up is safe, solid, and easier to disengage than any titanium frame-lock I've owned. CTS-XHP wasn't a steel I was too enthused about, but it came with a super-sharp edge that hasn't dulled in the least after cutting through roughly the same amount of cardboard and plastic that slightly but noticeably dulled the VG-10 Stretch.
Other Spyderco knives have been close, but not quite. I have a Yojimbo 2 with S90V and carbon fiber on its way from KnifeWorks, so it's possible I'll change my mind after trying it out... but I doubt it. If I had to pick one, it's the Slysz Bowie.
For myself, it's the Slysz Bowie. It's an impeccably designed titanium frame-lock with the best fit and finish I've seen on a knife under 400$. The 3-D contoured titanium scales and stone-washed CTS-XHP blade are perfect. The glass-like coating and flawlessly radiused spine are particularly nice features. I was concerned it might be too small, because it's not a big knife; the blade-length is just under 3.5 inches, and designer Marcin Slysz gave the Bowie a very close blade-to-handle ratio. The Southard has almost identical, slightly larger dimensions (Southard = 3.46" blade, 7.96" OAL; Slysz Bowie = 3.42" blade, 7.79" OAL); even though I was really impressed with it, I couldn't hold it comfortably, and stopped carrying it. In contrast, the Slysz Bowie's rounded handle somehow locks all four fingers up tightly and comfortably, for a remarkably secure grip with minimal, unobtrusive jimping. The action is silky smooth, the lock-up is safe, solid, and easier to disengage than any titanium frame-lock I've owned. CTS-XHP wasn't a steel I was too enthused about, but it came with a super-sharp edge that hasn't dulled in the least after cutting through roughly the same amount of cardboard and plastic that slightly but noticeably dulled the VG-10 Stretch.
Other Spyderco knives have been close, but not quite. I have a Yojimbo 2 with S90V and carbon fiber on its way from KnifeWorks, so it's possible I'll change my mind after trying it out... but I doubt it. If I had to pick one, it's the Slysz Bowie.
Ahh, I guess given that a big chunk of my important folder use is on my kayak, I would have to go with my se Pacific Salt. If I was not on the ocean everyday I would probably go with something like the Paramilitary 2. Luckily I don't have to make such awful decisions. I have 10 or 12 Spyderco folders and enjoy every one of them.
A combo edge pm2 salt?? Pretty sure I could live with that too!!! 
