Nick Shabazz goes over the 100k YouTube subscriber mark

Addicted_to_Knives said:
I purchased Dutch Blade Works - Xerxes based on Nick's review... What an unforgivable $380 mistake I made... His review and my review of Dutch Blade Works are not close. I do agree with 90% of Nick's reviews in general, he is dead spot 100% on! But the Dutch Blade Works - Xerxes... That knife!
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Wait, 90% of the time he is 100% right? :confused:

:p
 
Well ol Nick's videos are great for clearing out a room! I'll crank him up on the tv and within a few minutes everyone will leave the room literally! Lol I used to watch him some but he really doesn't use a knife. He carries it to the office ,opens mail and easy things. Pretty much any kind of knife would work for him.
I'm a carpenter and my job I can beat the crap out of a knife. So what works for him might not for me.. I really enjoyed his video where he had the mudd knife outside buried under water. I couldn't get the springs back in my mini grip, and his video helped me with that. So I guess Nick's ok??
 
Like his videos or not...but here's another protracted thread that will certainly garner more of an audience for his channel.o_O
 
Well, it's not a secret that he's an office person not a survivalist... with more than 100k Youtube Subscribers. :cool:
 
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He and I have very different opinions on and uses for folding knives, so I take most of what he says with a rather large grain of salt. That said, I enjoy his videos because I find him personable, humble and funny, which are practically unique traits in any Youtube personality, much less one that deals with knives or gear.
 
I've only watched a handful or so of his videos and I know that he said that he is a scientist that has something to do with acoustics. Maybe he works for Bose?
 
Insipid Moniker said:
He and I have very different opinions on and uses for folding knives, so I take most of what he says with a rather large grain of salt. That said, I enjoy his videos because I find him personable, humble and funny, which are practically unique traits in any Youtube personality, much less one that deals with knives or gear.
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True. I also find him intelligent and articulate. Those are two things that most of YouTube cannot offer. Like I said, I don't often agree, but I am at least able to follow the logic and am not made dumber for having watched.
 
I enjoy his content and in my opinion, he does a great job. He is engaging, informative and passionate about knives. As far as hand gestures go.....that is part of his communication style and that is cool with me. I also admire anyone that is willing to put themselves out there for the world like that.
 
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I'm still convinced he's actually Kripke from Big Bang Theory. The actor is John Ross Bowie, so it all makes sense really :p
 
I take anyone on youtube with a grain of salt. They are on there for a reason and they all have an agenda, some put it out there for everyone to see while others keep it more hidden.

I have watched some of his videos (however, sans sound) to get a closer look at a knife I may be interested in. That's pretty much the only thing I use youtube videos for; to get closer look at something I couldn't otherwise before spending the money while disregarding the "review" or even muting the sound. In this case it's mute every time because the Gilbert Goddfried/Bobcat voice is grating and some of his commentary is very.....how do I put this tactfully.....beta male.
 
Nick Shabazz always seemed like he'd be good for people that aren't really all that into knives and don't really intend to be.
He definitely has more in depth stuff for the true knife nerds, like his disassembly videos.
What I mean is, most of us on Blade Forums have held and used enough knives that we can usually look at the specs and shape of a knife without
even getting the knife in hand and we know if it'd be worth a try or not.
For example, you might look at a knife and all the specs look pretty good until you notice it's made from 1/4" blade stock with a short saber grind and you already know it won't be the best slicer.
Or, you look at a knife and everything looks good until you notice it has almost a 5" blade with barely a 4" handle and you pretty well know it's going to be uncomfortable.

If you know knives, these are somewhat extreme examples and most knives aren't made this way without a specific reason which would negate the type of general usage most of us seek in a blade.
What's common knowledge for knife fanatics and tradesman, that use utility style blades everyday, is world's away for city slickers that work in a cubicle, and I think that's where Shabazz comes in.
He may very well be expanding the high end knife market to the cubicle world, but for those of us that truly need a knife every day "stabby" and "frickin huuge" is the friggin point because we have a lot of friggin work to do.
 
Korean Hog said:
Nick Shabazz always seemed like he'd be good for people that aren't really all that into knives and don't really intend to be.
He definitely has more in depth stuff for the true knife nerds, like his disassembly videos.
What I mean is, most of us on Blade Forums have held and used enough knives that we can usually look at the specs and shape of a knife without
even getting the knife in hand and we know if it'd be worth a try or not.
For example, you might look at a knife and all the specs look pretty good until you notice it's made from 1/4" blade stock with a short saber grind and you already know it won't be the best slicer.
Or, you look at a knife and everything looks good until you notice it has almost a 5" blade with barely a 4" handle and you pretty well know it's going to be uncomfortable.

If you know knives, these are somewhat extreme examples and most knives aren't made this way without a specific reason which would negate the type of general usage most of us seek in a blade.
What's common knowledge for knife fanatics and tradesman, that use utility style blades everyday, is world's away for city slickers that work in a cubicle, and I think that's where Shabazz comes in.
He may very well be expanding the high end knife market to the cubicle world, but for those of us that truly need a knife every day "stabby" and "frickin huuge" is the friggin point because we have a lot of friggin work to do.
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I like the looks of the Kershaw Launch 1.
 
Addicted_to_Knives said:
1. I found the closing frame vs the show frame side gap to be tiny (3-4 milimeters?), so after flipping open and close 10-15 times it leaves a mark on my thumb because I have to press in really hard my thumb against the frame lock to close the knife. The gap is unforgivably small and there is not extra room cut out on the show side frame so your thumb jumps in comfortably while closing the knife.
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Knives obviously fit people's hands differently. A more objective description is to say that the opening is narrower than other common frame locks and it might pose a problem for some people. It does feel narrower to me, but it's not uncomfortable or painful for my hand, so it's not a big deal to me.

2. Flipper tab without jimping. When flipper tab is at 100 degrees or 120 degrees to the spine of the knife (unlike Hinderer XMs) you have to have some sort of jimping. Try flipping 10+ times, you finger starts to slide on it and you need to hard press it.
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I own this knife. I've flipped it non-stop while watching shows. I wouldn't want jimping on mine as it's very comfortable to flip open for me. I don't need to press hard at all. This complaint may be a matter of variation in quality control. If yours works the way mine does, I simply don't understand the complaint.

3. Made in China knife close to $400... CPM 20CV OK I get it. But $400 made in China???
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This is a matter of personal preference. People on this forum seem to be particularly concerned about knives made in China. My concern is on the design and how well made it is based on cost. The knife I have is easily a higher quality than some of my American made knives. A comparable knife made in the US would cost more than $380. Plain Sebenzas cost a little bit more, but I have a Sebenza and want variety. They certainly don't make anything like the Xerxes. The design is one of the things that draws me in for this knife. It's designed by 2 amazing custom makers. Especially at this price range, I wouldn't limit my search to the chemical composition of the steel and the country of manufacturing.

3. Utterly boring frame color - well ok this is not as bad. I can live with that I have few awesome knives with boring colors.
B/B- Grade I gave to this knife.
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The color is another matter of personal preference. Again, a plain large Sebenza costs a bit more and it's essentially the same color. The satin finish on the Sebenza's blade might be a plus for people too, but that's another matter of personal preference. I'm okay with the way it is, but it's also nice to know that I can have the frame anodized to personalize it if I want to change it up.

So my experience with mine closely matches the general impression Nick had based on his review.
 
I appreciate that he brings knives to my attention that I would otherwise never be aware of.

A vast majority of them I’d never purchase but I like knowing about them.

I mostly like his sense of humor and humility.

His review on the CRKT Wrinkle (looks like a turd when folded shut) is a classic. I also get a kick out of his reviews on “gas station” cheap knives. I bought a Z-Hunter as a joke for my son and it really does suck.

But sometimes too much of a good thing can be bad and lately I’ve found his reviews and jokes to be wearing thin.

Anyway, I’m glad his channel is available and I was happy to see him have the success of hitting the 100k mark.
 
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