Spyderco Swayback... a week of use

Status
Not open for further replies.
King of the Cheese

King of the Cheese

Stillborn!
Joined
May 25, 2016
Messages
76,186
So I’ve had the swayback about a week now, and carried it every day.

It is now going to be my go-to knife for EDC. I LOVE the blade shape, I’ve always been a big fan of the case swayback design, but longed for a bigger blade with a one handed operation. THIS is THE knife for me. It absolutely destroys corrugated and packaging, and the slim profile allows for precision cuts. The design of the handle really allows for a lot of leverage downward in the blade for some powerful cutting.

I’ve heard complaints about the pocket clip... I have zero issues with it.
I’ve also heard complaints about difficulty opening it but as you can see in my video, opening it is very easy for me. Maybe I have rat claws for fingers and the pudgy fingered types can’t quite get dug in on the hole?

Anyway, fantastic knife. Would love to hear thoughts from anyone else that has actually carried this around and used it.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/BBy2L5tmiWsuf5Pb7
 
Officer's Match said:
You have zero issues with the stock clip or the one you replaced it with? I'd give one a try; looks like it would work.
Click to expand...
Either is fine. I’ve tried adding other clips but it’s all the same to me really. I might settle on a non deep carry regular clip. Deep carry clips seem to extend past the top on this due to screw placement.
 
But no one talks about how poorly the secondary bevel terminates. Spyderco already has the reputation of a company that never expects their knives to be sharpened, but after seeing pics of this guy on the literal dozens of "WTS" post across knife trading forums I figured out why. I can't think of a major knife release I've seen resold more in the first week and half after release than this Swayback.
 
kylemiller said:
But no one talks about how poorly the secondary bevel terminates. Spyderco already has the reputation of a company that never expects their knives to be sharpened, but after seeing pics of this guy on the literal dozens of "WTS" post across knife trading forums I figured out why. I can't think of a major knife release I've seen resold more in the first week and half after release than this Swayback.
Click to expand...

The same thing happens with virtually every Spyderco release: Some people buy it, it doesn’t meet their expectations, they sell it.
Welcome to my post. I like it.
 
Roy Batty said:
The same thing happens with virtually every Spyderco release: Some people buy it, it doesn’t meet their expectations, they sell it.
Welcome to my post. I like it.
Click to expand...

This is my concern:
8vGYTnH.jpg


Right there at the heel of the edge. How do you plan on blending that straight after a few sharpenings? I like the design too, but it's stuff like this I never understand about Spyderco edge designs.
 
kylemiller said:
But no one talks about how poorly the secondary bevel terminates. Spyderco already has the reputation of a company that never expects their knives to be sharpened, but after seeing pics of this guy on the literal dozens of "WTS" post across knife trading forums I figured out why. I can't think of a major knife release I've seen resold more in the first week and half after release than this Swayback.
Click to expand...

Huh? Couldn’t disagree more man. Not everyone like sharpening coils. Spyderco, of all companies, is probably more connected to their users requests than any company I know. They bring new steels to market on a regular basis that people buy and sharpen to see how they perform.

I agree this one does seem to have divided opinions. Not that unusual though. I’d have to say I’ve seen as many/more Bombshells for sale...every single day it seems. Copper PM2s will be next. Some are here merely to profit off of others. :rolleyes:

Appreciate the post Roy! Glad to see you’re stoked. :thumbsup:
 
mb> said:
Huh? Couldn’t disagree more man. Not everyone like sharpening coils. Spyderco, of all companies, is probably more connected to their users requests than any company I know. They bring new steels to market on a regular basis that people buy and sharpen to see how they perform.

I agree this one does seem to have divided opinions. Not that unusual though. I’d have to say I’ve seen as many/more Bombshells for sale...every single day it seems. Copper PM2s will be next. Some are here merely to profit off of others. :rolleyes:

Appreciate the post Roy! Glad to see you’re stoked. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

The knives you mentioned will be sold at mark-up. These have been going for $30 below MAP. Do you own one? What's your sharpening plan?
 
kylemiller said:
This is my concern:
8vGYTnH.jpg


Right there at the heel of the edge. How do you plan on blending that straight after a few sharpenings? I like the design too, but it's stuff like this I never understand about Spyderco edge designs.
Click to expand...
I don’t want a choil on this knife so I’m good. Most of the cutting power comes at the tip anyway.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mb>
kylemiller said:
The knives you mentioned will be sold at mark-up. These have been going for $30 below MAP. Do you own one? What's your sharpening plan?
Click to expand...

Yep, flippers will flip.

I do own a Swayback. I typically freehand, and just deal with that area carefully as the angle steepens. But honestly, I have too many freaking knives so I’m not going to be wearing away enough steel in the near future for it to become an issue for me.

Sounds like you might want to add a small sharpening choil if that’s your preference.
 
I'm digging mine too! Still wish the opening area was large enough for normal male hands but I'm impressed that you can claw down into it and flick it open. It does cut like a laser.
 
ArchVV said:
I'm digging mine too! Still wish the opening area was large enough for normal male hands but I'm impressed that you can claw down into it and flick it open. It does cut like a laser.
Click to expand...
I think the key to flicking it open is to put pressure on the left side of the hole and not the center of the hole.
 
I love swaybacks. I own several traditional swaybacks. Was really looking forward to this release.

For me, the issue is the ease at which the lockbar is depressed with my normal grip when opening. I have to grip the handle in an unnatural way in order to avoid lockbar jam.

It’s not unique to this knife and it’s why I generally prefer linerlocks or lockbacks. But it is more noticeable in this model than others, at least with my large hands
 
I'm relatively new to knife collecting and have only just joined here. That said, I've been lurking and enjoying the forums for a while.

I picked up a Swayback this week....... and I love it.

The Swayback's design is a bit funky - which I like. It was a beast to open when I first got it - but after fiddling for a few days it opens fine now (I push my thumb out at about 45 degrees ie between straight out and straight up toward the blade) and give my wrist a tiny flick - its snaps out strongly just using my thumb pad doing this - I can't fit my thumb in the hole.

I love the blade (the look, feel, shape and the hollow grind is beautifully done etc). I used the knife for a few hours cleaning out the garage the other day - it was great in hand. I hadn't used that shape of blade before but the slight curve really helps catch things like cardboard when slicing downward. Razor sharp still.

The titanium scales are something I prefer and the finish on this feels soft and grippy. It feels good using various grips. The size is good too.

The only thing I'm not keen on is the clip. It's fine and functional but it stands too proud to be fully comfortable and I would have preferred it to be titanium. I prefer the wire clip on my Spydiechef. I have ordered a Ti deep carry one from MXG to see if that works better.

No knife works for everyone - this one is a keeper for me though.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top