Spyderco Swayback... a week of use

Status
Not open for further replies.
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...

I have noticed a lot of these for sale also. I've even seen times where it took sellers awhile to resell it for the same price or a little less than they paid. It's really surprising to see this with a Spyderco that has had so much hype and seems to be sold out everywhere. Normally people are selling for a 25%-50% markup.

Just to make it clear, I'm not saying anything bad about the knife. I'm really happy for the people who love this knife. I just can't help but to wonder what's going on, seeing so many people wanting to sell them so quick.
 
Detroit1980 said:
I have noticed a lot of these for sale also. I've even seen times where it took sellers awhile to resell it for the same price or a little less than they paid. It's really surprising to see this with a Spyderco that has had so much hype and seems to be sold out everywhere. Normally people are selling for a 25%-50% markup.

Just to make it clear, I'm not saying anything bad about the knife. I'm really happy for the people who love this knife. I just can't help but to wonder what's going on, seeing so many people wanting to sell them so quick.
Click to expand...
My guess is its a mixture of people flipping them and others who wanted to try it out and have realized it's quite different from typical Spyderco's designs and it isn't for them. Also there have been, and will be, a lot of sprint runs so anyone on the fence may just want to reload.
 
Clem Fandango said:
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.
Click to expand...
Excellent! Thanks for sharing all that
 
Clem Fandango said:
My guess is its a mixture of people flipping them and others who wanted to try it out and have realized it's quite different from typical Spyderco's designs and it isn't for them. Also there have been, and will be, a lot of sprint runs so anyone on the fence may just want to reload.
Click to expand...

If people are trying to flip them then it seems they are either not making anything or taking a loss. That's what makes me wonder. I just started a topic a little while ago about people flipping the We Shamwari and it disgusts me. Hopefully this is a knife where flippers will get burned and maybe think twice before they keep on doing it. To me the knife dealers markup is already enough even though they still keep it below the so called retail price.
 
Detroit1980 said:
If people are trying to flip them then it seems they are either not making anything or taking a loss. That's what makes me wonder. I just started a topic a little while ago about people flipping the We Shamwari and it disgusts me. Hopefully this is a knife where flippers will get burned and maybe think twice before they keep on doing it. To me the knife dealers markup is already enough even though they still keep it below the so called retail price.
Click to expand...

Just wait and see how many flippers are going to take baths on the copper REX45 PM2. It's gonna be glorious. Most are just ebay sellers who aren't able to identify what limited run models will actually command a higher secondary market value.
 
I like the knife, although I'm not sure it's for me. Really though, I am still trying to wrap my head around the "Spyderco already has the reputation of a company that never expects their knives to be sharpened" comment. It makes no sense to me.
 
kylemiller said:
Just wait and see how many flippers are going to take baths on the copper REX45 PM2. It's gonna be glorious. Most are just ebay sellers who aren't able to identify what limited run models will actually command a higher secondary market value.
Click to expand...

The thing about eBay is they have to markup at least 13% just to break even on the Ebay and PayPal fees.

I really don't understand the hype for the REX45 steel. From what I understand it's not a stainless steel so I don't understand why someone would be willing to pay so much when there's so many great stainless steels for the same price or cheaper.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 353
Detroit1980 said:
The thing about eBay is they have to markup at least 13% just to break even on the Ebay and PayPal fees.

I really don't understand the hype for the REX45 steel. From what I understand it's not a stainless steel so I don't understand why someone would be willing to pay so much when there's so many great stainless steels for the same price or cheaper.
Click to expand...

Rex45 isn’t expensive. In the context of the PM2 above, the milled copper scales are driving the price.

Rex45 is an awesome steel. Easy to sharpen, great edge holding and toughness on par or exceeding M4. Few if any stainless options can match tool steels for toughness, one of the main reasons people like the tool steels. It’s also not very rust prone unless you neglect it. I’ve carried Rex45 quite a bit in humid Florida with no issues.

If you ever have problems chipping or rolling stainless, try it. If you never have those issues you won’t notice any real benefit.
 
mb> said:
Rex45 isn’t expensive. In the context of the PM2 above, the milled copper scales are driving the price.

Rex45 is an awesome steel. Easy to sharpen, great edge holding and toughness on par or exceeding M4. Few if any stainless options can match tool steels for toughness, one of the main reasons people like the tool steels. It’s also not very rust prone unless you neglect it. I’ve carried Rex45 quite a bit in humid Florida with no issues.

If you ever have problems chipping or rolling stainless, try it. If you never have those issues you won’t notice any real benefit.
Click to expand...

Thanks for clarifying. Most of the knives I've seen with REX45 are the burnt orange G-10 and they seem to be higher priced than the their S30v. I guess if you live in a humid area and haven't had any issues then it's good to go.

I guess I've just never really understood the hype for any non-stainless steel except for D2 since it's on so many good quality budget knives, but I guess if it holds an edge, is easy to sharpen and you don't have any rust issues then I can see why. I just always prefer a high end stainless steel when I'm paying $100+ for a knife.
 
Detroit1980 said:
Thanks for clarifying. Most of the knives I've seen with REX45 are the burnt orange G-10 and they seem to be higher priced than the their S30v. I guess if you live in a humid area and haven't had any issues then it's good to go.

I guess I've just never really understood the hype for any non-stainless steel except for D2 since it's on so many good quality budget knives, but I guess if it holds an edge, is easy to sharpen and you don't have any rust issues then I can see why. I just always prefer a high end stainless steel when I'm paying $100+ for a knife.
Click to expand...

Yeah man. Everyone has their preferences. Nothing wrong with that.

I fell out of love with stainless the first time I rolled an edge. M4 was a revelation in toughness, and it was all downhill from there. Lol. Really, there are so many great options these days. You just pick what you like and know it’s strength/weaknesses.

edit: apologies for taking this a bit off topic Roy. Back to the Swayback!
 
I would actually view it as pretty promising when a current-production knife can sell for 90% of retail when it's still available at retail. I got one in the mail now because I was kicking myself about missing out when the Slysz Bowie was discontinued. I was hoping they'd go on sale when they were discontinued, but they sold out before they got put on sale. I love the designs so much, and the steel lock insert changed my mind about getting this one early.

I also fell for the REX45 / Cu PM2 after swearing that I was done with sprint and exclusive PM2s. I suspect if I come to my senses and sell mine, that I won't lose very much, which is comforting when buying knives.
 
Detroit1980 said:
The thing about eBay is they have to markup at least 13% just to break even on the Ebay and PayPal fees.

I really don't understand the hype for the REX45 steel. From what I understand it's not a stainless steel so I don't understand why someone would be willing to pay so much when there's so many great stainless steels for the same price or cheaper.
Click to expand...

Many prefer high alloy carbon to stainless, myself included. I wish it was offered on more higher end knives. Hell if I could snap my fingers and change all the stainless steel on my high end knives and "mid tech" to even a low alloy carbon I'd do it in a heart beat.
 
cabfrank said:
I like the knife, although I'm not sure it's for me. Really though, I am still trying to wrap my head around the "Spyderco already has the reputation of a company that never expects their knives to be sharpened" comment. It makes no sense to me.
Click to expand...

Even with the visual aid in post #7?
 
Roy Batty said:
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
Click to expand...
Not my cup of tea, glad you like yours. That bit about the clip and pudgy fingers though...lol.
 
Have had the Swayback for 6hrs and I think it's a winner! I'm usually pro USA made only and rarely jump on anything import, but couldn't resist this and the Bombshell. Both are great. Favorite thing about the Swayback is the unique feel in hand and the ergonomics shine for me in the draw cut position. Have yet to cut anything yet, but it's easy to see that this will cut like a laser.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top