Swick3: Who will carry it?

S

SCWillson

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Aug 2, 2013
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Just saw the new Swick3 on the Spyderco website, and was wondering which knife retailers would be likely to have it? None of my usual knife retailers are listing it. I know it's not available until next week, but lots of retailers list products not yet released.
 
I have loved both the Spyderco SWICK models that I've previously owned. Although I've been disappointed and perplexed as to why they never made one on full Spyderedge :(

My ultimate favorite hard user Spyderco fixed blade has been my hard used and very much used Temperance 1 models ( PE & SE). The fact that they made it available in Spyderedge I always found intrguing. It really hurts me that they didn't make the Temperance 2 available in full SE :confused:

I would love a pair of SWICK models to use if I could get a full plain edge and a full Spyderedge in that model. The SWICK is one model that most people thought to be a very simple design but I really liked the fact that the model was designed for constant hard usage.

I would also like to see the SWICK offered up in a variety of blade steels as well.
 
It will definitely be carried!
Pics showing the comparison to the Swick 1 showing difference in width, blade, hole size, steel thickness. The weights are 1.5 oz for the 1 and 1.9 for the 3, only half an ounce but real noticeable.

Swicks003.jpg

Swicks004.jpg

Swicks005.jpg

Swicks007.jpg
 
Cool comparison pic. You can also tell that the 3 has a slight recurve rather than the perfectly straight edge of the older version. And the handle looks much smoother and broader.

I just got mine too. I already love it - I'm glad I sold my La UUK because this is both better and way cheaper. Fans of the La Griffe and Le Shark should definitely take note of this, and Fred himself would be impressed for sure.

Now I am looking forward to the Swick 4 with the leaf shape blade...
 
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I have the Gen. 1.

Without ANY doubt whatsoever, I truly believe that the Swick is one of the most PRACTICAL/TACTICAL designs. If that sounds like a bit of a hyperbole, it is not. You have actually feel and use it to dispel all skepticism. Take away the martial/SD aspect, you still have one utilitarian tool that I've actually used to carve wood!

From what I'm seeing of Gen. 3, it returned to the much loved original "wharnie" shape but the refinements are absolutely SPOT ON! I bet the comfort level is leaps beyond the one that I have. Once again, a testament to Spyderco's design engineering focus of ergonomics. And the scale attachment option is just icing on the cake!

For those interested, here's a review I did on the Gen. 1 a couple of years back -

http://wandernaut.blogspot.com/2010/10/spyderco-swick-wickedly-nice.html
 
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I just found a frst run '06 swick and bought it. way overpriced but unused condition. No spyderhole on the blade though. I could have paid 1/2 and got this new swick But I dont see the changes as improvements for me. A bigger finger hole is great if youre wearing gloves but I dont 99% of my life so a bigger fingerhole means less security . Thicker stock is ok I guess and worth the extra wght. I do like the handleslab holes. The blade is the real problem for me though. Why in the world did they make the tip rounded and blunt? I decided to pay double to get an old one with a nice needle like point than a roundnose 3 . would like to now if this was the result of the blade grinder at spyderco or an actual design decision to make a blunt rescu type knife that you cant poke yourself with ?
 
glowbug, the blade is more of a hawkbill than a wharnecliffe. I can't take pics now, but if you place the edge of the 3 on a flat surface you can see the inverse curvature and pronounced downward-facing tip. So yes, it does have a tip, it's just not pointing forward like you're expecting. The benefits of this are obvious once you use it, but I definitely understand the concern - if you want to poke holes in things, you have to approach the cutting substrate from a different angle of pressure, which some people simply won't like. But yes, it pokes stuff. It pokes stuff good and proper.

Anyone used to hawkbills will appreciate these features, people who don't will not. I think it's that simple.

Not sure how you determined that the larger hole will be less secure though. I find accessing it is easier since there is a wider area I can access, and unless I plan to shake it off of my hand I don't know how retention would be an issue. I expect retention would be the same as the 1, but would love to see evidence to the contrary.
 
Thanx for the extra input Capital!! That extra description helps me see the differences alot better. Seems like a Hawkbill is kind of like a claw design but not as radical in the edge curvature. Thats cool just seems like the point was rounded too much . They should have either rounded it completely or put a good point on there. I am sure it goes into card board and such just fine and it will be more durable thats for sure. But thru clothing or other soft resilient binding material I am thinking it wont penetrate as well?

I am comparing the larger hole to the hole size of a lagriffe or Emerson. Those are more SD knives though and the smaller hole facilitates a tighter fit on your finger if you slide the knife up past your second knuckle it wont fall off if you open your hand . Its a trade off in both directions. The larger hole plus is it is easier to get your finger in there and draw the knife and thats a plus on speed and ease of acquiring the knife and when wearing gloves . With my Lagriffe and newly acquired Gen 1 Swick I do have to spend a little effort to "work" the hole up past my 2nd knuckle but once there its very secure and I can open my hand and the knife wont spin onto my fingers. when just drawing the knife for general use and only going past the 1st knuckle I dont see any advantage to a bigger hole unless youre wearing gloves which could be a big factor for some I understand that .


Believe me I have been debating and going back and forth for a week straight about it and I am still thinking of getting a new version but keep holding back . Its all my preferences and there will be many who will like these new changes. If they did another leafshape with the other changes I will grab one without hesitation. I would also hope they did a true warncliffe again someday. they really shouldnt call this one a true warncliffe but more a Hawkbill hybrid or something. Its a great price for the knife for sure and I may get one just for the great pricing.
 
We've been evolving this concept for a number of years. Designed to be carried for sure. Input from users help refne the next version. This time we'll make a wharnie and a leaf and wait for feedback. The goal sort of an ultimate as Untamed mentioned.

The most important part about a knife is that you have it with you when you need it. The most important part about a SD edge is tht you don't drop it. Once in place, the Swick is difficult to dislodge.

Not supposed to be a hawkbill, but they're sharpened by hand. Sharpen on a flat stone for an accurate straight edge. Very thin edge geometry is good. "Put a claw on your paw".

Eric suggested making the next version to include a pocket sheath. No clip, no strap, just a "Blade protector". Thoughts?

sal
 
I think that's a great idea Sal. That way the blade is more useful from the get go. I can't really use mine until Sheathpro sends out my sheath. A simple protector still leaves open the option for people to design their own sheath if they see fit.

You're thinking of doing that for the swift 4?
 
Sal Glesser said:
We've been evolving this concept for a number of years. Designed to be carried for sure. Input from users help refne the next version. This time we'll make a wharnie and a leaf and wait for feedback. The goal sort of an ultimate as Untamed mentioned.

The most important part about a knife is that you have it with you when you need it. The most important part about a SD edge is tht you don't drop it. Once in place, the Swick is difficult to dislodge.

Not supposed to be a hawkbill, but they're sharpened by hand. Sharpen on a flat stone for an accurate straight edge. Very thin edge geometry is good. "Put a claw on your paw".

Eric suggested making the next version to include a pocket sheath. No clip, no strap, just a "Blade protector". Thoughts?

sal
Click to expand...

Yep, from Sal himself. I just don't see the hawkbill as someone described it? It's still a wharncliffe since the point is still in line with the cutting edge and forms no discernible curvature whatsoever, which is what a hawkbill is.

Pocket sheath? Of course! I carried it two ways in all the years I've a carried it as a handy little "box cutter"; I rigged an "X-harness" and it sat just under my arm pit (downsides are obvious though; namely sweat, accessibility and deployment). The other time I carried in my RFP with an attached mini-carabiner to my belt for rip-corp style deployment. Accessibility and deployment much improved.

Sal, my humble suggestion: a low-profile, thin sheath for belt-mounted and pocket-carry options.
 
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Wow, this is why I love Spyderco!! Thanx for taking the time time to respond Sal!! Its really a rare thing to see such interest in the consumers input and opinions . Spyderco is a true American success story!!

Here are some pics of the sheath I just made for my newly acquired Swick 1. This is version one. I will probably try another and see how it goes maybe with thinner Kydex. Each time I do one it comes out different either in design or retention. I am getting better but its a skill that takes practice. This sheath has pretty strong retention which I like. I have had fixed blade knives come out of their sheaths too many times to trust anything but the strongest retention. so many Kydex sheaths have slop and weak retention there must be alot of people getting stuck by their knives ,losing their knives or maybe they just buy themm and dont carry them for real as EDCs? The sheath is such an important factor to a good EDC fixed blade!! A pocket sheath would be cool. Just make sure it has a good fit and isnt cheap plastic but real Kydex or Concealex its worth an increase in price. I am finding a preference for carrying front left in a crossdraw on the belt with the knife not quite horizontal using a belt loop . easy to get to and i can cover with my shirt and it doesnt stick into my gut or get snagged on things .thats something else that is an issue for real EDC. solid attachment to the belt or whatever. I dont trust Kydex as a clip material I have had them break also. These belt loops seem ok but the snap isnt as strong as i would like . no issues as of yet though using them so I shall see . I have tried carrying inverted in the pocket with a tether and it works very well also with such a thin knife so I may go back to that especially if concealment is a priority.

I gotta say I love this knife. Its better than the original Perrin designs which I have owned , in so many ways. Sorry Fred but Spyderco has built a better mousetrap :). I didnt even realize this Swick was an 06 model and didnt have the Spydie hole and at first I was a bit disappointed as I love the trademark but now i think its cool and it makes it kinda rare and unusual so I am good with it. I love the stonewash finish on this knife. I usually hate SW finish but this example is really nice very Matte appearance with neat soft yellow and orange tints when the light hits it at an angle. I am glad i spent the extra and got this original version and will be on the lookout for a leafshape blade version.

Untamed i definitley see a downward curve to the tip of the blade on the 3 look at the pics up top with the overlay of the two versions. Its slight but its there. I am sure many will like it. I would definitley like to try the bigger finger hole . the hole on this one is snug for me as i have a chubby index finger on my dominant hand but its very easy to manipulate and rock solid when up past my 2nd knuckle its not going anywhere. This knife is displacing my HAK as its a beter all around EDC. the blade is better oriented for general cutting tasks





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untamed said:
Sal, my humble suggestion: a low-profile, thin sheath for belt-mounted and pocket-carry options.
Click to expand...

Sal:

While I'm on the subject of suggesting (quoting myself above), I think that for the next most likely Swick 4 incarnation, aside from the low-profile, multi-position sheath, how about either putting; a) "micro" guard b) additional jimping or c) a combination thereof on the underside of the handle "hole". For the times I'd like to use it without the "hole grip" by my index finger.

Swicks005.jpg


(Pic by GronK posted above)
 
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untamed said:
Sal:

While I'm on the subject of suggesting (quoting myself above), I think that for the next most likely Swick 4 incarnation, aside from the low-profile, multi-position sheath, how about either putting; a) "micro" guard b) additional jimping or c) a combination thereof on the underside of the handle "hole". For the times I'd like to use it without the "hole grip" by my index finger.
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly! Jimping in that area would be much appreciated by those of us using them for detail work on the bench or desk.
 
In answer to Sal's question. If the Swick came with a blade protector that snapped securely I would likely have already carried it with me a few times rather than keeping it in the box until I get an aftermarket sheath made. I can also see how this might convince a few people to give the blade a try, especially at this price point. I would still, however, be getting the aftermarket sheath in either case because I plan to carry it on my belt rather than in my pocket.

I'm agnostic with regard to the bottom side jimping.
 
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