Szabo and LionSpy

Wolverine666

Wolverine666

Joined
Dec 7, 2009
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I'm looking at two very different knives. The Szabo and the Lionspy. Im interested in both very much.

Just looking to hear any and all comments on both blades from those who have experience with either one.

Is the build quality and fit&finish up to the typical standard of excellence that I have become use to from Spyderco ?
 
Well, it really depends on what you'll be using it for. The LionSpy will probably suit most people's edc standards, whereas the Szabo will not.

Buuuut... if you're like me, and adore knives in the 4+ inch blade length department, I can't recommend the Szabo highly enough. I don't own a LionSpy yet, so I can only comment on the Szabo. The build quality is outstanding, as is fit and finish. It came razor sharp with no blade play, and the blade dead center when closed. The carbon fiber laminated g10 scales are breathtaking, especially in the sunlight. Also, don't be intimidated by the spring tension on the blade. Some say it makes her slightly difficult to open, but I found the action buttery smooth.

And, if you so fancy, the Szabo is now being offered with a black coated blade.
 
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Lscf scales and overall size of the Szabo truly distinguish it. The Lionspy has a fantastically overbuilt lock side, very nice stuff.

For me, Szabo all the way. Keep in mind it's so large it might be illegal I'm some places.
 
Thanks guys. Yes , I think the Szabo will be my choice. Now to decide between black blade or satin blade.
 
Lightning strike satin is now disco,d get that then the black although my reasoning is that the disco models are harder to get here .
The lionspy looks a great knife too although a complete u turn from the Szabo .
 
Have only held the LionSpy, but owned a Szabo for a short time. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big Laci Szabo design fan, but this knife just wasn't for me. It was a tad too big and heavy for my EDC role. I know is a purpose driven design, but, personal preference here guys, it was just too much for me. Even after I tweaked the self close mechanism, I didn't care for it and much prefer a regular detent. Put Titanium liners in it and a regular detent, getting rid of the self close, and it would still be in my pocket. Just my two cents.
 
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It was Disco'd when the black blade came out. Hope you like Monster knives. That one is a BEAST.
 
There are plenty of the satin blade Szabo in the pipeline for around $170 before they're all gone.
 
I just ordered my Lightning Strike/Satin today. I've been looking for a big beefy knife. So this one should fit the bill.

The all-black one looks great too. Might have to order that one ax well.

But one step at a time.
 
Although not really similar apart from big and beefy the Vallotton has to be one if the best production knives out there.
So classy a heft of a blade quality scales and a feel all its own , stands out as a knife that will be considered a classic in the future IMO .
Love it sv30 , polished g10 studs that act as stop pins really cool knife .
 
Small and mid size knives are usually my bread and butter. But every so often I like to have a bigger knife on me. Esp one that looks as sick at the Szabo. What a beautiful knife.

Would I carry it in dress pants to dinner? Prob not. But in jeans , a coat , on a job or out casually I def will. Always hidden , of course. But always ready.
 
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Here are comparison pictures of the two Szabos next to Military Ti and LionSpy. Shows you how big Szabo is!

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How I wish we were allowed the Fly in the uk :( , I really would've loved to have seen th LS CF been thicker though.
It seems very thin and with this style of scale its the thickness that gives it the look which makes lightning strike look do good .
I hope I can get one though , the black appeals to me less but I'd still not turn it down .
 
RamZar , those are some great pics. That Szabo is def huge. If only Spyderco had a "Mini Szabo".

Anyway , the LionSpy looks awesome. I like a beefy knife. I don't know much about Elmax though. Time for some research.
 
Wolverine666 said:
RamZar , those are some great pics. That Szabo is def huge. If only Spyderco had a "Mini Szabo".
Click to expand...

There was talk of a mini Szabo but remember that it was designed as a stand-off self-defense knife. It has a unique niche.

If you want something beefy but with a 3" blade and self-defense capability and terrific cutter try Yojimbo 2.
 
RamZar said:
There was talk of a mini Szabo but remember that it was designed as a stand-off self-defense knife. It has a unique niche.
If you want something beefy but with a 3" blade and self-defense capability and terrific cutter try Yojimbo 2.
Click to expand...

The Yo2 is one of my fave knives of all time. I just dropped mine in the ocean last month. I am ordering a replacement. It's such a sick blade.
 
RamZar said:
There was talk of a mini Szabo but remember that it was designed as a stand-off self-defense knife. It has a unique niche.

If you want something beefy but with a 3" blade and self-defense capability and terrific cutter try Yojimbo 2.
Click to expand...

Yes but look at the civilian, designed for one purpose. They came out with the matriarch which is a smaller lighter version and there is a "lil matriarch" which is a smaller yet version.
All be it the matriarch was only made because a South African distributor requested such a knife and Spyderco made it. You can currently get the Matriarch 2 and the Lil Matriarch still I believe. They use the endura and delica style handles for them.

The Szabo is a sick knife none the less and I want one even if I'll never carry it. It almost frightens me just looking at it. I can't imagine having one of those pulled on me o.o
It has a very intimidating design in my opinion.

OP: I'd probably go for the LionSpy personally. Only because the Szabo is too large for me to carry. If they offered a smaller version I'd get that over the LionSpy instead. It's too wide of a knife. Doesn't appeal to me that much.
 
Swoop03 said:
Yes but look at the civilian, designed for one purpose. They came out with the matriarch which is a smaller lighter version and there is a "lil matriarch" which is a smaller yet version.
All be it the matriarch was only made because a South African distributor requested such a knife and Spyderco made it. You can currently get the Matriarch 2 and the Lil Matriarch still I believe. They use the endura and delica style handles for them.
Click to expand...

Hopefully, Spyderco will make a Szabo 3.5!

Swoop03 said:
I'd probably go for the LionSpy personally. Only because the Szabo is too large for me to carry. If they offered a smaller version I'd get that over the LionSpy instead. It's too wide of a knife. Doesn't appeal to me that much.
Click to expand...

Actually, upon measurement, when closed LionSpy is wider than Szabo: 1.934" vs. 1.81". Szabo is way longer and weighs more. I think LionSpy has the thickest blade of any Spyderco folder at 0.177".
 
RamZar said:
Actually, upon measurement, when closed LionSpy is wider than Szabo: 1.934" vs. 1.81". Szabo is way longer and weighs more. I think LionSpy has the thickest blade of any Spyderco folder at 0.177".
Click to expand...

The Techno has the same thickness blade but not really in the same league here. Just some helpful info.
 
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