What do the rest think of the Spyderco Swayback?

Mako109

Mako109

Joined
Dec 17, 2008
Messages
729
The Swayback is getting a lot of love from the fanboys on the Spyderco section and on Spyderco's own forum, no surprise there. But what do the rest of you think of the Swayback?

I enjoy many knife brands including Spyderco. While I don't care for many of their models, I think they make a few that are absolute standouts. I'm beginning to think the Swayback is one of them, but still kind of on the fence. Love the finish of the steel and handle, but the traditional swayback design is new to me.
 
Yes I agree , the Swayback is one of those standouts. I like it a lot and kick myself for not getting a Slysz Bowie when they were available.
 
Received 172 views in 24 hours and only one response. That's a little surprising considering the fanboy attention the Spyderco Swayback has received on the Spyderco discussion boards since the knife's release. I suppose one can interpret the lack of response here as an indication of the "general knife community's" feelings about the Swayback. Not sure how well the community is represented in this forum so have to take that into consideration.

It's ok to say you don't like the Spyderco Swayback but please tell us why. Perhaps a little more time will garner some interesting feedback.
 
There are already about 3 Swayback threads in Spyderco sub and at least one in reviews and testing. Most folks like them but they've already spoken their piece.
 
I wouldn't say I don't like it, completely ambivalent about it. If someone gave me one I'd probably be happy to have it but have no desire to purchase one. Not even close to being something I'd pine for, just not my thing. I'm o.k. w/Spyderco, have 7 or 8, they make a fine knife. The price is right in the range of a quality Ti framelock, even on the lower end relative to the market, I'm good with the steel choice also. I like the full Ti frame and hollow grind but other than that it's a pass.
 
Personally, I'm not a fan of the swayback style of knife in any brand. That's the main reason I didn't jump on one. The knife is getting good reviews, I'm sure some of it is due to the excitement of a new release, some are genuine reviews. All the fanboys can't be wrong.
 
I’m the guy that started the thread in the knife review section.

In short, quality is on par with the price, it’s unique, and it slices like crazy. Deployment was frustrating for me in the beginning and I almost sold the knife. I’m glad I didn’t, as I’m really enjoying the knife now.

It’s the primary half of my 2-knife EDC rotation for the summer.



I don’t think it’ll displace my top favorite knives, but ask me after Labor Day and I may have changed my mind.
 
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Too big. I handled one recently and it was much larger than I was hoping. A 3" blade and I would have purchased one on day one.
 
Nice design and look but about 100 over priced
Missed opportunity not adding jimping for alt front flipper opening
Same standard zero effort crappy clip, holes + lanyard. bleh
 
I’m a fanboy but i think you have to have a lot of disposable income or be a big Spyderco fan to buy it, on average. Keep in mind it is a $270 Spyderco knife, putting it in upper tier in cost, with the likes of the Paysan, drunken, bombshell, Slysz Bowie, etc. (albeit lower upper tier, just beyond the PM2 maxamet and sprint run shamans, which are upper middle tier).
My opinion is that if cost were not an issue, it would be catching rave reviews by and large. More people owning it means more feedback. I think you’re going to need to give it a little time, and let some used models hit the secondary before you start seeing good saturation. This isn’t exactly a delica or endura, there just aren’t many owners out there yet and I assume a good portion of the people that initially bought it did so due to one or more of the following: assumptions of scarcity, being the first, or making a profit... which is going to delay reviews coming out as well.
 
It is a classic. :p

Excellent blade (grind, materials, look) and I love how it functions. I like the off beat design and get that it isn't for everyone but I don't think it is overpriced (in terms of the price it is actually being sold at). I am switching out the clip - my only complaint.
 
I own one and and I really like it. Its very different. Deployment is not difficult but it takes a little getting used to. I can spydieflick with my left middle finger relatively easily but its not practical. It feels very unique. Its action is very smooth and hydraulic in feel. I am overjoyed its not a flipper. I like the size of it. It is a keeper for me.
luI5GBg.jpg
 
There are a lot of pros to the knife:

Cuts extremely well
Action is very smooth
The swayback handle design is interesting,and surprisingly useful in leveraging the wharncliffe blade

While I don’t HATE the pocket clip, I’m starting to think they should’ve went with a wire clip. I think if this knife had a wire clip, you could pretty much call it the God of all Spyderco production knives.

If someone offered a fair priced mod to convert it, I’d pay.
 
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Roy Batty said:
There are a lot of pros to the knife:

Cuts extremely well
Action is very smooth
The swayback handle design is interesting,and surprisingly useful in leveraging the wharncliffe blade

While I don’t HATE the pocket clip, I’m starting to think they should’ve went with a wire clip. I think if this knife had a wire clip, you could pretty much call it the God of all Spyderco production knives.

If someone offered a fair priced mod to convert it, I’d pay.
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I agree with all of that.
 
I think a lot of people might be uninterested but don't want to say so in your thread. I saw this thread and didn't want to say anything out of fear of being accused of being negative.

I don't really like any of the Slysz Spyderco models, and I particularly dislike this model. I say that as a pretty big fan of Spyderco. Like with his other Spyderco collaborations, the blade and handle shapes and finishing just don't do it for me. I don't want a straight edged knife with such an odd point profile. The blade seems a bit too thick for such a shallow primary grind, so I don't expect it to part material very well. The titanium handles aren't shaped in a way that seems like they'd be comfortable in my hands, and the abrupt cutout for the Spydiehole on all of those collaborations is something I consider poor design work. I'm also not a fan of the "swayback" of the handle. Taichung makes decent stuff, but of the Spydercos I've owned the Golden models have been better made than the Taichung models, so I'd personally prefer for something like this to be made in the Golden factory. All in all, I'm not interested in the slightest in this model. I'm glad fans of Marcin Slysz's designs are happy with it, but I doubt it sells well or sticks around for long.
 
Around a week in with mine, and it's been a positive experience so far. It is a little on the larger side compared to what I usually carry. Would love to see a slightly smaller version come out but won't hold my breath.

Fit and finish are good, but there are a couple of things that I have issue with. The lockbar cutout edges are pretty sharp, and can be felt in use. Also, the corner at the back of the frame at the lanyard hole makes a bit of a hot spot. Would be a bit better for me if it were rounded a bit. I did swap the clip out for an MXG clip and am happy with the change.

The star of the show is the blade. It's fantastic! Considering the blade and how it handles, all my perceived issues above are more than forgiven :)

eTInYgR.jpg


lTERZoj.jpg

Recycled photos as thread can always use more pictures
 
marrenmiller said:
I think a lot of people might be uninterested but don't want to say so in your thread. I saw this thread and didn't want to say anything out of fear of being accused of being negative.

I don't really like any of the Slysz Spyderco models, and I particularly dislike this model. I say that as a pretty big fan of Spyderco. Like with his other Spyderco collaborations, the blade and handle shapes and finishing just don't do it for me. I don't want a straight edged knife with such an odd point profile. The blade seems a bit too thick for such a shallow primary grind, so I don't expect it to part material very well. The titanium handles aren't shaped in a way that seems like they'd be comfortable in my hands, and the abrupt cutout for the Spydiehole on all of those collaborations is something I consider poor design work. I'm also not a fan of the "swayback" of the handle. Taichung makes decent stuff, but of the Spydercos I've owned the Golden models have been better made than the Taichung models, so I'd personally prefer for something like this to be made in the Golden factory. All in all, I'm not interested in the slightest in this model. I'm glad fans of Marcin Slysz's designs are happy with it, but I doubt it sells well or sticks around for long.
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Well that sounds negative! (TOTALLY just kidding :D)

As someone who almost unloaded his Swayback, I won’t fault anyone for not being a fan of the knife!

The Swayback is a niche knife and as such, a bit polarizing. I also will be curious to see how long it stays around. I think most folks who anticipated the knife will be early adopters. After that, will it have staying power?
 
jp9mm said:
Missed opportunity not adding jimping for alt front flipper opening
Same standard zero effort crappy clip, holes + lanyard. bleh
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same about the potential for front flipping. If designed right it would sort of make up for the issues some are having with the small cutout for the Spydiehole.

Totally agree with you (and almost everyone else) about the clip.

Roy Batty said:
There are a lot of pros to the knife:

Cuts extremely well
Action is very smooth
The swayback handle design is interesting,and surprisingly useful in leveraging the wharncliffe blade

While I don’t HATE the pocket clip, I’m starting to think they should’ve went with a wire clip. I think if this knife had a wire clip, you could pretty much call it the God of all Spyderco production knives.

If someone offered a fair priced mod to convert it, I’d pay.
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Yes, I would pay for a wire clip mod too! That's if I had a Swayback [smiley face].

marrenmiller said:
I think a lot of people might be uninterested but don't want to say so in your thread. I saw this thread and didn't want to say anything out of fear of being accused of being negative.

I don't really like any of the Slysz Spyderco models, and I particularly dislike this model. I say that as a pretty big fan of Spyderco. Like with his other Spyderco collaborations, the blade and handle shapes and finishing just don't do it for me. I don't want a straight edged knife with such an odd point profile. The blade seems a bit too thick for such a shallow primary grind, so I don't expect it to part material very well. The titanium handles aren't shaped in a way that seems like they'd be comfortable in my hands, and the abrupt cutout for the Spydiehole on all of those collaborations is something I consider poor design work. I'm also not a fan of the "swayback" of the handle. Taichung makes decent stuff, but of the Spydercos I've owned the Golden models have been better made than the Taichung models, so I'd personally prefer for something like this to be made in the Golden factory. All in all, I'm not interested in the slightest in this model. I'm glad fans of Marcin Slysz's designs are happy with it, but I doubt it sells well or sticks around for long.
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I'm glad you responded Marren. With seemingly everyone oohing and awing every time the name "Slyz" is mentioned, I was beginning to feel like the odd man out. I never cared for his Bowie, Techno and Spydiechef designs. There I said it and thanks for making me feel not alone. But I'm kinda beginning to like the Swayback.

Crazy Canuck said:
Around a week in with mine, and it's been a positive experience so far. It is a little on the larger side compared to what I usually carry. Would love to see a slightly smaller version come out but won't hold my breath.

Fit and finish are good, but there are a couple of things that I have issue with. The lockbar cutout edges are pretty sharp, and can be felt in use. Also, the corner at the back of the frame at the lanyard hole makes a bit of a hot spot. Would be a bit better for me if it were rounded a bit. I did swap the clip out for an MXG clip and am happy with the change.

The star of the show is the blade. It's fantastic! Considering the blade and how it handles, all my perceived issues above are more than forgiven :)

eTInYgR.jpg


lTERZoj.jpg

Recycled photos as thread can always use more pictures
Click to expand...

Thanks for pointing out the pros and cons. I like that MXG clip, it's a significant improvement!

4mer_FMF said:
Well that sounds negative! (TOTALLY just kidding :D)

As someone who almost unloaded his Swayback, I won’t fault anyone for not being a fan of the knife!

The Swayback is a niche knife and as such, a bit polarizing. I also will be curious to see how long it stays around. I think most folks who anticipated the knife will be early adopters. After that, will it have staying power?
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"Staying power" is great point. I've been fooled by the enthusiastic responses of early adapters/fanboys before and ended up with knives which really didn't live up to the hype. Hence my main reason for posting this question under "General Discussion" rather than the Sypderco sub.

halden.doerge said:
Mine is arriving tomorrow, finally! I look forward to sharing my thoughts on it soon. :)
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Looking forward to learning about your impressions of the Swayback!
 
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