Who all bought a SWICK?

AmadeusM · Apr 1, 2006

I am considering getting one, but I would need to know how it compares to my La Griffe (pic would be ideal). I can't find a place in MN where I can actually handle one..

smcfalls13 · Apr 2, 2006

aram said:
Noob question. Can someone explain the neck knife concept? I've seen the knife photos, but I can't picture how it's used. Do you reach up and under to draw it? How do you keep from performing accidental appendectomies?

Neck knives are worn on a chain/cord around the neck, typically dangling across the front of your chest. How high or low it dangles is a matter of preference, I personally like it around the sternum area.

For neck knives without holes, you just grab them as you would a normal knife, for those with holes, you can typically put your forefinger in the hole.

Once you have a secure grip(this is important, if it's not secure, you'll give yourself unnecessary surgery) yank straight down to remove the knife from it's sheath, and you are now free to employ the blade for whatever reason you choose. Self defense, or annihilating a few shipping boxes.

Most neck knives have sheaths based on retention. They very rarely fall out of their sheaths(my SWICK has been swung around the room on it's chain, and was still secure in it's sheath)

They're very handy for those times when you don't have pockets(jogging in sweatpants, ), or just don't want your pockets cluttered.

smcfalls13 · Apr 2, 2006

AmadeusM said:
I am considering getting one, but I would need to know how it compares to my La Griffe (pic would be ideal). I can't find a place in MN where I can actually handle one..

La Griffe:

Blade Steel: 154 CM (Satin or Black finish)
Grind: Chisel Grind
Overall Length: 5.0 in.
Blade Length: 1.75 in.
Blade Thickness: .125 in.

Average Price: $65

SWICK

Blade Steel: S30V (Stonewashed)
Grinf: Double Flat Grind
Overall Length: 5.5 in
Blade Length: 2.125 in
Blade Thickness: .125 in

Average Price: $70

I don't own a La Griffe(wish I did though) but by the specs they are of comparable size. The SWICK is slightly longer, both overall and the blade length. They are the same thickness however. Both have skeletonized handles, and the forefinger hole(in my opinion, a must have on neck knives)

I find that the SWICK uses better steel currently, but Emerson may have modified the steel recently, I'm not on top of current events regarding Emerson knives.

The biggest difference is the blade shape(La Griffe is a Hawkbill, while the SWICK is a wharnecliffe) the steels, and the grinds. Both are within five dollars of each other, so price will not likely be a deciding factor.

I've only handled a La Griffe once(had no money to buy it at the time though

) but from what I recall, it was slightly less comfortable in the hand than the SWICK currently is. Not a big deal if it for self defense, but I use mine for utility, so it's comfort is big factor for me.

Sorry, I don't have any comparison shots, or I'd post them.

aram · Apr 2, 2006

Thanks, smcfalls13.

peacefuljeffrey · Apr 4, 2006

buddahair said:
I got one. In my opinion, this is a purely defensive knife, so It doesen't need to be made in high-grade, expensive steel. I won't use it for daily chores, so I'll never have to sharpen it. What I am trying to say is, Spyderco could make it in aus-8, and bring the price down. They would then sell a lot better that way.

I agree, but I would like to see it in 440C, ala Benchmade -- but you know, made by Spyderco.

And I would love to see a drop-point version! Easier to sharpen, easier to cut with if you wanted to do "chores"...

I could see it being available for like what, $35? I'd buy three, probably!

-Jeffrey

peacefuljeffrey · Apr 4, 2006

smcfalls13 said:
Still haven't found the "right" way to wrap it yet though. Perhaps the next color change I'll finally figure it out. You'll notice both colors are wrapped differently. I'm still experimenting.

I've got quite the collection of colored 550 cord; when I get a chance, I'll experiment with wrapping my own Swick, and if it comes out okay, I'll send pictures.

I think I'm going to prefer to remove the core of the cord. I think your specimen without core looks better and neater than the one with the core.

Do you do any knotting on yours, or is it strictly about coiling the cord around the handle; and how do you end it off?

-Jeffrey

peacefuljeffrey · Apr 4, 2006

smcfalls13 said:
Neck knives are worn on a chain/cord around the neck, typically dangling across the front of your chest. How high or low it dangles is a matter of preference, I personally like it around the sternum area.

Once you have a secure grip(this is important, if it's not secure, you'll give yourself unnecessary surgery) yank straight down to remove the knife from it's sheath, and you are now free to employ the blade for whatever reason you choose. Self defense, or annihilating a few shipping boxes.

Why do I get the feeling that the neck knives of most forumites are used predominantly to quickly and eagerly open boxes containing more freshly arrived knives?

They're very handy for those times when you don't have pockets(jogging in sweatpants, ), or just don't want your pockets cluttered.

Mine never comes off except maybe for when I'm being "intamit". I wear my neck knives (Swick or otherwise) in the shower, when swimming, when sleeping... For me, neck knives are for the person who wants to always have a blade available -- and who should not want that?

-Jeffrey

smcfalls13 · Apr 4, 2006

peacefuljeffrey said:
Why do I get the feeling that the neck knives of most forumites are used predominantly to quickly and eagerly open boxes containing more freshly arrived knives?

Guilty as charged

smcfalls13 · Apr 4, 2006

peacefuljeffrey said:
Do you do any knotting on yours, or is it strictly about coiling the cord around the handle; and how do you end it off?

I try and just coil the cord, and tuck the loose ends under the coils to keep them tight. I did some knotting on the first one, but didn't care for how it looked.

smcfalls13 · Apr 4, 2006

peacefuljeffrey said:
I agree, but I would like to see it in 440C, ala Benchmade -- but you know, made by Spyderco.

And I would love to see a drop-point version! Easier to sharpen, easier to cut with if you wanted to do "chores"...

I could see it being available for like what, $35? I'd buy three, probably!

-Jeffrey

I'd like to see it in stonewashed H-1. Give me a slight Hawkbill shape though, or keep the wharnecliffe. It's the most useful blade shape for me.

redneckone · Apr 4, 2006

I carry two Swicks, one neck, and one left front pocket. I also have a Swick NIB in my safe that should pay for the other two next year on ebay if no more are made. If they make more the quality of the steel might be down graded, like the Spyderfly [VG10 to 440] win win either way.

Has any one located a j clip for the Swick sheath? I would like to move my left pocket Swick to IWB carry.

smcfalls13 · Apr 4, 2006

redneckone said:
Has any one located a j clip for the Swick sheath? I would like to move my left pocket Swick to IWB carry.

I'm still looking. The one on my HAK doesn't quite fit. Should I come up with anything, I'll let you know.

redneckone · Apr 5, 2006

Thanks smcfalls13, I appreciate any help locating a j clip. I don't like sending out the sheath.

Just checked NGK and they have 5 Swicks left. NGK has them at a great price, $68 & change and they are very good to deal with. You have to use the advanced search to find them. I can not say enough about the Swick, it is a great knife.

rcbalt2 · Apr 5, 2006

I just Got a swick. If you haven't gotten one by now hurry up because they are great knives and when they are gone you'll have to pay inflated E-bay prices

smcfalls13 · Apr 5, 2006

rcbalt2 said:
I just Got a swick. If you haven't gotten one by now hurry up because they are great knives and when they are gone you'll have to pay inflated E-bay prices

Actually, with the lack of interest in them, I wonder if they actually will go up in price, or if they'll be just stay where they are indefinitely.

Either way I'll make out. If they go up, I'll be sitting on a gold mine, if not, well more SWICKs for me.

redneckone · Apr 7, 2006

NGK has three SWICKS left in stock. I don't care if interest goes up either. I don't want to part with any of my three SWICKS.

smcfalls13 · Apr 7, 2006

redneckone said:
NGK has three SWICKS left in stock. I don't care if interest goes up either. I don't want to part with any of my three SWICKS.

Only 3 left?

Crap I better make some money fast...

zenheretic · Apr 7, 2006

I am ashamed it has taken me 7 days from the birth of a new Swick thread to reply. I have 3 of the little darlings and anyone who doesn't have one is missing the boat. Yes mine is used primarily for opening boxes with more knives in them, then breaking those boxes down.

SMC in my humble attempt to cord wrap my swick, I used a similar technique as your red corded one, although I took the end piece and ended it in a knoted fob.

HornsKeith · Apr 7, 2006

smcfalls13 said:
Only 3 left?

Soon to be 2- I just ordered my first Spyerco knife.

The Pickle will be my second when it comes out.

redneckone · Apr 7, 2006

Anybody heard the eta on the PICKLE, I saw a picture of one on the SPYDERCO FORUM. liked what I read & saw.