How to disassemble and maintain the Spyderco Slysz Swayback Pocketknife (with first impressions)

[@TCSB29]

"Getting into the hole isn't really a major problem" - Nick Shabazz

[@roel.vinckens]

In his major opus "Zenitude".

[@shaunpearson7905]

That has not been my experience.

[@matthewnoll3757]

Put some hair around it, you might find it.

[@gwcgwc1]

Got mine a couple of days ago. I'm in love.

[@ahhcrickets]

My particular Swayback came with a super stiff detent straight out of the gate. I used some KPL and about a weeks worth of flipping even’d it out beautifully. I agree that the smaller Spydie hole is a bit of a learning curve especially if you’re accustomed to the more PM2 sized hole, but I’ve really gotten use to it. I can thumb flick it with the right hand and middle finger flick with the left effortlessly. Really loving this knife way more than I initially thought I would. Absolutely beautiful blade-it shines.

[@danielducu]

Does the blade drop freely when disengaging the lockbar on yours ?

[@mexiburrito]

knifecom mine does after a couple of days of break in.

[@cayman9873]

The blade just started to lock open on mine. Started out very dangerous

[@artemkanarchist]

It’s the exact Spyderco knife from my dreams!

[@JohnClausen]

I love my swayback. I’ve had 2 Bowie’s, and I like the Swayback more, mainly because of the hollow grind

[@rlanger3108]

Damn it Nick, stop showing good knives, I just bought a Zt0562cf and a Spydiechef, plus i'm into watches. My wallet is in pain here.

[@nickschu9057]

He always tells you “don’t get into watches”

[@delgadito99]

Thanks for the disassembly. The stop pin inside the Kufe seems to be a little small. With a bigger stop pin i would by the knife.

[@waynewelshans1172]

I'm surprised you didn't have a bigger objection to the access to the spyder hole! I know you've got the LBH and all but I seriously can only just barely jam the tip of my right thumb nail in there to flick it open and if I try to pull it open like you were doing with my left hand its not much better because the hole is smaller than the width of my finger nail. I'm so bummed I wanted to love this knife, but I hate it because of that issue.

[@cayman9873]

Cant get my finger in there either. Thats not a good design..

[@barkingspider2007]

Spyderco may have used the standard clip to help keep the user from squeezing the lock bar when opening the knife. I have had a problem with less "tall" bladed and handled knives. Thank you for the review.

[@AndyMcGehee]

I went with an RGT Spyderco Universal 3 Hole Clip (blasted finish) for it. It’s subjective, but it greatly improved the aesthetics and the ergonomics for me.

[@formationit5039]

I have the RGT clip for all my other Spyderco Slysz knives and I'll get it for this one.

[@minhkhoinguyen88]

That clip has 1 problem, the screws go so deep through the scale that it scratch the blade, do u have that problem ?

[@klaassiersma4892]

That clip was an eyesoar on the paysan too.

[@PaulBroadwaypaulrbroadway]

And Adam Purvis has already started making custom clips for it!

[@slick_slicers]

I bet that clip works better than most others. It’s like the Rockstead Higo (which you slated for its ‘gas station’ looks), that is one of the easiest to use clips I’ve ever had. Plain & simple isn’t necessarily lazy or bad, if it works well. As William Morris might have said, "have nothing on your knife that you don’t know to function or believe to be beautiful"... not necessarily both!

[@wrjames38]

Apurvis blades already is making some milled Titanium and Timascus clips. Pricey but awesome!

[@eltordo61]

I noticed that you check the washers before reassemble them, which side should face the blade? it seems that one side is slightly rounded than the other.

[@tjtague7460]

When is the full review coming?

[@erhon5]

Haha I agree with the clip conundrum. While it doesn’t look fancy for a knife of that price, Spyderco has had a bunch of misses when they tried to make something more fancy. The traditional clip works well and is replaceable if people really don’t like it.

[@sinjon]

Is having the pins screwed into the blade a normal thing on knives with internal stop pins? It seems the head of the screw would have a negative affect on action. It seems milling the pins out of the blade stock would be better

[@pixelb3285]

The holes are counterbored so the screws don't make contact with the scales. If you wanted to mill the pins out of the blade stock, you'd need a substantially thicker bladestock (which is extremely expensive with the super steels) and then mill it down anywhere except where that pin is (which is expensive, a waste of tools and time). Also the screwed-in pins are replaceable.

[@unknownartist47]

For an amazing knife it should have a amazing clip. That one looks generic to me and someone will come out with a well designed clip.

[@Kilt_Camera_and_Carry]

I was not a fan of the clip at first but in practice it actually worked fairly well ... it does not stick out too much and it allows for a perfect 2 finger pull ... That being said, a clip with a matching finish would have looked better

[@pmreality9046]

I have a lynch northwest deep carry sand washed and it blends beautifully and it carry’s really well! Ergos are still good for me but I have a bigger hand.

[@stephenned1199]

Hey Nick, what is the bit driver you use in this video? Have you talked about it in a previous video I've missed? I'd love one to use at work.

[@stephenned1199]

Not two seconds later you plugged your tool page on your website. Thank you!

[@BrentonCarr]

The clip looks better to me in person than it did in pictures. I'll be keeping it on there. I noticed it is taller than a standard clip. Why I don't know...

[@haldendoerge]

The ideal clip probably would have actually been the non-deep carry wire clip. Avoids the hotspot issue, still matches the other Slysz designs. That might have been a better solution in my little mind.

[@jason_x_90]

I like it. But I just had to throw a lynch clip on there. I'd also hoped it was smaller but overall 9/10

[@ryoonit]

On paper, I can't help but compare this one to the WE Wasabi. Would have appreciated it coming in at 3" blade length.

[@kevinfitz3721]

I took out the lockbar insert to anodize mine so there is a reason yeah it's possible to do it with it still in but really can mess up the ano

[@TheBigCanucker]

I have this and the Bombshell enroute and I hope to have today or tomorrow. I’m so damn excited and I hope to give a review on my channel soon. One question though is the blade finish similar to the blade finish of the Brad Southard Flipper. I haven’t held the Slysz Bowie so I don’t have a comparison. Thanks so much stay safe buddy.

[@louiskoestner4337]

If you want to anodize the titanium, metal must be removed from frame. I learned the hard way.

[@Demanufactur3]

Slwish.. Swish... Slysh... That polish knife maker guy!

[@Geoffroist]

There’s a lot to like about this knife, and overall I love mine. . My biggest gripe is the hotspot from the scales near the lanyard hole. Those edges are legitimately sharp and not chamfered nearly enough. I still haven’t found a comfortable way to grip it. Anyone have any suggestions on aftermarket modders to knock those things down a little bit?

[@roel.vinckens]

Oh God, I'm falling for that blade...

[@HoosierCodger]

Need the Watu video please.

[@thepolarbear5046]

Amazing knife but i think cts xhp is a bit down side of the knife (my point of view) if it were s90v then it will be a bossssssssss

[@cayman9873]

My fingers are too big to get in to open the knife well.. kind of sad... wish it had more of the mirror finish. Like the bowie does. I bought this because i cant find the bowie at a reasonable price.

[@thomash4578]

I like the blade shape

[@oimate4201]

With the world in the state that it’s in, we don’t need a pocket clip to hurt our feelings too. Time to put on the big kid underooskis

[@jtucci5711]

Nick, where can I get those darn tools?

[@tjtague7460]

on his website there is a link to an Amazon page where he put together all of his tools

[@NickShabazz]

nickshabazz.com/tools :D

[@jtucci5711]

@@NickShabazz Just pulling your short leg Nick after hearing you comment how many folks still ask this question. I never thought so many folks would take it as a serious question. Sorry for the inconvenience.

[@BirdDog-50]

I’ve found that the MXG clip for the Benchmade Anthem is excellent.

[@patricks1225]

Why is there a stop pin hole but no stop pin?

[@davidmarshall7752]

There appear to be two internal pins attached to both sides of the tang that move within the semi-circular track in the handle.

[@taracor2000]

I assume it's a no-go on the lefty spydie-flick?

[@coachfox4998]

Use ur middle finger to flick it if your a lefty

[@jbeers1234]

Already returned mine. The Bowie is great, but it’s been all downhill from my Polish brother since then.

[@HaesslichG]

Wish I could get this but I can't justify it given the current Spyderco pricing.

[@gmtmastertoo]

yeah I agree. needed to pay for the "spyder logo" tax, I guess.

[@TheStabbyCyclist]

Just join the military and then you can get their OpFocus pricing. :P

[@Mike_Pedals]

Only reason to remove the lock bar insert is to anodize the scales

[@cast4597]

6:05 me when i get perfect action out of the box

[@chazfromtheburg]

It would be a sin for me to "flip" this knife open. It is so smooth, and the slow open is sublime. Btw, the hole pattern on the clip is not standard. It varies slightly from other Spyderco 3 hole factory clips and seems to be unique to the Swayback. After I got the custom clip made, this knife now is just as nice to me as my Bowie. Marcin Slysz is in a league of his own. I wish he would collaborate with Reate at some point in the future. I would love to see them translate one of his customs into a production version. Goals

[@stevefavero3204]

Lynch clip went on mine without issue

[@anteck7goat]

If you are going to anodize the knife, then make sure you take out the insert.

[@christianxentaras1919]

This would be amazing if it were a 2.5 or maybe 3” blade to keep it in the general size range that we see most swaybacks in imo. The fact that its bigger than the bowie is a little nuts... Looks good otherwise!

[@NoOne-ki3bm]

But is it a Slysz Bowie2? No seriously, I wish they would release a Bowie2

[@turdferguson2874]

"They're cotemporal" This mothah fuckah I STG 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@birdlaw1019]

Am I the only one that thinks the blade looks like it is upside down?

[@mettop9041]

Nah

[@MrLlama999]

Comes with the Swayback territory

[@TheStabbyCyclist]

That's literally the "swayback" style.

[@olvera6710]

@@TheStabbyCyclist lol, right.

[@mattszymanski4684]

I just want a PM2 in Lc200n. I'd like ZT to do a Entropy in better materials. A Spydeeco endura with a compression lock would also be nice.

[@benneee183]

Something to consider when you are working on the full review; I find that this is an upside down knife. Try assessing the ergos while holding the blade facing up in the right hand, thumb on the ramp at the bottom of the blade. I find it rather comfortable in this grip even with the factory clip.

[@markb3727]

Nope. Taichung and Golden clips are not interchangeable. Look the same, but the hole spacing is a smidge wider on the Taichung.

[@marcovoltolini4590]

The Spyderco SUISCHBOOHEE!! :D

[@dfailsthemost]

Going in, I feel like this is going to be $4000000000. Edit: it's $273 on bladehq so that's not crazy. I expected it to be Drunken priced.

[@1fareast14]

Still insane for what it is

[@dfailsthemost]

@@1fareast14 For contoured titanium Spyderco from a top tier designer, I can live with $273. I can't afford it, but it's not disgusting. Could be $220 in a perfect world. But every knife could really be about $80 cheaper these days.

[@1fareast14]

@@dfailsthemost It's interesting, companies like manly and viper as sold on lamnia.fi are very reasonable. If Benchmade sold anything like the viper novis, they'd prolly charge out the ass

[@cayman9873]

The one I bought does not lock open. Contacted spyderco and blade hq and cant get any help getting it returned or fixed. Beware *****

[@DerkethusSpondangle]

I never though this day would come. we all know spyderco made this knife for nick.

[@mforrest1508]

not sure why they went with the insert. just added complication. All the slysz designs have been rock sold without it. Steel has more of a tendancy to slip unless it is fit together by a skilled person and that generally takes a lot of time and those types of knives are generally starting at 400$. Based on other spyderco frame locks with an insert I dont have a ton of confidence. maybe im wrong. And the clip! dude everyone loves the wire clip.... come on.

[@dantem5228]

I wish it was more We Pleroma sized tbh.

[@danielducu]

Smooth but the blade does not drop freely when disengaging the lock bar :(

[@carlosmaldonado6200]

They should make a mini version.

[@Cenicebri0]

I still think it should have been the wire clip, but then, I'm just another random jackass in the internet

[@boristabacsplatt6609]

This Spydie is not floating my boat at all, I'm afraid. They could have done a much better job at that price and I don't think the Swayback even comes close to the Slysz Bowie, which I really like a lot. To me it seems that Spyderco are losing the plot at the moment and I think they need to see what's going on in the rest of the knife industry and up their game.

[@kyleralph1778]

They should have just brought the knife people wanted

[@gregwalker4236]

well, if $290.00 is reasonable, that explains a lot. we are so used to rediculous prices, that the sky really is the limit for a few pieces of metal that accomplish little more than a utility knife. where are the people in the white coats?

[@tyroneshoelaces9742]

The ugly; 273 bucks! I have been saying this about Spyderco for 4 years. They are just ridiculously overpriced. Also, they should have at least put a milled titanium clip on that instead of just the normal steel spoon clip.

[@clintonlewis1261]

👍

[@randallkelley3599]

I must have this blade since I was not smart enough to get the buu-eee.

[@cayman9873]

Wish i had a bowie.. this swayback is like winning 5th place.. compared to the bowie

[@matthewnoll3757]

The away back is an over hyped sheep's foot. Thanks Spyderco.

[@randallkelley3599]

Nick. I know you leave those threads on the mat just to bug me!!!! %*

[@thomash4578]

And it is tilted

[@davidwatson3035]

I have all of the previous Spyderco / Slysz collaborations and like many collectors was eagerly looking forward to this release. Thanks for the first impression. I'm going to hold off on this. First it's larger than I thought it would be. I'd have preferred something more gentlemanly, perhaps a little larger than the Techno. The clip is awful and out of sequence with all the other Spyderco Slyszes. Finally it looks a little boring. My views may change but overall I'm disappointed.

[@Baaddu]

Love the blade but design not friendly to lefty so it won’t find a place in my pocket 🙁

[@coachfox4998]

I’m a lefty I use the middle finger to spydie flick it

[@jacknemo8021]

Least attractive knife 2020.

[@sinjon]

Jack Nemo I don’t any of the Slysz knives are meant to be lookers but damn they’re functional. I love my techno 2

[@gasparortega8838]

The,The,The,The,There !

[@acartledge88]

Clip is trash. Wire is best. Wish you showed as much passion with other knives.

[@cayman9873]

I bought mine. No lock open !!!!

[@dm3639]

I'm glad it Has the standard clip. I won't buy another knife with smooth scales and a wire clip after the kapara. Darn thing tires to escape my pocket at every opportunity. There are many choices of aftermarket replacements for the standard clip too, so you aren't screwed if you want to change it out, like with with drunken and it's uniquely terrible clip.

[@MrRPM110]

I want a cheaper alternative

[@mcrn12]

Not 2nd

[@steveshames6199]

This knife needed to be 3 inches of blade for the aesthetic it’s going for. I feel it’s trying to be too many things.

[@ledlelee4519]

If your willing to pay more, then I can recommend BladeChops on Instagram. He can chop the blade to 3 inches, and give it a different clip. It will be pricy, over 100 dollars, not sure how much exactly but you can always talk to him. Look at his profile you can see swaybacks he has chopped. Totally worth it in my opinion

[@ericoconnell4857]

Please everyone give me free stuff, nerdy hack!!

[@jtucci5711]

$273 ? I think I saw $39 worth of parts, that's a lot of marketing, did I hear you say no marketing ? What else would justify this price, oh yeah all you fan boys that make it possible. Lol all day long.

[@tyroneshoelaces9742]

Exactly. Way overpriced.

[@thomash4578]

Spider tax

[@Briandavidedc]

The fit and finish.. The 3d contouring (it isn't cheap to do).. steel used.. grinds for the swedge... just to name a few.

[@jtucci5711]

@@thomash4578 Self imposed Spyder tax, lol. For a brand that is at the top of production knives I sure see a lot being sold on the secondary market, on BF every forth knife listing is for a Spyderco,. I own one Spyderco, the Manix and that suits me just right.

[@therealmccoy9948]

I really hate the look of it

[@dimi7055]

first

[@Harkwit]

not first

[@NickShabazz]

You were the first to have one!

[@dimi7055]

its way way too big for its design, the clip is still ugly regardless or if its a safe option or not. and indeed the cutout and the hole are a problem... if this had a TI spyderco clip like the carribean, was 30-35% smaller and had a good cutout with a larger hole i would buy this without thinking twice.

[@Tankman333]

Dimitry real question is the cut out the actual term used for that part of the knife or design? thanks

[@kyleralph1778]

Why didn't they just do a bowie ive been waiting forever i for sure dont want that stupid looking knife

[@alpine1600s]

Blade: CTS-XHP $50 Handle: Titanium $145 Spyderco name: $195 MSRP: $390 Buying a Cold Steel Knife: Priceless.