The Spyderco Emphasis Pocketknife: The Full Nick Shabazz Review

[@Ravenankh]

As a member of United Brotherhood of Vaseline Factory Workers local 414, I always appreciate Nick’s reviews.

[@thomash4578]

You just had to slip that in, huh? :)

[@Gemini2thecore]

Wow, a Spyderco with 9Cr13Mov? Just go buy a Honey Badger for $32-36 and call it a day. Great review Nick!

[@FullyAdamatic]

And they are starting some in D2 for this price🤔

[@Pinki2019]

I know you're primarily a gem hunter, but it's really helpful when you scrutinize some of the budget knives. I don't think anyone expects them to be perfect, but it's good to know the flaws before making an impulsive purchase.

[@NickShabazz]

Gems aren't about price point! Great budget knives are just as important.

[@ioanrafaelcodrea7560]

Got the efficient (a scaled down version of the emphasis) in a “blackout” version. I hated the Teflon washers so much that I went to Leroy merlin (an European version of brico depot) and I got me a pair of phosphor bronze washers for a couple bucks. I installed them on the knife and it runs smoother than it did before. If you don’t mind disassembling your pocket knife, I’d recommend y’all doing this, it’s worth it if you want a more premium feel to the knife itself.

[@thepracticalblade9013]

This frustrates me so much. I'm relatively new to the knife world / knife reviewing world myself, but I'm having such a hard time justifying Spyderco knife purchases over so many other brands, especially when compared to the prominent Chinese brands like WE/Civivi and Bestech. $50 for this knife is unacceptable. Honestly. I can't even begin to imagine how much of that price is literally just paying for the Spyderco name. $50 for 8cr13mov? Seriously? You don't even have to resort to Chinese brand knives to get D2 for less than that (Looking at you, Ontario RAT1/2). And then the fit and finish issues? The choil? The plastic washers? Talk about zero effort dude. Come on. I'm betting the only reason this is $50 is because they've got Byrd brand knives that compete with this at $35 and they need to make uninformed buyers believe there must be something that they're paying for... Aside from a name, of course... because, honestly, this is a $35 knife at most... And the most frustrating part is that Spyderco has some amazing knives, so we KNOW they're capable of producing a knife at this price point that is great... and this kind of thing makes it feel like they're just consciously choosing not to. The spyder tax is approaching the butterfly tax, at this rate... Good review as always. Damn shame on the production quality.

[@johndesper9425]

The Spyderco tax was always on par with the Benchmade tax.

[@DaveLikesKnives]

The Tenacious line has always been $50. That was easier to swallow back when its biggest competition was the RAT, but now it is inexcusable. At least that one, they're finally trying to do creative stuff with, in the lightweight and S35VN variants. What does the Emphasis line have going for it? Not much...

[@Pinki2019]

@@johndesper9425 But at least Spyderco has a lot of models at lower price points, even if there is a Spyderco tax on them. They make it possible for everyone who wants to try a Spyderco to be able to do so rather painlessly. All of Benchmade's knives are expensive, far as I know.

[@rlanger3108]

@@johndesper9425 I disagree. You can get a manix 2 for 120 bucks, waaaaay less than a benchmade 940, and I fully believe it's a better knife. At the very least, it's larger and made of the same materials. For griptilian money, pick up a Native 5.

[@alwong604]

I contend that the weight of the knife is actually a selling feature. This knife will not appeal to us snobs... I mean "enthusiasts". For those who are new to knives, a Heavier knife conveys the feeling of quality and sturdiness. Something that can take hard use.

[@soulzzplaysgames]

Is that.... a sharpening choil? On a Spyderco? What kinda crazy loopey land have we entered?

[@ericthorpe5670]

The tiniest little guy, but a sharpening choil nonetheless!

[@JadeGeminiM390]

This is 2020 for sure

[@MyEnemy]

END OF DAYS! XD

[@andreasplosky8516]

I really love the design, but in Europe I have to pay almost 100 dollars for it. Just imagine what you can buy for that if you go with Kizer, Bestech, QSP, Artisan, Two Sun etc etc: ceramic ball bearings, Sandvik steel, VG10, S35VN, or D2, high quality scale materials, even titanium, and a luxurious design. Spyderco just can not compete, not even close. Being a collector I own 3 Spydercos, but in comparison: I own 22 Two Suns, 9 Bestechs, 15 Kizers and so on. All of these knives are made of better materials than the Spydercos. I am saying this, because it saddens me that buying Spyderco simply is not affordable and it amounts to buying inferior knives for a higher price. Buying Spyderco equates to being foolish.

[@clintonlewis1261]

Yeah should be maybe 30 bucks, great review!

[@dougmeldrum8977]

I just picked up a second for $27. Now it’s in the right price range. Thanks for the review Nick.

[@jeffreyfinney6930]

Love this line of knives I have both the insistent and efficient plan on getting the emphasis to.

[@MrBarnea]

I like the design, and you do have a point about the 8cr thing, but for me it's not a deal breaker. Those plastic washers are! Do tou think one could get good bronze washers to replace these that would fit? I'd love to see that video. Thanks for another great review.

[@Judgement_Kazzy]

Especially considering the cheaper and much older Tenacious uses the same steel and bronze washers.

[@JustIn-op6oy]

I have to say that I am not sure if it's totally fair to lump in the way spyderco uses 8Cr with other makers as their heat treat somehow gets a LOT out of the steel (think along the lines of the Bos heat treated 420 HC vs other makes in 420 HC). My father has a byrd harrier in his edc rotation and I do all the maintenance & sharpening for his knives. The harrier seems to go much further in between needing touch ups than any other 8Cr/Aus8 knife I have come across. No idea what they are doing different than everyone else, but they are doing something with the treatment that keeps the edge chugging along nicely for far longer than expected.

[@admiraljosh]

Plastic washers tho. When I can get a d2 Elementum on bearings for less.

[@fredf9562]

Hi are you planning on reviewing the Spyderco Astute?

[@hcastel]

I am very disappointed that Spyderco is putting out knives of this quality at any price. Do they really need to tarnish their brand to make a few extra dollars.

[@Zaque-TV]

Seriously. It took HOW long to put out a tenacious with good steel? Thats a damn good knife and these all deserve better quality. Move out of china, spyderco 😁

[@lionknives3]

@@Zaque-TV yeah right! Now the tenacious has s35vn.

[@The4cp]

Some people don't want to carry a $100 knife in a job where it can easily be lost or just gets beat on. People use these budget knives daily. I've carried a Tenacious for years. Will I get the $90 upgrade? Absolutely. Will I take it to work and treat it like it's disposable? No. That's why there's a $40 Tenacious.

[@mattn563]

Looks similar in profile to the 3 rivers, compare close? Looks super chunky

[@cashdingo6386]

Shouldve made it without the forward finger choil, I know that's heresy at Spyderco but not every knife needs it!

[@MetalRush666]

Good looking blade. It would be more appealing if it was in the more premium end of the spyderco lineup

[@malifor2210]

You're correct, in Colorado basically everything is legal except anything over 3.5 inches when you're concealed carrying which is most folding knives unfortunately. It sucks I'm missing out on a lot of nice interesting bigger knives.

[@DavidNefelimSlayer]

This 8Cr13MoV is done correctly. I have experienced D2 as different brands from the same country that were not hardened or I suspect normalized correctly. These Chinese DCF bars probably comes down to experience with older type production, manually operated exothermic atmosphere furnaces, where anoxidizing atmosphere is required. Excess oxygen of about 4 to 6% is preferred. The D2 requires modern furnace to optimize its properties and even then it is debatable whether the best treatment will render substantial advantage. Generally D2 steel at its best is not better than the 8Cr13Mov produced in the same country. Or so is my conjecture.

[@MegaMastiffman]

Why not compare this to the Tenacious? Honest question I’m new to spider co. And knifes like these in general. anyone????

[@IlliniDog01]

The Tenacious, and the others in that line are superior IMO. They also suffer from the poor steel choice, but there is a new version out now in S30V I think.

[@MegaMastiffman]

IlliniDog01 Thank you appreciate the knowledge

[@normal1972]

I really like some of the designs in Spyderco's Chinese line, including this one. I would definitely like to see a switch to 14c28n. D2 is not much better than 8cr, but Sandvik is a pretty consistant, solid performer. I am very happy to see that they are releasing the Tenacious Lightweight in a s35vn model. That one will definitely be worth checking out.

[@banditgriot2000]

Spyderco sells a number of great and popular designs just over the 3.5" mark, which is ironic given the company's hq is located in Colorado. Kinda glad this one is over the limit though...

[@teddycaflisch3835]

But do you have a benchmade gold class crooked river?!?

[@TyyyJ]

Spyderco Atom

[@nich882]

This was my first thought too

[@TyyyJ]

@@nich882 glad I'm not crazy!

[@gemknives6229]

Reminds me of the trm atom.

[@MyEnemy]

I feel like a lot of people judge this line of knives before they've actually held one. I think Spyderco's fit-and-finish is still better than most other inexpensive lines from other companies. To me, that's worth giving up bronze washers for Teflon or Chinese steel for VG-10.

[@IlliniDog01]

I own the sister knife to this one, the Efficient, but I just never carry it. For me, the liners are unnecessarily thick adding too much weight, the bump in the shape behind the front finger choil is too big and rubs a blister on my thumb during opening, and the steel just isn't up to par. I was able to reshape the bump a bit, and remove the back spacers to help with the weight, but the 8Cr13MoV just always seems lacking. It almost seems to get dull just sitting in my drawer at my office. VG-10, D2, 14C28N, even 9Cr18MoV would have been nice upgrades, especially at $50.

[@basp-ef7jx]

I'm done at 8Cr. I'm not buying that steel anymore. Ever.

[@thomash4578]

I don't mind it. It sharpens up nice and quick

[@mandraconis]

My outlook on this line wasn't that great. Ergonomics aside the price point doesn't justify the materials used in my eyes. A slightly better steel (hell I'm sure Spyderco still has tons of vg10 lying around at the least) and bronze washers would make this fine in my eyes for a budget Spyderco at this stage in the knife world. Plus I think they missed an opportunity. With company's like we and kizer making a while brand just for budget blades, now would be a perfect time for Spyderco to expand there Byrd line, have something to compete with the civivi's coming out.

[@nicodiaz627]

Spyderco wont ever be able to compete with Civivi. A knife of Civivs quality with an arachnid stamped on it would be twice or three times more expensive.

[@CSGraves]

Yeah, I always kinda looked at the Tenacious branch of Spydies as being Byrd materials for Sypderco prices. :-/

[@daeholm]

I think the Efficient was a surprise hit for Spyderco so they cobbled together the Emphasis as a bigger version. The Efficient is actually a nice pattern with great ergos and one of the few smaller knives I can get a solid hammer grip on. It's my preferred small beater knife. No interest in the Emphasis though.

[@FidelCashflow_YT]

Very pretty, seems like they nailed the design here. Im gonna have to agree with others tho and say that steel really hurts the piece. If the price were slightly lower, maybe it wouldn't matter so much, but it is what it is. Honestly I only really see this selling due to the design, and the popularity of Spyderco in general. Anyone who knows the basics about pocket knives wont accept that steel for that price. Budget knife world is cutthroat, and if you aren't offering something great, well, someone else is...

[@FidelCashflow_YT]

Ah, you went into that subject at the end lol, also, plastic washers?? Cmon Spyderco...

[@Sicarius888]

The price is definitely ugly. 85 EUR for basic 8cr13mov knife with quality issues is unacceptable. I wouldn't give more than 30 EUR for that and companies won't ever improve if we let them milk money out of us just for a logo. I got D2 micarta QSP for 35 EUR. No issues and bronze washers. But they don't have a big name, so they must compete using value and quality.

[@joefoxamerican1525]

I don’t like the pocket clip but Spyderco has always been a top knife for me. Have owned several. I have a XL Manix👍

[@abpst1]

The side of my thumb hits the scale every time I open with spidie hole. It’s a stupid gripe but makes it a no-go for me.

[@mjones4220]

Some of your points are good. I just cannot though get over your dislike of the steel 8crMov13. I know it is not the most expensive or some sort of super steel. But all of the abuse I have put my 8cr blades though have been fine. I have broken knives many times in my life. I use my knives hard. Especially on my property and when I was active duty Military service. I think you put too much into the newest super steel tech over the other aspects of the blades performance. The other criticisms seem pretty solid. But then again I bought a Resilience and love its performance when working my land.

[@Dvqwerty]

A very disappointing knife. I was about to pull the trigger on it until I saw the disassembly video and saw the weirdly sized plastic washers. I'm not even sure if I could replace them because the pivot is so thin. I just don't understand who this is for. The byrd models use the same steel and most of the same design, but for closer to $30. Hell, the Raven 2 in G10 comes with CTS BD1 steel for just $10 more than this knife. this just feels like Spyderco trying to capitalize on their name like Apple. This is a $15-$20 knife that they charge $50 for....

[@jasongennero2080]

I like the 8cr trying the sharpen d2 is a pain.but not even brass washers?.i can understand no phosphor bronze but not even metal washers at all.that is unacceptable. Spyderco this knife went from gem to rubbish as soon as i heard plastic washers.the old tenacious has metal washers for gods sake.

[@dfailsthemost]

Yeah, the burr on my d2 blades hang on tight.

[@a661992]

Ergos ergos ergos This knife feels great in the hand. For me. That’s why there’s so many options. One opinion isn’t the say all for everyone

[@jacknemo8021]

Having seen the disassembly video I would rather buy a gas station knife.

[@rougaroux5508]

I'm spending my hard earned dollars on knives made in the U.S.

[@dfailsthemost]

It looks like it carries better than the tenacious. Looks like Spderco's take on the RAT 1.

[@lonestardude6283]

I like the design! It reminds me of the TRM Atom. But at that price with the materials being used I’ll pass! Use D2 and pillar stand offs and I would be all over it!

[@mitchelloughman8382]

You can get a kizer vanguard begleiter/domin in vg10, a mini domin in N690, or a mini beglieter in 154cm all for the same price. I wouldn’t touch this knife with a 10 foot pole. I would love to buy a spyderco but their prices are laughable at times. I’d be willing to pay more for spyderco designs, I really like the brand, i loved my delica. This is just sad really.

[@emersonb5764]

Not bad for a budget knife, but seems like it should be a tad cheaper. But I agree it’s probably priced that way so it won’t steal any thunder from the Byrd line.

[@LordJuan4]

Such a nice design, shame it's in 8cr

[@baddoopey]

Cooper King, even worse that it says china on the blade.

[@johndesper9425]

@Johnny RebSeriously. If the blade was S30V, they'd slap fake carbon fiber on it and sell it for $200+.

[@thomash4578]

@@baddoopey nothing wrong with knives made in China

[@baddoopey]

Thomas h, I've got some okay knifes made in China but wouldn't have a spyderco that's made there as I would not want to have a German Carr that would be made in China.

[@bmoviebmovie]

"Let's put a 'hole' in the knife's blade. People will come from miles to buy 'em and we will make millions of dollars!" Now tell me why I shouldn't buy a clone.

[@artemkanarchist]

I got into knives buying a Spyderco Persistent. Nowadays I’m a developed steel snob and this whole 8Cr13MoV affair is somewhat disappointing. I guess I must have taken Wittgenstein’s approach by throwing away the ladder after I had climbed up on it.

[@charlesdudek7713]

For a knife with 8cr13mov I wouldn't spend over $30. Not really a Spyderco imo. A rat 1 in d2 for less money is much more compelling and you get phosphor bronze washers. Nice review though Nick as always.

[@johndesper9425]

The only reason you'd ever buy this for $50 was if it was US-made; it isn't, so you should never buy it.

[@lionknives3]

I wish they would use S30v, or s35vn like on the new Tenacious lightweight, on that one. And make it like 100 bucks and finish! But yea, Spyderco!

[@TheRealNerevarine6]

I actually might consider getting one so my dad doesn't break the tip off my swayback..... oh wait. R.I.P. swayback.

[@nich882]

So much sadness 😭

[@MrDanijelho]

on cheaper knives the steel should be d2

[@Pinki2019]

If these are generally sold to non-knife people and people new to collecting knives, they might be pretty disappointed if their D2 starts corroding. Might be better to have a knife that they have to practice sharpening with a lot, so they know how to sharpen when they get their first expensive knife. :). Maybe BD1N would've been a better choice.

[@holybotulism313]

Watch Outpost 76. He's shown that 8cr13 outperforms most Chinese D2 in edge retention.

[@chuckgilley9608]

Is Spyderco running out of idea's?

[@hunterglaspell5580]

They have long ran out of ideas brother

[@Josephiah24]

This design reminds me of the shaman

[@The4cp]

It would make an excellent work user. They do need to make a jump to d2 or something.

[@draftierinfern0831]

Nick finally referred to himself as a KZbinr... that’s new!

[@mosherogoff1252]

Am I the only one who thinks this looks like a budget version Spydie Native or Chief?

[@ShoeMonsterEDC]

Like the clip, bugging the handle. 🤙🏻 thanks for the vid🤘🏻

[@macmurfy2jka]

Poor showing by Spyderco, a shame.

[@lokivonbrandis2129]

Why do some of Nick's video's have no volume/sound and others do?, Like the ZT0393 videos?. Just wondering?

[@ThunderbirdBlades]

Agree the competition is making it harder to justify 8Cr13 at this price point. Ganzo, Civivi, and others are spoiling us with their budget line D2. Although, I do like Spyderco’s wire pocket clips.

[@jrichey73]

Really disappointing they would build in China. Keep focusing on Made in the USA!

[@Pinki2019]

The Rat 1 is at least made in Taiwan, another point in its favor!

[@motokenny8045]

Happens all the time, companies make good quality products then they get popular, then greedy and want more..more..more..so their quality tanks (they don't always have to go to China to do this)..craftsman and carhartt come to mind.

[@rashadnagi7531]

Nick, I know you aren't a huge fan of Byrd, but would you ever consider reviewing the Raven 2 or the Crow 2?

[@oliverbarnes8306]

Cool!

[@JadeGeminiM390]

If this knife came in D2 I really feel like this would be a great TRM Atom competitor. Looks very similar

[@deanalbertson7203]

How about reviewing the Spyderco Endela in K390 steel?

[@Fablades]

Mmm I think I’ll pass on this one..

[@alexanderbertallo1995]

Thanks for the presentation! OH NO... they screwed up the washers... what a waste... such a great design...

[@RobertOrtiz1015]

I cant wait to see how the new tenacious s30v is gonna be priced! Definitely will take tenacious over this knife

[@mac832002]

trm atom clone with cheap materials

[@draftierinfern0831]

Please your bets... what will he emphasize in the great?

[@nicodiaz627]

Spyderco must charge at least 300% more than their production costs on their budget line. 50 dollars is unnappealing in 2020 for a unbalanced, non skeletonized, 8cr, and plastic washer knife.

[@jbeers1234]

Washington DC is 3”. Virginia has no length limit, unless you are on public school property, then it’s 3” (a strangely specific regulation).

[@thsbulldawg82]

At least it doesn't look like every other Spyderco.

[@BadBeaver2006]

Everytime I see you have a new clip up I hope it's for a certain Japanese diver but then it's another knife, again. Ah well, you almost got me into knives. But pleeeease, do that watch!

[@void1984]

Nick, this Emphasis line, or Tenacious line?

[@baddoopey]

void1984, is the same line, the Chinese line.

[@dorkknight413]

I had an efficient and like it more than the tenacious ergonomically.

[@Pinki2019]

@@baddoopey There's sub-lines within the Chinese value folders. The Emphasis-Efficient-Insistent models are similar designs in different sizes. Just like the Ambitious-Persistence-Tenacious-Resilience are a family of knives within the Chinese line.

[@baddoopey]

Pinki2019, it's still a shame spyderco makes this crap. It devalues the brand.

[@jmn-5554]

Nice knife you should review the pm 2 Emerson

[@s1Lash-s1Lash]

I love.

[@beaver6d9]

$30 max is all this is worth. Honestly like the design, but doo doo level steel is no longer acceptable.

[@vencemcadams2927]

Never have been a Spyderco fan. They always seem overpriced for what you get. This is just another example.

[@quinnwarman5139]

Spider tax

[@CytoplasmicGoo]

Spyderco is lagging behind in their budget line for sure.

[@FabeardulousKnucks]

How spyderco thinks it’s acceptable to have a pivot barrel that thin is beyond me. It looks to thinner than some of their smaller folders stop pins. Seems like a disaster waiting to happen, if someone really bares down on it during use.

[@thejuicer9706]

....”that’s not amazing” cracked me up

[@BCMZ]

Acquarulo

[@kennethtape3362]

As stated, there is alternative options that would certainly give this (whatever it supposed to represent) a decent run for it’s money and make you realise that this one is a `bit on the nose‘ and plaintively bad !

[@bert2530]

75 euros in Europe.... Mmmmmm, no.

[@awwwshucks443]

Washington is 3.5" also I believe.

[@Mike-jf5ip]

Eh, eh, eh, eh

[@jaysgood10]

If Nick, and David from Knifer Center were involved in a Star Trek transporter accident, would their hands come out completely average?

[@miamoben]

It always baffles me when someone says the balance point is a little off on something like a 5oz folding knife. You must have tiny hands

[@josephmonette7173]

Yeah I can get a cheaper knife with a better blade...the Schrafe 304 has a better blade

Only buy the Spyderco made in USA

[@rosecity7488]

I agree 100% I made one exception and bought a discontinued original Techno outta the Taichung, Taiwan factory a few weeks ago at a garage sale. I admit I love it a lot

[@christophermccaulay7498]

I often argue that their Taichung knives are better than there golden ones. Every golden blade I've had needed fixing out of the box. Taichung ones haven't needed anything and we're perfect. America needs to up their game

[@DavidV4444]

Anything China is a no go for me however, I like to keep tabs on what’s happening there. Disappointing that Spyderco deals with China and this should be a $28 knife given the manufacturing costs and basement level materials.

[@bignut6983]

Kinda looks like and oversize sliverax with no flipper

[@Sherrodja]

Love the design but I lost interest at the 8cr13mov. Big disappointment. You could get a chinese clone for 20 and have the same steel and workmanship..wait, what?

[@aradoran]

I believe it's pronounced emPHAsis