The Giantmouse Riv Pocketknife: The Full Nick Shabazz Riview

[@matusknives]

Nick, as we are getting of age, we need to learn to accept the fact that from time to time we would take it out, but fail to deploy. It’s all good, take care.

[@coltoneatherly5897]

I see what you did there haha

[@antobeo12]

You are absolutely right about the riv being a pilar upgrade. The Pilar was the first knife I fell in love with and the riv answered all of my wishes for upgrades. Great knife, I carry it often.

[@artemkanarchist]

Another bloody Voxnaes designed knife that I now bloody want...

[@AudibleVisibIe]

Same here! Got my first voxnaes on the way, a boker f3 titan 2. Not my favorite one but a good way to check out a vox design on a budget

[@Cahwai]

I want a bibilo with Burgundy Micarta but it’s not easy to find 🙃

[@bigaspaulo]

Seems aimed at the Slysz Techno 2. Looks great, I would definitely need to add a pinkie paracord loop to that lanyard hole to make it a 4-finger knife for me.

[@chriswilson5617]

Love the Riv! Though I did replace the clip with a Ripp’s Garage Tech milled Ti clip. (Any clip made for the Spyderco Techno will work.) That cured mine of any lockbar issues since it gives a sturdier place to grab. XL motorcycle gloves and the Riv still fits me well.

[@awgrant18]

Do you have a photo of how this turned out?

[@RoninDosho]

Fast-forward two years ahead of this video, I recently purchased an Ace Riv. Everything you've reported is absolutely true. Especially the, What I was calling, phantom lock-bar stick. Thanks to you I can make the adjustment. Also, my hands are XL glove size, which makes it difficult to open, in that I have scraped my hand with the backside of the tip upon opening this tiny knife because it gets lost in my hand so to speak. I really like this knife, but it's a bit too small for me. Anyway Thanks for what is the best review so far on the Ace Riv.

[@lyndylou1686]

Bummed I missed out on the Riv, the grind and the size are perfect!

[@nicks8026]

You can buy them now. They’re all over the major retailers and on GM’s site.

[@GG-ml3vr]

When you said $210 i kind of tuned out.Nice enough knife but ill just squint when i look at my pilar😀👍

[@JohnSmith-yx8kf]

I'm not sure how they've managed to price this above the Biblio. I get the titanium scales, but even the micarta version is more than the Biblio. Elmax is nice, but for an EDC pocket knife, so is M390.

[@Cry42]

@@JohnSmith-yx8kf because it costs more to get Reate to manufacture.

[@JohnSmith-yx8kf]

Henry Spencer - What I’m saying is that from where I’m standing, there’s nothing that would justify me paying more money for this over the Biblio. Like for like, it’s less knife for more money. If we’re taking manufacturers into account, I’d rather support an Italian company than a Chinese one anyway.

[@Cry42]

@@JohnSmith-yx8kf if the amount of material matters more than the amount of work put in, than I'm sure you'd be happier with the Biblio. Personally, Reate is my favorite production OEM and I'd rather support their work and pay a bit extra for their quality.

[@AudibleVisibIe]

Yeah, same. I was thinking more like 150-160

[@schaikaefer9087]

On the same page, sold mine because of the lock bar issue. Loved the design and knife though. Bought the Fox Baby Core Micarta instead. Not quite as beaautiful but close in form and Vox design and more functional for me thanks to the liner lock. And still some cash left after all 😀

[@patrickmccrea3455]

Hello from Baton Rouge Louisiana I am a new subscriber and I really enjoy your channel always good content and commentary thank you😁👋

[@Shakaroni]

Nick are you ever going to review the ACE Clyde?

[@nielsduhring7150]

Hi Nick, just want to suggest you the Kansept Weasel you could look at. It's quite new and a non locking flipper as well. I believe that makes it quite interesting, especially for the UK or for Germany(I live here myself), since locking flippers are illegal to carry here.

[@thamuz72]

I guess I’m just lucky, I have non of the issues regarding opening the Riv , my hand just fit it perfectly, so my fingers naturally lands off the lockbar, finger flicking,thumbing or flipping is just a joy. Yours and bearded Gears review of the Riv convinced me so pick one up to day and yeah a 💎 for me

[@bryanstone654]

Hi Nick how does this Riv compare to the Techno 2 and the Olamic Busker? Many Thanks, Bryan from Boston where 2.5 is the rule.

[@laserbrain7774]

The edge you put on your pilar is awesome.

[@Xanduur]

Mine started to become difficult to open (flip and manual) after a couple of days. Never carried either. Not sure what happened.

[@jarodhall1910]

Is this the Pilar 4? I need to get this model to complete the collection, but in another year the Pilar 5 will be out...

[@bryanstone654]

Nick please review the similar sized Bestech Goblin that does not have the same lockbar-pocket clip problem. Thanks.

[@rabidwargamer68]

I picked up this knife based on this Riv-iew. Exactly what I was looking for; a much much nicer Pilar. I can see the frame lock issues, but it's been super Fidget Friendly™ for me.

[@mikemckenzy]

I love this knife so much I have two. People called it a mini Biblio. But it’s not. It’s a completely different knife. Although it may look similar. It is not just a shrunken version of another knife.

[@bennyc409]

It's not just a shrunken version of a knife, it's a shrunken version of several knives that are all basically the same. The Biblio, Grand, Suru, Pilar, 5.5, etc.

[@leecherlarry]

@@bennyc409 lol

[@neszero]

Thought it was a Pilar clone - same designer! Cool. Like them both

[@NghiaHoang-nt4ib]

Look more like the Bibilio (also from GM and Jesper Voxnaes)

[@LaddGardner4]

Giant Mouse has had recurrent deployment challenges from over-tight retention-holes, ramps, etc. Jake @beardedgear detailed one instance with his ACE Sonoma frame lock, and I had the same with my V2 - Natural Canvas Micarta Sonoma liner lock. Ended up hitting the retention hole on mine with a jeweler's diamond burr/Dremel to polish the edges, and now the knife deploys smoothly and consistently. Knives with over-tight retention (at $200+) shouldn't be "a thing" in this day and age.

[@woodswalker64]

I totally agree!

[@danielvargo4498]

I just got this innthe mail the all titanium riv I like it but it's hard to flip cause the frame lock is in the way I dont know if I should keep it ir send it back and get something else I love the biblio too

[@kenmarapese9085]

Beautiful upgraded version of the Pilar, a lanyard delete would be nice.

[@IlliniDog01]

It is essentially a smaller frame-lock Biblio. I own a Biblio but rarely carry it. The biggest problems I have with it are that the action is poor (soft detent and rough pivot bearings) and I can't seem to tune it and the deep carry clip isn't very deep. It also feels extra thick in the pocket, which surprised me, as other contoured knives I own seem to disappear. I think it is because it carries so high in my pocket.

[@Chillinjjv]

i have the same problem, was very disappointed. its almost like they paid the youtubers for good reviews on it. i don't like mine.

[@seanhuebner1179]

Ok this knife, I’ve found the flipper tab works much nicer if you hook your pointer finger, and add pressure to the forward-most side of the pocket-pecker.

[@Foxholeatheist]

I know you don't normally do fixed blades, but I'd like to see your take on their GMF1. Knifecenter has them now, though they still have the wrong material on the GMF1-P. (It's 690Co)

[@Kilt_Camera_and_Carry]

I would love to see the Riv compared to the BHQ Dapper.

[@mostmuscular619]

I have the Ace Biblio in the black micarta. I really want to love the knife and make it part of my EDC, as it's well made, and just a different damn good looking knife. The finger choil is just too small even with my not so large hands. Nick's hands can't be that much smaller than mine as there was no mention of The Ace Riv having an uncomfortable finger choil.

[@girthybrowns4489]

What an incredible knife. That machining 🤤

[@danielvargo4498]

I have the ace grand with elmax steel and green micarta handle and the ace iona with m390 and green aluminum handles love em both I have the riv and biblio coming innthe mail today I csnt wait I absolutely love giantmouse def my favorite knife company period

[@skellyelly5689]

You know its a good video when Nick makes a pun in the first 5 seconds.

[@Luke15a6]

I have decent size hands and the riv still fits great

[@mostmuscular619]

Have you held the Biblio? Does the Riv have a larger finger choil?

[@Luke15a6]

@@mostmuscular619 yes I have both and the riv is actually better ergonomically. The biblio has a sharp little “bite” when forward gripping. Both good though.

[@mostmuscular619]

@@Luke15a6 Much appreciated! Finally someone who understands what I am talking about. I'll check out the Riv. Thank you.

[@bionick4281]

Love this design along with so many others, but I wish GM made budget friendly versions of all their knives!

[@etherealicer]

Have a look at the Fox Baby Core (a smidget shorter and a smidget thicker, but overall very similar in size. Also, rides deeper in the pocket)... costs around $70 at Blade HQ without going all the way to the bottom with the materials as the PIlar does.

[@bionick4281]

@@etherealicer I have a Baby Core and I love it!

[@scoob42]

MKM makes the Isonzo, designed by Vox and it is a good step between the Pilar and thrRiv.

[@darrenrailey8740]

Lol the ace line IS their budget line

[@akhoundog907]

i love vox designed knives and own a few (gm2, biblio, large pilar, the newer d2 pilar from bhq) but i wish there were more options for people with xl glove sized hands. everyone talks about using smaller knives for better pocket space but for large hands small knives usually fit poorly. vox's designs are pretty flexible in terms of hand sizes but still...

[@chriswilson5617]

I wear XL motorcycle gloves and love the Riv. Feels nice in my hand. Your mileage may vary... 😊

[@thamuz72]

Try the Giant mouse Ace Grand when they get back in stock, a full sized knife

[@laserbrain7774]

I wish that CRKT would have made a Batum in D2.

[@bgw893]

The Pilar 3 might be a more interesting knife, it feels like it's splitting the difference between this and the original Pilar while staying pretty inexpensive.

[@matusknives]

Pilar 3 ‘looks’ better to me than any of the GM knives and I would love to see it in better materials and thinner ground blade.

[@danielvargo4498]

The pilar 3 is decent but nowhere near as good as this knife giantmouse knives are fantastic

[@BrandonGavin_EDC]

The Riv is everything the original Pilar wanted to be. The Biblio is everything the Pilar 3 wants to be. I love the Pilar too. I wish CRKT would make a Ti/S30V version of a Pilar 3.

[@eyesintheskies]

Vowed to get out the knife game before I delved into custom money. But production wise if I find a knife I like the look of 9 X out of 10 it’s a Jesper voxannes . Guess we just speak the same design language!

[@AudibleVisibIe]

Giantmouse always has nice grinds

[@fossilimprint2954]

Thank you for your detailed review, I really like how much attention to detail you share with us. Subscribed!

[@paulbejaranojr.1265]

If price wasn’t a factor, would you choose the Giantmouse Riv, or the Spyderco Lil’ Native?

[@danielvargo4498]

I have both but I absolutely love the riv titanium its light and built like a tank also I am a big giantmouse fanboy I own multiple

[@jcolterh]

Finally! A Pilar that IS NOT made by CRKT!

[@kymcopyriot9776]

Looks like here in Australia I’m just going to have to eat...humble Pilar? (Sorry!) As beautiful as it is, if the GM Riv is north of $200 in the US, it’ll be more like $400 here, if indeed it is even available. Never mind. Thanks as always for a great review Nick, no one else on The Toob comes close.

[@kennethtape3362]

Sweet little knife but for the money, `a tad excessive in my mind‘, still, might have recourse to pass this way sometimes in the future 👍😄

[@progunliberal]

Dude, I want this. It basically IS an upgraded pilar. I picked up the crkt large pilar a couple days ago and love the ergos, but I went on my blade groups and bitched about how crkt wastes all these fantastic designs by not offering real upgraded tiers apart from a D2 model that still just has Teflon and stainless steel scales. Crkt could have done a pilar with titanium, s30v or s35vn, and ball bearings and charged 120-150 bucks for it and I think people would have eaten it up.

[@Sherrodja]

The Pilar 3 has bearings and killer ergos. Fit and finish is good. My blade came perfectly centered. Yeah, it's D2 but it's not 210 bucks either. Love my Pilar 3.

[@edwins2396]

I am very happy with my WE Pleroma

[@BenKurth]

Also kind of a mini flippin’ frame lock UrbanEDC f5.5 👌

[@luisbarrera5740]

Im just waiting for Nick to review the Pilar 3.

[@GuillotineStare]

Good stuff nick! Thanks

[@chrisc.4517]

Don't like the Pilar but like this one for some reason...

[@Lurifaks707]

have you checked out the pilar 3? A bit more similar to this one

[@bennyc409]

Because it costs more?

[@chrisc.4517]

@@bennyc409 No.

[@gooe9561]

Where can I buy one?

[@Knife_Eclectic]

At first I too though $210 was a CRAZY price. Then I used one of these and totally understood! It was definitely a case of what I've come to call "small Inkosi syndrome"....that being said I'm a little biased because I'm a huge GM fan.

[@disco4535]

For that price I'd go with the SOG Kiku XR for a little more $, or even the Artisan Wren for a little less.

[@Black_Cat_997]

I have always wanted one of these. Vox is the spiritual successor to Sal Glesser.

[@Knife_Eclectic]

Lamnia gas the Micarta version right now and GM is apparently restocking soon 😁

[@starkparker16]

That's not great news for Eric Glesser.

[@Black_Cat_997]

@@starkparker16 Big fan of his also. There is a concept and legacy behind folding knife design that I think Vox and the Glessers share. I definitely don't want to dis Eric when I express this.

[@Sherrodja]

Sacrilege

[@unknownriderinbound]

Finally, a way to pay more for a Pilar!

[@Knife_Eclectic]

Don't forget the Fox Suru! 😆

[@leecherlarry]

@@Knife_Eclectic riv has better pocket clip i guess?

[@maxwellmortimermontoure7274]

I feel you get what you pay for.

[@christophergardiner7372]

baby biblio. However I do prefer the frame lock rather than a liner seen in the biblio.

[@grahambliley8604]

Not sure it grew a lanyard hole it didn’t need. It may be a vestigial lanyard hole that it is evolving out of. Lanyards are the appendices of knives. We can only hope.

[@clintonlewis1261]

Nice size 👌

[@leecherlarry]

@Nick Shabazz So is this knife a keeper?

[@dm3639]

You know what fixes that problem with finger placement affecting detent strength? A liner lock.

[@MightyRude]

Or any other lock Or just not having the lockbar flush with the scales when closed

[@jcolterh]

Or just train yourself to place your fingers on the pocket clip. At this point I'm not even conscious of doing it.

[@dm3639]

"But I've figured out a way to compensate for their flawed design" isn't a very compelling argument to me. Ymnv.

[@eyesintheskies]

Always thoughtgiant mouse was a daft name for a knife but when I go on the hunt for a knife I often feel like a cat on the prowl. You’d think a giant mouse would be easier to catch 😂

[@jcolterh]

Why do people get upset when a knife exists that they can't afford? They look for any excuse to bad mouth it or say that it's overpriced. Never understood the point of that. Their comments are pretty funny though. 😆

[@void1984]

I don't like the sharp angle at the end of the finger area. A person with bigger fingers can end up with a pinky just on the top of it.

[@jolness1]

Riview lmao. Love the play on words as always!

[@rsync-av]

A RIVeting review

[@AudibleVisibIe]

Not big in wire clips but I feel like a giantmouse would look weird with a different clip lol

[@Keith_the_knife_freak]

Thanks for sharing 👍🏼

[@valerianthemackiii5896]

😊👍

[@reecemesser]

Better than a Pilar III but not a Busker.

[@FidelCashflow_YT]

How much are the anti paracord people paying you to continually complain about lanyard holes Shabazz!? How much??

[@matthuck378]

Pilar +$150 I guess that's cool. It'd be nice if they could meet us halfway, but whatever.

[@Sherrodja]

At 210.... I'll stick with my Pilar 3. The Pilar 3 runs on bearings, has better ergos, D2 steel, has a good deep carry pocket clip, is a fidgety knife you can spydie flick all day and..... it's not 210 dollars.

[@charlesard8639]

I like it all. Except they keep drilling holes in the back of the handle for no reason.

[@AhmadRiyal]

Another knife i cant get

[@etherealicer]

Kinda funny that you complain about the bottom drawer materials on the Pilar, and at the same time complain about the price... Anyway, I think we should all appreciate the fact that if knifes simply get cheaper it probably means that the guys in the factory get paid less.

[@Lewarcher-f3t]

I think Vox Urban F5.5 is better in every aspect.

[@leecherlarry]

5.5 is thicker and heavier, bigger. too big for my pocket

[@izayus11]

Oh no. This knife has shown me that the line between Upgrade an Derivative can be non existent. In a collection of, say, 10-15 knives, the Pilar occupies a niche where the law of diminishing returns is very steep. The thick stock blade on that particular geometry means that it would benefit very little from a super steel upgrade. Throw in a Some titanium scales and my 67 dollar customized Pilar looks very favorably against this knife that is 3x the cost. Unless you are VERY particular about what you want, and iff this knife checks all the right boxes, I don't see how this knife can be worth more than 130 dollars.

[@taylorhickman84]

My god the behind the edge thickness on that CRKT pilar is awful.

[@Krv52]

Cute

[@albertchen7603]

inspired by techno?

[@CVNOU]

Inspired by the Giantmouse Biblio.

[@albertchen7603]

@@CVNOU The original techno was released in or around 2012, Giantmouse started I think around 2014, not sure when Biblio was released, but definitely after 2014.

[@cueball981]

Nice blade, just not my style.

[@bennyc409]

Yet another example of Vox repeating the same design over and over.

[@TheAdequateMedia]

I keep making knife content on tiktok hoping nick will notice me

[@pauljosephbuggle3722]

Doesn't go to bars? It seems Shabazz has no Irish blood or heritage. ☘️💚🍺🍻🇮🇪 That's probably why he can afford to cater for his boutique tastes.

[@jeffcanyafixiy]

$200 Pilar, made in china. PASS. THANKS NICK 👍🇺🇸👍🔪

[@Joker-yb6ks]

Giantmouse all made in china????

[@Orochi_001]

A $200+ knife where I have to think about deployment? No thanks

[@airsoftluke17]

It’s just a overpriced Pilar

[@jcolterh]

The Pilar is just a cheap downgraded CRKT version of this knife.

[@grantsypants4743]

Does this fn guy make anything not awesome?

[@groundofbeing9733]

This entire channel (and i do enjoy it) is a perfect demonstration of how stupid both youtube reviews and human culture are becoming. This is a knife review channel....He hasnt cut a single thing besides the boxes they come in. Knife pr0n is not knife review. “But is the blade centered....and it weight 0.7 ounces more than the bugout...now back in my safe.”

[@gregd9768]

First!

[@GG-ml3vr]

Well done🤷‍♂️