The Grayest Balisong... | Squid Industries Nautilus Review

Today we look at a balisong that I have a... complicated history with. From my most coveted balisong to one that I barely ever flip, why is the Nautilus among both the best, and worst, balisongs I've ever used?
Squid Industries: www.squidindustries.co/
As always a HUGE thank you to Ty for the amazing b-roll , you can check out his content here: / telestro_flips
KZbin banner art done by @paintingsbyyali: / paintingsbyyali
Socials!
Instagram: / camaroee
Discord: / discord
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Music:
BIDO - breathe: • breathe
xander - Growing Flowers: • Growing Flowers
Dilip, Otxhello - Feels: • feels
Gill Chang - Knowhere: • knowhere
Miscel - Forever: • Forever
Forhill - Macrocosm: • Macrocosm

[@ofangelsflipz]

Can we all appreciate how squid pays attention to us and fixes these issues?

[@thebrandonbakerclone]

Awesome review Ethan! I think your thoughts/concerns are super valid, and I think you did a great job articulating your issues. B-roll was also great. Marty's death glare will never get old! The big sad here for you is having sent it to Squid and it still developing issues after they "fixed it". I have personal experience with knowing how much the guys over there care about the products they make, so I am certain that they will overcome the QC issues, but it's good that you are making light of all of that. The story of my Nautilus is pretty well known, but it thankfully has avoided pretty much every issue you mentioned. This is even after I re-tuned mine extensively to replace the scales. G10 balisongs I know have a tougher time maintaining tolerances for sure, and I hope the Nautilus V2 fixes the vast majority of the issues. My Nautilus V2 has held up great over the last few days of very consistent flipping, and is holding strong after replacing the scales too. Can't wait for your next review dude!

[@camaroEE]

Thank you for the kind words! I really tried to articulate my criticisms in a way that avoids the usual "company bad" toxicity that we see sometimes. As far as the care squid puts into their balisongs, having flipped the Kraken for a little bit, I can totally see that! I just wish the same care and attention would show on the finished Nautilus batches considering how close the prices are on the two (depending on the Nautilus variant) and I'm also really hoping the Naut v2 has a better time with qc. As usual thank you for watching and providing your feedback Brandon, I really appreciate it!

[@tomerz99]

Absolutely glad to hear someone putting Squid on the chopping block over these tolerance issues and QC. My first real trainer was a Winter Nautilus, and besides the first few days it has been nothing but nightmares one after another. Blade rub, heavy tap, misaligned blade (even after meticulous balancing when reassembling). I'm someone who washes their hands before I even touch one of my balis, and I also exclusively do light flips over a bed. If even my level of care can't prevent this thing from becoming loose, then it truly is a failed product IMO. They need to either start giving V2 replacements for bad V1 nauts or just offer full refunds. I even planned on sending mine to squid to have it fixed but almost every testimonial I see is about how even they couldn't fix them. Definitely soured my taste on squid industries as a whole and I'm not planning on buying another one of their balis unless they have a massive response to this whole fiasco. Why bother with a Tsunami if they cant be trusted to make almost 300$ products pass simple durability and longevity standards?

[@camaroEE]

I definitely agree that the Nautilus has been flawed, especially this year and I'm very sorry to hear that your experience hasn't been much better. While I haven't lost faith in squid as some of their other products are fantastic, I definitely understand where you're coming from. My hope with this video is to make either them or the wider community somewhat aware of what's going on, thanks for watching!

[@Osborne4Life]

I understand making videos like this can be complicated because people fear it’ll get them blacklisted from the companies they’re referencing. Glad to see you speak publicly about these issues that need fixing.

[@camaroEE]

I feel confident that squid either 1.) Won't see this 2.) Accepts and responds to the criticism 3.) Says it's fixed in the v2 models I'm interested to see what happens but as far as fearing "being blacklisted" by a company, if a company can't handle people talking about what's wrong, they probably aren't a company that I'd want to be close with anyway. My primary goal is to provide my (mostly) unbiased opinion and experience, and hurting a companies feelings is the last thing on my mind

[@Koen_p]

Amazing review I loved every second of it keep up the good work👍

[@camaroEE]

Thank you so much!

[@johnvedek3802]

Wicked Sic review!! Awesome edit. Excellent viewpoint and presentation of opinion. Very well done.😀😀😀😀😀

[@camaroEE]

Thank you for your wicked sic feedback John! 😀😀😀

[@granted_it]

Really great video! Awesome shots

[@camaroEE]

Thank you! Ty crushed it!

[@Buudoo]

I remember watching your first impression video about it and how hyped you were that you finally had your grail. It's sad how these issues "ruined" it for you. Like you said, this is unacceptable for this price. Let's just hope the v2 fixes everything because the nautilus doesn't deserve to have such a reputation because of squids qc issues. Great camera work as always

[@camaroEE]

It is unfortunate to see the journey the Nautilus has gone on for me, and I can only hope that my new trainer grail, the nemesis v2, actually lives up to the title. It's in my mailbox at home sadly, but I'll do my first impressions video the day I get back!

[@Buudoo]

@@camaroEE oooooh I can't wait. Let's hope it won't have the same problems. That would be really unfortunate

[@surveyor1515]

I was about to pull the trigger on a Nauty V2 but also had my eye on the JK Orca Trainer, would the Orca be better as far as tolerance and durability? I’m sorta scared of spending so much now.

[@mavie2687]

Another camaroee video pog

[@camaroEE]

And it's only a week later than I said it was going to be 😎

[@boyshitsupremacy1239]

The b-roll was amazing

[@camaroEE]

Thank you! That's good Ole Telestro for ya!

[@specterhaterew]

I’m super lucky, nautilus has held its perfect tolerances and I’ve been dropping it on hardwood floors.

[@camaroEE]

Hopefully it stays that way for you!

[@0ViciousV0]

I'm glad I found your review. I think this has made my mind up about not getting one

[@Kokosnusskopf0]

1. This video is amazing. 2. The song at 2:30 is amazing! You should use that one in more videos.

[@camaroEE]

Unfortunately it's only the intro that sounds like that but I'll try to work it in somewhere else in the future!

[@kush_naicker]

Great and very authentic review ethan I’ve been looking to save up and buy a Bali from squid and I had my eyes set in the naut but now I’m just waiting for a review on the naut v2 and if it’s good it’s USA must cop unless something interesting happens with the kraken

[@camaroEE]

We shall see how the Nautilus v2 shakes up the formula, hopefully it's good

[@kush_naicker]

@@camaroEE ye hope so

[@Elementpunx]

I bought it for 400$ (my currency) and it came with so kind of rust like shit all ofer bushings. I cleaned it and waiting for threadlocker to dry but now when I head about the tap I am sad i took it apart. I would just send it back. Also the threadlocker they used was red.. it took me 2 hours to clean it.

[@user-ms5hk3di1n]

Quality of video is amazing

[@camaroEE]

Thank you so much!

[@ClownBabyG-Zus]

i don't think you were too harsh and my issues being similar to yours I'd say grey is the perfect way to describe the nautilus. i will try and fix the issues myself because i really do want to love my nautilus.

[@camaroEE]

I've found more happiness in my decision to sell it, I don't find myself missing it at all really

[@xyzr_3808]

1:28 to 1:32 was the best shot in the entire video. You cant make me say otherwise.

[@camaroEE]

I'm sure she was happy to be a part of it

[@xyzr_3808]

@@camaroEE what's her name btw?

[@camaroEE]

@@xyzr_3808 Indie

[@Behindtheadrenaline]

Been looking at the Naut a long time, do you believe these problems are gone on the new V2 they released?

[@camaroEE]

I do like the v2 more than the v1, especially the carbon fiber variant. I think the durability issues will still need more time to sink in

[@disukoflips]

pog i love the design of the naut edit: not pog rip tolerances

[@camaroEE]

It's so g... good looking Edit: lmaoooo yeah it had looks but the rest kinda didn't work

[@deathbublle6519]

Nice vid ! They released the v2, I know they improved durability but idk if they solved blade rub problems though

[@camaroEE]

I am aware, but I'm still unsure if a different material under the g10 would help in areas like blade rub and especially the bent blades that I've seen

[@Randy-nb6fw]

@@camaroEE there is a nautilus clone that uses 7075 ;)

[@datedbalisong]

Hopefully the nautilus v2 would be a better experience for you… Or maybe the Nemesis……….

[@camaroEE]

Or maybe the nemesis 😏 👀 👀 👀

[@_Ping__]

I really hope they fixed these problems in the v2. I’m still waiting on KZbin for a review on the v2 so maybe I could buy one in the future, but the price for a nautilus is like 260$. This makes me want to buy a glidr artic which is literally less than half the price! With that money I could literally buy 2 glidr artics and have 20$ spare!

[@camaroEE]

The thing that finally swayed me away from the Nautilus was my Vortex. Similar weight profile, amazing almost soft feel in the hand, better tolerances than the naut and it flips amazingly.

[@danielb9213]

Yeah but even if they fix it they still completely threw the thousands of people who bought a v1 under the bus 😕

[@RiceKrispy563]

Yikes an arctic? Good luck they are out of production currently and glidr is having trouble making the new antarctic so new arctics aren't going to be around for a while and the only way to get one is second hand and people usually buy them very fast. Not to discourage or nothing but it's a little hard to get one

[@donahue2508]

just letting on you know it’s normal to beat balisongs you like, if you liked everything about it except tolerance then you should’ve kept it, maybe not for everyone, I mean I have a kraken, ab, rep, sqt, had a gale and sold it and I beat all of them pretty much and they all have tap and I love them, I’m going to try out the v2 and blade and possibly buy it

[@camaroEE]

I didn't enjoy the Nautilus enough to beat it more, I'd much prefer buying something else with the money I got from it

[@donahue2508]

@@camaroEE ok that’s cool, what did you buy with the money, I think I heard a nemesis?

[@camaroEE]

@@donahue2508 yup! And I'm putting it towards blade show aswell, so maybe a Kraken or something

[@donahue2508]

@@camaroEE see you there day 2

[@wh6ts]

My nautilus used to have a lot of tap but i flipped the naut more and it got rid of the tap

[@camaroEE]

Sounds like my Vortex lmao

[@gaNull]

i got my mako with loose zen pins adn damn its gray when i thought it would be white/silver

[@camaroEE]

I wish I had mentioned it in the video but I've seen a lot of loose pins in the past couple months

[@orbitaltwist_]

what camera do yall use i looks great

[@camaroEE]

Ty uses a Canon M50!

[@jaredf6205]

Just got a V2 today. Seems great so far, will update with any issues.

[@camaroEE]

Please do! I think most of the community is interested to see if the v2 fixes some of the issues that the Nautilus has

[@goated2668]

Hey any update?

[@Skarlatoz]

How’s your nautilus to this day

[@leo37194]

Another banger I bet

[@camaroEE]

You'll have to be the judge of that!

[@leo37194]

@@camaroEE it appears that yes, this is indeed another banger

[@unanimoustuba_]

I just got my first 3d printer a couple days ago and I might try to design my own balisong with it I’m exited It’s an ender 3 if anyone is wondering

[@camaroEE]

Nice! Good luck to you!

[@flys]

Nautilus V2 IS HERE HAVE NO FEAR!!

[@camaroEE]

Now to see if it fixes the problem

[@flys]

@@camaroEE hope so

[@Mani_Matter]

from which ghetto are you balisong’ing out?

[@kevinschantalle]

🟥 a honest review is never to harsh🟥

[@LuciferArc1]

Sounds like your specific 6061 handles weren't treated properly if they're that prone to damage. Cause you likely have indentations on the washers and the handles where they touch the tang. That really sucks bro. Haven't had that issue on mine and looks like it shouldn't come up anymore with the v2. Sucks that it still happened on yours though

[@camaroEE]

Based on the overwhelming amount of naut owners who have reached out and said they've experienced the exact same thing, I just don't buy that it's only mine

[@LuciferArc1]

@@camaroEE I suppose. Mine has the carbon fiber scales as well, so that may be a factor in the tang indent not being as bad. I haven't tried the g10 so I'm not sure. Shouldn't be an issue on the v2 since it uses 7075. The fact they didn't change the price with the upgrade tells me the nautilus was overpriced regardless as I've thought for a long time. The v1 should never have costed more than the kraken

[@reviewforthetube6485]

Finally someone who is honest about it lol but I will say tap is way way to blown out of proportion. Some if my highest end balis can get tap. Also make sure to lube them tap will most fo the time dissappear lol. You aren't sitting there just shaking it that would be weird af. You are going to be surprised by all of the balis that develop tap or have tap to begin with.

[@camaroEE]

The tap in this case was indicative of Blade rub, a much worse issue. And once again, I know how to take care of my balisongs

[@vetis.balisong]

i was thinking about purchase naut but i care a lot about tap and tolerances so this knife probably isnt for me, also its good to hear something it isnt just thoughtless praise of squid industries couse in this price point its unacceptable issue

[@camaroEE]

I would go with something else if you want better tolerances, id recommend glidr or machinewise although they can be a pain to get sometimes

[@vetis.balisong]

@@camaroEE i waiting for maryn trainer drop like 3 months, but im gonna for sure buy it when the time comes, but also i looking for something else in naut price Point ( maybe even little bit more)

[@judahschafer4799]

Pog new vid

[@camaroEE]

Pog

[@aasiabilal7284]

I want that knife but I bought the clone

[@meisteryoda7598]

ngl I thought for a second you wrote "The Gayest Balisong...." in your title lol

[@thesafehandle]

idk if the v2 has has that big of a differenvce but i beat the shit out of mine and now 2 weeks later still no play or ytao at all

[@camaroEE]

It seems like the issues with the v1 are *mostly* resolved in the v2

[@thesafehandle]

@@camaroEE yea this is my first legit bali and im putting her through hell lol

[@yiy8030]

My v2 has blade rub 5 days after I got it back from squid

[@taggi1877]

Is this the v1 or v2?

[@camaroEE]

v1

[@taggi1877]

@camaroEE Ok thanks for answering, I was worried cus I just bought a nautilus v2 2 weeks ago.

[@xheavybacond.5753]

I have a oversized bushind in my red naut... Thats really bad...

[@camaroEE]

No that's not good is it

[@xheavybacond.5753]

@@camaroEE i have a friend with a bushing lap he will fix it next month so hope he can make it better. Thx for your videos 👍

[@BingoBaljiet]

Dude this exact same thing happened to my naut it was the same color to like really annoying when its worse than one of my clones I bought off aliexpress about a year ago. Like without me even dropping it it got tap in an hour of unboxing it, I spent well over 200 yet they couldn't even send me a knife that works. It got to the point were I couldn't even turn the screws since it was loctited EVEN THOU IT HAD TAP. I dunno it was my first knife and when I brought the idea to send it back to my dad and he got angry at me because I spent 230 dollar on it for it to be trash, like you only have a week to send it back? I just don't understand I'm angry because I worked on it for 5 months. I personally think this is unacceptable from a company of the caliber yet why does it matter to them.

[@camaroEE]

It is definitely a drag to have this happen to such an expensive balisong

[@flys]

That's pretty Nauty.

[@camaroEE]

I see what you did there

[@flys]

@@camaroEE Yes XD

[@Clanps]

I understand where you come from but I guess I'm too used to trying to fix things that shouldn't need fixing that I don't even see it as cause for concern. 💀 I guess that just shows how far quality control has fallen.

[@camaroEE]

I'm fine with fixing my own stuff, it just doesn't feel good when the only balisong I have to fix is the one I spent the most money on out of all the ones I own

[@Clanps]

@@camaroEE yeah totally understandable I see a lot of people saying the nautilus isn't up to standards with something you would expect from squid. I wonder if the v2 will be any different, doubtful but maybe quality control will be better

[@lord_katze1417]

You're right it is gorgeous Edit: But I can understand that you're disappointed of it.

[@camaroEE]

It was such a beautiful balisong, and the looks alone almost stopped me from selling it, it's just so much money

[@Mani_Matter]

the proper use of a balisong is mandatory to survive in the ghetto

[@LazerBlade-yp1lf]

Is this Bali perfect? not so much. However, will I ever buy it? yes. Because it looks super nice. That being said, It won't be soon I can tell you that much.

[@camaroEE]

If I didn't have a KZbin channel, other balis to review and had a LOT more disposable income, I would keep it just to put on display

[@LazerBlade-yp1lf]

@@camaroEE I don't blame you. It just looks very nice. I can't imagine having that bali in person. I wouldn't even want dust to touch it lol

[@TelestroFlips]

hehehoohooo i make camera go good :D

[@camaroEE]

TRUEEEE THATS WHAT HE DOES

[@Balifliper]

Just bend the blade bay😅

[@bali_user3184]

Balisongs with G10 almost always have problems with tolerances it’s just because of the weaker material(G10) being torqued down against metal. Replicants have a very similar issue, these problems just come with owning a G10 balisong. I can understand your headache, but a balisong is meant to be flipped and that would be a shame to just lock up that Nautilus and not flip it.

[@camaroEE]

To me flipping it meant damaging it more, and I wanted to keep it safe until I could sell it. As of now I sold it about a week ago and it's in a home where the owner flips it regularly

[@surveyor1515]

Wait, all G10 balisongs are bad or mediocre..? Even the JK Orca Trainer? Please reply! 🥺

[@bali_user3184]

@@surveyor1515 G10 balisongs are not bad or mediocre at all. In fact one of my favorite balisongs is the BRS Replicant., which is in fact a G10 balisong. All I was trying to say is that people shouldn’t be discouraged if their G10 balisong develops tap or play. Also try not to worry so much about tap and play, it really doesn’t matter unless your a collector or plan on selling your knife.

[@bali_user3184]

@@surveyor1515 And no the Jk Design Orca Trainer is a great G10 balisong, I tried em and their great. A little pricey but still good.

[@surveyor1515]

@@bali_user3184 Okay, I’ll definitely look into the BRS Replicant, thanks for clarifying! I’ll keep that in mind. I just want maybe 3 great balisongs (not really collecting) so the Orca is at the top of my list, I’ve heard great things but I’ve also heard bad things about it so I’m just trying to learn more before I start buying 🙂

[@0ViciousV0]

If it was 199 I'd buy one, but I don't think I can justify 275 after tax lol

[@XavierBaker]

even my 50buck glidr clone has better tolerances than that

[@Jabitron]

Nautilus is stank.

[@niccster1061]

"I shouldn't have to do that" are you joking?? This is part of the hobby. EVEN WITH good quality knives. Brs rep? Incredible. Do you have to tune it yourself? Yes. If it's a bushing knife then tap isn't a valid complaint. Bushings aren't hard to tune

[@niccster1061]

@@yiy8030 eh, I'd rather put my money towards the actual quality of the bali rather than it coming tuned, which you are going to have to do anyways eventually. Tuning isn't that hard and shouldn't be a factor in weather you are going to actually buy the knife or not

[@ortanicallity]

there's also the fact he literally sent it into squid for warranty, to get it professionally tuned from what it seemed like just for it to come back with the exact same issue even faster after dropping it on carpet