The Spyderco Knives Subvert Pocketknife: The Full Nick Shabazz Review

Today, we're going to take a look at a very interesting pocket machete from Spyderco Knives and Black Snow Customs/Nati Amor: The Subvert, based on the 'Sabotage' custom knife.

[@WhiteGuard]

13:27 "I'm not a huge knife person" - Nick Shabazz 2019

[@duallydcable]

JubilantBear lol you caught that too!

[@ViaMatt47]

Nick...just come out and say it, you Friggin’ hate it. And it’s beyond just not being a Shabazz kinda knife. Are you losing your critical edge?🤨😜

[@Tony-bo3rw]

@@ViaMatt47 he might have a bias towards Spydercos.😜

[@JaimeVillacis]

Haha! I know! Nick is trying to fool us

[@souldude13]

Seen someone replace the orange g10 with OD micarta and it was beautiful

[@fabianthe_lazy_couch_potat7657]

I want copper dust marbled carbon fiber 🤩

[@doctoruttley]

🤤

[@oldmateadz]

5:05 - Fast forward to 2023 and we have the Subvert with carbon fiber scales and a big delicious slab of CPM-20CV for the blade. Nick, did you get your hands on one? It is delightful!

[@sheepborg]

It's orange because orange was the color of the custom Nati sent them. The custom was polished, which they did at least not carry over. It was one slippery fella

[@Ephem13]

As an outdoor knife this thing does a great job of sitting between large pocket knife and bush craft fixed blades as far as size goes. This could also explain the orange, most my camping knives are brightly colored so they are easy to find if I have to backtrack looking for them. I keep an ESEE strapped to the side of my pack but have been considering dropping something like this into the pack as a backup. Right now I keep a PM 2 in there but it leans more to a large EDC knife than an outdoor type knife.

[@olivierb.9063]

My favorite Spyderco, I like to have it in hand, you feel its robustness, and you do not feel its weight. To buy without any hesitation.

[@Youtube-Censorship-Police]

ehh...yes for the robustness but you definitely feel the weight.

[@nicoalbrektsen4615]

This thing is ridiculous. I want it.

[@bobb.9917]

Nico Albrektsen You like LSD too, don't you? 😛🤪😜

[@imjustlookingformydog896]

Bob B. I mean like obviously but what would that have to do with knives

[@monkeyfaceII]

Haha my exact thoughts

[@EliKirkMusic]

300$ for s30v, nah

[@doctoruttley]

😂👌🏻

[@mosherogoff1252]

Maybe they had outdoors activities in mind when they used the orange G10? Easier to find if dropped...

[@monkeyfaceII]

Maybe honestly I do like the orange

[@doctoruttley]

Yep 💯

[@AlterMacGyver]

Potential names for the spyderco mini subvert: -Spyderco Unsettle -Spyderco Pervert -Spyderco Overturn -Spyderco Shady -Spyderco Clapback

[@ipodhty]

My votes for pervert!

[@ootdega]

Subsubvert

[@DieYuppieScum91]

Spyderco Mutiny

[@garethbaus5471]

@@ipodhty same here

[@jeffreyweber8006]

And I am also a huge fan of that closed-blade blend thing. I hate that corner sticking out.

[@erhon5]

I tend to like bright orange with that matte gray. But imagine an electric blue with the matte gray, that would be pretty.

[@brettclemens194]

The orange color has saved me a bunch of scratch over the years, our woods is littered with camo, black, and green knives. We started the orange taping of knives maybe a decade ago. Sweet blade man. Thank You.

[@travisaurus_rex]

I like the orange and dark Ti, but I think it would look amazing with British racing green G10

[@sharpsvilleBill]

YESSS. I was thinking dye to BRG!

[@terminatordill6797]

Wow that's beautiful 😍 my dream knife! Excellent video Nick

[@phillipnunya6793]

"It's a one sided clip. That makes sense because they would need to add a whole other otherwise." Cold Steel would like to have a word with you.

[@lloydjacobson1812]

Canada 🇨🇦 loves nick !! Excellent review !

[@joelhansen7373]

Nick, you need to spend a week working on a ranch or a farm & then you’d understand why some of us love big knives. We cut big, thick things. I look at that blade shape & see how beautifully that would slice through even thick ropes among other things. And the last thing I want on a big blade is an edge that’s super thin because it’s too susceptible to chipping. But this Blade’s flat grind still looks plenty slicey without being fragile, although I’d be even happier with a tougher steel than S30v. Even S35vn would be good to go. My experience is while S30v works fine on the smaller edc type knife you prefer, it’s too chippy on a work blade.

[@JDStone20]

Big folders are awesome. Your whole perspective on knives and steels will change once you really start using them and sharpening them

[@JDStone20]

@@MrLotus0303 I like all steels that are suitable for cutlery. S30V is a great steel for EDC use, especially if you need wear resistance and stain resistance. You just need to match the steel with its intended use, same with sharpening.

[@JDStone20]

@@MrLotus0303 I have 4" blades in both ATS 34/154CM and D2, and S30V is supposed to be tougher than both of those steels, I don't see a problem. Also, you can make up for a steel not being very tough with blade geometry, the blade here is 0.15" thick and a FFG, that is plenty steel no matter what is made of.

[@joelhansen7373]

Jason Daniel Stone - I’m talking about wanting a tougher edge on a hard use knife. So spine thickness is irrelevant. My experience is if S30v is ground thin enough to be truly slicey the edge tends to chip rather than roll under hard use when you hit imbedded sand or staples or a million other things. Yes, you can toughen the edge by thickening it, but then you give up sliceyness. (Is that a word?)

[@JDStone20]

@@joelhansen7373 Yes, I agree S30V isn't the ideal steel for what you are looking for in an edge. 154CM, 440C, D2, S30V will all mostly chip with wear when ground thin near the edge. This is due to the amount of carbides and size of the carbides in the steel. I was talking about overall toughness of the whole blade as something not to be worried about. Super Blue, M2 or 52100 is a more ideal steel for a thinly ground edge if you don't mind that it isn't stainless.

[@williamleidy6713]

Waited for the sprint run CPM20CV and textured carbon fiber. Awesome .

[@555Gear]

Waiting hopefully for a microvert version

[@markcoffman494]

555 Gear hoping for that also!

[@wrliggin2]

"I like em T H I C C, but dayum this is insane here...it's got some junk in the trunk." Great review nick👏

[@bryanlarsgaard9714]

Sir Nicks a lot

[@twai8036]

7:58 Nick said SH**. My life is complete

[@SA12String]

The size became apparent when you set it on your "provided by" disclaimer sheet. My god. They could easily thin that knife down by a third and have a really nice, much lighter pocket machete.

[@ramenoodle7853]

i dont think that people leaving negative comments about this knife are just getting their panties in a bunch. we are giving feedback to nick first of all and i highly doubt spyderco never sees these comments. I really hope spyderco isnt going to continue down this benchmade road because the price for this is unacceptable. i like it i think its ok but when Nick comes down so hard on the 940-1 for being $280 but excuses this at $300 that sends mixed messages. im only voicing my opinion amd concerns not dogging spyderco.

[@Lack_of_response]

It’s crazy like a fox because it is a pocket machete

[@Barr67]

i love orange knives! i want this in orange g-10, but with a 3.5in. blade and slightly thinner scales\stock. keep up the geat vids! ps| carbon fiber would be sexy AF.

[@matthewadler1329]

one of the few knives I actually like in orange. Just looks like really nice G10.

[@bobb.9917]

I will save up another $100 and buy The Drunken when it releases!😁

[@thebrothers4311]

Used this to gut my first deer this year. The bright orange saved me from losing it in snow about 5 times!! Love this knife so far

[@friedpork_owl]

+1 playfully insane. I’ve always appreciated your perspective. Cheers

[@charliemcawesome5012]

This may be a skinning knife magnum opus!! That blade size and shape would peel the hide off a moose in a wonderful way!

[@BParker55]

And yes I agree. Bearings with no flipper tab is a design sin. PB washers would have been an obviously better choice here

[@bryanlarsgaard9714]

That, and a already heavy blade.

[@BParker55]

@@BrothersCinco the problem is obviously in closing the knife. 🤦‍♂️

[@justaamateur6533]

Its over 300€ (300$), sure i wasnt planing to buy it but the value dosnt seem to be there, why not just get a Chris Reeve for the price?

[@Osprey1994]

Because this knife is fuckin huge and a CRK Large Sebenza isn't this big. If it's not you just shrug and move on, I don't get why people get their panties in a twist when something doesn't fit their preferences.

[@justaamateur6533]

@@Osprey1994 im not saying go get a Zebensa, but you can get bigger knives for less the price like the cold steel voyager, ill admit the Zebenza is pretty small compared to the spyderco, but im also kinda tired of American companies using s30v when they coud use s35vn But yeah i like to complain always about prices

[@sharpsvilleBill]

CR Sebenzas are not beaters. The Spydie is.

[@justaamateur6533]

@@sharpsvilleBill what ive understood theyre build to last quite long

[@DieYuppieScum91]

* Reviews an obviously huge knife, marketed to people who love huge knives * "On the bad side, this thing is huge" You don't say. Never change, Shabazz. Never change.

[@chieftain82]

Agreed!

[@timcummings8062]

I'm drawn to this knife and will be acquiring it as soon as I can get to my dealer.

[@0Hasslefree0]

I’ve been looking forward to seeing this knife pop up on the channel for a couple weeks now.

[@olafkliemt1145]

i have the black contoured G10 version. i think the orange/grey combination b-e-a-utiful. CF would be the queen though.

[@dorkknight413]

Looks at the delica "that's not a knife, this is a knife"

[@IsaqueLopesCampello]

Hey Nick. Here are some watches I think you should review: Citzen BN0150-28E Citzen AT0200-05E One is a diver and the other a chronograph, both eco-drive, so I think you might like them

[@jojojaykay]

Regarding the rit dye thing: how close to a nice deep red do you guys think one could get using which dye on these orange scales?

[@baddoopey]

Great for gardening, goes perfect with my Gardena hose.

[@richmichaud85]

A thinner/slicier 3.5 inch version of this would turn into a classic they could sell for the next 50 yrs

[@davidmarshall7752]

This was a big No for me when I first saw this 'un, but now I'm reconsidering. Oh that build !

[@kevinAuman1]

I'd like to imagine an upgraded version with carbon fiber scales and say S90V blade steel, now that'd be sweet!

[@andderlylujan7752]

Almost I just saw a video talking about a new release with 20CV and carbon fiber scales for 420$

[@patrickfrazier4191]

LOVE IT! I will be buying one as soon as I can, this is the big knife i need color change will be necessary probably some slimming by sanding but I love the blade. I have a benchmade contego and it's perfect for me but this has to be the next best thing.

[@TubieMcTubington]

Nice knife. I would love to have seen it as a compression lock.

[@Gluckstadt007]

I love this piece of ART!

[@damienhughes7228]

Wish they’d do a smaller version with less recurve to it if that is enough of one to complicate sharpening on a regular stone

[@LegionTacticoolCutlery]

300 bucks? Two words..... COLD STEEL. But as always enjoy your reviews.

[@davidaxman]

A design by Nati Amor on Valentine's day? Oh Nick!

[@dimscrawl4910]

I love the look of this knife, hope it represents more to come from Spyderco

[@cooperbon5771]

Just ordered one.

[@jeffbrooks1812]

I got one today. Love the color. This heavy duty knife has serious cutting power.due to the shape and thickness of the blade. The shape of the handle and the thickness provides great comfort and control. It’s built incredibly well with the best liner lock I’ve seen on a Spyderco. I agree that the clip should have been a standard mount, but I’m glad it’s right hand tip up without a wire clip. Wish it had a safe spot on the blade that hits your thumb when closing instead of the edge. I would like a smaller model, 3” blade with a flipper and same orange G10.

[@mikejoseph8392]

I dyed the scales and reground the blade to make the belly less severe, it changes the personality of this knife and makes it a much more pocket friendly. Awesome knife that I would have bet the farm on me not liking it.

[@CNYKnifeNerd]

You spent $300 on something you were sure you wouldn't like? God this hobby attracts some fucking idiots

[@Ploskkky]

I agree... not practical, but a great design with lots of attention to detail.

[@Seriously140]

I would like to see a Mini version of this.

[@sergeb.1717]

Spyderco sent it to you to sit back and chuckle.

[@grumpyoldwizard]

Second comment, sorry. The more I watch this, the more I want to buy it...

[@gunfun7772]

The more I see this knife the more I want it I fell in love with the orange G10 and I don't like orange at all

[@cafn8ed74]

Huge? It's probably the smallest kukri I've ever seen.

[@esoteric5277]

Stunted, stumped and hinged. Kukri just got subverted😵

[@jeffreyweber8006]

I'm a machinist....Freedom Units! Thank you for my new description of "standard" Lol!!!!

[@hovan1977]

It's a Sir Mix A Lot Special Factory Order...

[@hovan1977]

Small detail but I love the positioning of the Spyderco logo!

[@bryanlarsgaard9714]

(music) I like thicck knives and cannot like...

[@Shenmue728]

Yes Spyderco likes the color orange. So do I.

[@christamu2]

Marbled carbon fiber and I'm there. Maybe the aftermarket will work some magic here but I don't think this will sell well enough to generate much interest.

[@ootdega]

Buy some cocobolo off Ebay and make them yourself. Boom. Folding bowie knife.

[@christamu2]

@@ootdega That would look great but if I did the work I'd have to change the name to the Subpar.

[@onpoint1977]

You should have had your buddy in Siberia do the review that thing is crazy big!

[@VOIDVIDS]

LOOOOOVE the orange

[@justhereforgear3441]

I have never wanted to pick up so much of what Spyderco put down.

[@Mrplacedcookie]

Its growing on me... Ohh a regrind to my liking and it would be nice

[@mikejoseph8392]

Best comparison would have been the Military. It would have shown how bad the Blade to handle ratio is on the Military.

[@mason9392]

Subvert mini would be killer

[@ramenoodle7853]

$300 for s30v and scales, backspacer, and clip that im gonna have to spend more to swap. and it is on bearings without being a flipper and lol no man just freakin no.

[@bobbybridges4408]

Strugglematic? Okay Nick keep up the great work, love you bro

[@AshtonUppaluri]

knew you'd have a Cold Steel to compare to this beast :)

[@remcovanvliet3018]

I love everything about that except the pricing... 150-200 but be acceptable, although I feel for a work knife like that 100 would be more reasonable. 300 is out of the friggin question for me.

[@sharpsvilleBill]

$300 is outrageous. $200 to $225 I would by in a heartbeat

[@BrentonCarr]

That detent issue is the only thing that bothers me about my GB2 as well.

[@CNYKnifeNerd]

Easy fix. All the Bradley's have shit detents but are super easy to change

[@ryanhewitt8427]

If I got this knife I would have to get the McBee to carry with it

[@jeo1349]

I really like the design & flow..... Good stuff Nick.

[@Slippindisc]

Why don’t they bring the subvert out in a different color?

[@artemkanarchist]

I think this knife is beautiful - even though it’s three times bigger than what I usually carry

[@misterd3979]

OK - now I want one ----

[@bobb.9917]

Dutch Raymond you have my condolences...

[@ceejay8775]

You have great taste

[@janniejanse480]

The price on this is just insulting. Yes, the machining is decent, but G10 and S30V are not high end materials. Compare it to something like the WE Pleroma, which has outstanding machining and high end materials (M390, titanium and carbon fibre). Same price. And they can't argue that the size is a factor, since American companies make tiny little things like the new ZT 0022 and still charge $200 for it, claiming that the amount of materials used don't matter and that the development and machining is what makes it expensive. Companies like Spyderco, Benchmade and ZT are very quickly losing my support. Keep obsessively chasing those quarterly profit increases, guys. You're losing a lot of goodwill from your customers in the meantime.

[@janniejanse480]

@@BrothersCinco You must be new to the knife world. :)

[@janniejanse480]

@@BrothersCinco Classy response. Aggression is often a substitute for knowledge in willfully ignorant minds.

[@TheForkliftOfDoom]

looks like a good pouch knife a sort of modern buck 110

[@sputumtube]

I think you're missing the point with this knife. It seems (to me) to be a hard use farmers tool. Good thick handles to be useful while wearing gloves, orange scales so it's easy to find... it's not for opening packages or slicing fruit, it's for slashing through thick rope and disembowelling cattle! It doesn't need pretty rosewood/carbon fibre/micarta etc. handle scales. I think it's horrible, but I'm not a farmer/rancher...

[@Kevinclearysharpstuff]

I can't stand it the orange is a bit over the top I bet spyderco planed it to allow for some modification like you said, while I sit back and wonder why I like this I find myself unable to figure out if I should buy one it's almost like... well not good for my wallet.

[@dorkknight413]

Or outdoor use that orange would be easy to see if dropped in the middle of the woods

[@sharpsvilleBill]

I like orange scales but NOT THAT LARGE

[@LarryKidkil]

I'm always looking for another orange knife. I'm good at losing everything.

[@scottyh1509]

A pocket knife that wants to be a fixed blade? Look into the fixed blades Spyderco makes, they're excellent. Serrata, Proficient, Bradley Bowie, Zoomer...all great.

[@alisuperhornet]

They should have used a 'better' steel for this, given the price point

[@MetalRush666]

When @ShepardCC(IG) does the scales this one is def mine. Can't wait to see what he does with it!

[@jdemeter4357]

I like the look,but blade stock to thick even handles to.if all the thickness was cut in half and different colors I would pickup one

[@mcrn12]

I love it.

[@bkj427dvl]

Anybody else just get a subvert and immediately see if Nick did a review on it?🤣🤣

[@ArrowNin]

Spyderco pocket machete?

[@rlanger3108]

Needs an XL version

[@fanofactionflicks]

i like the handle colour not a fan of the blade shape.

[@erikboink4280]

Nick can you let the guys at Blade HQ I would love to have this knife and my Bday is soon I would buy it for myself unfortunately can’t afford it I promise to carry it every day everywhere BTW my favorite color is orange Don’t tell Ben

[@bobb.9917]

That isn't a knife. It's a machetė!!! 😂😂😂

[@DeadEyeRabbit]

mini machette. they need to make a mini version, they'd sell more

[@garethbaus5471]

The blade profile looks like it would slice like nobody's business, until you see how thick it is. That thickness might drop it down to merely average.

[@esoteric5277]

Busting a Snecx at less than a fifth of the cost is better than average💪

[@deanalbertson7203]

A folding machete. Nice.

[@willschaff969]

I want the exact knife but smaller

[@sharpsvilleBill]

This knife VERY MUCH begs for an about 30% smaller size with more scale color options. MANY more.

[@BackTheBlu]

I demand more watch reviews