The Spyderco Ouroboros Pocketknife: The Full Nick Shabazz Review
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- Опубликовано: 11 окт 2024
- The Spyderco Ouroboros is a unique, ergonomic, and absolutely excellent EDC knife design. Unfortunately, even with all the good there, it's let down by a high price, and an absolutely indefensible cut corner in production. So, barring some "Constant Quality Improvement", I'm afraid we'll be waiting for the Ouroboros 2 to really recommend this excellent knife.
The VG-10 and teflon at that price point is why I don't have one. Great review.
"the hottest guy at the leper colony" lol
excellent review Nick, very good points. Many of the issues you bring up with this knife echo what we think of the Spyderco ROC, love it but...
BirdShot IV lol haha
BirdShot IV He does have a way with words, our Nick....
First time I've seen anyone talk about the index finger flip instead of the middle finger. Glad to hear I'm not the only one who does this.
I liked that too. I chopped off part of my middle finger as a kid so that flip is a non-starter for me.
I think it's all a question of hand geometry!
Xacto does it too
Nick Shabazz I was wondering if you can do a review of the Buck vantage pro which is $60 US for a USA made knife with s30v steel and g10 handle
Someday, sure!
If it werent for the price, this would be in my inventory. Great review, thanks
Even the Delica has phosphor bronze washers... C'mon Spyderco. The Manix 2 is cheaper, made in the U.S, has S30v AND Bronze washers... Something is seriously amiss here.
I was fortunate enough to pick this guy up for 120 bucks, and at that price point it is an excellent knife. Contrary to what most are saying about the washers, mine came with excellent action (as well as the original box). I actually received the Knifecenter Cruwear PM2 that day as well, and out the box the Ouroboros to this day feels significantly better (the pm2 feels too tight and it's on phosphor bronze). I also agree with Nick, index flicking this knife is phenomenal and feels the best out of my 5 other Spydercos. It's a bit of a Niche knife, but Paul Alexander is definitely making big waves in Spyderco and we will keep seeing more designs from him. This first entry is a great introduction piece to what he is capable of engineering, although price is very meh at 180... Not sure how I feel about the Parata either at this point because my money is going to the crazy Tropen.
In a world of brand fans, junk reviews, and custom snobs, you are a welcome oasis, Nick. So on point. When I see teflon, I wish I could machine my own bronze washers to spec. So many knives whose actions could be so improved.
The narrow spyder hole area doesn't compromise lateral strength quite as much as you might think. Torsional rigidity is proportional to breath times thickness *cubed* so even a narrow run of full thickness ricasso goes a long way.
This one is pretty extreme though and probably does compromise lateral strength a bit, particularly on such a thin blade. Any other company would have put a thumbstud there to leave a little more meat.
I think for more around $100-$120ish AND have bronze washers it would be a good buy.
for its size I'd also like to see a better steel.
Thanks for all the coming vids nick
Interesting that they went for Teflon on this $170 piece but phosphor bronze on my Ambitious, which I bought new for ~$35. Great review
Made in 2 different countrys and factorys :)
If we used our knives for cutting more than fidgeting, perhaps action would be less of a factor. I’m guilty of this too, just saying.
just recieved mine the other day and I feel the same about the washers and the action. awesome knife but the action was a bit of a disappointment. the compression lock is a bit hard to push in also. old if it's something that could be bent back a bit to ease the action of the lock mech. I won on auction on ebay for good price is why I picked one up. I don't think I would have bought at full price but the one I got was mint cond.just missing the box. think I only paid 130 so I'm okay with it. plz let me know if you ever switched the washers out and if so did it help? Also wss curious to see if your compression button thing on top was kinda hard to push in and hold over while using it? Thanks for the vids and I'm a def.fan of your stuff. keep up the awesome work and ttyl.have a good one
Picked up one on closeout because I work for a dealer. Love it . No regrets.
I have a handful of knifes I have been wanting to swap out the teflon to bronze washers. I find that the USA knife maker site to have them along with carbon fibre pocket clips.
I had similar feelings on this one, first saw it and I was ecstatic to get one and bring it to my viewers. Then I read that it would be VG10 and teflon, so I was hoping for a great price, I didn't even order one. I don't usually complain about price much but this by material choices, is $80 at most.
I will never understand Spyderco's pricing. Four years ago I bought a Spyderco Superleaf that was made from the same exact materials as your knife (but much bigger, with a 4mm thick blade), and I paid $70 less than what they are asking for the Ouroboros. Makes no sense!
You are missing the entire concept behind this knife which is why they have used VG10 & Teflon washers.
Interested to hear how this guy will run on bronze washers. Good luck, Nick.
The lack of steel around the hole should be a not issue considering there is still more steel there than there is in the stop pin or pivot screw in this or most other knives.
If they're making this in Japan anyways ZDP-189 or white/blue paper steel would be really cool options
I love the blade shape on this and the dragonfly wish spyderco would make more framelocks cause these would be sweet framelocks
Never heard anyone say buoy and bowie the same way
The Delica 4 has phosphor bronze washers and it's about 1/3 the price really Spyderco.
That SOB reminds me of the Ying / Yang symbol. I know it was recorded on 2016 but it’s a first time watching today. Gimme a break.
Phosphor bronze alloy is at about $2500/ton right now, so yeah... Knifekits.com sells a pair of bronze washers for $0.54.
Holy shit, 54 cents, I apologize for saying Spyderco cheaped out with teflon. That cost justifies the high price. Thanks for the info. WAKE-UP Spyderco. Now they have a G-10 Delica with ZDP-189 with etching on the blade on Massdrop for the reduced price of $200. WTF?
Oh, Massdrop. You so crazy.
MrGeerbear plus the 6 month wait, IMO I don't get why its $200 ; (zdp-189 +delica ± g-10 + blade finish=$200?)
Seems crazy to me!
Don't get me going on Messdropped.
This is especially worrying after the release of the 2017 catalog showcasing so many nice designs coming out of Japan. As if the prices weren't bad enough already (Lil Temp 3 costs the same as Spydiechef?), now you have to worry about the kind of washers they'll be using as well. I know I won't be pre-ordering anything.
I finally bought my first Spyderco (Tenacious) a couple weeks ago. The bearings came dry and dirty from the factory, and would squeak when I'd open the knife. Horrible action with sound effects. I had to disassemble, clean, and lube it right off the bat. I also have to avoid flicking it with my middle finger because the flick is always accompanied by fingernail dust. Seems like a halfway decent knife, but it wasn't a very good introduction to a new brand. Please tell me this is a rare occurrence.
+Ian Snyder That sucks. A bit of sanding around the Spydiehole will help the finger issues, and a bit of lubrication will help the knife. But remember, that's Spyderco's least expensive knife. Not a great judge of the whole brand.
That was my hope. It was sort of a whim purchase anyway. I went to my LKS to finally buy that ZT 0456 I've been wanting, but they were closed. And dammit, I was gonna buy *something*. Walmart was on the way home and they had a single tenacious on the shelf, so I snatched it. All in, still not a bad knife.
It's 130$ on bladehq but discontinued. Is that worth it? And can I replace the crappy washers for bronze? I love the design but am worried about the long term durability
That's better. And it'll probably be OK in the long term, as you can always swap the washers if they fail. But there are many great knives out there.
@@NickShabazz woah didn't expect a reply from you haha. I've never had a Spyderco but I'm gonna give them a try. Should I just get a delica instead? Or is this a good introduction to the company? Thanks
I'd just go Delica or PM2 or FRN Chaparral instead :)
Hey Nick, you gonna pick up one of his Silverax's?
when do you get the washers in the mailbox Nick?
What a cute little guy. And as usually, I am finding out way after it was discontinued ...
I like your review and the candor about the good and bad points. At $170 this really is over priced. Even if you are able to replace the washers, why pay a premium price for a fixer-upper knife?
Perfectly said, Michelle.
That's definitely a great point. For $100+, you shouldn't have to tweak to make it right. But, being an idiot, I've ordered $6 worth of washers ($3 in washers, $3 in shipping) to see if I can't salvage it.
How did the fix work Nick?
Shoulda been zdp189 in my opinion with bronze washers
Great video! Are you able to record in 4K? I'd love to see your reviews in UHD!
the vg10 thing is interesting. given what's out there, it is hard to accept a higher dollar knife coming with it. but in all honesty, for me, I'd love to see it in more of the very high quality knives. I really don't care to have a steel any "better" than something like vg10, or 154cm. I admit to majorly sucking at sharpening, and no matter how good of a steel you have, it'll still need to be sharpened. I just got a sage 3, in s30v, for me, I'd have gladly paid that same price for vg10 or 154 cm. same goes with the benchmade 940-1 I plan on buying soon. a surely overpriced knife at nearly 300 dollars, but I just love it, and need to have one. I know s90v is a fantastic steel, but in some ways, I'd be even more willing to drop the cash on it if it was plain old 154cm.
AHH.. love the design was allll set to purchase UNTIL the teflon washers. god damnit. also.. why not some jumping on the top rear of blade. jumping is always a plus.
Jimping?
I love mine, but I tend to like weird knives. Really looking forward to seeing if you can turn that Teflon into bronze. Keep us updated with the experiment.
Thanks for taking the hit and giving us all a clear view on this knife, Nick. It was on my short list, but the price and the teflon washers kills that. Guess I'll be looking into the other knives, like the Para 3 and the Q-Ball, until those corrections are made.
Funny you mentioned not being impressed by the Japanese factory. The Apostle P frequently says the same thing. So, what, Japan is great for affordable watches, not so much for knives?
Looks like it would be an amazing wild game Skinner knife and food prep, probably would of been better as a fix blade design.
You are going to create the "Shabazz Ouroboros Philosopher's Stone Edition". You will turn teflon into bronze through transmutation.
Nick, I couldn't agree more about cheaping out on the washers. I find Spyderco doing this type of thing more and more. The knife business is getting more and more competitive. I'm think WE has become a behemoth in the business and has set a new standard for all knife companies.
Kizer uses great materials, but needs some work on detent and design. Reate is excellent, but overpriced. WE has it all. I know they haven't received the recognition they're due, but what a line-up of knives. This year alone they came out with 15 models. All come in different color schemes and blade shapes. The fit and finish are superb. The intricate milling and design are head and shoulders above the competition. Failure proof detents and flipping actions (except the fixed blade :-). Check out the latest five on KnifeCollector 031 Netherlands. Just unbelievable. I know you like smaller blades so the 605 would be best for you. The others are pretty large. All models come in under $300. I only own the 601, and it is near perfection. On the budget end I like Real Steel out of China. The S571 pro is their premier blade at $180 and has pin (roller) pivot system. Kevin Cleary is a big fan of that model. Other models are made with Sandvik steel and G-10 and are generally under $55. They're excellent budget knives. Nick, did your head explode when Benchmade was named manufacturer of the year by dealers in KnifeNews? You watch, WE is coming, I was just a bit premature in my announcement.
+MrGeerbear WE does good work. They need to get themselves some real fasteners ASAP, but much of what they're doing is pretty compelling. :)
But they do include a tool for the proprietary hardware :-) Take care.
+MrGeerbear Which stripped out the first time I tried to use it :)
Ooooh, don't like to hear that. I'll pass that info. to a warranty guy. Need to harden that stuff. Are they using a lot of loctite like Spyderco? I appreciate the heads-up. Like I said, you have a discerning eye. Now I'll go slit my wrists as my WE balloon just burst :-). No one is perfect. Take care.
The price of this knife reflects the only major quality I hate about Spyderco. I can buy a Spyderco Military for 10 bucks CHEAPER than this knife. Why? There is literally no reason to make it more expensive besides the fact tons of people were excited to buy what they thought would be the next big "budget" Spyderco.
Boy did Spydie piss on that dream.
lol "murdery ZT"
thanks for the honesty! awesome
Just picked one up on White Mountain Knives for $122. Still need to find bronze washers for it for when it arrives
I would buy this all day long in Superblue or HAP40 with phosphor bronze washers. But as it lies...nah.
Nicky, you sound like my bookie if we were in a Scorsese film together. 🤔
Another nice knife review.
Love the look of that blade
The steel choice is probably because they want it to be able to take a perfect razor edge. While zdp189 would have been even better, a steel like s30v and even s35vn couldn't take as fine an edge. This desire for sharpenability may be due to it's similarity to and possible inspiration from the straight razor.
The washers are pretty inexcusable though
My interest in this knife was for what seems like a very food prep friendly blade shape. But as of today on Bhq, $20 more gets you a Spydiechef! I know which I'd prefer
Bought one of these on Ebay for 120. Thought it was a good deal since it was listed as Brand New in Box. Got it loved... but a few weeks later I kinda noticed some rattling like you had... and I'm pretty sure the washers are going out. Will be reaching out to Spyderco customer service to see what they can do. At 180 dollar msrp totally unacceptable.. why the F didn't they just use bronze washers... like every other Spyder I own.
NICK: have U seen the Paramilitary 3, ya I said 3. I have seen photos, and all I see in difference is the clip screw holes????
Seen? Damnit man, I've ordered one! And it's smaller. 3" only!
They should have used ZDP-189 steel.
I'm not a fan of the Japanese produced spydercos... I always have some F&F issue. Will stick to the taichug and Golden
+drumerboy1231 Yeah, I'm coming to that conclusion myself
The blade shape I'm just confused on😂
Like buying a $100k Porsche and getting cheap no-name Korean tires. Brilliant design let down by cost cutting. Engineers shouldn't need to answer to Accountants. Happens all too often in big companies. The materials make this a $100 knife in my book.
Just curious: Do you actually test and observe people's reactions to your pulling out and using your knives? If you don't, you probably shouldn't, but that could make for some quality RUclips viewing.
they just discontinue it on BHQ so I finally picke this knife up. Probably going to throw some PB washers in and run it as it should be lol
are you gonna get the Wharncliffe delica?
Well that's all I needed to hear.
Hahaha normally you cost me money but today I get to keep some. :-)
love the reviews. thanks for entering me for about 20 minutes.
dandandatreeman I really hope that was a typo. I mean really.
entertaining I mean of course.
dandandatreeman That was an awesome typo:)
Freudian AF. 🏆
Middle finger flick is much easier for me than an index finger flick.
Absolutely amazing looking knife. Less than $100 and I would be all over it.
I wish it were made in the US or at the very least used better steel for its price point.
Love the looks but I might get the P3 for the very reasons above.
tbh for the price, I would have expected ZDP-189 or HAP-40 (M4 equivalent).
So you like FMA?
10:45 gimme this in k390 please
Another example of Sal and Erik gouging prices for their customers!
Love Spyderco's, but 170 big ones for Teflon washers and VG10 is a joke. I would have picked this up for at least S30v and phosphor bronze washers...
The real test is will it spread mayonnaise?
U.S.A. 🇺🇸
%100 buying this when the improved version comes out
Fantastic review. I really love the look at this but a lot of money for what it is
While the design may be great, the implementation is a complete miss. The knife is priced a good $100 over it's value and thats UGLY. I mean really - VG10, teflon washers, and G10 on a 3" folder made in Japan that cost's $170 - ridiculous. With better steel and PB washers it's more like a $120 knife.
It's got a yin and yang look to it when closed which I like but I won't by because of the ugly, nice review Nick!
no middle finger flick?
love the knife hate the price
Thye should call the big version the Uber Ouroboros
Great review all around. I'll pass, I have the junior already and it has served me well. Still love the Delica, PM2, Caly, and Sage. Thumbs up!
Vg10 and Teflon washers on a $180 dollar knife seems a little high.
It's disappointing when so much promise goes unfulfilled. Such is life.
Even $20 Sanrenmu's have teflon + metal washers...
Come on Spyderco.
Despite the coool design total fail by Spyderco on built and material execution for the value sadly an easy pass.
Too bad, love the design.
Yes the price is horrible. May as well get a pm2.
O yes
VG-10 for $175.... Nope.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My daughter gave me a Great Western necker about 25 years ago, looks very much like this one, but it is a one piece....
I looked at my usual knifesite and they sell this for about €230 wich is like $250 if it was like €100 cheaper I'd love this for an edc blade but it's just way overpriced
That is definitely the knife choil I can live with. Finger is deeper, inside the edge… those words are kinda wrong…
G10/VG10/teflon wasers/$170.....no way in hell.
I took one look at that knife, decided I liked the design then googled the price and noped...
What a shame.
A lot of Spydercos are weird and ugly, but this is very interesting
spyderco prices walmart quality
The washers aside, the build quality is still way above what you get from CRKT or Kershaw.
fair enough but the washers are a huge deal breaker for me although I do hope Spyderco improves the thrust bushings with bronze because I love the design
Really?? Better quality than a Skyline or a Blur in S30V for 90 bucks?? I would say same quality and the reason you would spend 167 on this knife is if you like the design. But I would debate all day of the quality comparisons. VG10 is comparable to Aus8. Even if they used S30V it would still be too much because S30Vis becoming old news. S35VN is actually the new standard. Everyone is using it! I can look at my Kershaws and find more comparable knives at lower price. And the warranty at Kai is great in my experience. But then again, I am biased. I divorced Spyderco! Not a Spydie fan anymore as Sal and Eric I feel tend to be Elitist and view their company as far above others and they can charge a boatload. Also, did you notice the price reductions at several of their knives. The Rubicon is a prime example. So they backtrack on their MAP pricing when something does not sell. Then they let resellers reduce prices. I returned a ZT0562CF and a week I had a new knife. Better than Spyderco.
At quadruple the price.
+Zero4U- I couldn't agree with you more. Spyderco in many ways lives off their reputation and I find myself always disliking something about the knives they now produce. The Nirvana is $400+, but has a torx screw as a pivot and an off the shelf painted stainless steel pocket clip. All this and lock stick. I have the Hungarian, which is nice, but the liner lock is recessed into the frame making it a thumb digger. I can go on and on including the use of teflon washers here. Shitty warranty, too. I know you're thinking, isn't this the guy I've battled before? Yes I am. You have solid knowledge, just keep your criticisms on knives and don't get personal. Just saying. I'm certainly with you on this topic. Now everything between us is rainbows and unicorns :-)
yep tephlon is a horrible material to use on knife pivots
I am done buying knives with tephlon washers
It doesn't look strong with were the hole is
Way too expensive for what to get. Great knife otherwise. if it had better steel, I'd consider it.
I was going to buy one until you mentioned TEFLON!!! Not a flipping chance now!! Spyderco should be firing that production manager. But will they?? No!! They will lay off a few assemblers instead!! “LOOSERS”....