I think most people understand the idea behind making a camp knife with orange scales. It doesn't change the fact that it's unappealing to anyone who isn't in love with this color.
I ordered this one right after watching your unboxing. (It was supposed to commemorate the Chiefs winning their second in 2 years, but....yeah.) I have to say, for anyone with extremely large hands, this is an amazingly comfortable knife. It is almost exactly the same size as my Benchmade Crooked River and maybe more comfortable. It's old school Cadillac--big, smooth and plush. Couldn't be happier with the purchase!
This is a Nati Amor from Black Snow Customs collaboration knife with Spyderco to give those who can't afford a real custom from Nati a chance to own the design. $2000 plus on the Nati Sabotage which is the knife this is modeled after. As a fan of Nati and wanting to own one, I have no complaints with this knife or the facility it was made in which has been putting out high quality knives for several years and is on par with Seki City Japan. I would love it if it had been USA made, but those are the breaks.
I need to get one! I probably won't use it, but it's indeed a great opportunity to own a $2000 custom design for much less. I'll probably gift it to my dad after a while, he forages for all sorts of plants and this looks like a great chopper! Like a folding kukri. Dig a bit, cut a bit, multi tool knife. I'll probably play with it on the couch for a month or so first.
Once S30V is phased out it will become the most retro-cool steel option ever. We're spoiled for choice and it's currently over saturated in the market... but S30V is a great user.
Correct me if I am wrong but S90V is notoriously difficult to sharpen. At least that's what I've heard. As you said this seems like more of a camping companion and not EDC blade. Out in the wilderness, you would want a good steel, but one that's not going to be a pain to sharpen up... That seems like the logic anyways?
A very fair review. In my eyes this is much greater than the sum of its parts, not because of the build quality and execution but because it is an obtainable version of a very expensive custom design. I plan to dye the scales black and purchase a custom milled clip to try to more closely match what Nati does on his Sabotage model.
MT, this item would make a very nice folding hunter! Other than dealing with a bit if excessive belly, I wouldn’t hesitate to pick it up and disassemble a whitetail deer or a feral hog. If you were to do this a time or two, the orange scales would reveal their value in the first 15 minutes. Nice knife...
I have a Surefire flashlight holster that I carry the Subvert on my belt. I have taken off the knife's pocket clip. Sometimes I carry it in a medium size messenger bag.
I remember when this came out, it was Spyderco “interpretation” of a hard use knife. It was designed to be excessive in every dimension. As for the S30V .. remember steel availability has changed much since 2018.
That isn't true...the knife is a faithful reproduction of Nati Amor's expensive customs, with more affordable materials. Nothing to do with Spyderco's "interpretation" of anything.
@@StuckSeatpost yes true however Spyderco was looking for a hard use candidate and this fit their “interpretation”. If I recall correctly the interview with Sal, he was rather put off with Cold Steel and other brands and stated “this is our interpretation of a hard use knife ... it’s excessive in every dimension especially compared to the rest of our line.” Or something along those lines. Sorry if my statements offend you or you thought I was disingenuous to the original designer.
Seems like you only ever seem to find knives this ridiculously thick in the super-high-end custom realm. I think that makes this knife actually pretty cool and unique in the mere mortal price range. It captures some of that insane, otherworldiness of those knives.
This is one knife I wanted, but there were a few factors that I couldn't justify. 1 The price was definitely a factor, although I think I could have saved for it. 2. No lock bar insert. I learned the hard way with a sebenza 21, I played with that until the lockbar wore down within 1.5 yrs. Due to various reasons - being out of production [new improved model came out discontinuing it], I had the scale anodized which voided the warranty, so they wouldn't fix it even for money. So Its just a heavy expensive paper weight atm. So with something that I know I would fidget with to hell and back, this the fear that this will become an expensive paperweight, was a factor. 3. It's legally larger than I am allowed to carry on person in my state [ 3.5" state], which isn't totally a deal breaker if I just use it at home, but does make it harder to justify. It's a gorgeous knife imo, just wish I had excess money to spend on it lol. Thanks for the vid.
M390 would've been a GREAT CHOICE of STEEL too I think and in Black. Orange is Kool because I an Orange Ritter Houge, but Black would've been a Good Color. Orange in some cases directs some folks mind towards Camping/Hunting.........Great Video MC, 🤝🏾🇺🇲💪🏾
S90v would be dumb, it's a pocket parang for chopping at vegetation. I would not want to use S90v in the jungle or in the garden, it would hit a pebble and chip on my first day. Stronger, but lower edge retention stainless is the right choice.
I can't justify spending 350 euro on one particular knife at the moment so what I did was I bought a rat model 1 in orange g10 and just call that my mini subvert😂😂😂
Checking thickness...the Subvert is wider than anything on the table with just liners, before you put the fancy orange pants on it. A pocket parang is exactly my wheelhouse. I just wish it were a bit smaller and less expensive. Take care out there, man.
Personally, if they wanted to keep within the same steel "family", I would think SPY27 at the minimum, but CruWear, M4, K390 or M390/20CV/204P for the blade steel should have been in there over S30V. I love my S30V knives, but on a knife that is approaching going over the $300 price point, I would feel a little taken advantage of.
I'd take M390 off that list, too brittle for a chopper and not massively better wear resistance than S30V, but I fully agree with SPY27, that's tougher than S30V, maybe it wasn't a thing yet when they released this. I love CruWear, M4, and K390 they're some of my favorite steels and some of the most balanced out there, but not stainless which I assume is a requirement here. Maybe LC200N would have also worked for the toughness and stainlessness a knife like this would need. 14C28N even, but that has a budget steel reputation so I see why they'd dodge it.
Dang I like it but I don't know if I'd buy it at that price. I'm kinda with you on what exactly you'd use it for. It looks like it's meant for chopping but I can't imagine it's hold up to prolonged abuse like that or be any better than a cheap walmart machete. I still want one.
I like this Knife, the first time I saw it was on BirdshotIV and I still think the Blade looks like a big ass Toe lol. It’s hard not to like Spyderco....
Yeah... Good camping knife... But then again.. I still would prefer taking a Mora. Affordable and functional and if you lose one... Easy to replace. If I lost this, I would be sad for a whole month. And you are correct. Taiwan Spydercos are great. I don't think I would want to take a 300 dollar knife into the woods so I don't know what I would use this for.
I want this but I’m thinking maybe a socom elite. I guess you’d recommend a hinderer since I’ve never held one. I recently got comfortable spydie flicking the kapara that I’m now able to spider flip the Drunken. I’d never figured out the drunken without the kapara.
I agree that S90V is more appropriate on this. A tiny bit less toughness(compensated by having a thick blade) but gains A LOT of wear resistance. But really, if we were supposed to do chopping or baton with it with it why make it in low toughness steel and frame lock? If it were made for pocket jewelry (OK, for chunky pocket and wallets ) why not go S90V / S110V to shut up the critics that can't afford them anyways and please the people that does?
Top Gear Bolivia Special ruined machetes forever, for me. "It's double-edged, cause both sides are the same." "They're both blunt." "Ya may as well hit it... with the side." I'm just going to laugh all the time. In saying that, I may be in love ;) Cheers.
Agreed. S30V is a good solid steel but it’s just boring at this point what with the current level of awareness of the average knife enthusiast and the myriad of exotic super steels in the industry. S90V would work but this knife is screaming for 3V, CRU-WEAR or Elmax, IMO. CPM-M4 with a nice coating would be awesome! Even S110V would work. Just NO BLURPLE! I love the design but $325? Why? Build quality isn’t an excuse imo. Every Spyderco from Taichung has superb build quality. I blame prices on the “mid-tech” market. As soon as $200 to $400 knives started coming from China, instead of US makers holding their ground and standing on their well deserved attributes and patriotism they decided to ramp prices up accordingly just because. Imo of course.
Let’s be honest it’s a love it or hate it job and the price meh it’s a spyderco they have always been a little bit backwards on their prices, for me I can’t really understand why I love the thing! As for what it’s use could be I know it’s going to be a beast for chopping down them thick stemmed green lady’s 😏😚💨🤤😘👍
Guys... none of this is accurate. You're lumping ALL manufacturing by region into one collective example of quality for each individual country. Some US knife companies have good manufacturing and some don't. Some knives that are manufactured in Taiwan are good, and some aren't. Same with China. There is no universally definitive "best" country for knife manufacturing. Usually (but not in every case) the more you spend, the better the quality is. Doesn't matter where it's made.
When Michael Myers discovered the convenience of a folder vs carrying around a large kitchen knife, this is what he chose.
This and that microtech otf that the blade exceeds the handle at all times.
@@gmoney5947 oh that troll knife which mocked *vEnOm tEcH*
😂🔪🪓
I've had this knife for over a year, and if can get passed the size it is an amazing carry knife.
Nati made the subvert to cut sausage the belly is perfect for drawing through sausages. And his customs are super thick 😍
It's orange because it's designed to be a folding survival/camping knife. It's hard to lose something orange in the wilderness.
I think most people understand the idea behind making a camp knife with orange scales. It doesn't change the fact that it's unappealing to anyone who isn't in love with this color.
@@metal_complex function over form
I ordered this one right after watching your unboxing. (It was supposed to commemorate the Chiefs winning their second in 2 years, but....yeah.)
I have to say, for anyone with extremely large hands, this is an amazingly comfortable knife. It is almost exactly the same size as my Benchmade Crooked River and maybe more comfortable. It's old school Cadillac--big, smooth and plush.
Couldn't be happier with the purchase!
This is a Nati Amor from Black Snow Customs collaboration knife with Spyderco to give those who can't afford a real custom from Nati a chance to own the design. $2000 plus on the Nati Sabotage which is the knife this is modeled after. As a fan of Nati and wanting to own one, I have no complaints with this knife or the facility it was made in which has been putting out high quality knives for several years and is on par with Seki City Japan. I would love it if it had been USA made, but those are the breaks.
I need to get one! I probably won't use it, but it's indeed a great opportunity to own a $2000 custom design for much less. I'll probably gift it to my dad after a while, he forages for all sorts of plants and this looks like a great chopper! Like a folding kukri. Dig a bit, cut a bit, multi tool knife. I'll probably play with it on the couch for a month or so first.
Once S30V is phased out it will become the most retro-cool steel option ever. We're spoiled for choice and it's currently over saturated in the market... but S30V is a great user.
... also, this should have been XHP
Correct me if I am wrong but S90V is notoriously difficult to sharpen. At least that's what I've heard.
As you said this seems like more of a camping companion and not EDC blade. Out in the wilderness, you would want a good steel, but one that's not going to be a pain to sharpen up... That seems like the logic anyways?
A very fair review. In my eyes this is much greater than the sum of its parts, not because of the build quality and execution but because it is an obtainable version of a very expensive custom design. I plan to dye the scales black and purchase a custom milled clip to try to more closely match what Nati does on his Sabotage model.
MT, this item would make a very nice folding hunter! Other than dealing with a bit if excessive belly, I wouldn’t hesitate to pick it up and disassemble a whitetail deer or a feral hog. If you were to do this a time or two, the orange scales would reveal their value in the first 15 minutes. Nice knife...
I don't usually like orange on a knife, but I like that orange. What a ridiculous beast of a knife. Love it!
Cruwear seems like it'd be a good fit for this
Lots to love here for me, and you can Rit dye the orange scales. I know black or red both come out good.
I have a Surefire flashlight holster that I carry the Subvert on my belt. I have taken off the knife's pocket clip. Sometimes I carry it in a medium size messenger bag.
MC this whole review: this thing is huge! It's long and thick but it feels so good!
Me:.... That's what she said.
I remember when this came out, it was Spyderco “interpretation” of a hard use knife. It was designed to be excessive in every dimension. As for the S30V .. remember steel availability has changed much since 2018.
That isn't true...the knife is a faithful reproduction of Nati Amor's expensive customs, with more affordable materials. Nothing to do with Spyderco's "interpretation" of anything.
@@StuckSeatpost yes true however Spyderco was looking for a hard use candidate and this fit their “interpretation”. If I recall correctly the interview with Sal, he was rather put off with Cold Steel and other brands and stated “this is our interpretation of a hard use knife ... it’s excessive in every dimension especially compared to the rest of our line.” Or something along those lines. Sorry if my statements offend you or you thought I was disingenuous to the original designer.
Seems like you only ever seem to find knives this ridiculously thick in the super-high-end custom realm. I think that makes this knife actually pretty cool and unique in the mere mortal price range. It captures some of that insane, otherworldiness of those knives.
This is one knife I wanted, but there were a few factors that I couldn't justify. 1 The price was definitely a factor, although I think I could have saved for it. 2. No lock bar insert. I learned the hard way with a sebenza 21, I played with that until the lockbar wore down within 1.5 yrs. Due to various reasons - being out of production [new improved model came out discontinuing it], I had the scale anodized which voided the warranty, so they wouldn't fix it even for money. So Its just a heavy expensive paper weight atm. So with something that I know I would fidget with to hell and back, this the fear that this will become an expensive paperweight, was a factor. 3. It's legally larger than I am allowed to carry on person in my state [ 3.5" state], which isn't totally a deal breaker if I just use it at home, but does make it harder to justify. It's a gorgeous knife imo, just wish I had excess money to spend on it lol. Thanks for the vid.
M390 would've been a GREAT CHOICE of STEEL too I think and in Black. Orange is Kool because I an Orange Ritter Houge, but Black would've been a Good Color. Orange in some cases directs some folks mind towards Camping/Hunting.........Great Video MC, 🤝🏾🇺🇲💪🏾
S90v would be dumb, it's a pocket parang for chopping at vegetation. I would not want to use S90v in the jungle or in the garden, it would hit a pebble and chip on my first day. Stronger, but lower edge retention stainless is the right choice.
Also, the fact they made it "slash at vines" chunky instead of edc thin shows spydie is still building to purpose. Bravo.
I can't justify spending 350 euro on one particular knife at the moment so what I did was I bought a rat model 1 in orange g10 and just call that my mini subvert😂😂😂
Wow, that’s a sweet blade right there!
This one would have been great in Cruwear.
S45VN would've been a good choice. Or REX 45.
Checking thickness...the Subvert is wider than anything on the table with just liners, before you put the fancy orange pants on it. A pocket parang is exactly my wheelhouse. I just wish it were a bit smaller and less expensive. Take care out there, man.
Hell, even M4 would've been KOOL too.
This would be awesome in micarta
Would make a good hunting knife processing and skinning game. I like it and have added it to my wishlist .
Thanks MC! You just cost me $400 CAD 😂👌🏻
Edit: plus tax 😒
Haha my bad 😉
@@metal_complex 🤘🏻😜🤘🏻
I like this knife. If they had a color besides orange, I would have ordered one already.
Dye the scales black.
I do think it should be m4 or 3v steel
Personally, if they wanted to keep within the same steel "family", I would think SPY27 at the minimum, but CruWear, M4, K390 or M390/20CV/204P for the blade steel should have been in there over S30V. I love my S30V knives, but on a knife that is approaching going over the $300 price point, I would feel a little taken advantage of.
I agree I want this knife really bad... but I just can't get myself to do it.
I'd take M390 off that list, too brittle for a chopper and not massively better wear resistance than S30V, but I fully agree with SPY27, that's tougher than S30V, maybe it wasn't a thing yet when they released this. I love CruWear, M4, and K390 they're some of my favorite steels and some of the most balanced out there, but not stainless which I assume is a requirement here. Maybe LC200N would have also worked for the toughness and stainlessness a knife like this would need. 14C28N even, but that has a budget steel reputation so I see why they'd dodge it.
Looks to me like the perfect blank slate to mod into a titanium frame lock with whatever blade shape/grind You fancy👌🤷♂️
That's a very good looking knife!
Dang I like it but I don't know if I'd buy it at that price. I'm kinda with you on what exactly you'd use it for. It looks like it's meant for chopping but I can't imagine it's hold up to prolonged abuse like that or be any better than a cheap walmart machete. I still want one.
"Machete keeeel"- Danny Trejo
I like this Knife, the first time I saw it was on BirdshotIV and I still think the Blade looks like a big ass Toe lol. It’s hard not to like Spyderco....
Greetings from Mexico I just received my Spyderco Maxamat Manix 2 and the blade arrived off-center, how can I center it?
Yeah... Good camping knife... But then again.. I still would prefer taking a Mora. Affordable and functional and if you lose one... Easy to replace.
If I lost this, I would be sad for a whole month.
And you are correct. Taiwan Spydercos are great.
I don't think I would want to take a 300 dollar knife into the woods so I don't know what I would use this for.
Sweet! Another non-derpy lookin spyderco!
I think it's awesome I'd love to get one
I want this but I’m thinking maybe a socom elite. I guess you’d recommend a hinderer since I’ve never held one. I recently got comfortable spydie flicking the kapara that I’m now able to spider flip the Drunken. I’d never figured out the drunken without the kapara.
Ok, the question that must be asked, which knife wins the "big-dumd-awesome" contest between this and that Godfather you recently posted?
I need to get a spyderco
Spyderco needs to make them more in all black with M4 or Cruware
I agree that S90V is more appropriate on this. A tiny bit less toughness(compensated by having a thick blade) but gains A LOT of wear resistance.
But really, if we were supposed to do chopping or baton with it with it why make it in low toughness steel and frame lock? If it were made for pocket jewelry (OK, for chunky pocket and wallets ) why not go S90V / S110V to shut up the critics that can't afford them anyways and please the people that does?
I've been wanting to try a Subvert since they came out. I always seen to go with something else first though. I like & hate the looks of it.
I’m an ophthalmic technician and imager and this is my edc. Yea probably overkill.
I love hearing stuff like this. Enjoy the overkill 😊
I want one how do i get one
Glad you kicked it bro
I like this knife. Does anyone make a new clip for it? If not, then this would be a clipless knife with lanyard for me.
Mxg gear and Lynch made aftermarket clips for Spydercos. This clip looks to be the same as the Shaman
With all that coughing, I feel like I have a scratching throat now.🤣👍 JK
Question is it thick or is it THICC?
Priced to much for the steel and I agree the pocket clip leaves a lot to be desired with the price tag.
Top Gear Bolivia Special ruined machetes forever, for me. "It's double-edged, cause both sides are the same." "They're both blunt." "Ya may as well hit it... with the side." I'm just going to laugh all the time. In saying that, I may be in love ;) Cheers.
I also get unreasonably negative when I'm sick.
Ohh forgot to say get well fast that cough is just hanging around you brother 💊💊💊👍
If it wasn't orange, I'd get it.
Agreed. S30V is a good solid steel but it’s just boring at this point what with the current level of awareness of the average knife enthusiast and the myriad of exotic super steels in the industry.
S90V would work but this knife is screaming for 3V, CRU-WEAR or Elmax, IMO. CPM-M4 with a nice coating would be awesome! Even S110V would work. Just NO BLURPLE!
I love the design but $325? Why?
Build quality isn’t an excuse imo. Every Spyderco from Taichung has superb build quality.
I blame prices on the “mid-tech” market. As soon as $200 to $400 knives started coming from China, instead of US makers holding their ground and standing on their well deserved attributes and patriotism they decided to ramp prices up accordingly just because.
Imo of course.
At least it has a lanyard hole for those of us who prefer not to wear restrictive pants
Definitely a shame about the clip. Nati's custom clips are beautiful.
Great vid
I want to get a spyderco
I've always really liked the look of that knife but wish it came in a smaller size.
Not saying it has to be in s90v buuuut......
Hi!
I can't help thinking this looks like a gardening tool...
You make gardening sound like fun😜
@@esoteric5277 Yes, it would be a very nice gardening tool :D
Let’s be honest it’s a love it or hate it job and the price meh it’s a spyderco they have always been a little bit backwards on their prices, for me I can’t really understand why I love the thing! As for what it’s use could be I know it’s going to be a beast for chopping down them thick stemmed green lady’s 😏😚💨🤤😘👍
Not a fan, but at this size knife probably go with a cleaver...!!!
Hi everyone
I have this knife is jade 😍
Just can’t bring myself to drop anything over $50 coming out of Taiwan and or China.... Just makes no sense.
Taiwanese knives are way better built than USA made . Fook China though !
You’re both wrong. Taiwan has much better manufacturing standard than China and there are better knives coming out of the US than Taiwan.
Guys... none of this is accurate. You're lumping ALL manufacturing by region into one collective example of quality for each individual country.
Some US knife companies have good manufacturing and some don't. Some knives that are manufactured in Taiwan are good, and some aren't. Same with China. There is no universally definitive "best" country for knife manufacturing. Usually (but not in every case) the more you spend, the better the quality is. Doesn't matter where it's made.