I posted this on the Spyderco Forums earlier today. For those that don't frequent there:
As promised, here are some thoughts and comparison shots. You all have your own opinions about wire clips, jimping, etc. Ill try to leave my opinion out, which one I like better and instead attempt to just point out the differences, not judge.
I dont have a Millie to compare it to, but against a PM2 it compares similarly in size and carry. The Bowie and PM2 have drastically different blade shape, but to me carry similarly in the hand. The Bowies handle, just forward of the locking surface and right below the pivot is curved and makes almost a false choil, if thats a term. It carrys very nicely.
The thickness is imperceptibly similar to the PM2. Because of the radiused handle on the Bowie it is thinner than the PM2 at the edges and about the same thickness in the middle. Very difficult to tell with the pic below.
The Southard has an longer, thinner blade, but the cutting edge length is similar. The handle lengths are similar. As you can tell I replaced my Southards clip with a deep carry one. The clip on the Bowie almost disappears the Bowie in the pocket. I like it and wouldn't replace it if I could.
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If you like the size of the Stretch, and you want to try a premium knife without a thumb-ramp, then Id say this is the knife for you. Very similar feel in the hand to me.
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I remember when I thought Natives and Delicas were big. The Native now feels tiny compared to the Bowie. The Bowie has almost an inch more cutting edge than the Native, and closed, the Bowie feels like it takes up less pocket space. My grip on the Slysz Bowie feels far less choked-up than on the Native.
Eric hit an ergonomic home run with the Domino, but in order for me to carry it, the leaf-shaped blade requires reservations for me to make space in my pocket. The Bowie is about the same size, but its more rectangular form feels like it takes up far less pocket space. In the hand it is not as comfortable as the Domino, but pretty close. Ill take the trade-off here, and will be far more likely to carry it than the Domnio for this reason.
Here it is agains the Lion Steel SR1A: Very similar shape, size etc. My SR1 has the most awesome lock-up sound. This Bowie sounds Very similar. I think this is due to the heft/weight in the blade. While other liner and frame locks make a ker-clink sound, these two make a very deep ker-CLUNK sound. I LIKE it!
I also chose the GB Folder. The are about the same size and feel, though the GB obviously has the thumb ramp.
Against the Sage:
I like the the Stonewashed finish on the Bowie and think will hide wear far better than the bead-blasted finish of the Sage.
Against its sibling, the Techno:
The jimping on the backspaced is much sharper and feels like the teeth on a zip-tie.
Closed pics:
Lastly, I think the Chris Reeve Sebenza is feat of engineering and design. I am marveled by the fact I am allowed to take it apart, under warranty, and then when I reassemble it, it is just as smooth as before. My one complaint is that the Small is too small and the Large is slightly too large to be legal (3.5). This Slysz Bowie is the just right size: a hair under 3.5. It is equally as smooth and I really like the Stonewashed finish as it wont show the famous Ti snail trails that bead-blasted finishes do. The top of the Bowie blade is rounded and jimped very similarly to the Reeve.
Obviously Im very pleased with the knife. I hope it is due to the imperial attributes, and not me just subconsciously trying to justify that this expensive purchase was worth it. It was my most expensive Spyderco to date, but worth the premium to me. It may bump my Southard for a while