I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing the Spyderco Shaman folder and am pleased with to give it a nod of approval. The Shaman doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel and has all of the features that Spyderco fans appreciate but packaged in a new style.
Specifications
Overall Length: 8.25″ (210 mm)
Blade Length: 3.58″ (91 mm)
Steel: CPM S30V
Closed Length: 4.67″ (119 mm)
Edge Length: 3.12″ (79 mm)
Weight: 5.2 oz (147 g)
Blade Thickness: 0.145″ (3.7 mm)
Handle: G-10
Clip Position: Ambi
Tip Carry Position: 4-position
Lock Type: Compression
Grind: Full-Flat
Origin: United States
Specifications courtesy of Spyderco
My thoughts and review
The Spyderco Shaman weighs in a 5.2 oz, it has a blade thickness of .145”, and has an overall length of 8.25” which makes it a somewhat stout folder. Some users might not like the size of the knife for EDC purposes, but if the size doesn’t bother you, you’re getting a robust knife that not only offers a great aesthetic design but great ergonomics as well. With its larger design, the Shaman feels great in the hand and is one of the most comfortable designs by Spyderco. A comparable folder would be the Spyderco Manix 2 (you can read our review of the Manix 2 here, and our second review here).
Unlike other popular Spyderco knives, the Shaman only comes in CPM S30V steel which is the standard steel for most Spyderco knives. While CPM S30V is a common knife steel it is still considered to be higher-end. CPM S30V will suit most people well and will work great for most EDC applications, but if you’re looking for the Shaman in a specific type of steel or one of the “super steels” then you are out of luck for the time being. The knife is offered in either stainless steel or a Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) blade coating, which ultimately comes down to user preference.
The Shaman features G-10 handles, but lack the texturing that is common across Spyderco’s other knife models. Textured G-10 handles may help the user achieve a better grip, but not to such an extent that I would consider the Shaman an inferior design. Just know that the matte-finished G-10 handle on the Shaman is going to feel a little smoother, but certainly offers an aesthetic appeal.
The verdict
The good
-Sturdy build
-Excellent ergonomics
The bad
-Limited to S30V steel (for now)
The Spyderco Shaman is a simple and beautiful folder with all of the desirable features. Its only con is that it’s bigger and heavier than what most people might expect with a pocket knife. With that being said, if you are looking for a larger or sturdier folding knife then you may have found exactly what you are looking for. All in all, the Shaman has all the bells and whistles that I would want in an EDC knife: jimping across the spine and finger groove, Spyderco’s compression lock mechanism, and quality that its users can trust. The Shaman currently has an MSRP of $299.95but can be found for less from various online retailers.
