Maximum comfort and a blade that just won’t quit, the Spyderco Shaman has everything you want in an EDC folder
by Dexter Ewing; photos by Marty Stanfield, Marty Stanfield Photography
If you have ever owned a Spyderco knife, you know that regardless of which model it is, it isn’t a stranger to getting work done. All Spyderco knives are engineered for high performance cutting — from refined ergonomics to carefully chosen blade and handle materials. Their knives are some of the most sophisticated, precisely engineered knives on the market today and they are built for the true user in mind. Such Spyderco models, like their model C229G Shaman, take heavy-duty, high-performance use to the next level by offering a design that is easy to work with, built tough with a solid backbone, and makes use of premium materials that will ensure the knife will go the distance.
The Shaman’s lineage draws from the company’s Native 5 folder design. The Native 5 pairs an ergonomically designed handle with a flat ground spearpoint blade to make a stout working folder. The Shaman is just a larger Native 5 with some tweaks that help set the knife apart from its siblings.
The larger version will help to easily tackle more sizable cutting tasks in the shop or in the field. Its 3 ½-inch long blade is ground from CPM S30V steel — a widely used high-end steel that is known for its toughness and long-distance edge holding ability. The blade sports a full flat grind that commonly appears across the board on the Spyderco knife range. Full flat-ground blades are absolute slicers. They easily cut through tough materials with ease and it’s my chosen grind style if there’s a lot of slicing to be done. The blade doesn’t thin out as much as a hollow grind does, but rather tapers down progressively, leaving more meat at the cross section for lateral blade strength while still having the ability to sail through various materials.
The Shaman’s blade also incorporates a choil, allowing the user to fully choke up onto the blade for extra control when needed. This choil is fully formed by the blade tang as well as the front part of the handle design. Spyderco offers this feature on a regular basis on select models across their entire product line. A run of traction notches at the thumb rest portion of the blade helps to give your thumb a non-slip platform to rest on. The inside of the choil also sports the same traction notches for an extra secure grip. On this particular Shaman, the blade is given a nice stonewash finish — a process that yields sort of an industrial look to the blade while helping to seal off micro pores in the steel to prevent moisture from collecting and forming surface rust.
The handle is comprised of G-10 scales and double-nested steel liners. The liners are skeletonized with cutouts in them to lighten the weight of the handle without compromising strength. The G-10 sports a smooth surface finish, and the edges of the handle are nicely contoured so there are no hot spots or user discomfort.
Spyderco always does an excellent job with their handle ergonomics, making their knives some of the most comfortable to use.
The blade is secured in the open position by Spyderco ‘s own Compression Lock design that is more advanced and stronger than your average lockback or linerlock. The Compression Lock release is situated on the handle spine and can be released easily with one hand. Thus, not only does the blade open one-handed, but it also closes one-handed as well. A prominent finger recess behind the choil helps to seat the index finger securely and the rest of your fingers fall nicely into place.
The Shaman is carried via a steel pocket clip, and there is four-way clip mounting — tip up or tip down, left-handed or right-handed. Set the pocket clip up as you see fit for your needs. Once you get the Shaman in your hand, you will see that it’s a heavy-duty knife. It has some heft to it, weighing in at 5.2 ounces. Not too heavy but not a lightweight knife, either.
Do you use a knife regularly on your job or are you into farming or homesteading and need a heavy duty lockblade with super steel and a blade lock that is strong and easy to use? The Shaman fills the bill.
I really like how the blade sails through the toughest materials like rubber hose, fire hose, plastic edging, and cardboard. All get dispatched easily by the Shaman. The 3 ½-inch blade length really is an ideal size; not too big and not too small, and it carries well. Large cutting tasks are brought down to size because of the blade length. I really could not find anything to complain about with the blade.
The handle is one feature you will immediately like. The shape coupled with the rounded edges make for a super comfortable knife in-hand. No hot spots to speak of, so this knife is ideal for extended-use cutting tasks.
The handle appearance is simple. The surface itself is devoid of texturing and milling — nothing anywhere that can trap and hold dirt, thus requiring cleaning. When you grip the handle of any modern tactical folder, chances are the handle will feel somewhat boxy in your hand. Not so with the Shaman. The handle just melts into your grip. It’s remarkably comfortable. In the end, I believe Spyderco has a real winner with the Shaman. If you love Spyderco and you love heavy-duty folding knives, here’s your ticket.
The MSRP of the Spyderco Shaman as evaluated here with a plain edge stonewashed blade is $360.00. The knife is also available with a black blade as well as serrated models.
