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Spyderco Shaman
The Spyderco Shaman is a full-size, hard-use folding knife built on the same ergonomic DNA as the Native series—scaled up for users who need more blade and handle in hand. Introduced in 2017, the Shaman earned a loyal following quickly, and it remains one of Spyderco's most capable and customizable production folders.
Made in USA at Spyderco's Golden, Colorado factory, the Shaman carries direct quality control and has become a flagship platform for sprint runs, dealer exclusives, and aftermarket customization.
Blade
The Shaman's 3.58-inch blade runs a leaf-shaped profile with a slightly more aggressive curve than the Native—optimized for slicing, not just tip work. The full-flat grind delivers thin behind-the-edge geometry that cuts efficiently through cordage, cardboard, food prep, and tougher field tasks. The acute tip handles piercing and detail cuts without sacrificing the belly needed for longer draw cuts.
Standard production models ship in CPM-S30V, a high-carbon stainless steel that balances edge retention, toughness, and ease of field sharpening. Sprint runs have appeared in M390, S90V, and 20CV—all higher-wear steels that push edge retention further at the cost of sharpen difficulty.
Ergonomics
Sculpted G-10 scales follow the natural geometry of the hand, locking the knife in place under load without requiring a death grip. A textured thumb ramp and finger choil provide two distinct grip positions—choke forward for precision work, drop back for full-power cuts. The handle geometry works equally well for right- and left-hand users.
Spyderco's signature Round Hole sits at the right position for one-hand deployment without repositioning the grip. The four-position clip—tip-up or tip-down, left or right—handles carry preference across nearly any EDC setup.
Sprint and exclusive variants have shipped with Micarta and carbon fiber scales, each changing the texture and feel while keeping the same geometry.
Compression Lock
The Shaman runs Spyderco's patented Compression Lock, the same mechanism used in the Paramilitary 2 and Para 3. A leaf-spring wedges between the blade tang and stop pin, creating lock strength that exceeds most liner lock designs under lateral stress. Closing requires pressing the lock from the spine side, which keeps the closing hand completely clear of the blade path—a meaningful safety advantage for a folder in this size class.
Shaman Variants and Sprint Runs
The Shaman's popularity has made it one of Spyderco's most active sprint platforms. Past runs have included black-blade configurations in standard G-10, serrated edge models, and handle materials ranging from orange Micarta to carbon fiber. Browse current Spyderco sprint runs and exclusives to see what's in stock.
The aftermarket for the Shaman is equally active. Ripp's Garage Tech produces replacement scales across a wide range of materials and colors for users who want to personalize their carry.
Shaman Specs
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Blade Length | 3.58" |
| Cutting Edge | 3.15" |
| Overall Length | 8.35" |
| Closed Length | 4.78" |
| Blade Thickness | 0.150" |
| Weight | 5.2 oz |
| Handle Material | G-10 (standard); variants include Micarta, carbon fiber |
| Lock Type | Compression Lock |
| Pocket Clip | Four-position, tip-up/tip-down, left/right |
| Made in USA | Golden, Colorado |