I'm not a real big Spydie fan, I carry a SS Police, but don't feel any real strong urges to buy a whole lot more. They're a good knife but am really hooked on others. BUT...as one that can't pass up a deal (at least I hope its a deal) I'm picking up a Shabaria and a Centofante C25. Forget the Centofante, lost the bid at the last second. But am curious about the Shabaria. Any opinions upon collectability? Value? Usability?
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Centofante/Shabaria
- Thread starter BurkStar
- Start date
Do you know if it is a new style Shabaria or old style?? The old style may have a small bit of collectability, since they quit making them. I carry a Shabaria every day, but I have another one, just in case I lose my EDC. It is VG10 blade steel, you should be able to use it on almost anything. Let us know when it arrives. 
Blades
Blades
BurkStar, it usually takes some time to get used to the Shabaria. But once you get used to the handle you'll realize the brilliance of this knife design. (If you've seen any of the recent Mummy movies you'll notice some swords with a similar blade profile). The Shabaria blade is just plain wicked--one of the best cutting knives I own. (I have the original version in plain edge). Too bad many others don't know what they're missing. 
Got it yesterday and I'm sitting here holding it while typing this. This is definitely a "different" knife. I like the blade design, but I'm still not sure about handle ergonomics. Not sure when this was made...did they all have serial numbers on them? Mine has an engraved "250" on the blade. Does that have any significance? This knife will definitely take some getting used to.
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2000
- Messages
- 3,002
I've got one of the newer ones, and I do happen to be pretty fond of it. Thing takes a hairsplitting edge, and slices like crazy. The handle doesn't feel great in any one grip for me but it feels good in most any position. I also like how lightweight the design is. Not many four inch blades available that are as light in the pocket as this one is.
Don't y'all wish Sal coulda made the one with a five inch blade though? oh well...
Don't y'all wish Sal coulda made the one with a five inch blade though? oh well...
Runs with Scissors,
Ahhh, no you didn't. You had to mention the 5" Shabaria. Try not to think of a 5" Shabaria with a G10 handle. Or maybe a titanium handle, or even a FRN handle. Put it out of your head. Just forget it...your still thinking about it...try thinking of a white horse...
I was thinking of emailing all the NICA(National Independent Cutlery Assocition, I think)members and ask them to make it their next special issue knife. They've had a Sebenza and a Hibben, time for a Spyderco.
Blades
Ahhh, no you didn't. You had to mention the 5" Shabaria.
Try not to think of a 5" Shabaria with a G10 handle. Or maybe a titanium handle, or even a FRN handle. Put it out of your head. Just forget it...your still thinking about it...try thinking of a white horse...I was thinking of emailing all the NICA(National Independent Cutlery Assocition, I think)members and ask them to make it their next special issue knife. They've had a Sebenza and a Hibben, time for a Spyderco.
Blades
Blades,
it was 1998 when Sal and the late Eduard Bradichansky met at my place,
and Eduard showed Sal some of his desighns,that the Shabaria and Spydercard came out off.
you will be interested to know that originally the Shabaria WAS desighned as a "5" inch blade and made the knife much more comftable and a awsome fighter.
since Spyderco do not make folders over "4" we got the current beutiful Shabaria but i can't help thinking that a "5" version would have made a great knife and would be a siriuos contender to be the best mega folder in the market.
scorpio.
it was 1998 when Sal and the late Eduard Bradichansky met at my place,
and Eduard showed Sal some of his desighns,that the Shabaria and Spydercard came out off.
you will be interested to know that originally the Shabaria WAS desighned as a "5" inch blade and made the knife much more comftable and a awsome fighter.
since Spyderco do not make folders over "4" we got the current beutiful Shabaria but i can't help thinking that a "5" version would have made a great knife and would be a siriuos contender to be the best mega folder in the market.
scorpio.
- Joined
- May 1, 2000
- Messages
- 2,259
I'd love to see a framelock Shabaria. Anywhere between 4 and 6 inches would be good.
Scorpio,
Thanks for the info. A 5" Shabaria would be a thing of beauty. The 4" is already a cool knife. I hold it up to my Police, and wonder why the Police makes people nervous, but the Shabaria doesn't. Maybe someday we'll be lucky and see a 5" Shabaria, and I bet no one would notice the 5" blade because of the curves. Oh well.
Blades
Thanks for the info. A 5" Shabaria would be a thing of beauty. The 4" is already a cool knife. I hold it up to my Police, and wonder why the Police makes people nervous, but the Shabaria doesn't. Maybe someday we'll be lucky and see a 5" Shabaria, and I bet no one would notice the 5" blade because of the curves. Oh well.
Blades
BurkStar, try holding the knife with a "hammer grip" around the narrow part of the handle except, instead of nesting the handle in your palm, try to grip it using mostly your fingers--the base of your fingers should be on the top of the handle with the 2nd joints of your fingers on the bottom of the handle. (Golfers and baseball players may know what I mean about gripping with your fingers).
With that grip, attempt some slashing and stabbing motions and see if that works for you. The size of your hand may affect whether or not this grip is suitable for you. Just keep experimenting until you find something you're comfortable with.
On another note, although my Shabaria has the closed back (original version), I definitely think the newer version with the open back is an improvement. Stuff like dust, dirt, etc. will find their way into a knife whether its closed or open backed; however, the open back handle should be easier to clean. If I recall correctly, I think the new Shabaria also differs in that it now has an eccentric pivot.
Either version is a "must have" Spyderco in my humble opinion.
With that grip, attempt some slashing and stabbing motions and see if that works for you. The size of your hand may affect whether or not this grip is suitable for you. Just keep experimenting until you find something you're comfortable with.
On another note, although my Shabaria has the closed back (original version), I definitely think the newer version with the open back is an improvement. Stuff like dust, dirt, etc. will find their way into a knife whether its closed or open backed; however, the open back handle should be easier to clean. If I recall correctly, I think the new Shabaria also differs in that it now has an eccentric pivot.
Either version is a "must have" Spyderco in my humble opinion.