Crisis intervention: Shaman V police 4 V native Chief V millitary V manix 2

H

Houlahound

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Aug 2, 2017
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Looking to get my first large Spyderco, my Chaparral is still one of my most carried knives but want to get a largester.

Of course the correct answer to which knife is all of them but please humour me and assume you can only buy one per month which one would you get first - feel free to suggest any large Spyderco that is not on the list.

Regards
 
Do you like a finger choil? If so, Native Chief. I own a Cutlery Shoppe one in CTS XHP. One of my favorite all around steels too. They still have them at a great price imo too.

If no finger choil, Military.

Police is too big imo.

Shaman is a great knife but not in the "big boy" category like the other choices.
 
Police 4. It's a long knife but it is slim and really disappears in a pocket (provided said pocket is deep enough) without feeling bulky or in the way. Add a zip-tie-wave feature and you can draw and open it faster than any flipper or auto on the market.

They're readily available in Sal's excellent K390 and FRN now and G10 models pop up every now and then. If you want a Military sized knife while also wanting to keep a low profile the Police 4 is the way to go.
 
What will be the big Spyderco folder used for? If hard use is intended, Shaman should be the top choice, followed by Manix 2. The tips of Military and NC are just too delicate. If slicing and cutting are the main use, I'd go with Military. I don't like the ergo and big finger choil of NC and the Spydie hump of Police 4 is too high. With that being said, the retail price of Military is too high. I'd find one in the secondary market. If you are set on Police 4, I'd go with K390 FRN one. These are of course just my opinions.
 
Manix 2 perfect size IMO lighter than the sham and smaller. Also if you hold out for a sprint run 15V manix... yeah. that...

Or buy them all.
 
For an all-around edc knife I would go Manix 2 or Native, just depending on whether you prefer a back lock or ball bearing lock. Ergos and cutting geometry on both are great, tho personally I would lean more towards the Manix just because of easier one hand manipulation..

Although I do like the Military, I have 2 of them, I still prefer the Shaman for a more robust folder. Shorter blade but far more substantial. The Military just feels really "long" both in hand and in pocket. Plus, in hard use scenarios, I have always been cautious of the tip strength on my Military and PM2.. ymmv
 
Military !!
It's just a really well done simple knife.
Carries small for the larger size, you can't go wrong with the Millie.

Honorable mention to the endura, pakkawood and hap 40. Not sure if it's available now. The steel sharpens nice and holds the edge. Solid feel with the wood scales.
 
All good, I have all but the Manix.

I rec the P4, in K390. My EDC. Great, thin, but strong knife, in a magical steel, that will do it all. LW version too. It has revolutionized how I view knife carry.

If I was in a tougher trade, I'd maybe use a Military. It is a liiiiiitle thick for EDC use + bulkier in pocket. P4 is a better KNIFE, the Military is a bit more, robust? But do you need that? Its a great knife keep in mind.

What to say about the Native Chief? Very nice USA made backlock with a needle point and nice and slicy. Smaller than the other two, but larger handle.... It's a good EDC. The only Spyderco I have to roll open. You won't complain. I prefer the Police 4 LW. So slim, disapears in the pocket esp for the size, not like the Millie or Shaman or this one.

Shaman is great if you are a tough user, the smallest and stoutest of the bunch, like a pocket fixed blade. The finger choil is great because your finger's pressure is holding the blade closed even with the ultra-strong comp lock, so I was going to town on this hardwood, just raising it above my head and chopping, torquing... this is the M4 Shaman..... shaved hair after I beat up that thick knife like that. It is thick but gets thin at the edge, it's nice. BHQ sells M4 Shamans all day btw.

Really, they are all good. Anything in particular you wanna do? (reg EDC tasks, cut metal cables, woodwork, cut down boxes?) so I can see which will serve your needs best. :)
 
Hashishiin said:
All good, I have all but the Manix.

I rec the P4, in K390. My EDC. Great, thin, but strong knife, in a magical steel, that will do it all. LW version too. It has revolutionized how I view knife carry.

If I was in a tougher trade, I'd maybe use a Military. It is a liiiiiitle thick for EDC use + bulkier in pocket. P4 is a better KNIFE, the Military is a bit more, robust? But do you need that? Its a great knife keep in mind.

What to say about the Native Chief? Very nice USA made backlock with a needle point and nice and slicy. Smaller than the other two, but larger handle.... It's a good EDC. The only Spyderco I have to roll open. You won't complain. I prefer the Police 4 LW. So slim, disapears in the pocket esp for the size, not like the Millie or Shaman or this one.

Shaman is great if you are a tough user, the smallest and stoutest of the bunch, like a pocket fixed blade. The finger choil is great because your finger's pressure is holding the blade closed even with the ultra-strong comp lock, so I was going to town on this hardwood, just raising it above my head and chopping, torquing... this is the M4 Shaman..... shaved hair after I beat up that thick knife like that. It is thick but gets thin at the edge, it's nice. BHQ sells M4 Shamans all day btw.

Really, they are all good. Anything in particular you wanna do? (reg EDC tasks, cut metal cables, woodwork, cut down boxes?) so I can see which will serve your needs best. :)
Click to expand...
You have about 10 pm2's but no manix 2 ?
You are missing out ! Go get a manix 2 ! There's a 15v one coming soon.
 
So many choices .... I guess my favorites are my Cruwear Military (in Ti scales today), my Pakkawood Police, and my S90V Yojumbo. The last 2 are still available new (Knifecenter and - for instance - KNIVESplus).
 
the spyderco stretch xl is another one to consider, its got decent size and is light weight and has a backlock which i prefer over all other locks, also i would recommend considering the classic stainless steel handle police with full serrations
 
H Houlahound here is a pic of my Stretch 2 (also an excellent knife) with the same zip tie setup I use on my Police 4 and all of my other FRN Spydercos. It's cheaper and lighter than other available accessories and it is surprisingly effective with minimal effort.

20220919_105501.jpg

I make a point to keep the head of the zip tie facing whichever side will contact the lip of my pocket when drawing. This helps it hook on the lip more easily. I have seen others on BF loop a washer, nut, or other objects into the zip tie in order to make a larger "wave" feature, but I have never felt the need to do so (plus the zip-ties look junky enough without hanging more stuff off of them).

*Edit to add that I bought a steel wave attachment from 5x5 combat solutions but it kept popping off with minimal use. I switched to the zip ties and have since remained perfectly satisfied.
 
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