Kapara Vs Shaman

Kapara vs Shaman

  • Kapara

    Votes: 15 37.5%

  • Shaman

    Votes: 25 62.5%
  • Total voters
    40
B

Bryce Haley

Joined
Mar 24, 2020
Messages
52
Two very nice looking knives priced about the same. Any experience with these? Which one would you go with if you had to choose?
 
Two different knives entirely IMO even though they both have compression lock.

I prefer the Kapara for casual days and mostly carry during outings with my wife. I like ergonomics but it's a little slick (for me) for doing any heavier task.

The Shaman is a great all around EDC if the weight doesn't bother you, Can't really say anything bad about IMO.

I'd get the Shaman!
 
DA170 said:
Two different knives entirely . . .
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This is my opinion too. Apples and oranges. Just depends on which appeals to you more.

I now own 146 Spydercos but have never been interested in buying the Kapara.

Don't like the extended sheepsfoot blade shape which (based on the description) was created by the designer to "prepare healthy, vegetable-based meals." Of course, the knife can be used for other things but the blade shape is mainly suitable for slicing and I already have a great food prep/slicing knife -- the SpydieChef w/an LC200N blade -- and the Kapara (with a S30V blade) never filled any particular niche for me that made me feel it was necessary to buy it.

On the other hand, in the past, I've always been somewhat ambivalent about the Shaman.

According to the company's description, you can trace its origin to the Native (which is one of my favorite Spydercos) but, unlike the Native Chief, I think the connection to the Native is more remote/distant.

My "problem" w/the Shaman was mainly with its bulky handle. However, as a general EDC knife, I never had any doubt about the suitability of the Shaman's blade size/shape for a variety of uses; certainly more so than the Kapara.

But, after carrying the Shaman for a week to assess whether to sell it or not, I ultimately decided that the handle wasn't all that bad and that the knife was worth keeping.

So, if you're asking me which knife to choose as between the Kapara and Shaman, my choice is the Shaman BUT, if you can't choose between the 2, I suggest that you buy them both, live with them for awhile and then sell the one you like least.

Both are easily resold here on the Exchange and in other 2ndary markets as long as they are reasonably priced.
 
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The Shaman is just a little too much knife for me.
It’s rare that I need a knife that heavy duty.
 
Really like the shaman, as I wear xl gloves and like the handle thickness. Definitely a hard use knife for me. The flat grind on the Kapara and carbon fiber makes it more of a gentlemans carry.

Kind of a weird pearing?
 
The Shaman is nice, yet I have similar knives I like. I feel the shaman would not be any benefit.
Manix 2 & native chief to be more specific.

The kapara is unique and I carry it and use it lt fairly often.
It's very comfortable to carry with the wire clip and rounded handle.
I think alot of people get hung up on the lunch prep innovation idea.
It works great as a edc.
 
Shaman. It's my favorite knife, and I have 3. So it's an easy decision for me.
 
Bryce Haley said:
Two very nice looking knives priced about the same. Any experience with these? Which one would you go with if you had to choose?
Click to expand...

Depends.. What kinda use, are you after?
What kinda public are you in?

I wouldn't Not own a Kapara! Now that I have a micarta Shaman, I like it much more, then the slick g10 Shaman's. Too big of. Knife, for slick grip.

I'd be all for a K390 FRN, lockback, Native!(Shaman, sized)..

I PM'd Boomer52, about a Native/Shaman scale, for the Endela. Would make a perfect match!
 
Having owned both, and keeping the Shaman, I'd say the Kapara is for a smaller sized hand, and someone who slices a lot of apples.
The Shaman is not an apple slicer, but an apple splitter, but you could get a tree down with it.
 
There are better choices but if you really want/need to pick one between these two, I say Kapara. Shaman is overpriced and over-hyped IMO. I'd easily pick Manix 2 (<$130) or PM2 (<$160) over it (they all have the same materials). I might be in the minority but I feel the handle of Shaman is too slippery, a bit too thick, but at the same time a bit too narrow especially the butt portion. The knife does not feel secure in hand unless I hold it in the choked up position. I don't think it excels at as many tasks as the other two knives.
 
Kapara reminds me of a gentlemen spydiechef. I actually think the DLT 20CV and G10 makes more sense for it as it's a food preppy kind of knife.

The shaman is a heavy duty EDC, in the same veins as maybe an American Lawman or Super Freek.

In my line, the shaman makes more sense..although I remember this knife costing around 180 lol, it's a little overpriced right now.

Good luck!
 
got both and they're entirely different knives. if u want a bulky hard use beast then go shaman. the kapara to me is like a highly refined more evolved version of an endura. awesome ergos, slicey, good all around edc and it disappears in pocket. both are great knives but the only thing similar between the two is blade length and comp locks. you'll have more steel choices with the shaman and I would go with the 20cv kapara only but good luck finding one. can't go wrong with either. do u want a big bulky beast or a sleek stylish slicer?
 
Wow! The poll is pretty slanted. Have neither but Shaman I would prefer, of course for the right price......
 
I'd say they are different enough that you can justify getting both! I don't own the Shaman (though I'd like one) but I'm a big fan of the Kapara. It looks like a "gentleman's folder," carries like one maybe, but IMO it's plenty strong. I have my Kapara on me most days, but when I know I'm going to be rough on the knife I switch to an Endura, not because the Kapara can't take it, but because I just want to keep it nice. I find that the blade shape on the Kapara, combined with the way the handle is configured gives me the function and cutting ability of a larger knife--it's a great design.
 
SteelPanther said:
got both and they're entirely different knives. if u want a bulky hard use beast then go shaman. the kapara to me is like a highly refined more evolved version of an endura. awesome ergos, slicey, good all around edc and it disappears in pocket. both are great knives but the only thing similar between the two is blade length and comp locks. you'll have more steel choices with the shaman and I would go with the 20cv kapara only but good luck finding one. can't go wrong with either. do u want a big bulky beast or a sleek stylish slicer?
Click to expand...
I also have both and totally agree. I picked up the KC exclusive Shaman in Rex45 to see what the steel was all about but won't even carry it. I don't plan on doing any batoning anytime soon so i don't need anything that heavy. If i did i'd go the small hatchet/tomahawk route, okay that might be a little bit of an exaggeration. The Kapara is a great knife for me and more than enough for my light edc needs.
 
I showed up late to the shaman game....

I own a tree rex and zwear

I have 0 fear of breaking the tip etc

They are tough but you have to be OK with the added weight
 
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