lionSTEEL Best Man or Shuffler?

Which One

  • Best Man

    Votes: 10 30.3%

  • Shuffler

    Votes: 23 69.7%
  • Total voters
    33
Eli Chaps

Eli Chaps

Joined
Apr 20, 2018
Messages
4,458
I know some folks aren't fond of these patterns as traditionals, but for those of you have, do, or would consider buying them, which one and why?

There's a lot I like about both but admittedly the Best Man trips my aesthetics trigger a bit more. But the Shuffler seems like it might be a bit more pocket friendly with it's smooth profile.

Thoughts?
 
I have a two bladed Bestman, a Shuffler and a Roundhead. I like the Bestman best. It's also newest though, so that might skew my feelings towards it.
 
I've owned a couple of Roundheads and they were great knives. I still own one single blade Bestman and two 2 blade Bestmans. I like the design of the Bestmans better but it's only a matter of personal preference. Maybe for me it's the bolsters on each end that I like and I've always been a fan of equal end patterns. I do not like the looks of the SFO Bestmans in the shadow configuration. To me the bolstered models are far more attractive.

The Bestman feels more substantial to me than the Roundhead and I think that's another reason that I prefer it.
 
If I was going to get one of the new modern-ized traditionals, I'd be looking at the Viper Swayback.
Of the two you have chosen, I like the Shuffler better because those big square bolsters of the Best Man scare me and my pockets.
 
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I have both a Shuffler and a single blade Bestman. I prefer the Shuffler. It just seems to "fit" my hand better than the BM. It seems to be sleeker, and better balanced. Granted, I haven't carried the BM, just fondled it, but the feeling "in hand" is better with the Shuffler for me.
 
Eli, I really like the shuffler, don’t have a bestman. Here are a few comparison pics to the 2018 GEC 15 clip.

D3AC8C78-C440-4B6C-8BA1-C3592FFF79DC.jpeg A25E02DF-3714-4C57-A941-BAD98A4A153A.jpeg CFB1DC10-C922-4C22-920E-9DCCA2A2C3E1.jpeg 1697646E-1FE9-42B1-BFAF-FC88144E3518.jpeg
 
I like the handle feel of the bestman more, but like the looks of the shuffler's handle more. The blockiness of the bestman really agrees with me in use though, so that's what I carry daily.
 
I was torn between which one also. To remedy that, I got one of each and just picked up a Viper Sowbelly.
Personally, I like the Bestman the most. The little arch just does it for me.

zHShMvs.jpg
 
Thanks for that picture. Seeing those knives side by side reveals a lot about the comparative sizing of the different handles. This gives me at least an idea of what to expect if/when I order any of the Lionsteel/Vipers (which is looking more likely every month).
 
Shuffler...........every time - for me, at least.

It's all very subjective of course ;)

Get what some people say about it all, these lionSTEELs not being proper construction etc., but again, all subjective.

Personally, the BestMan just takes this contemporary twist on the pocket knife a teenie-weenie step too far - it looks and feels just a little too 'concocted'. But again, some just love 'em, and why not, they're very well put together.

Whereas the feel of the Barlow, Bolus and Roundheads - Shufflers, call 'em what you will - let alone the variety, is utterly addictive. There are still one or two more I'd like..........and already have one or two........


 
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Ajack60 said:
I was torn between which one also. To remedy that, I got one of each and just picked up a Viper Sowbelly.
Personally, I like the Bestman the most. The little arch just does it for me.

zHShMvs.jpg
Click to expand...

Great shot. Thank you and congrats on a fine collection there!
 
Thanks for all the responses everyone. I have a couple weeks to stew on it so we shall see...
 
Ajack60 said:
I was torn between which one also. To remedy that, I got one of each and just picked up a Viper Sowbelly.
Personally, I like the Bestman the most. The little arch just does it for me.

zHShMvs.jpg
Click to expand...

Wow. I thought all of those were all about the same size. I didn't realize that the Barlow was so much smaller than the Bestman. And that Sowbelly looks like a perfect size. Wish it had three blades.
 
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