LionSteel Shuffler

Here with a GEC 74 for comparison:

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There's a lot about this knife that is ideal for me, most notably the weight and blade steel. The bocote on mine I think is marvelous, and to my eye, I like the bocote on the whole better than the palo santo from the first roundhead run.

I'm a little confused about the pull rating, though, and this was the same for me on the first roundhead run. It's rated as a 6 on the website. Historically tracking, it seems to me like Mike's pull tolerance is higher than mine, meaning he'll rate something a 6 that I would call a 7. But this knife and my old roundhead are what I would call a light 4. They're lighter than the forum TCs, and those got rated a 5, I think? Perhaps this is better for the market - most non-knife-nuts that I let check out my slip joints get scared to open and close them, and the heaviest pull I usually tolerate is a 7.

Anyhow, this blade shape is much to my preference, and the wood is smokin! Much sharper than the first go-round, too. Nice job, Mike.
 
I am really loving the new shuffle. I got a bocote and a stag. Both have great fit and finish. I am really loving the variety we have been getting.

I also reserved a dom in Ebony and rams horn. Ebony being a favorite for cover material and rams horn because I thought it would be a great match...sheepsfoot... Rams horn :D
 
My stag arrived quickly, thanks Mike for getting her out fast.

Some snaps of her along side my SAK Pioneer, the Shuffler's pull is just a bit softer than the SAK but feels good. Others probably reported on this, but the knife has a half stop and the back spring is flush at the close, half stop and fully open, very nice touch as a lot of knives don't have that attention to the details, not a big deal to most but it's nice to see that. Also for those that are even more OCD than myself, the blade is centered as well, also good to see.

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

The edge was so-so but better than a lot of production knives I've gotten, and I prefer to just set my own bevels anyway so never a deal breaker in my book. I'll be working on that after I post this actually ;)

Very nice knife, good idea Mike on these runs !
G2
 
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Those attempting to sharpen these, key word is patience ;) and it's worth the time spent. If you need help, I'd recommend one or two of the fellows on the forum that have very good rep for sharpening, just to get you started, that also might be one of the better investments.

Mine finished up nicely, very keen now and from the stones I can feel the heat treat seems pretty good so I expect this to hold an edge for a good while. Just sliced up some sun-dried apricots for a snack, piece of cake lol but of course it would be, also whittled some on some hardwood and worked great. Size and the stag handle provides some good grip, popcorn stag would have been better but I'm happy with how this one came. That's one thing that would be nice is to have the stag posted on the website with a, b, c so you could pick the stag you'd like. I know, more work, but it would help when it comes to stag.

G2
 
Gary W. Graley said:
My stag arrived quickly, thanks Mike for getting her out fast.

Some snaps of her along side my SAK Pioneer, the Shuffler's pull is just a bit softer than the SAK but feels good. Others probably reported on this, but the knife has a half stop and the back spring is flush at the close, half stop and fully open, very nice touch as a lot of knives don't have that attention to the details, not a big deal to most but it's nice to see that. Also for those that are even more OCD than myself, the blade is centered as well, also good to see.

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

The edge was so-so but better than a lot of production knives I've gotten, and I prefer to just set my own bevels anyway so never a deal breaker in my book. I'll be working on that after I post this actually ;)

Very nice knife, good idea Mike on these runs !
G2
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That stag looks great! Definitely nothing wrong with that. How's the other side compare?
 
Finally got my "white" CF version today. I love the profile of these knives, especially how round and fluid they feel overall, but the white CF seems more along the lines of silver twill--which isn't that big of a deal.

Did anyone else's Shuffler come with Kopr Kote around the pivot and tang? Basically looks like a copper colored lube, which is strange because we use the stuff in the fields for heavy duty plumbing and pipe connections.
 
dunno on the KK stuff, nothing on mine, there was a small white dot of something on the edge of one bolster but was able to wipe it away.
G2
 
Same here. I was wondering what that was as it was obviously not rust, yet a rust colored lube. Not a problem or anything but I was curious.
Dean51 said:
Both of mine had it but I didn't know what is was. Guessed it was some kind of lubricant.
Click to expand...
 
I have the micarta Shuffler and it has some white in it that MIke says is buffing compound. Anyone know how to clean it ?
 
Mine arrived today and Mike really came through on my rams horn covers. This is an exquisite knife... awesome on the heels of the recent GEC 78s (about the same size).

Pics to come tomorrow.
 
So my Black Carbon Fiber and Natural Micarta arrived today .Those that know me know I’m not much of a review writer nor a talented one at that lol .
These knives are worthy of a much better presentation then I can provide .
But there so nice I just had to give my take on the two I received from Mike at CK knives . Which if I may add has provided me with some of the best customer service and communication I’ve ever experienced topped with some first class packaging with very nice touches . I feel very fortunate to have Mike “ and his wife :)” with CK knifes as a Blade forums dealer for us . There’s some great dealers out there but I feel CK knives is right there at the top .
Ok back to the knives , I’d say the pull on my CF is about a high 6 and the micarta a high 5 . Both have dead centered blades with nice snappy and smooth walk and talk . The fit and finish on both are top notch I could not find a flaw on either one and I looked diligently to try and find one lol . As other mentioned flush at the half stop and when opened . The grind on the blades are near perfection if not that and both mine are hair popping sharp no need to do my tradional light stropping that I normally do when I get a new knife . This clip blade is down right sexy and the feel of this knife in hand is phenomenal !
Lion Steel and Mike Thank you so much for making this knife available for knife nuts like me .
Also Thank you Mike for working so hard to get all these knives shipped out as fast as you did for everyone and you should be commended for your hard work and all that you do for us .
 
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stuff_things said:
Did anyone else's Shuffler come with Kopr Kote around the pivot and tang? Basically looks like a copper colored lube, which is strange because we use the stuff in the fields for heavy duty plumbing and pipe connections.
Click to expand...

My micarta Shuffler had this also.
 
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