Shabaria Scan

J

James Mattis

Joined
Oct 3, 1998
Messages
3,264
Click on the small picture for the big picture (large image) [Finally edited this post to put the thumbnail in!]

<A HREF="http://www.chaicutlery.com/spyderco/c59-shabaria.jpg" TARGET=_blank>
c59-shabaria-small.jpg
</A>

The long recurve is for peeling fruit and vegetables?

One cosmetic note - These specimens (#339 & #340) in the first batch have their blades a bit off center in the handle, and one rubs the liner a little out toward the tip. I consider this a minor cosmetic detail in a knife with an uncoated blade in a working class price range, especially when the knife has a good lockup and a good crisp (but not thumb-busting) ball bearing detent.

Amid all the not-very-Japanese geo-tantos out there, it's a nice change of pace to see a middle eastern folder on the market, and this is appears closer to a fixed blade original than that Cold Steel "Scimitar" (actually, a Jambiya variation). Probably better for opening packages than that upswept "Scimatar" too. I'll leave evaluation as a martial bladecraft knife to the martial bladecrafters.

I took one of these with me to temple Friday night, where we have Eduard Bradichansky on our Kaddish (memorial prayer) list, and used it afterwards to cut some bread. It's not a very good bread knife for a large loaf of challah, as opposed to rolls and bagels, but it did the job.


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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001



[This message has been edited by James Mattis (edited 07 December 1999).]
 
This may have been answered before but what is the symbol on the blade of the Shabaria? I'm referring to that E I (backwards E). It's also on my SpyderCard. Is it Bradichansky's logo? Does it mean anything?

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ET

 
The design of the Shabaria is clearly inspired by the traditional Arabic dagger as pictured below:

View



The one in my picture is, however, a POS.

James, the curve of the blade of this style knife is definitely not for slicing fruit!

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"If they do these things in a green tree, what will they do in a dry?"

[This message has been edited by D. Epstein (edited 05 December 1999).]
 
ET, the backwards E is meant to be taken as a B, making it EB; the designer's initials.

Found out the other day that it's pronounced sha-ba-REE-uh; I was pronouncing it shuh-BAR-ee-uh....
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Protect your Right to Keep and Bear Arms!

[This message has been edited by Ewok (edited 05 December 1999).]
 
The fixed blade original says "sidearm" (of unknown quality) all over it. Presumably a dagger doesn't need to hold an edge all that well, as long as it doesn't break during a short social encounter.

The Spyderco version is most likely better steel
biggrin.gif
, and so should be able to do work. I enjoy finding "plowshare" sorts of uses for weapon-grade cutlery, and I suspect a Shabaria would still be useful after God sorts everybody out, and we bend our spears into pruning hooks, and we have orchards and vinyards to tend to.
smile.gif



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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001
 
Gotta have it, Gotta have it, Gotta have it !!!

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Where are we going, and why am I in this handbasket?

John 14:6


 
Nice looking knife. How does it feel in the hand and what does the natural hold seem to be for this knife?

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AKTI Member # A000835
 
the natural hold for a SHABARIA as a fixed blade is generaly ice pick grip and used for stabbing but the folder[the shabaria is made here for the first time as a folder] is best operated in saber grip and reverse grip.
for the saber grip just put your thumb against the ramp and you have a decent stopage for your hand not to slide,as in reverse grip it just feels right. i do not recomend the SHABARIA for heavy utility knife but it is quite sirious knife as a fighter and light utility. note that the tip of the hour-glass handle is poited and the knife has double steel liners so you can use it as an impact weapon like a KARAMBIT. realy cool stuff.and it has one of the longest blades in the spyderco line with a very low profile.
scorpio.
 
I'm well aware that my tastes don't necessarily correspond to anyone else's. I've looked at some of the Shabaria pix at various times, and it has never appealed to me, but this latest pic from James seems to have struck a different chord. I actually find this knife attractive! I don't know if it's just a better picture or if my taste has changed on this subject (as it has on some other knives), but I'm beginning to like it.
Thanks for the scan, James.


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Paul Neubauer
prn@bsu.edu
Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza.
-- Dave Barry
 
A couple of answers, in case anybody asks you why you're carrying that knife . . .

At the very rear of the blade, there's a tightly recurved sharp edge that should be good for sharpening pencils and stripping wire.

The long recurve is about the right radius for peeling eggplant and harvesting your wild oats.
wink.gif



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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001
 
Scorpio - thanks much for the grip explanation. Makes sense what you describe.

James Mattis - thanks for the political correct usage explanation (and of course the scans). It's a shame that a valid reason and intent for carrying just can't be because it's cool looking and fun to play with.

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AKTI Member # A000835
 
while reading prn's reply I was struck by the fact that the knife in this thread simply does not appeal me....

Scary..

I used to feel that way about the Military and all big humped Spydercos for that matter..Funny how these things can sneak up on you.

ptn
 
ptn: It is funny (and scary). I've had several cases of not caring much at all for various Spyders (especially) and then deciding that they looked better and better with time. I'm still not ready to run out and buy a Shabaria, but it's starting to look better.
smile.gif


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Paul Neubauer
prn@bsu.edu
Computers let you make more mistakes faster than anything
except handguns and tequila. -- Mitch Ratcliffe
 
Its a stunning knife..If one holds it with the butt firmly placed in the palm of ones hands it also becomes a great "punch" knife Punal style...Filipino and Middle eastern thrusting..ones palm drives in while the fingers act as guides...upon thrusting a slight shift and slicing comes very easily..oops I really didn't say all this..
If you all want to play with one in the homeland, contact Scorpio about the Commandments of Steel....we can have a whole section to using the Shabaria...
maybe we should do a service, memorial To Ed while there?
 
You know what prn?

I say go buy a Shabaria right now!

You say you always waited until they looked good before you bought them, lets see what happens when you don't!

wink.gif


John
 
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