Ben,
I didn't really want a 9in blade. I was looking for Project 1 and found a Shadow 1 as NIB for a price I could not pass up. I had intended to use it for trade or sell it outright. As soon as I pulled it from the box it was love at first sight. It balances so well it feels like a much smaller in the hand. It chops, batons, splits, and shaves great. I've found if I use a lanyard around my forearm and choke up on the blade with my index finger over the spine near the tip I can do quite fine work. I guess the best compliment I can give it is " It aint no safe queen ! "
Allan