Should the micarta Shaman be a non-limited model?

Would a micarta Shaman sell well enough to be a full production model?

  • Yes

    Votes: 43 76.8%

  • No

    Votes: 7 12.5%

  • I don’t care.

    Votes: 6 10.7%
  • Total voters
    56
731Chopper

731Chopper

Joined
May 25, 2017
Messages
299
When I first browsed the new Spyderco reveal, I was happy to see the new micarta Shaman in Z-wear. I assume this is the knife Spyderco green lit to make up for the micarta cruwear Shaman sprint that upset a lot of people for the lack of availability, myself included (I eventually bought one on the exchange here used at a premium).

While watching Nick Shabaz go through the newest reveal, he seemed disappointed that this knife is a sprint run rather than a full production model. I’m paraphrasing but he basically argues the fiasco over the crucarta sprint proves this model would be sustainable as a non-sprint model. I’m inclined to agree but I’m also fully aware that I’m just an outsider looking in and don’t know Spyderco’s business.

What do you think?
 
I don't know the business well enough to assume that non-knife guys would see just how amazing that knife as a production model would be, but I can tell you I am buying one and I think most knife guys would be heavily interested.
 
No, it should not be. Why, then I wouldn’t be able to bitch that I missed out and am not willing to pay the price that they demand. :eek:
In all honesty, as much as I like micarta, I prefer G10 over micarta.
 
I voted yes though if there is a choice, I'd prefer an OD green color of micarta. The blade steel must be non-S30V right? Because otherwise it would be different in only the handle material from the current production version. Maybe the thread title should also be changed to include the steel as well?
 
Depends how many they make in this current sprint. If they make it some kind of supersprint, so there's lots of availability, then I don't see why people should complain. If it keeps selling, then they can still introduce a regular production model later.
 
I was really excited to see a new Micarta Shaman in the Reveal...until I realized it was yet another sprint. Realistically, I will never have a chance own one unless I’m willing to bend-over for a flipper (I’m not).

I get that sprint runs practically print money, but (putting it mildly) I’m sick of sprint-mania.
 
Not sure for micarta, even if I would like that for sure

IMO more than the handle material it is the blade steel on the shaman that surprise me
Rather than s30v I think the standard shaman should come with a tool steel.
It is build as a hard use knife and tool steels would make sense
In addition it will differentiate the shaman from other plateformes like the paramilitary
 
Therom said:
...Rather than s30v I think the standard shaman should come with a tool steel.
It is build as a hard use knife and tool steels would make sense...
Click to expand...

This is my opinion as well. While s30v is a great steel, I like tool steels, especially in such a large knife. I also personally love micarta.
 
It’s not that hard to pick up normal sprint runs. Sign up for text/e-mail notifications and turn on Instagram notifications for the major dealers. It’s a lot more difficult to acquire highly sought after exclusives like the 4V PM2 because only 1 dealer will have them. If it’s an exclusive, set a reminder when they drop and sign in prior to them dropping. I’ve been able to get every sprint/exclusive that I’ve ever wanted by simply doing these things
 
I stopped buying Spydercos, in parts because of the Cruwear Shaman experience. More power to Spyderco for having found a successful marketing mechanism, it just didn't feel like me.

Nothing against exclusive or sprint runs, but they can be planned to be available for a few days - there is enough information out there to gauge interest (e.g., here, the Spyderco forum, etc.). Like KC did for the Rex 45 Shaman, for example.

Roland.
 
I think that I've posted this before but a Shaman in Green Micarta and 154CM in homage to the Loveless Drop Point hunter would be a perfect regular production model. The components would not be too expensive, probably cheaper than Black G-10 and S30V and would make sense on multiple fronts IMO.
 
Pardon my ignorance, but is the Shaman a model that is traditionally only offered in sprint runs?

ETA: Never mind, I found the answer. It can be had, just not in fancy steel/cover options.
 
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Spyderco does a great job with tools steels, more than the other big companies and there is a demand for tool steels with toughness on blades like the shaman and it will make the shaman quite an unique knife on the market

micarta is a plus for sure, but for the shaman I really think the market differentiation can be made in the choice of steel
 
JungleJim65 said:
It’s not that hard to pick up normal sprint runs. Sign up for text/e-mail notifications and turn on Instagram notifications for the major dealers. It’s a lot more difficult to acquire highly sought after exclusives like the 4V PM2 because only 1 dealer will have them. If it’s an exclusive, set a reminder when they drop and sign in prior to them dropping. I’ve been able to get every sprint/exclusive that I’ve ever wanted by simply doing these things
Click to expand...

I disagree. If you were able to get the crucarta shaman from a dealer, you were lucky. It was so hard to get that Blade HQ did a special drawing to decide who to sell theirs to.

Thank you for the input, Sal.
 
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