The Shabaria

Esav Benyamin

Esav Benyamin

MidniteSuperMod
Joined
Apr 6, 2000
Messages
90,915
Thanks to Spyderco for producing this knife and James Mattis of Chai Cutlery for carrying it.

The ancient design is new to us,
Since tactical knives all look the same.
It's exciting to see the possibilities
In a blade that looks like a flame.

VG-10 is hard and sharp,
It slips through meat and fruit and bread;
But the blade is much too narrow
To use on any kind of spread.

Its razor edge is hollow-ground,
The recurved blade angles down.
With narrow, wasp-waist handle slabs
It would make the sheeple frown.

It reminds me of knives
Of days long past,
When work demanded
The sharp and fast.
For self-defense or sacrifice,
Our forefathers liked
This kind of knife.
 
biggrin.gif
biggrin.gif


I sold one Shabaria, in combo-edge, for a lady who is spending a month in a nature reserve on a research project, who uses it to collect bottanical specimens. The recurve edge is good for light harvesting, and the narrow grip for small hands.



------------------
- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001
 
Good job on the verse!

I'm happy to see someone praising the Shabaria on this list. I wanted one for months; I had James' scan of it for my desktop PC picture. I finally got to fondle one at a gunshow and was amazed at how good it actually felt. Finally I was able to order one from Ultimate Outdoors for a good price. It was even a numbered one (plain edge). I have liked it so much that I have considered trying to write a real review of it for posting but we all know how real life tends to intrude on such things. Since I never got around to it this seems like a good place to mention a couple things that might help somebody considering a purchase.

It's a righty knife unless you do the dremel thing. I've practiced opening it with just the left hand but it takes a very precise thumb placement. The hole is partially obscured on that side. From a right handers perspective though it is quick and easy to open. The liner lock gives a good "snap" and feels solid.

Part of why it feels solid is the double steel liner (one on each side). That makes for a very solid, durable knife but the downside is that the knife is "thicker" than I expected. It makes a fairly substantial bulge when tucked behind the waistband. My Military seems easier to carry. That's the thickness problem only though. On the positive size, the Shabaria has by far the most "blade versus handle size" of any Spydie I own. Folded it is considerably shorter than my full size Calypso or Military and yet has a comparable blade. Very nice designing!

The blade is beautiful. I haven't tried to sharpen it on the 204 yet but it was very sharp out of the box. It and my full size Calypso were my sharpest Spydercos right out of the box. I use them both for free hanging paper cutting demonstrations for co-workers. And I love that shape. And that verse above, "a blade that looks like a flame." That's a darn good description. The point does "drop away" from the line of the handle and might make precise stabbing a little tricky but I don't usually do things like that. Be careful with hand placement when cutting and folding since the blade doesn't have a large finger choil like the Military. It is sharp almost all the way to the handle. The VG-10 is super. I think the stylized EB is nice as well. And the micarta is very low key compared to the shiny Calypso that I'm always protective of.

Don't even think about it: this is a knife all Spyderco people should own!

Gregg
 
Thanx for all your support for a really beautiful knife!

James Mattis: ... the narrow grip for small hands.
tulsamal: ...by far the most "blade versus handle size"

Hold an open Shabaria by that diamond-shaped pommel and see how much more reach it adds --
almost as much, with the exact same recurve, as a CS Vaquero Grande. I wouldn't use it on woody branches, as I do my Vaquero, but it slashes through green vegetation like it isn't there. Sliced vines just >drop<.

On the other hand, hold it flat with the tip of your thumb on the opening hole, and you have a very precise "choked up" grip.

tulsamal: ... I've practiced opening it with just the left hand but it takes a very precise thumb placement

I removed the clip. I hike with lots of buttoned or velcroed pockets. It seems a lot thinner without it and is almost easy to do lefty. But I did have to oil the pivot.

tulsamal: ... might make precise stabbing a little tricky

Try a saber grip with the pommel in the heel of your hand, your thumb in a straight line with your forearm and just short of the blade. Where is the tip pointing? Straight ahead, with no strain on your wrist, which a blade in line with its handle would do.

tulsamal: ... I think the stylized EB is nice

Of course, the stylized EB means more to me than it may to you!?

[This message has been edited by Esav Benyamin (edited 06-17-2000).]
 
Originally posted by Esav Benyamin:

Hold an open Shabaria by that diamond-shaped pommel and see how much more reach it adds --
almost as much, with the exact same recurve, as a CS Vaquero Grande.
.
.
On the other hand, hold it flat with the tip of your thumb on the opening hole, and you have a very precise "choked up" grip.
.
.
I removed the clip.
.
.
tulsamal: ... might make precise stabbing a little tricky

Try a saber grip with the pommel in the heel of your hand, your thumb in a straight line with your forearm and just short of the blade. Where is the tip pointing? Straight ahead, with no strain on your wrist, which a blade in line with its handle would do.
Click to expand...

Esav - Are you sure you're not me?

I love the "extended" Shabaria grips, and I, too, have removed my clip. The knife is much more comfortable, now.

The Shabaria is one of those knives that's so specifically designed that you will need to develop specific new methods to take advantage of all of it's strengths. Once you've taken the time to get to truly know it, you find that the weaknesses were your own, from mistakenly using it like an "ordinary" knife.

------------------
AKTI Member #A000832

"Sometimes you eat the bear, and sometimes, the bear eats you."
 
esav,
it is always good to see another convert on the SHABARIA,since i feel it is still a sleeper among the fighting folders fans.
it does take some getting use to, but those with the worrior spirit soon find its merits.
let me add to your revelations that if you hold the SHABARIA in a closed position and in ice pick grip,it is a formidable impact weapon to pound with on the end of the butt.
the diamond shape and the double steel liners and steel spacer will make haevy impact,like using a fillipino kubutan.
so incase of truoble you can hit with it first and then if the need arrises use its wicked blade.
i can only regret once more the eduard bradichansky is not with us anymore to hear the compliments on his desighns.
scorpio.
 
I have recently read all comments within this forum, on whatever I could find on the web about the Shabaria - this is a really exciting knife! I have mine ordered and it should arive later today or tomorrow - so you know where my mind is at?

Mr. Glesser, I am sorry to see this knife no longer continued, as well as the Jess Horns, or the JD Smiths. I understand your knives get copied readily and shorten the profit market; will you folks be bringing any of these knifes back on limited runs - say every 7-10 years to let the next generations enjoy these special colaboration efforts you have done so well with? Awesome products by the way - Thanks!!!:) :) :) :)
 
Really, my ONLY knock against the Shabaria is the partially blocked hole, which (at least for me) requires slightly finer motor skills to open. The difference is subtle but noticeable. Now, I know any skill is achievable with sufficient training, but in a SHTF scenario, I want to be able to fall back on the grossest of gross motor skills... Hence, my EDC is normally a Massad Ayoob.

Having said that--I still find myself carrying the Shab from time to time because of its elegance, refinement, and wickedly beautiful blade! :)

-- JFrame
 
The Shabaria was among my very favorites from the very beginning. I found it fairly easy to operate and quite comfortable for my hands. (The initial size was about 5" overall length. Now that was a knife or what?) :cool:
The handles, due to the specific shape allow an easy change of grip and some indexing maneuvres as well. The open construction (second generation Shabbys) alows easy cleaning. The pommel of the handles, due to the double steel liners, can also be used as a striker / glass breaker / skull crusher even in closed position.
The hole is as much exposed as the Native's - and the Native is one of the most praised knives.
The recurved blade is very handy and the VG-10 steel rocks.
Maybe E.B. didn't made too many knives, (I only know of the Shabaria and the Spydercard) but what he did was great. May God bless him, wherever he is now...
 
Hi Sal,
Thanks for the welcome. Funny--I've been a lurker on BladeForums for so long, it didn't even occur to me that that was my first post! :D

--JFrame
 
Just wondering what people thought about the lock on the Shabaria?
Is it considered good enough for MBC?
I have one (in PE) on the way and I am curious if it would make a good SD piece or not.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top