Jma Wood Studio
Eugene, OR

Aug 24, 2025

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Pocket Clip, Weight

Cons: None

This is just a great knife

This is from the 3rd batch. It's my first Shaman but far from my first Spyderco. The weight of the blade makes the opening so much more satisfying than a PM2. Both the sound and the feel of it locking into place is much more... substantial. The blade is also easier to close under the weight of the blade than a PM2. That isn't to say the blade is heavy. The knife actually feels very balanced. But this is clearly a beefier blade than the PM2. Love the contoured scales and the ergos all around. This is the first knife that actually makes me want to choke up and utilize the finger choil. The burlap micarta scales are nice and grippy. I will say they did emit a funky smell at first. But that seems to be quickly dissapating. The fit and finish are excellent. There isn't a hint of lock stick. The blade is perfectly centered and the grind lines look perfect to my eye. This is going to be spending a lot of time in my pocket.

Dadeburn
California

Dec 02, 2024

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Pocket Clip

Cons: None

Nice!

Little off center but I've heard to be expected with micarta.Just some stroping to hair raising sharp.S90 is special and I have no lock stick thank goodness.Thanxgiving I got to show and tell with a flick the blade weight drives it out with a thwack! Fun! Micarta is almost slippery but I've heard if hand get sweaty grip gets much better! Buy one before all gone!

Jim
Ohio

Aug 23, 2025

Pros: Blade Material, Handle Material, Overall Quality

Cons: None

Very Pleased

David said this latest batch corrected many of the problems other have listed here so I gave it shot and got one. It's perfect. Lockup is super smooth and solid. Scales are beautiful and aligned and the blade is perfectly centered. I am sorry to hear of the problems in the past, but this new release is solid and comes in at a great price.

Lawrence
Plano TX

Nov 29, 2024

Pros: None

Cons: None

Great Spyderco

Beefy blade, beefy handles - I really like the handle material too

Marvin
Buffalo

Sep 03, 2025

Pros: None

Cons: None

Perfect EDC

Really great action - i love the handle and blade size - great materials too

Eric
Texas

Dec 07, 2024

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Pocket Clip, Sheath, Weight

Cons: None

Better than I expected

I have a S30V Shaman with black DLC and I wasn't a fan. The action isn't good and the DLC coating looks off, but I figured I would give this a shot. After almost 2 weeks having the S90V exclusive version, I have to say it's amazing! The action is great, blade seems close to perfectly centered and the pocket clip doesn't dig in my hand the way other Shaman does. Been seeing a few 1 * rating so maybe I got lucky. I will say that I haven't been to happy with alot of factory edges but it's doing nicely now with 17 degree edge now. If I had the extra money I'd buy a 2nd one.

Ryan
West Chester, PA

Sep 02, 2025

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Pocket Clip, Weight

Cons: None

Perfect!

I held off on this guy for a while, but so happy I finally pulled the trigger. It’s perfect. Perfect center, perfect action, scales are gorgeous. Grind a hair uneven, but that’s something the first sharpening will easily remedy. Came sharp as every Spyderco comes! KC has the best exclusives! Now the Kapara in S90v. Been looking at that guy as well!

Cameron
NY

Aug 22, 2025

Pros: None

Cons: None

No-Brainer Buy!

My shaman was delivered in a day after I ordered it and arrived perfect. Action was great - this really is a great combo of handle material and blade steel for that price. Like it!

Jay R
Fl

Nov 21, 2024

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Pocket Clip, Weight

Cons: Sheath

Do You Need a Gift for Yourself?

Altho I do not own this one, I do have a Shaman in XHP and an PM2 in S90V. They are both wonderful. If I had not recently purchased both I could have afforded this. Oh, well. Maybe I need to buy a lottery ticket. I really appreciate the Shaman's ergos. Despite not owning it, I can highly recommend it and plan to buy it when my finances are better.

Todd
Idaho

Nov 29, 2024

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality

Cons: None

Best Version of Best Knife Ever!

Love the Shaman - I have several - this one is THE one to have - I love that I get s90 and the micarta is beautiful - winner!

George L. Rockwell
Europa

Aug 25, 2025

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Pocket Clip, Sheath, Weight

Cons: None

KnifeCenter Exclusive Shaman S90V Burlap

Beautiful exclusive from Knifecenter. Fit and finish are perfect and love the steel and scales combo. I have the Kapara exclusive in burlap and S90V. I'd say the shamans burlap scales are slightly more tactile in texture which I like. I have a lot of Shaman exclusives and this one is one of my favorites. Well done!

Miguel
Texas

Sep 03, 2025

Pros: None

Cons: None

I am a Fan

Watched DCA's video - and I gotta say - my knife was spot on - no complaints whatsoever

Jy
L.A.

Nov 26, 2024

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality

Cons: Pocket Clip

Spyderco doesn’t disappoint

This is my first Shaman and it doesn’t disappoint. It came with a bit of lock stick but nothing a bit of flicking wouldn’t solve. I would recommend this knife to anyone looking for a large quality folder.

Douglas
Texas

Aug 12, 2025

Pros: None

Cons: None

Awesome Knife

I bought this a year ago and thought I would write a review. I use this as my daily carry and have another Shaman also as I love the blade shape and handle size. When I saw knife center had a burlap micarta version, it was an easy decision. Love it!

Daniel
Greenlawn, NY

Aug 22, 2025

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Weight

Cons: Pocket Clip, Sheath

Fill your holes!

I own four Syderco knives and have just placed an order for my fifth, the Shaman. I love these knives because of their quality and the way they fit my hand. There is one thing that drives me absolutely crazy. And that is the open holes in the scales. They’re there so the user has the option to place the clip any which way they prefer. Being a retired jeweler, I can tell you that these knives would be considered unfinished and unsalable if they were considered a highend accessory. I absolutely hate these open holes. If Spyderco must put 9 additional holes in the scales then at the very least send screws to fill the vacancies. For the price your customers are paying, that’s the very least they can do. Stop making unfinished knives and give your customers something to be proud to own! Thanks for taking the time to read my critique. Dan Panzenbeck

Nate
Mianus, CT

Nov 27, 2024

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality

Cons: None

Couple things

Good: Has the typical spyderco fit and finish so nothing to complain about there. The canvas micarta is smooth yet not slippery feeling. Blade is centered and razor sharp out of box. Bad: The blade tip is close to being exposed but not to the point of being dangerous, that said after a few dozen sharpening sit will become a problem (more of an overall shaman design flaw). Not a deep carry clip and the aftermarket shaman clips can be difficult to get a hold of a good one. The knife smells odd, not sure if it’s the micarta or if it’s the lube/blade protector they used but it has a strange chemical smell to it, not overpowering but slightly noticeable. Overall it’s an s90v shaman, idk what else you want in a knife

Jj
NM

Aug 26, 2025

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Pocket Clip, Sheath, Weight

Cons: None

Unfortunate

Unfortunately, I don't see much improvement here. The tip is still proud, and the centering is quite off. The knife is solid. No lock stick, solid lockup, good action, but that tip still being proud is a real bummer.

Jw
Iowa

Dec 01, 2024

Pros: Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material

Cons: Lock Ease of Use

Disappointing!

I love the look and feel of the Shaman, but it is disappointing for a $300 knife. The pivot is so tight that I have to close it with two hands, even after breaking it in for a couple days. Also, the micarta has some strange chemical smell, which gets on your hands. Lastly, the rounded nub between the blade and the finger choil hits your finger when you close the knife because it overlaps the compression lock tab when closed. Too bad, it could have been great.

Tj
CA

Aug 28, 2025

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use

Cons: Lock Type, Overall Quality, Pocket Clip

Lock Stick

Saw these were back in stock, and according to the YouTube video, they had all the issues taken care of from the last release. Very excited to get it, flicked it open, and it had the worst lock stick I've ever had on a knife. Can't tell you how disappointed I was, but to KnifeCenter's credit, they took it back and gave me a full refund.

Thomas
Pittsburgh , Pa

Apr 05, 2025

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Handle Feel, Lock Ease of Use

Cons: Ease of Opening, Handle Material, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Pocket Clip

Disappointed

Terribly tight action. Cannot adjust it out. Decided to swap scales and really oiled up nicely. Just tight enough to remove wobble. Tight! Just awful. Regret the purchase. It’s a nice and useful blade shape and comfortable ergo’s but that’s it.

Conner
TN

Nov 27, 2024

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Type

Cons: Ease of Opening, Lock Ease of Use, Overall Quality

Avoid

Has real bad lock stick, blade came off-center. For 300$ this is pretty embarrassing.

Mad
USA

Nov 23, 2024

Pros: None

Cons: Overall Quality

Returning it

Tip sticks out when closed. I’m returning it. Had the same problem with a new Spy27 Shaman too.

Michael
Livermore, Ca

Dec 01, 2024

Pros: Blade Material

Cons: Ease of Opening, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Pocket Clip, Weight

$300 turd

This is probably the knife that broke the camel's back when it comes to Spyderco. I've tried to continue supporting US made knife makers, but it's getting impossible. Prices keep going up and quality keeps going down. This particular Shaman was awful out of the box. The action was so tight I could barely ride it with my thumb and definitely couldn't thumb or reverse flick it open. I backed the pivot screws out a mm or turn and tried it and there was blade wobble. So after a dozen adjustments each way it's either uncomfortably tight or has blade play. Then there is the continued garbage edge grinds out of Golden, Colorado. It makes no sense that the knives from China and Taichung have good even edge grinds and the stuff from the US look like they were done by someone drunk. I have almost 30 Spydercos from Golden in the past decade and not a one has a properly sharpened edge. It's unacceptable to continue to put out this terrible quality and charge this much money. Having good heat treatments isn't enough anymore.

Fsflex1985@Gmail.Com
Nj

Aug 26, 2025

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Type, Pocket Clip, Sheath, Weight

Cons: Ease of Opening, Lock Ease of Use, Overall Quality

Bad edge grind at tip

Just got mine in the mail yesterday and it's a beautiful knife with a bad grind at tip on left side. Once you see the imperfection it's a real bummer. I checked the youtube commercial knife center put out and the big man's blade has the same uneven grind.....I follow down this rabbit hole and find more customers have the same bad workmanship. Maybe this is why the price is so much cheaper than base model? Spyderco did not use a fine tooth come to inspect quality! And the blade action is tight out of the box can barely flick open. Thanks spyderco!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joseph
Flemington, Nj

Aug 27, 2025

Pros: None

Cons: None

Received a refurbished knife

The plastic bag was not crisp, and there were fingerprints on the blade. The sharpened edges were not even, and the edge near the ricasso was improperly done when it was resharpened. For these reasons, I had to return the knife.

Don
,

Aug 27, 2025

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type

Cons: Handle Feel, Handle Material, Overall Quality, Pocket Clip, Sheath, Weight

They didn’t fix anything

Got one last time and returned it because the tip was catching my fingers when it was closed. Fast forward to today and it’s the same exact crap. Tip of the knife is still catching my fingers when it's closed. This is not worth my time and money anymore. I shouldn’t have to send a brand new $200-$300 knife back to the manufacturer for it to be fixed. What the heck!

David
Kansas

Nov 27, 2024

Pros: None

Cons: None

Big disappointment

Knife had extreme lock stick. I had to close it with two hands and it still didn’t want to budge. For $300 that is insanity

James
Hawaii

Dec 12, 2024

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Handle Material, Lock Type

Cons: Overall Quality

Beware: Main Grind Extremely Uneven/Unsymmetrical

I received and returned two knives with extremely uneven main bevel grinds. Customer service told me they checked a dozen more before sending me another replacement , and they all had uneven main bevel grinds. I am in the process of getting a full refund. Thank you Knifecenter for great customer service.