Hi nerv5th, First of all, thank you for taking the time to make this video to help educate the ''knife community. I just wanted to give you a little feedback for future videos. Please don't take offence, we are all on a journey of learning, but I thought it is good for you to hear from the perspective of someone watching your video to see if there are things you want to consider for future videos. I should also say that you did a great job in the beginning of the video showing the detailed differences between the 2 boxes - I learned a lot and this was helpful. Later in the video, I was getting quite frustrated (and even yelling at the computer monitor 3-4 times), because you spent SO MUCH TIME talking about the most obvious difference between the two - the quality, color, and texture of the micarta - which could be immediately recognized by anyone in about 5-10 seconds - even if comparing the fake to a picture of the real. You also spent quite a bit of time talking about several other unrelated things, and showing the micarta on several other knives. Since you have a real Shaman and a fake Shaman right there in front of you, I feel it would have been MUCH MORE HELPFUL to put the 2 knives next to each other and systematically compare them both in several different aspects (like you did for the boxes), such as: the Spyderco logo, printing on the blade, the font, placement of markings, blade geometry, blade grind, blade finish, the compression lock shape/location/function, the back spacer, the opening and closing action, and just carefully comparing both knives on all 4 sides. For example, I have 2 black G10 (not micarta) Spyderco Shamans that I purchased. Because of the places and circumstances I bought both of these knives, I am quite certain one is real, but I have doubts about the other knife, so I really wanted to see a more detailed comparison of the 2 knives. I think one way to help with this is try to think more about the possible perspective of your audience, such as: what do they know, what do they not know, what do they need to know, what are the important/relevant details, (knowing that there are several other releases/versions of the Shaman besides micarta) what are some common things between different models people could check on their particular knives to see if it is real/fake (such as details about the blade, lock, etc.), etc. Nerv5th, I hope I didn't hurt your feelings, that was not my intention. Trust me, if I had a RU-vid channel and made videos, they would probably be very boring, much worse quality, and I would have about 10 subscribers - I honestly wouldn't even know where to start. There was definitely some great info in your video, so I'm just giving you a little feedback to help your growth as a RU-vidr! Take care bro!
I just got this knife, the clone, $25. really impressed, slightly smoother than the one in the video but handle feels great. Lock up etc all good. Would never spend more than that on a knife, so nobody lost a sale. recommended!
LOL. For some people the lesson learned here is to buy the Spyderco clone with the G10 handles! Other than that, it was a good video on what good Micarta should look like and why you are the Micarta Master.
Dude how did you spend 15 minutes complaining about micarta and barely touch on anything else about the knife. What about alignment, edge retention, ect.
I can talk about micarta all day long anyway the edge retention is what you would expect from a Chinese budget knife it is probably only 8CR13MOV the blade centering is almost perfect and due to ball-bearing washers the action is glass-like smooth. Thanks for watching.
@@luisloya1120 talking about the boxes makes sense for people worried about buying fakes, even though most of us here are probably just researching getting a good deal on a good clone
Great vid. One item of note, the choice of phosphor bronze washers on the shaman is an intentional choice for a hard use knife. Mud, resin, shavings, wood chips will not jam up washers the way it can bring ball bearings to a full stop. Just passing it on.
Yes I understand but spyderco did user ballbearing washers in the past maybe on 2-3 models I don't remember the names but we could say all of their knives are made for international hard use choice or that they just don't want to mess with ballbearing washers. Thanks for watching.
@@sprinkleddonuts6094 Yes less complicated parts mean less chance of failure I understand the shaman is a hard-use folding knife and I appreciate the design, therefore, I have both originals that came out as a sprint run in canvas micarta. I wish they would put a stonewashed finish on the blade.
Thank you for information. Now I go buy 10 of the clone version for less than 1 of the real and get upgraded bearing pivot with glass feel and decent micarta scales. Please show us more of the good clone versions for us to purchase. Maybe you inspire more to buy the clone version also.
It was not my intent that people buy clones they will have who knows what steel and they can break or fail in a critical situation so if you are buying clones be aware of this. I did buy the original spring run when they released it those were limited but then spyderco released a second run and then started with dealer exclusives offering a similar combination. A lot of us wanted a micarta shaman so I don't understand why they did not release a standard version as they did with the para 2 micarta ale the pricing is getting every year up not to speak about the secondary market where the original can cost up to 400$ so my intent is to educate people not to get scammed on ebay or other sites and a week ago or so knife center released there's burlap micarta version shape which looks similar so I presume they will pop up on ebay and maybe some scammers will ship out clones. Thanks for watching.
@@nerv5th Thank you Sir. Spyderco does pretty good with their 8cr13mov. I had one of their China made Tenacious with 8cr13mov. It was really good work knife. Maybe Spyderco also made their China made Shaman with 8cr13mov the same. It actually cost less than tenacious with better lock. A friend at work told me that Aliexpress has connection straight to Spyderco China factory and gets such good deals. Just have to wait for long time. I don't mind to wait and save such big difference in price.
Is there any way to determine what the actual steel is that’s used in making a clone? I’m assuming they’re just stamping it as a premium steel and using 440C or something.
Yes you would like to have one of those portable metal analyzers but they are expensive or you could make a rope cutting comparison just sharpen it to the same degree as let's say your other knife that is 440C and you can compare the results but my best guess would be something like 7Cr17Mov this is decent Chinese steel with good availability and cheap price or maybe even a Chinese version of D2. Have a nice day.
@@nerv5th Thanks for the response! I have some clones from AliExpress and Wish, but recently USPS has been refusing the packages, saying the vendor is using the same tracking number for multiple packages. So now I can’t use either. But that’s OK. I got to try out several different designs, and now I’ve been slowly collecting original knives. My latest is a WE Shuddan, and it’s off the charts awesome. I splurged and got the Damasteel version. Ran out my budget for 3 months, but was worth it.
@@TheIronwil We and Civivi make some great knives check out also QSP if you like good quality for less money. Enjoy your knife knives and have a great day.
I have never been a fan of Spyderco knives in general but actually quite like the look of the Shaman and had considered buying one of the clones, having seen your example, I don't think I will so thanks for that I can buy something better. Regarding other clones, I feel some of them are not too bad and don't really pretend to be the real thing just another version a t a cheaper price, I have a Pena trapper copy from SMKE knives on Aliexpress and I'm waiting for a Wariy which is their version of a Shamwari, something that would normally be several hundred dollars. The copies have no markings or anything to try to lead you to believe they are the real thing as with some of the clones. A link to the Wariy, in case you would like to see it and give me an opinion on the micarta on the web page. have a great New Year Patrik.
I know that seller I got some knives from him and yes I must say he does sell really high-quality stuff no markings mostly sterile blades but since they are nice quality the price is high if you consider that they sell knives for an average of 120$ for that kind of money you can get a lot of original knives. But I understand it is really tempting to get great designs for 1/3 or 1/4 the original price.
I like all the SMKE offerings. They are high quality and higher value than many other clones. I am a Medford guy and SMKE offers an unmarked knife that "looks" like a Praetorian only it has bearings and a butter smooth action with modern things like a lock bar stabalizer with no lock stick. Real Medfords are kind of sturdy but a little crude in construction. Washers instead of bearings and not consistent with numbers or sizes from knife to knife. Lock stick is a feature of Medfords.
Seems your biggest problem is the micarta. Yep, on first feel of this clone the micarta seems very different from many of the micarta knives I own. Actually they are all a bit different. I have lots of Bark River knives, Vero, Civivi, Liong Mah, etc.. I found that the micarta on this clone required a little bit of finishing to get that good feel to it. But you would know that about micarta because you are a self proclaimed expert right? I just rubbed it with XXXX steel wool and it feels the same as my after market scaled AD 20.5. More than acceptable.
Yes I did some cleaning nothing that complicated no steel wool needed only a rag and IPA the point is that I share the state in which the knife arrived not how it can be modified that would be a complete another video by itself. By the way the Chinese just released the AD 20.5 in titanium clone.
@@nerv5th I jumped on the AD 20.5 at the drop. Boy was I dissapointed with the cheap platic scales and clip. I spent over $100 getting it the way I wanted it. I have got to say that I am clone curious these days.
@@markmilanowski I was also curious about the AD 20.5 but I waited and now it seems from the feedback it was a good decision. The original is also maybe somewhere in china so it was only a question of time when a 50$ Titanium clone would appear on the market. My prediction was once again correct. Stay tuned I will be making a video when it eventually in a month or so arrives.
I was looking at this thinking the same thing. Except I was thinking of using sandpaper, but wire wool sounds a better idea. The steel is 8cr13mov I think. I was also thinking that if you could be bothered, it's probably quite easy to make your own micarta
Won't consider bearings an improvement , it just makes the knife fidgety like a toy to fit the taste of those who buy clones and need less tolerance consideration than washers in mass production. It's better for outdoor use knives like the shaman to be made using washers for their reliability and resistance to dirt stuck in the pivot.
Yes you are right but for those situations, I prefer to use a fixed blade the last thing what I would want is to get dirt and grime into the inside pivot area or maybe with one exception and that is if I had a CRKT Homefront.
Bottom line, just don't buy clones. Two good examples of nice micarta, the vero synapse xl, very good quality, and the kizer sheepdog flipper delete. The synapse has a more textured feel, and the sheepdog is smoother but still very soft. Agree with you about the twosun ts301, that's how twosun should do all their micarta knives. I have a tuya knife bruiser and the micarta is really bad, has an orange like color and just feels cheap. Another good example are the micarta inlays on the Bestech togotta, good stuff.
Yes Kizer does use some nice micartas on some models I have a couple of sheepdogs and some have nice canvas micarta that is why they are so nice and smooth because the linen micarta is one of the best quality only paper micarta is smoother if you like that feeling but some people like me a like a little but more texture. Yes the bottom line is don't buy clones and more important don't get scammed.
I just Bought a Fake Spyderco Manix 2 off Bay , The Pivot screws are 8 the scale screws are 6 No Bronze washers The white Synthetic washers ,Clip is Laser eged not countersunk I Can spot a Fake now after taking. one apart The Ball Cage black plastic rod broke day one . I Ordered a new one from BTQ I like the Lock system and Bought a new ball cage and put the fake in a drawer ? I was Not a happy camper i have 6 spyderco's and one Fake one .
