I have a BHQ satin M4Carta Shaman, and its action is exceptionally smooth. Take yours apart, make sure there are no burrs on the scales, (especially near the pivot), clean it, oil it, and tune the action as you reassemble the knife. That’s what I did, and it made a huge difference. 😉
I tried all of that, and while it did improve it a little, it is definitely not what I'd call smooth. I'm just going to have to wear it in the old fashioned way, I guess. Still love the knife.
@@BellowsBlades Ah, ok. Definitely just let er break in, then. Once mine did, (a few weeks after I got it and cleaned it up); the action became the very definition of “drop shut”. Thing’s a guillotine now. 👍
One thing I’ve learned about the Shamans is they’re hard to keep the blade centered on them. You can adjust the centering and action to where it’s perfect but then you will have a touch of blade play. It takes some fine tuning with a little blue loktite when you find the sweet spot.
Awesome! Just got mine a week ago and it was also tight, I adjusted the pivot on both sides, lubed the pivot area and now it drop shuts almost like my PM 2 and Para 3. I was fortunate the centering was spot on and has no blade play. Been using my Shaman alot and keeping the blade oiled with EDCI to prevent rust. Also just got the exclusive Shaman from Knife Joker in Cruwear steel and been rotating use on both knives. Thanks for sharing brother!
Glad you got a good one and are enjoying it! I wish these came out of the box with no adjustment needed, but they are still great knives. Thanks for sharing!
My second knife ever after losing a custom pm2…. I’ll never go back lol…. No need to adjust anything, just use it… if anything, I think my shaman drop shuts better than the pm4 did, I think bc of the weight of the blade…. I feel like the pm2 feels dainty compared to the shaman… I have the satin finish, and it SCREAMS “USE ME” lol!!
It is definitely a much harder use knife than the PM2. I'm glad you got a good one that didn't need any work. From the majority of the reviews for this specific model, that seems to be rare. Still, I'm really loving this knife!
Every shaman I’ve ever owned and I own about 10 different models with 10 different steels have a stiff action specially if you compare it to a para 2 those always have smooth actions out of the box for the most part the Sharman is a great knife it’s just always gonna be stiff out of the box specially any DLC coated blade and maybe one has ever came centered lol and also to shut them just need to lean the jerk of your wrist to shut it and it will shut easy that’s just how shamans are
Well, I like it enough that I not only kept it, but it is taking up more time in my pocket than any other knife right now. I still wish it was a little smoother out of the box for the price point, but it feels good enough in the hand that I'm willing to forgive that.
I'm color blind, so I couldn't tell you, but they advertise them as green. They are turning darker with use, but I've asked other people and they agree it doesn't look green.
My Shaman had the same issues out of the box. However, I took some tension out of the lock spring and polished the washers. The knife is now drop shut with no blade play, I carry this knife every day.
Yeah, it's a shame you have to make any adjustments for what they charge, but it is still a great knife. I've still not been able to get mine even close to drop shutting without introducing blade play. I haven't messed with the lock spring, but I did disassemble, clean, lubricate, and reassemble. It made a little difference, but not a lot.
I don't have any DLC spydercos but I have heard the DLC blades come out of the box kindof stiff and break in over time. hopefully that's true! awesome video!
The shaman is one of those knives that I hated when I first saw it, but the more I see it I kinda like it. I still dont have one though, mostly because I think its absolutely insane to charge 380 bucks for a knife in S30V or M4 steels in 2024. Even when they are on sale for 100 bucks less, its a hard pill to swallow. Especially when they did a sprint run of S90V for the same price, that I would actually be willing to pay for. Idk considering to look for one used
They are definitely way overpriced, and for no apparent reason (I guess you could argue demand, but a lot of Spydercos are in high demand without being this overpriced). But I do really love the one that I have.
It's getting there. But I've bought plenty of knives for much less, including other Spydercos, that didn't need any break in out of the box. Still love this knife. Just wish it would have been even half as smooth as my PM2 was out of the box.
I completely agree that your knife should come centered but all those things can be fixed I got one of the satin blade ones mine was a little off center and a little stiff literally took me 10 minutes to have a perfect knife I also have one of the Smoky mountain DLC pm2s and mine came a lot like that the DLC has to break in once it does though man it should get just as smooth as your PM too if not more so
I've heard that the dlc coated blades can take longer to break in. This is my first dlc Spyderco, but that seems to make sense. I didn't even think to check the handle scales, though. Thanks for the suggestion!
I have Two and i polished The Bronze awsome Actions My EDC and i have most all brands .That nub i took off one of my shawman ? That thing will Hurt your Finger .I had to take a new Medford slim midi apart it is the new one with Bearings ,it had synthetic grease in it It cost over Twice as Much as The Swawman ,and i had to Take it apart , I like Macarda i But some Lime Green Scales on one shawman The shawman is easy to work on They do not put nearly as much Loctite as they use To .
In spite of mine not having perfect action, it has still become one of my favorite knives. And I've got the action tuned in pretty good. Not as buttery smooth as my PM2, but good enough to not be an annoyance.
@@BellowsBlades My edc Shawman has a very Good action But I have two Para 2's and i never took the one i Figet with apart It has an action That it looks like it has Hydraulics it is as Good as any Bearing Knife i Own It is The best action i have , But I like the weight on The Shawman and Blade Better for edc But you are Right about a Para 2 I really think i would screw it up if i tried to Polish anything .
I agree. Nothing beats my PM2's action, but I'll take the Shaman for EDC every time. That thin blade and narrow point on the PM2 just don't inspire confidence. But it is great for slicing!
Yes, blade being off-center is a thing. A very annoying thing. I can hear the blade scrape against the liner when closing it. I'm waiting to hear back to see what the distributor or Spyderco will do. Otherwise, it's a good knife, but I'm wondering how something can leave the factory with such an obvious defect. Is Spyderco hoping no one will notice? That's not very respectful of your customers. It shows that Spyderco just doesn't really care what they put out there. Their poor customer support reinforces that position.
It really is a shame that their QC isn't better. Correcting an off center blade is usually an easy fix, but you shouldn't have to do their job. If you'd like a video on how to correct an off center blade (works 80% of the time), let me know and I can post one.
I have a BHQ satin M4Carta Shaman, and its action is exceptionally smooth. Take yours apart, make sure there are no burrs on the scales, (especially near the pivot), clean it, oil it, and tune the action as you reassemble the knife. That’s what I did, and it made a huge difference. 😉
I tried all of that, and while it did improve it a little, it is definitely not what I'd call smooth. I'm just going to have to wear it in the old fashioned way, I guess. Still love the knife.
@@BellowsBlades Ah, ok. Definitely just let er break in, then. Once mine did, (a few weeks after I got it and cleaned it up); the action became the very definition of “drop shut”. Thing’s a guillotine now. 👍
One thing I’ve learned about the Shamans is they’re hard to keep the blade centered on them. You can adjust the centering and action to where it’s perfect but then you will have a touch of blade play. It takes some fine tuning with a little blue loktite when you find the sweet spot.
Definitely have to fiddle with it a bit.
Awesome! Just got mine a week ago and it was also tight, I adjusted the pivot on both sides, lubed the pivot area and now it drop shuts almost like my PM 2 and Para 3. I was fortunate the centering was spot on and has no blade play. Been using my Shaman alot and keeping the blade oiled with EDCI to prevent rust. Also just got the exclusive Shaman from Knife Joker in Cruwear steel and been rotating use on both knives. Thanks for sharing brother!
Glad you got a good one and are enjoying it! I wish these came out of the box with no adjustment needed, but they are still great knives. Thanks for sharing!
My second knife ever after losing a custom pm2…. I’ll never go back lol…. No need to adjust anything, just use it… if anything, I think my shaman drop shuts better than the pm4 did, I think bc of the weight of the blade…. I feel like the pm2 feels dainty compared to the shaman… I have the satin finish, and it SCREAMS “USE ME” lol!!
It is definitely a much harder use knife than the PM2. I'm glad you got a good one that didn't need any work. From the majority of the reviews for this specific model, that seems to be rare. Still, I'm really loving this knife!
Every shaman I’ve ever owned and I own about 10 different models with 10 different steels have a stiff action specially if you compare it to a para 2 those always have smooth actions out of the box for the most part the Sharman is a great knife it’s just always gonna be stiff out of the box specially any DLC coated blade and maybe one has ever came centered lol and also to shut them just need to lean the jerk of your wrist to shut it and it will shut easy that’s just how shamans are
Well, I like it enough that I not only kept it, but it is taking up more time in my pocket than any other knife right now. I still wish it was a little smoother out of the box for the price point, but it feels good enough in the hand that I'm willing to forgive that.
Heads up the scales are brown not green.
I'm color blind, so I couldn't tell you, but they advertise them as green. They are turning darker with use, but I've asked other people and they agree it doesn't look green.
Yeah, definitely not green
My Shaman had the same issues out of the box. However, I took some tension out of the lock spring and polished the washers.
The knife is now drop shut with no blade play, I carry this knife every day.
Yeah, it's a shame you have to make any adjustments for what they charge, but it is still a great knife. I've still not been able to get mine even close to drop shutting without introducing blade play. I haven't messed with the lock spring, but I did disassemble, clean, lubricate, and reassemble. It made a little difference, but not a lot.
I cut That nub Down that hits your Finger behing the Locker and That is The one i carry daily ?I do not regret getting That nub out of the way .
I recently bought that same manix 2 and mine is butter smooth and drops clothes just like it should
Glad to hear you got a good one. They are out there, if you're lucky enough to bag one.
I don't have any DLC spydercos but I have heard the DLC blades come out of the box kindof stiff and break in over time. hopefully that's true! awesome video!
This is my first one. I have heard that as well, so hopefully that is the case. Thanks for watching!
In my experience I have a few different spyderco’s dlc Knives and yeah they can be stiff. Non dlc like my para 2 super smooth right out of the box.
The shaman is one of those knives that I hated when I first saw it, but the more I see it I kinda like it. I still dont have one though, mostly because I think its absolutely insane to charge 380 bucks for a knife in S30V or M4 steels in 2024. Even when they are on sale for 100 bucks less, its a hard pill to swallow. Especially when they did a sprint run of S90V for the same price, that I would actually be willing to pay for.
Idk considering to look for one used
They are definitely way overpriced, and for no apparent reason (I guess you could argue demand, but a lot of Spydercos are in high demand without being this overpriced). But I do really love the one that I have.
Papi you gotta work that detent track and it will smooth out over time, knives are like shoes you gotta break them in
It's getting there. But I've bought plenty of knives for much less, including other Spydercos, that didn't need any break in out of the box. Still love this knife. Just wish it would have been even half as smooth as my PM2 was out of the box.
For the price it should come in perfect condition, good video by the way,
Agreed.
I completely agree that your knife should come centered but all those things can be fixed I got one of the satin blade ones mine was a little off center and a little stiff literally took me 10 minutes to have a perfect knife I also have one of the Smoky mountain DLC pm2s and mine came a lot like that the DLC has to break in once it does though man it should get just as smooth as your PM too if not more so
Yeah, if it's fixable, then it's not a deal breaker for me. Disappointing, but not a deal breaker.
Enjoyed the look around and thoughts ✌from San Antonio.
Thanks! I grew up about 70 miles south of San Antonio. I love South Texas.
@@BellowsBlades Ha...Too funny. I grew up in Beeville.😆
Three Rivers. You had the closest Wal-Mart! 😆
maybe need to sand the edges of the scale, it maybe rubbing on the blade near the pivot.
I've heard that the dlc coated blades can take longer to break in. This is my first dlc Spyderco, but that seems to make sense. I didn't even think to check the handle scales, though. Thanks for the suggestion!
I have Two and i polished The Bronze awsome Actions My EDC and i have most all brands .That nub i took off one of my shawman ? That thing will Hurt your Finger .I had to take a new Medford slim midi apart it is the new one with Bearings ,it had synthetic grease in it It cost over Twice as Much as The Swawman ,and i had to Take it apart , I like Macarda i But some Lime Green Scales on one shawman The shawman is easy to work on They do not put nearly as much Loctite as they use To .
In spite of mine not having perfect action, it has still become one of my favorite knives. And I've got the action tuned in pretty good. Not as buttery smooth as my PM2, but good enough to not be an annoyance.
@@BellowsBlades My edc Shawman has a very Good action But I have two Para 2's and i never took the one i Figet with apart It has an action That it looks like it has Hydraulics it is as Good as any Bearing Knife i Own It is The best action i have , But I like the weight on The Shawman and Blade Better for edc But you are Right about a Para 2 I really think i would screw it up if i tried to Polish anything .
I agree. Nothing beats my PM2's action, but I'll take the Shaman for EDC every time. That thin blade and narrow point on the PM2 just don't inspire confidence. But it is great for slicing!
Yes, blade being off-center is a thing. A very annoying thing. I can hear the blade scrape against the liner when closing it. I'm waiting to hear back to see what the distributor or Spyderco will do. Otherwise, it's a good knife, but I'm wondering how something can leave the factory with such an obvious defect. Is Spyderco hoping no one will notice? That's not very respectful of your customers. It shows that Spyderco just doesn't really care what they put out there. Their poor customer support reinforces that position.
It really is a shame that their QC isn't better. Correcting an off center blade is usually an easy fix, but you shouldn't have to do their job. If you'd like a video on how to correct an off center blade (works 80% of the time), let me know and I can post one.