Shabaria (with photos)

[rs2]

This lovely open-backed Shabaria arrived yesterday. I bought it from a member of another board. I love the distinctiveness of this knife, although I haven't really done anything with it yet, other than play with it. I also wanted it especially because of its history and that of its designer, Israeli knifemaker Eduard Bradichansky, who was killed in a terrorist attack.

I know that this was in the 2002 catalog. Does anyone know the dates of its introduction and discontinuance, and approximately how many were made?

[naggalowmo]

very cool knife! i need to get me one of those one day... so stylish :cool:

[smcfalls13]

Such a sexy knife :cool:

I'd use it, because that's what the designer created it for, but I can respect you not wanting to use it.

Sorry, don't know all that much about these, can't really help you with that.

Excellent pictures though. :D

[rs2]

Such a sexy knife :cool:

I'd use it, because that's what the designer created it for, but I can respect you not wanting to use it.

Sorry, don't know all that much about these, can't really help you with that.

Excellent pictures though. :D

Thanks :)

I didn't say I didn't want to use it, just that I hadn't really done much with it yet. I have been carrying it with me the past couple days and really like the feel of it. You're right - it was certainly designed to be used, and I don't see any reason not to do so.

[smcfalls13]

Thanks :)

I didn't say I didn't want to use it, just that I hadn't really done much with it yet.

Ah, I get it now :cool:

[DAYWALKER]

Aloha rs2,

Ahhhh, the Shabaria!!! That is one beautiful knife...

Great pics also!

God bless and congrats! :cool:

[rs2]

Aloha rs2,

Ahhhh, the Shabaria!!! That is one beautiful knife...

Great pics also!

God bless and congrats! :cool:

Thank you, Chad. I'm honored :)

[DAYWALKER]

Mahalo rs2,

Say, it has been done before, but would it be possible for some in hand pics? This is a :spyder: I just do NOT get tired of looking at...

If not, no biggee!

God bless :cool:

[spydutch]

Great knife rs2 :cool:

Congrats and enjoy

[Mancer]

Very very nice knife indeed
I always wanted one but never got around to getting my paws on one of those
I have the SpyderCard from EB, it too is a great knife.
Beyond razor sharp, powerful cuts and very very strong.

The man made some wonderful and spectacular designs.

Cheers

MaNcEr

[dialex]

Hi Ron, congrats on your new fine knife and thanks for the great pics.
Tha Shabaria is what I call art. It has some beautiful lines. I found it to be quite a versatile knife, despite its peculiar looks. For me it took little time to get used with the handles. IIRC, the original model was much bigger - what do I say bigger, it was HUGE - (5" blade) :eek:

[smcfalls13]

IIRC, the original model was much bigger - what do I say bigger, it was HUGE - (5" blade) :eek:

Really? That's interesting to know. My only issue with the Shabaria was it's small size(for my hands at least) a larger version of it would have pretty cool.

[smcfalls13]

I know that this was in the 2002 catalog. Does anyone know the dates of its introduction and discontinuance, and approximately how many were made?

Information compiled from various posts around here, and downloaded catalogs courtesy of the great Ted.

Ahem...

I believe the Shabaria first appeared in the 2000 Catalog. I'm not 100% sure though. I do know it was NOT in the 1998, but I don't have a 1999 to confirm. 2002 was also the last year it appeared in the catalog.***Editted to say that it was in the 1999 catalog, as mentioned by Peter in the post below mine. Thank you sir.***

It was one of the first Spyders to feature VG-10 steel(not THE first, but one of them) and to my knowledge it was only ever available in VG-10.

It also came in at least 4 variations. The earliest models were closed backed, and featured riveted construction, while the later models were open backed and featured screw construction. Both variations had a Plain edge and Combo edge available, thus 4 total variants.

There MAY be closed backed screw construction Shabarias, as well as open backed riveted construction Shabarias. I wouldn't rule those out as additional variants, but off the top of my head, don't remember seeing any like that.

Numbers produced are up to speculation, as that information is likely priveleged.

Hope that helps, and if my information is inaccurate, the Spyder historians will correct me. It's a good thing too, they keep me in line :p

[Peter1960]

...I know that this was in the 2002 catalog. Does anyone know the dates of its introduction and discontinuance, and approximately how many were made?...

Hi Ron - Very nice pictures !

As far as I know from Spydie catalogs:

I found it from 1999 - 2002, blade steel always VG-10 (2000 - PE, 2001 - PE + 50/50, 2002 - PE). Sry no idea how many were produced.

I'm still looking for one and I hope to get one in future :)

[smcfalls13]

I found it from 1999 - 2002

Ah, so it was in the 1999 catalog. Awesome, I didn't know that.

[Peter1960]

Sorry, maybe it's a "Spyderco-Confusion" :rolleyes:

I also don't have the catalog from 1999 but in catalog 2006 on page two stands 1999 for the C59 Shabira. Therefore i wrote only the datas for 2000 - 2002 (these catalogs I own).

[rs2]

Thank you all for the kind words, and Scott, thank you for the Shabaria history. I appreciate it very much.

Perhaps there is someone in Colorado :rolleyes: who might know how many Shabarias were produced?

I'll try getting some in-hand photos this weekend for those who asked.

[BlackNinja]

It is a sexy looking knife! Too bad no matter how I held it, it wouldn't fit in my hand. It's all good, it went to a fellow forum member who can appreciate it more than I could!

[Fairlane]

Excellent pictures of an excellent knife.
I have to say that this is another one of those :spyder: 's that one need to hold to fully appreciate. (Or not appreciate due to the limitations within the handle)

[JD Spydo]

Really? That's interesting to know. My only issue with the Shabaria was it's small size(for my hands at least) a larger version of it would have pretty cool.

I ended up getting one in a trade because a friend of mine who got one said exactly what you did. That the handle was too small for his hand. I was glad to get another one because I think that in about 2 years this knife is going to demand some major dollars.

AS I have told the Forum on many occasions when I first saw the knife I thought it was weird at best. But after owning one, handling one and using one I discovered a new beauty. I have now learned to appreciate "Engineering Beauty" which the Shabaria is a masterpiece. I am so sad that the designer died such an untimely death I would have sure liked to have seen more of his designs.

History will be very kind to this knife. It will be in the top 10 of all time classics in the Spyder line up. :cool: