Shaman or Caribbean

[M Sea]

First time to attempt putting up a poll so hope I don’t screw it up but I need some input. I have waaaaay overspent my knife budget this year :D but want to pick up either a Shaman, DLC coated s30v or a Caribbean Leaf before the year is up.

Its going to be a work knife and I opted for the non serrated blade only because I also have an Autonomy that is serrated. Saltwater is a major factor as whichever knife I get will be around it daily.

Main uses would be tasks related to boat and marina repairs and some light duty trail related maintenance.

As always thank you for your insight.

[vivi]

Caribbean seems like a no brainer considering your line of work. I'd go with that.

[Sumdumguy]

Any answer that isn't the Caribbean, is wrong.
Fight me! :D

[curlyhairedboy]

Voted Shaman initially because I prefer the ergos on it, but upon reading that it'll be used around salt water all day, the Caribbean is absolutely the right choice.

[JuPaul]

I agree with Vivi. The Shaman is awesome, but the salt line just seems meant for you. Plus you like your Autonomy which has a similar design and no finger choil. If the Shaman came in lc200n - or even m390 - it'd be a tougher choice, though. I bet we'll see a Shaman sprint in m390 at some point, and if I was you I'd hold out for that before getting a Shaman for your job.

[M Sea]

Wow, cool. Thank you guys for all the quick votes. I was thinking Caribbean also but have heard so many great things about the Shaman it was definitely one I wanted also. Eventually I will have them both but for this year, can only afford one more. So will start shopping for the best price on a Caribbean. :)

[Buddafucco]

I'm curious if you've used your Maxamet Manix at work?

[VooDooChild]

Around saltwater daily...
Caribbean.

[M Sea]

I'm curious if you've used your Maxamet Manix at work?

I have but am a little concerned with so much debris/saltwater and especially sand getting into that open space by the lock.

[curlyhairedboy]

I'm curious if you've used your Maxamet Manix at work?

I have but am a little concerned with so much debris/saltwater and especially sand getting into that open space by the lock.

maxamet is pretty far from stainless, too.

[M Sea]

I'm curious if you've used your Maxamet Manix at work?

I have but am a little concerned with so much debris/saltwater and especially sand getting into that open space by the lock.

maxamet is pretty far from stainless, too.

Yes, love it as an edc. But as a work knife in this environment its not the best choice.

[prndltech]

Caribbean. Leaf. Serrated.

[The Meat man]

The Caribbean was made for folks like you!

[M Sea]

Caribbean. Leaf. Serrated.

Thank you, I have the Autonomy that I absolutely love so am leaning towards the Caribbean leaf blade, non serrated. And I know I preach BUT the Salt Dragonfly SE is always with me. Its just a beast.

[prndltech]

Caribbean. Leaf. Serrated.

Thank you, I have the Autonomy that I absolutely love so am leaning towards the Caribbean leaf blade, non serrated. And I know I preach BUT the Salt Dragonfly SE is always with me. Its just a beast.

What’s better than one serrated blade? 2 serrated blades. And a bigger one at that!

[M Sea]

The Caribbean was made for folks like you!

Man, it really does feel that way. I am kind of like, “why now, all of a sudden?” Because the Autonomy SE is awesome as in THOR at cutting braided/floated nylon lobster/stone crab and even dock lines off props/gear-housings. But the auto feature that I Love, freaks out the tourists on the boats and when I give tours if it comes out. I am a huuuuuuuuge compression lock guy so its just a no -brainer. Sorry for the vent. I live alone :spyder:

[Evil D]

Caribbean, but I'd get the sheepsfoot and modify it. I really haven't found it to be any less versatile than the leaf and I prefer the lower blade tip.

[skeeg11]

Caribbean, but I'd get the sheepsfoot and modify it. I really haven't found it to be any less versatile than the leaf and I prefer the lower blade tip.

I really like what you've done here. Not only is it more visually and aesthetically pleasing, but for my uses more versatile over a broader spectrum of applications than a pure sheepsfoot or rescue type of blade shape. I think Spyderco is beginning to give even more recognition to the popularity of Wharnies as evidenced by the recent release of the Rock Jumper with its improved edge length and the 4 Byrd Wharnies currently in development. Truth be told, I actually prefer the sleeker, more svelte shape of the spine on your Caribbean to most Spydie Wharnies. I likie a lot. :)

[Evil D]

Caribbean, but I'd get the sheepsfoot and modify it. I really haven't found it to be any less versatile than the leaf and I prefer the lower blade tip.

I really like what you've done here. Not only is it more visually and aesthetically pleasing, but for my uses more versatile over a broader spectrum of applications than a pure sheepsfoot or rescue type of blade shape. I think Spyderco is beginning to give even more recognition to the popularity of Wharnies as evidenced by the recent release of the Rock Jumper with its improved edge length and the 4 Byrd Wharnies currently in development. Truth be told, I actually prefer the sleeker, more svelte shape of the spine on your Caribbean to most Spydie Wharnies. I likie a lot. :)

Thanks! I'm not crazy about the "hookless hawkbill" shape that the latest wharnies have even though I am super happy to see more of them being produced. I love wharnies but I would really be ok if all my knives started out as sheepsfoots so I can grind the spine down to my liking. In my weirdo perfect world, blades would just come as rectangular cleaver shaped blades with a full flat grind and an edge bevel, and then I could decide how the spine is shaped from there.

[M Sea]

Caribbean, but I'd get the sheepsfoot and modify it. I really haven't found it to be any less versatile than the leaf and I prefer the lower blade tip.

Thats awesome. Love the scales. I haven’t seen those before.