Spyderco Forums

Soban wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 10, 2024 12:50 am

Am I alone in thinking Shaman pricing is absurd?

I accept Sal’s answer and I don’t believe the price is absurd. What’s absurd to me are the underlying economic conditions that can cause Spyderco to price a base level knife at such a high price. But that’s a different story. As far as the Shaman goes, what should be an affordable tool is mainly in the hands of collectors and enthusiasts because of pricing.

Soban wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 10, 2024 7:59 pm

zhyla wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 10, 2024 11:12 am

Soban wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 10, 2024 12:50 am

Am I alone in thinking Shaman pricing is absurd?

If it’s over your price limit (it’s way out of mine) then it’s not a knife you should consider.

Part of the sentiment is what makes this cost more than the cf/s90v military 2 I just bought. Actual question.

edit: i guess if the scales are milled that could be part of it

edit 2: for the most part i havent seen too many sticker shock models that arent "special". the only ones so far have been shaman bodacious and to an extent lil native for me personally.

You answered your own question with your first edit - machine time. The Shaman scales are fully machined and take significantly longer to produce than the flat peel ply Military 2 scales.

I was an early adopter of the Shaman. I quite enjoy my CruCarta and S30V models, but don't carry them much. They are a cool design that isn't that practical for much of my day-to-day use.

I generally prefer to carry a slimmer knife most times. If I want something with a 3.5 inch blade i gravitate towards the SpydieChef,Stretch1 or 2, and Manix 2, or even the PM2. More often I carry a 3 inch blade -- a Native5, or maybe a Delica, Sage or UpTern.

I've found that in addition to the weight and bulk of the Shaman that sometimes deters me from carrying one, I also find them easier to drop with the contoured scales.

I've found that while contouring looks and feels good, I actually tend to prefer "blocky" handle shapes for folding knives. I find that I mostly prefer the more squared off cross-sections of the Manix, PM2, Stretch, Delica, Endura and others to the contouring of the Shaman.

It didn't take all that long to figure some of this out. I found i was more prone to dropping the Shaman than any other Spyderco, and it tends to feel less secure behind the choil than others.

I also find it easier to control a blade's rotation on its long axis (e.g. to keep from twisting in a cut) with a blockier/ flatter handle. Some of this took time and use to observe.

Additionally I have realized that "blocky" handles are plenty comfortable for me.

The Shaman definitely costs more to make with more machine time required than other models.

KnifeWorks... https://knifeworks.com/spyderco-shaman- ... c229gpcbl/

American Edge... https://www.americanedgeknives.com/spyd ... c229gpcbl/

Mushroom wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 11, 2024 7:17 am

You answered your own question with your first edit - machine time. The Shaman scales are fully machined and take significantly longer to produce than the flat peel ply Military 2 scales.

Maybe, but the Bodacious is only a few dollars cheaper.

Wallach wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 12, 2024 11:31 am

Mushroom wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 11, 2024 7:17 am

You answered your own question with your first edit - machine time. The Shaman scales are fully machined and take significantly longer to produce than the flat peel ply Military 2 scales.

Maybe, but the Bodacious is only a few dollars cheaper.

Actually, looking back at the post I replied to makes me a little confused. The CF/S90V Military 2 sprint is currently $294 MAP ($420 MSRP) and this Shaman is $270 MAP. ($360 MSRP) So the Shaman is not more expensive than the Military 2 sprint. Either way, the Shaman scales do require significantly longer machine time than the flat peel ply scales. I think in this case, it's the carbon fiber that is commanding the premium.

Regarding the Shaman and Bodacious price comparison - I have a feeling that they surface machine the smooth texture onto the scales themselves and thus also requiring more machine time than peel ply. Which could partly account for the price.

The Shaman is not really for me for several reasons (all strictly about personal preferences, no objective "flaws" whatsoever!) - but man, does it look cool, especially with those blue scales!

One of those knives that immediately makes me want to grab and use it, despite knowing that practically speaking there are even better Spydies for my needs...(just like it is with the Native 5... seems like I totally love the style and aesthetics of the Native family, but then in real use prefer the Endura family).

Those deep blue scales are pretty!

Brock O Lee wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 12, 2024 2:12 pm

Those deep blue scales are pretty!

They really are!
I´d love to have similar ones for let´s say one of my Stretch 1s, despite I actually prefer FRN over G10..

Sal is simply stating that production costs are higher. I am not sure him providing the production costs and variables that contribute to higher production cost are salient, but would likely interest some (but no reason to share if proprietary knowledge is involved).

I am not an engineer but am a CPA (not that an accounting background is needed to understand higher production cost + fixed margin = higher sales price). Not sure that trying to pin him down on consistency of margin across models is warranted either. Likely more variables than obvious to an outsider and not really anyone’s business. Ultimately it is a value proposition on the part of the consumer once price is established.

Shaman to the Shamans

Fantastic collection MRj!
Thanks for sharing

Looking good @Mrj! I really like that blue on the G10. I'll get one from the series eventually. Just have to decide which one.

JSumm wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 16, 2024 6:17 am

Looking good @Mrj! I really like that blue on the G10. I'll get one from the series eventually. Just have to decide which one.

The blue is one of the best color ways Spyderco has put out. You won’t be disappointed.

Mrj wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 15, 2024 4:55 pm

Shaman to the Shamans

Awsome collection and that color blue is just

Received mine from deadwood the other day, carried it at work yesterday. No qc issues, good edge, no complaints. The blue looks really nice in person. I'll probably carry this a lot this winter and get a feel for spy27.

Truly a work of art with those deep blue scales.

sal wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 10, 2024 11:00 am

Soban wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 10, 2024 12:50 am

Am I alone in thinking Shaman pricing is absurd?

Hi Soban,

Welcome to our forum.

What is the basis for your statement? We don't think that the price is unfair for the product. We operate on relatively fixed margins. Pricing is based on costs to produce. We believe that "to charge as much as he market will bear is to bit the hand that feeds you". Why do you think the price is absurd?

sal

Sal,
The pricing went from I believe $160 to $270 MAP since launch. Inflation has been crazy, but it hasn’t risen that fast for similar goods. Not even close to that pace. That’s why it seems like an absurd price, so have to agree with that poster in regards to Shaman pricing. At launch it was reasonable. At $270 for the base model? No, more in the absurd realm for most non-collectors.

Gamecock wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 21, 2024 7:44 pm

sal wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 10, 2024 11:00 am

Soban wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 10, 2024 12:50 am

Am I alone in thinking Shaman pricing is absurd?

Hi Soban,

Welcome to our forum.

What is the basis for your statement? We don't think that the price is unfair for the product. We operate on relatively fixed margins. Pricing is based on costs to produce. We believe that "to charge as much as he market will bear is to bit the hand that feeds you". Why do you think the price is absurd?

sal

Sal,
The pricing went from I believe $160 to $270 MAP since launch. Inflation has been crazy, but it hasn’t risen that fast for similar goods. Not even close to that pace. That’s why it seems like an absurd price, so have to agree with that poster in regards to Shaman pricing. At launch it was reasonable. At $270 for the base model? No, more in the absurd realm for most non-collectors.

My healthcare went up 13.4% just this year alone…

As far as he pricing goes, It is based on cost to produce. we're not making more profit on percentage on Shaman's than any other model. If the sales are not there for the variation, then the variation will be discontinued.

sal