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Bodacious Thoughts
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2026 11:15 am
by BeggarSo
I received my Bodacious in S90V with Carbon fiber scales.
I am perfectly fine with G10 and S30V or maybe SPY27. What I am never fine with is slick G10, hate that stuff, so better to
go with the upgraded steel and CF.
Truth be told I love the S90V / Carbon Fiber combination on most Spydercos, well, all in fact I own.
Fist impressions:
1. This is still good in hand without the Finger Choil.
2. I still wish this had a finger choil.
3. Carbon fiber as expected to the feel, excellent.
4. Slices nicely Factory grinds seems to be closer to 20 degrees than I like too narrow with steep bevels I can make this slice better.
5. Did some more cutting and stropped the edge with diamond strops from Nano hone, 100, 50, 25, 10, 3, 1 Micron. still not great, hold on, broke out the Spyderco Double stuff hand honed on the ceramic side, ah there it is, nice.
Hmm you may need diamond or CBN for the hard carbide but the iron part still likes ceramics.
Sal strikes again.
6. Oh yeah this weekend it gets reprofiled. Thinking 16.5 degrees to start after finding the factory angle.
7. Hmm I want to get a SE but those handles slick = a dead turn off.
8.Maybe I will wait for a different steel and or handle material for an SE?
9. Could just get the SE and put on aftermarket scales, wonder who makes good ones for this?
10. Stopping @ 10. Love this Knife it is like a scaled up Sage, blade Shape is incredible, will without a doubt be a perfect SE Knife, yeah ordering the SE today.
This knife is very useful.
Re: Bodacious Thoughts
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2026 11:40 am
by Evil D
I don't mean this to sound as sarcastic as it's going to, but are you aware of the Shaman? You want a finger choil, it's essentially this knife with a choil.
Re: Bodacious Thoughts
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2026 11:46 am
by BeggarSo
Yes I once owned a Shaman, 2 in fact the S90V with CF and S30V SE.
Owned being the operative word.
I like the Bodacious much better the thinner blade stock really makes this a much better slicer.
It really is all Sal's fault I was good without finger choils up until I used my first PM2 ever since that my hand seeks them without looking.
I recently held a friend of mines Shaman Salt and it did make me wonder the handle on those is pretty superb and I swear it seems like the blade is different.
Re: Bodacious Thoughts
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2026 1:38 pm
by Red Leader
If you like the thinner grind of the Bodacious but still like the finger choil of the Shaman you owe it to yourself to take a look at the Edgerati.
While it *technically* is listed with the same blade thickness of the Shaman, that is only around the pivot - it loses it completely right past the scales and tapers far more quickly to give a really slicey profile - even thinner than the Bodacious.
Here is the Edgerati next to a Shaman:
And then next to a Bodacious:
The Edgerati is an awesome knife. I am VERY much looking forward to the inevitable premium version (Magnamax and titanium?) if the design gains enough traction.
Re: Bodacious Thoughts
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2026 2:28 pm
by Michal O
G10 on Bodacious isn't that bad and you probably can sandblast it.
I don't dislike cf but I'm somehow bored with that chessboard pattern also G10 is stronger material in case of toughness under impact. Greatest balance is what they invented in Taichung, just G10 covered with cf for grip and looks.
Re: Bodacious Thoughts
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2026 3:23 pm
by riclaw
There isn't a 1-to-1 replacement for G10 Bodacious scales.
Rockscale: same pattern but in Ti.
AWT: diff pattern and in Aluminum.
RGT: diff pattern. Many materials.
Lynch: diff pattern and in Ti.
RC Bladeworks: No G10. Same pattern or skinny.
Re: Bodacious Thoughts
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2026 4:49 pm
by Sharp Guy
I never liked smooth G10 either until I got tired of shredded pockets. Now I like it just fine. Same with Ti scales. I have a lot of that. I still have plenty of peel-ply G10 and I do carry it. I just adjusted the clips so they slide in and out of my pockets easier
Re: Bodacious Thoughts
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2026 4:51 pm
by abbazaba
Re: Bodacious Thoughts
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2026 5:50 pm
by silver & black
Sharp Guy wrote: ↑Thu Jan 22, 2026 4:49 pm
I never liked smooth G10 either until I got tired of shredded pockets. Now I like it just fine. Same with Ti scales. I have a lot of that. I still have plenty of peel-ply G10 and I do carry it. I just adjusted the clips so they slide in and out of my pockets easier
Re: Bodacious Thoughts
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2026 7:11 pm
by derangedhermit
BeggarSo wrote: ↑Thu Jan 22, 2026 11:46 am
It really is all Sal's fault I was good without finger choils up until I used my first PM2 ever since that my hand seeks them without looking.
This reminds me of something I noticed and wanted to bring up: for me, it's not a good idea to rotate between / among folding knives with and without finger choils. I've rested my index finger on the sharpened edge of the Bodacious more than once, because I was so used to the position of that finger "in front of" the handle when using other Spydercos.
Now that the Bodacious sees more pocket time than anything else, it's not an issue.
Re: Bodacious Thoughts
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2026 7:15 pm
by BeggarSo
derangedhermit wrote: ↑Thu Jan 22, 2026 7:11 pm
BeggarSo wrote: ↑Thu Jan 22, 2026 11:46 am
It really is all Sal's fault I was good without finger choils up until I used my first PM2 ever since that my hand seeks them without looking.
This reminds me of something I noticed and wanted to bring up: for me, it's not a good idea to rotate between / among folding knives with and without finger choils. I've rested my index finger on the sharpened edge of the Bodacious more than once, because I was so used to the position of that finger "in front of" the handle when using other Spydercos.
Now that the Bodacious sees more pocket time than anything else, it's not an issue.
Ha! Ha! I knew I was not the only one! Sounds like good advice.
Re: Bodacious Thoughts
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2026 7:21 pm
by sal
Hi BeggarSo,
Sounds like you're getting some good advice.
I'm also testing a production version of a new FRN Shaman, which has an aggressive bead blasted texture you might like? It's also CTS-BD1N with a serrated edge.
sal
Re: Bodacious Thoughts
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2026 7:23 pm
by BeggarSo
sal wrote: ↑Thu Jan 22, 2026 7:21 pm
Hi BeggarSo,
Sounds like you're getting some good advice.
I'm also testing a production version of a new FRN Shaman, which has an aggressive bead blasted texture you might like? It's also CTS-BD1N with a serrated edge.
sal
Nice! Say if you need so.e help testing
Re: Bodacious Thoughts
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2026 7:45 pm
by BeggarSo
Okay after Sals post I borrowed the Shamon Salt Magnacut in FRN, this does not feel like the non Salt Shaman, the Carribean Scales are phenominal and it slices as good as the Bodacious.
This Shaman revamp is pure genius guys ya gotta get one, here is a picture I just took.
The blade just feels better the Handles wayyy better and so much lighter they feel 3D contoured and solid.
Re: Bodacious Thoughts
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2026 8:06 pm
by sovereign
BeggarSo wrote: ↑Thu Jan 22, 2026 7:45 pm
Okay after Sals post I borrowed the
Shamon Salt Magnacut in FRN, this does not feel like the non Salt Shaman, the Carribean Scales are phenominal and it slices as good as the Bodacious.
This Shaman revamp is pure genius guys ya gotta get one, here is a picture I just took.
The blade just feels better the Handles wayyy better and so much lighter they feel 3D contoured and solid.
The scales are not FRN. They are G10.
Re: Bodacious Thoughts
Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2026 5:47 am
by BeggarSo
sovereign wrote: ↑Thu Jan 22, 2026 8:06 pm
BeggarSo wrote: ↑Thu Jan 22, 2026 7:45 pm
Okay after Sals post I borrowed the
Shamon Salt Magnacut in FRN, this does not feel like the non Salt Shaman, the Carribean Scales are phenominal and it slices as good as the Bodacious.
This Shaman revamp is pure genius guys ya gotta get one, here is a picture I just took.
The blade just feels better the Handles wayyy better and so much lighter they feel 3D contoured and solid.
The scales are not FRN. They are G10.
Oops mixed my terminology.
I also looked at the blade stock if it is thicker than a Bodacious it's not by much.
Did the blade thickmess change?
I remember my older Shamans being thicker.
Whatever the case I would buy another Shaman but only if it keeps the choil of course and add some length to the blade.
Something I did realize though this morning my Cruecarta Manix XL pretty much fills that role but a salt Manix XL with the G10 Sulpted handles more rounding and contouring like the Shaman salt would knock it clean out of the ballpark.
Further thoughts the Bodacious reminds me of the Sage 5 scaled up, the Shaman, and the Manix XL it has expert design elements of each but evolved into its own incredibly usable design and you can tell they are all family.
Re: Bodacious Thoughts
Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2026 4:09 pm
by Wowbagger
looked at the blade stock
Optical illusion . Black recedes , raw steel (silver color) comes forward / wider .
I just looked up specs 3.7 vs 3.2 mm respectively .
Here is one of my favorite quotes (gear head wise) :
One measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions .
Before posting I decided it would be smart to take my own advice ; my stock SP27 G-10 Shaman is 3.7mm by actual measurement .
Since I am hopelessly addicted to thin knives it seems like 4mm .
This is your friend .
I enjoy analog ( and no batteries ) . I have a few of both but . . .
PS : personally I will take edge length and having the edge end close to the handle over a finger choil EVERY TIME . That is why I am so in love with my Tenacious Trio
.
PPS : BUT . . . I don't have large hands .
Re: Bodacious Thoughts
Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2026 5:00 pm
by Evil D
Wowbagger wrote: ↑Fri Jan 23, 2026 4:09 pm
PS : personally I will take edge length and having the edge end close to the handle over a finger choil EVERY TIME . That is why I am so in love with my Tenacious Trio
.
PPS : BUT . . . I don't have large hands .
I do have pretty large hands, and it's a big reason I tend to avoid finger grooves because they generally don't fit me. I'm sure it's still too small for Jeff Dabe though.
Re: Bodacious Thoughts
Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2026 6:40 pm
by BeggarSo
Maybe I will break out the calipers this weekend gosh my analog might be 50 years old they were old when I bought them well used back in 1996.
Re: Bodacious Thoughts
Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2026 10:41 pm
by Gamecock
BeggarSo wrote: ↑Thu Jan 22, 2026 11:15 am
I received my Bodacious in S90V with Carbon fiber scales.
I am perfectly fine with G10 and S30V or maybe SPY27. What I am never fine with is slick G10, hate that stuff, so better to
go with the upgraded steel and CF.
Truth be told I love the S90V / Carbon Fiber combination on most Spydercos, well, all in fact I own.
Fist impressions:
1. This is still good in hand without the Finger Choil.
2. I still wish this had a finger choil.
3. Carbon fiber as expected to the feel, excellent.
4. Slices nicely Factory grinds seems to be closer to 20 degrees than I like too narrow with steep bevels I can make this slice better.
5. Did some more cutting and stropped the edge with diamond strops from Nano hone, 100, 50, 25, 10, 3, 1 Micron. still not great, hold on, broke out the Spyderco Double stuff hand honed on the ceramic side, ah there it is, nice.
Hmm you may need diamond or CBN for the hard carbide but the iron part still likes ceramics.
Sal strikes again.
6. Oh yeah this weekend it gets reprofiled. Thinking 16.5 degrees to start after finding the factory angle.
7. Hmm I want to get a SE but those handles slick = a dead turn off.
8.Maybe I will wait for a different steel and or handle material for an SE?
9. Could just get the SE and put on aftermarket scales, wonder who makes good ones for this?
10. Stopping @ 10. Love this Knife it is like a scaled up Sage, blade Shape is incredible, will without a doubt be a perfect SE Knife, yeah ordering the SE today.
This knife is very useful.
The G10 is smooth, definitely not slick. It feels good and no issues with slickness. It was a good choice.
For me the choil was one of the things I hated about the Shaman. The Shaman is huge in the pocket and hand and yet has a small working edge. The Bodacious fixes that (and all the other major flaws). I like a choil on a small knife, but to me it’s useless on a big one. One of the reasons Bodacious is my favorite now by a mile.
