Head to head

Spyderco Shaman vs Benchmade Freek 560BK-1

Spyderco Shaman runs a 3.58″ leaf blade in CPM-S30V; Benchmade Freek 560BK-1 runs 3.6″ of drop point in CPM-M4. The Benchmade Freek 560BK-1 is the lighter of the two by 0.90 oz.

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Spyderco Shaman · Leaf
3.58″ blade · 0.145″ spine · 5.2 oz · ~1.56″ tall
Benchmade Freek 560BK-1 · Drop Point
3.6″ blade · 0.114″ spine · 4.3 oz · ~0.87″ tall (derived) · family outline

Spine thickness, same scale

0.145″

0.114″

Length and spine thickness drawn to true scale from published specs. Outlines traced from makers' photos, except where marked as the shape family's.

Spec	SpydercoSpyderco Shaman	BenchmadeBenchmade Freek 560BK-1 Check price
Blade length	3.58″	3.6″
Spine thickness	0.145″	0.114″
Overall length	8″	8.46″
Closed length	4.625″	4.86″
Weight	5.2 oz	4.3 oz
Blade shape	Leaf	Drop Point
Steel	CPM-S30V	CPM-M4
Grind	Full Flat	—
Lock	Compression	AXIS
Handle material	G-10	G-10
Country of origin	USA	USA
Price band	Premium	Premium

Tinted rows are where these two differ.

The steel difference

CPM-S30V

The long-time American benchmark. Holds an edge far longer than 420HC and still sharpens on ordinary stones. Chippy if you pry with it.

CPM-M4

A high-speed tool steel run very hard. Edge retention is near the top of anything used in knives and it is tougher than most steels that cut as long, but the low chromium means it WILL rust if you put it away wet. Benchmade uses it on the Bailout where cutting performance matters more than corrosion.