Any folding knives built as strong as a CS Spartan?

EricV said:
I completely agree with the point you're making here. I would also agree that if the goal is to make the toughest folder the CS Spartan is fairly well engineered, but I also think it could almost be considered a failure as it is so overbuilt if the goal were to create an idea pocket knife.

I can't think of any other knife that is as strong though. Possibly some of the stouter framelocks that are out there. It would need be a design with a designated blade stop pin (aka not a standard backlock), Maybe an axis lock, or compression lock, but neither lock currently has a blade out thats as durable as the Spartan's. I tend to think an Emerson HD7 would give a Spartan a run for its money, as they are very stout knives in many of the same respects.
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Maybe something like the benchmade bedlam but with a thicker blade 4mm maybe.
 
Equivalent or stronger strength in the lock then you need to look at other tri-ad folders. Demko custom folders will be stronger.

In sideways strength I think the tri-ad folders are nothing particularly special.
 
Sure... other Cold Steel Tri-Ad lock knives.

From what I've heard, compression lock knives are about as "heavy duty" as Tri-Ad lock knives as well. Both Spyderso and Navy make knives of that design.

The AXIS type of lock can be quite strong, and also "wears in" rather than wearing out, which is a beneficial property shared with the Tri-Ad lock design. Benchmade, Sanrenmu, SOG, Spyderco, and possibly others make knives which use this type of lock.

If you don't care about symmetry or ambidextrous use, then Zero Tolerance, Hinderer, Strider, and CRK might be of interest to you.
 
EricV said:
I completely agree with the point you're making here. I would also agree that if the goal is to make the toughest folder the CS Spartan is fairly well engineered, but I also think it could almost be considered a failure as it is so overbuilt if the goal were to create an idea pocket knife.
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It depends on the pocket. :D

I EDCd one for about 6 months, and it makes a fine tool. It handled every EDC task I asked it to, up to and including the removal of a few small oak trees from my property. I've had machetes which were less useful for brush clearing than the Spartan.
 
I dont have a Spartan, do have a Recon 1 though. I dont know if other knives locks are as strong or not. It seems (speculation only) that some others might be pretty close at the beginning, but whether or not they remain as strong after an equal amount of abuse is something to consider.

Plenty of lockbacks, liner, frame locks and such start out pretty tight and secure but after some hard use can quickly become less secure, develop more than a little play. The Tri-ad seems to be able to handle that hard use a a fair bit better and remain just as secure and strong as when new.
 
mogmz said:
I don't believe you will find any folding knife with as strong of a lock under $60 that will stand up to the forces/abuse that the CS Spartan will (I haven't). Hell.. I doubt you will find one for under $200, maybe even $300 unless you count other CS knives.

And before you ask, no, I have no problem carrying the Spartan as an EDC because I'm a man and don't cry/whine (( watch your mouth in General Knife Discussion ))

I have found that the biggest bashers of any given Cold Steel product are those that have never handled or owned the item that they are so eager to talk trash on.

In all seriousness, I will put my Recon 1, Spartan, Rajah 1 or 2 up against any folder under $300 in a test of lock strength and winner buys the other person the same knife they won with.

Bring it on.
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Bring what on?

(I suggest you clean up your act, should you wish to post in General that type of childishness will not be tolerated.)
 
Marcinek, don't have to google it. This is Andrew Demko, CS designer and designer of the Triad lock standing on a linerless G10 knife. He does this at about minute 7:18. I recommend you watch the whole vid but give the design the credit it's due. If another of the big 3 had this lock they'd be praised for it. Nothing wrong with designing a strong lock/knife. Did AD fake this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDDQGmW2Hrg
 
crom said:
Marcinek, don't have to google it. This is Andrew Demko, CS designer and designer of the Triad lock ...
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That's not the faked video I'm talking about. Different guy.

That said, while I'm sure Mr. Demko is a stand up guy, I tend to believe someone who is not trying to sell me a product over someone who is.

That said...I still don't know why someone would bring a folder to when the SHTF.
 
mogmz said:
And before you ask, no, I have no problem carrying the Spartan as an EDC because I'm a man and don't cry/whine ....
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That's an excellent point. But isn't the real "man's" CS knife the XL Espada? When you whip that 7.5 incher outta your pants people know it! Am I right or am I right? :thumbup:
 
taiChiFighter said:
Wow! 2 actual replies to my question and a whole bunch of people offering unsolicited opinions about what's what.
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This is nothing. There used to be a time when you would get hundreds if not thousands of kneejerk (with the emphasis on jerk) reactions like this to the mere mentioning of the name 'Cold Steel.'
What you see in this thread is mostly the diehard haters.

As for wich folder, the Espada is reputed to be even stronger. I would hazard a guess that the Rajah would be as well. Both made by Cold Steel of course.
Cold Steel uses the relative indestructibility of their folders as a unique selling point, and most people don't dispute their strength and toughness. A valid question is, do you actually require it in a folding knife? An equally valid question is, why does anyone care why you want this knife?
It is only with Cold Steel that such 'debates' (I'm being polite here) even start.
 
"That said, while I'm sure Mr. Demko is a stand up guy, I tend to believe someone who is not trying to sell me a product over someone who is"

So, you doubt that the knives are this strong or you doubt the credibility of the video I linked? Whatever video you are referencing is irrelevant at this pont in time if you took the time to watch what I linked to.
 
crom said:
Marcinek, don't have to google it. This is Andrew Demko, CS designer and designer of the Triad lock standing on a linerless G10 knife. He does this at about minute 7:18. I recommend you watch the whole vid but give the design the credit it's due. If another of the big 3 had this lock they'd be praised for it. Nothing wrong with designing a strong lock/knife. Did AD fake this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDDQGmW2Hrg
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My wife just watched the part of the video where he stands and stomps on the knife and asked me "What is it made of?! Magic?!"
 
lava_lamp said:
There are dozens of folders in the Spartan strength class. All Striders and Hinderers, most Chris Reeves, almost all ZTs, Extrema Ratios, Pohl Forces, and several other Cold Steels. I can't prove it, though.
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I own an SMF. From every indication I get this knife is not as strong as the larger Tri-Ad folders. The G10-only side cannot take the same amount of abuse that a lined scale can, particularly in the case of the SMF CC. The scale is too thin, I'd bet that even an American Lawman would defeat the SMF where lock strength/pivot area is concerned. The XM-18 and the ZT-0300 are a different story, really strong tough knives.
Sebenza's have weak blades (thin, hollow ground) compared to a Spartan. The ER RAO is king afaic. The Pohl is a beast of a knife, it's a simple lockback but so beefy it looks and feels bomb proof.
The short of it is, apart from the RAO I would always bet on a large Cold Steel Tri-Ad lock folder for strength and toughness against any production folder, EVEN regardless of price. And these are knives that can be had from as little as 50 bucks or so.
 
crom said:
"That said, while I'm sure Mr. Demko is a stand up guy, I tend to believe someone who is not trying to sell me a product over someone who is"

So, you doubt that the knives are this strong or you doubt the credibility of the video I linked? Whatever video you are referencing is irrelevant at this pont in time if you took the time to watch what I linked to.
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How is the video I am talking about less credible or relevant than the one you are talking about? I wasn't there for the making of either. Were you?

I find everything on YouTube equally credible.
 
Ok link me these if you can. Can even visitor message if you want thanks
 
I couldn't resist the $$$ so I sold my Rajah 1 on fleabay. The Rajah 1, the Rajah 2 & those huge Espadas (X-large/long?) those are every bit as bad*ss as the Spartan without the fugly factor going on.

I wouldn't take a Spartan off the shelf either except too sell it. I think it's ugly as heck...but you know what they say about opinions right? It's gotta be tough as the ones I mentioned though - I believe that part. :D
 
In theory, the spartan should be even tougher than the similar built rajah II. The spartan has a shorter, 4 1/2" and wider blade which means there will be less leverage (read: abuse) taken by the pivot which is the same size on both knives, or so it seems. I have both, and they've both taken more chopping and cutting abuse than some of my fixed blade and they still lock-up amazingly solid with no bladeplay.

No blade chipping, and still sharp after heavy chopping (2x4's, small logs, chunks of hardwood flooring... etc.) How a knife looks is higly subjective and has no bearing on actual performance btw... ;)

To answer the OP, the ZT0200 seems pretty tough, same with the 0350... Not sure if they can stand in the same ring as the spartan though...
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