Cold Steel Faceoff: Rajah II or Spartan?

C

Confederate

Joined
Sep 5, 2005
Messages
2,826
Okay, you're putting together a bugout bag. Which knife do you put in your bag, a Rajah II or a Spartan?

No other knives, please...just a choice between these.

Alright, for those of you who despise the ground that Lynn Thompson waddles over, what folder would you pack? It's gotta be a folder and it's gotta be something suitable for a bugout bag. (And yes, maybe a fixed knife is better, but we'll assume you have one of those packed, too, but you won't convince me that the Tri-Ad lock on the above knives won't hold up under hard use for years to come.)
 
I don't hate Cold Steel or Lynn Thompson, but I think a knife like a Spyderco Manix 2, or a ZT 0200, or a Benchmade Griptilian would be much better.
 
Rajah II...No doubt. I had a Spartan and just wasn't crazy about the handle shape after a while. The Rajah feels much better in hand and it gives you options due to the handle length and more conventional shape. With the Spartan, there's really only one way you can grasp it. Also, if you're going to pack a big folder, might as well go all out and get 6 inches of steel. I also prefer the full flat grind on the Rajah as well. Just my opinions.
 
Tsujigiri said:
I don't hate Cold Steel or Lynn Thompson, but I think a knife like a Spyderco Manix 2, or a ZT 0200, or a Benchmade Griptilian would be much better.
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Aren't these just pocket knives? When you say "much better," what is your criteria? The Rajah II is larger, the knife is better designed for cutting vegetation and has greater reach for self defense. The blade is stronger and the recurved blade is better suited for most cutting chores. The blade has superior penetration capability due to the size of its handle and the blade is easier to sharpen in the field. Finally, the Tri-Ad lock on both knives essentially make them as strong as fixed-blades. In other words, my criteria includes size, cutting and piercing abilities and ease of sharpening and both knives would appear to be superior for self defense.

While the knives you mentioned are arguably superior in blade steel and materials, edge retention may not be the first thing one would think of for a bugout bag.

The highly regarded Sebenza commands far more money than a Rajah, but in a national emergency where one might be on the run or in the wilderness during an emergency while awaiting rescue, it would be the Rajah that would be regarded as the more valuable tool. I don't say that in any way to degrade the Sebenza (I've done enough of that in other posts), but criteria has to be taken into account.

There's not one of the knives that you mentioned that I wouldn't happily send you my Rajah for in trade; however, should circumstances go South (I've always hated that term), I want the biggest, strongest badass knife that will cut, slash, slice and slam I can find. I also regard the Spartan as an extremely viable knife. But the Rajah would have to beat it by a smidge. My bugout bag already has too many knives, including a Carbon V Recon Tanto, a Böker Plus 440C spearpoint and a Spyderco Native. My wife's bag has two Cabela's Buck Alaskans, one folder and one fixed blade with a wooden handle, both with coated S30V blades.

If I need to bug out in a hurry or if I go backpacking in "Bigfoot" country in the great Northwest (something I've yet to do) the Rajah is going to be my first choice rider. Just my two cents.

CSRajahI_3.jpg


This beauty is my Rajah I, a knife I bought three of when they
were being discontinued. They're wonderfully made and the blade
is polished. The frame is milled from 7075 aluminum and it sports
finely polished G10 scales. (The laminated tape is still on the bolsters.)
I'm sorry I got just three.

CSRajahI_2.jpg


This model has a chromed clip and stainless screws, which I wish
all knives had. (I hate it when the black paint starts to wear.)

.
 
I would go with the spartan IF their is a fixed blade packed. If not...the rajah for sure.
 
Rajah all the way. No contest.

But ifffffffff I had a choice, I'd def. pick a fixed blade (bk7) instead.

EDIT: Whoops, misread. If you already have a fixed blade packed, I'd rather have a folder more suited towards smaller tasks, like a 710 or CS Recon.
 
Spartan. Nice and heavy for chopping, good for fine tasks as well. BTW, you can hold it at least 2 ways.
 
Rajah 2...I have one and it's a monster of a folder, that is plenty strong.:thumbup:.
 
After singing the praises of the Rajah, I have to admit that the Spartan is a very close second. Both knives appeal to me because of their strength and size. Alas, if neither of these knives existed, my next choice would be the CRKT M21-04 or one of the larger Spydercos. Unfortunately, after Cold Steel's entries, there just isn't much to choose from. Of course, I haven't seen the new Voyagers and Recon 1s, so I may have to choose a 5-inch or 6-inch plain edge Voyagers, which also have Tri-Ad locking mechanisms. Alas, it seems like I have to come back to Cold Steel, because no other knife companies want to make big, strong knives. Their attitude is, if you need a big, strong knife, get a fixed blade. But look how successful the Rajah and Spartan are. A lot of people think I'm a Cold Steel shill, but no one wants to compete with Cold Steel and I don't understand why.

The new Voyagers are a huge disappointment in that the company wants to push its San Mai steel, which is a huge gimmick in my view. If they used a truly hard and more brittle steel in the middle, and sandwiched it between softer 420 steel, I could understand it; but they use VG-1, which is very close to AUS8, and that steel needs no protection as evidenced by the knives CS makes that are made from VG-1. The old San Mai steel actually had AUS8 as its core!

Now that would be okay, except CS boosts the price of their San Mai knives, and I don't want to pay the premium. I can't buy a Voyager now without having to take the San Mai steel blades that come with them. I'd rather have the VG-1 blades without the sandwiched 420 panels. Now if CS heat treated the VG-1 core steel to be hard and brittle, then I could see the logic. But CS has not said this was the case.

I have a San Mai Konjo knife and it's sharp as the dickens. But it was a specialty knife. I'll have to call CS and find out what the story is.
 
I'm pick the Rajah.
Spartan is more space friendly though.
I'm actually pretty sure the new voyagers
are now AUS8 to cut down prices.
San Mai X-Large is $159.99 MSRP.
New AUS8 X-Large is $87.99 MSRP.
 
Confederate, you're in luck beause they scrapped this idea for now in favor of more AUS8A in the new Voyager line. No new folder I know of will be made in SM3.
K
 
Of the two, I'd go with the Rajah. I don't see its size interfering with detailed work that might be necessary in a survival situation that you might use the Spartan for.

But in case you weren't aware, CS is coming out with a cheaper version of the Espadas.
 
They are both monsters in strength and size, putting them against most other folders is a huge mismatch. I'm waiting on my second spartan being delivered to me now so that goes to show how much I like the model.Any of the large tri-ad lock folders would make most folders even expensive models into there girlfriends,They would be bullying them in the schoolyard,etc.If you disagree you either don't have one of the mentioned knives or you have never tested them.As far as which one? flip a coin. If you were to put them against each other I am sure they would trade blows forever and neither would leave the same anymore.
 
My reply is just a tiny bit off topic as I have the Spartan and the Rajah 1. I'm going to buy the Rajah 11 as well though ,because even though the handle is made of less expensive material, I have no reason to beleive it would be any less awesome than the 1. Now that the 1 is discontinued, I'm a little less likely to carry it ,because if I loose it, I can't replace it.
Everytime I pull the Rajah 1 out of my pocket, I still get a little buzz at how effortlessy and quickly the thumbstud snaps the big blade open ,as it snags my pocket.
Anyway I vote for the Rajah, as it gets as close to the power and impact of a kukri as a folder is ever likely to get. [ I still like the Spartan as well though]
 
Nternal said:
They are both monsters in strength and size, putting them against most other folders is a huge mismatch. I'm waiting on my second spartan being delivered to me now so that goes to show how much I like the model.Any of the large tri-ad lock folders would make most folders even expensive models into there girlfriends,They would be bullying them in the schoolyard,etc.If you disagree you either don't have one of the mentioned knives or you have never tested them.As far as which one? flip a coin. If you were to put them against each other I am sure they would trade blows forever and neither would leave the same anymore.
Click to expand...
Very well Put! I think that some people don't like CS because they make folders, for much less money than expensive folders, that so easily dominate those expensive folders, just like you said.
 
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