CRK Pacific Vs Spartan Harsey

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MatthewSB

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These look very similar.

I know that people either love or hate the CRK Pacific, and the similarly constructed Green Beret, but I've heard little to nothing regarding the Harsey designed Spartan knives.

Has anyone used the Spartan Harsey II, and can provide feedback?

I had a Pacific, but sold it because it was just a little bit too long for me to actually wear and use, and I didn't like the serrations.
 
For what it's worth anything from Spartan that bears Bill's name (Harsey) is hand ground by Bill himself.

(with the apparent exception of the new Difensa)

The Harsey Hunter and Harsey I/Harsey II are hand ground by Bill.
 
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I'd like to hear from someone as well on this; I have a Pacific, which I love, but lust after the Spartans.

The Harsey is a solid $100 more; the other Spartan models are closer to the Pacific in price.

The Spartans are a bit thinner; they're heat treated to a higher number. But I'd be interested in handling and edge.

Also the Spartan grip micarta doesn't look quite as nicely finished as the Pacific in photos.
 
I really don't see how the CRKT is even in the same league as the Spartan and for sure would opt for the Spartan.
 
MatthewSB said:
These look very similar.

I know that people either love or hate the CRK Pacific, and the similarly constructed Green Beret, but I've heard little to nothing regarding the Harsey designed Spartan knives.

Has anyone used the Spartan Harsey II, and can provide feedback?

I had a Pacific, but sold it because it was just a little bit too long for me to actually wear and use, and I didn't like the serrations.
Click to expand...

I have the Spartan Harsey II as well as the 5.5 Green Beret and the Pacific. I would characterize the Spartan Harsey as more refined and the CRK's as more brutish. The Harsey is ground thinner making it a better slicer and has a more delicate point than the CRKs. Keep in mind that the Spartan guys philosophy in knife design is to make a slimmer, pointier, cutting machine than say what a Busse knife offers. Both knives weigh about the same but the Spartan feels lighter and flatter. To me it all boils down to what you like and which school of knife thought your in; sharpened crowbar or slicer, dicer. Both companies excel at customer service and if you are an intelligent user, both companies will honor your warranty needs without fanfare. Respect begets respect.
 
Sorry to butt in, but they're two different companies, Thomas. Chris Reeve Knives (CRK) vs. Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT). CRK is at or near the pinnacle for knife manufacturing tolerances and precision products. I know the similar initials can be confusing.

Thomas Carey said:
I really don't see how the CRKT is even in the same league as the Spartan and for sure would opt for the Spartan.
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D R E said:
I have the Spartan Harsey II as well as the 5.5 Green Beret and the Pacific. I would characterize the Spartan Harsey as more refined and the CRK's as more brutish. The Harsey is ground thinner making it a better slicer and has a more delicate point than the CRKs. Keep in mind that the Spartan guys philosophy in knife design is to make a slimmer, pointier, cutting machine than say what a Busse knife offers. Both knives weigh about the same but the Spartan feels lighter and flatter. To me it all boils down to what you like and which school of knife thought your in; sharpened crowbar or slicer, dicer. Both companies excel at customer service and if you are an intelligent user, both companies will honor your warranty needs without fanfare. Respect begets respect.
Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing your experiences.
 
I think Mr. Harsey grinds the Spartan Harsey Hunter blades at his shop, in Oregon, and returns them to North Carolina for the zirconium pvd coating. The Hasey Hunters are extremely nice; I've got #104 in my pack.

Spartan notes they'll have them in stock end of May. Looks that KW has stock, currently.
 
Spartan produces knives that are designed by Mr. Harsey, but fabricated completely on the East Coast. They also offer, currently, the hollow ground Harsey Hunter that is actually ground in his West Coast shop; unlike the other Harsey models. Correct?
 
newdebate said:
Spartan produces knives that are designed by Mr. Harsey, but fabricated completely on the East Coast. They also offer, currently, the hollow ground Harsey Hunter that is actually ground in his West Coast shop; unlike the other Harsey models. Correct?
Click to expand...

If you're thinking about the Difensa...I have seen those at Bill's shop...I will ask and confirm that he grinds those as well.

edit: I received a response from Bill...Spartan is indeed grinding the Difensa, and doing it very well. The Difensa is the only one that bears the Harsey name that isn't ground in Bill's shop.
 
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