Grail Acquired aka Just Received a Spartan Akribis

WadeWilson

WadeWilson

Joined
Mar 21, 2011
Messages
1,139
So right to the point, I received a Spartan Blades Akribis folder directly from the good people at Spartan Blades. After some great, active communication with their customer service folks (I needed to be sure I could carry left handed), I decided to go ahead and pull the trigger. Yesterday it arrived and I couldn't be more pleased with my initial impressions of the knife, and those initial thoughts will follow.

First, a bit of background on this particular knife. I'm going off straight memory so bare with me if my facts aren't totally correct. The Akribis is a folding titanium frame lock that is anodized flat dark earth with a S35VN drop point style blade with a black PVD coating. This knife, to me, most compares to my CRK Umnumzaan in terms of fit and finish. From what I remember, Chris Reeve himself, was consulted or over saw the engineering of this folder and the fit, finish, and tolerances show in that. To me, it's perfection in folder form. Spartan Blades was founded and run by former special operators. I know at this stage in the game that's very much a marketing thing and that to true blue knife nuts don't put much stock in. As a veteran and someone who worked along side operators over seas, this actually means something to me. It's not a make or break factor in my purchases or anything but it's a cool factor thing.

So yeah, I really am loving this thing. The action is super smooth. It's much like a CRK. It can flick open but it's much more geared for the controlled, deliberate open with snot on ice smoothness in the open. It looks good. It feels good. It's just goooood. Oh and about the price, it was worth it to me. It's not for everyone. Anyway... ON WITH THE PICTURES!!!

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Well centered. (Yeah, scuffed the scale already but don't care. It's gonna be a user)

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Aright, hope you all enjoyed that. Let me know what you think. And if you have one or anything other Spartans, post'em up!
 
Thanks for posting that. I have seen Akribis for sale and thought they looked good, but never knew much about them. For some reason I thought they were rebranded Chinese knives and I dismissed them completely! Knowing Chris Reeve was involved in the development makes me reconsider them entirely.
 
I had one for about 5 minutes, purchased directly from the great people at Spartan Knives. The blade is simply too short for me, compared to handle length....that massive bolt on the end for the pocket clip is the culprit....to me....that's sub optimal engineering/design.

It would be like making the grip on a firearm extra long in order to accommodate a specific cleaning kit....makes sense, but could easily throw the flow and design WAY out of whack.

Everything else about it was tremendous.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
If you're one of those people where handle to blade ratio is a thing for you, then this isn't the knife for you. Honestly, it reminds me a lot of the PM2 for reference (which is probably my most carried and loved knife).
 
Kohai999 said:
I had one for about 5 minutes, purchased directly from the great people at Spartan Knives. The blade is simply too short for me, compared to handle length....that massive bolt on the end for the pocket clip is the culprit....to me....that's sub optimal engineering/design.

It would be like making the grip on a firearm extra long in order to accommodate a specific cleaning kit....makes sense, but could easily throw the flow and design WAY out of whack.

Everything else about it was tremendous.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
Click to expand...

I completely agree. It's a very attractive design, but the blade needs another 1/2" or so. That's the only reason I don't have one.

I will say, the Phrike I own is a flawless design. It oozes "tactical", but that's what Spartan is all about. Their latest folder, the Metis, seems like a new spin on what they are usually making, so I'm interested to see what else Spartan will be doing in the future folder-wise. Like wise, it would be nice to see a folder with a 3.5" blade with a 4.5" handle.

Anyways, I'm glad you're happy OP. It sure is a nice knife:thumbup:
 
Thanks, Blues. I put this up on your recommendation. I always look forward to your feedback.
 
BTW, man.

A "grail" isn't just an expensive knife.....it's SUPPOSED to be that "once in a lifetime" knife that you look for in futility for years and years, before finding it, in like a pawn shop for 1/10th of what it is worth.

A "grail" is that mythical Studebaker with 100 miles on it in a little old lady's barn.

Just sayin'.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kohai, I'm totally with you, brother and this one was definitely that for me. I saved up for a long time. I fondled one at GPknives in St. Louis last year and was like yeah, I need this in my life. I read countless reviews, read everything I could on it. My only hang up for that while was that the first iterations were right hand carry only. As a lefty I about jumped out of my skin when I started seeing pics of the cut out around the chain ring on the left side of the scale. That was the breaking point for me. I immediately got on the phone with Spartan Blades to confirm they were currently lefty friendly and pulled the trigger that day. I'm very pleased with it. I feel like I have something made just for me. It's fantastic.
 
xjzhx said:
Kohai, I'm totally with you, brother and this one was definitely that for me. I saved up for a long time. I fondled one at GPknives in St. Louis last year and was like yeah, I need this in my life. I read countless reviews, read everything I could on it. My only hang up for that while was that the first iterations were right hand carry only. As a lefty I about jumped out of my skin when I started seeing pics of the cut out around the chain ring on the left side of the scale. That was the breaking point for me. I immediately got on the phone with Spartan Blades to confirm they were currently lefty friendly and pulled the trigger that day. I'm very pleased with it. I feel like I have something made just for me. It's fantastic.
Click to expand...

Sound like a grail acquisition to me.
 
I have recently gotten a few Spartan Fixed blades. I am very impresses. The folders aren't my style but I have no doubt they are of great quality. The good thing about this hobby is you can make whatever you want out of it, including what your grail is.
 
i like my Akribis pretty well. only gripe is that when its closed the blade will move further in with very light pressure. is yours the same?
 
ginaz said:
i like my Akribis pretty well. only gripe is that when its closed the blade will move further in with very light pressure. is yours the same?
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Not at all. The blade rests well on the the massive stop pin. No movement at all.
 
Last time I visited my In laws in Pinehurst they took me to the Spartan blades facility, it's a very small mom and pop style shop where they crank these things out. Nice people though and nice knives. Enjoy!
 
I also recently picked up a Spartan Blades Akribis, new in box on the cheap too. Love this thing. It's like a more comfortable, more tactical Sebenza. I cannot overstate how much I really dig the coating on the knife too. Just excellent all around.
 
The Akribis definitely has a lot of Sebenza look to it. I love mine! The new Harsey folder they are doing is screaming my name. I have often said it looks like a Hinderer/CRK collaboration.
 
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