One Year With The Spartan Harsey Folder

raidzx said:
I got the JOD in s45vn the other day when it randomly showed in stock at midnight.. been checking daily the past month. I imagine more will show up!
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I've seen that a time or two in the past, and I've benefitted from it a time or two. This was truly an impulse buy, with my finger hovering over 2 or 3 different knives, the SHF won out at the end. My warranty experience really warmed me to the Spartan brand and I've found the knife to fit "my style" (large, fits well in pocket, rugged, hard use, good cutter). Having a little style on top of the above attributes just works for me. The Plague Doctor always impresses and I'm sure the Join or Die will do the same.
 
I ended my multi year long knife buying hiatus by picking up a plain jane SHF a few months ago. They seem like a great group of guys. I was excited because it's a made in the USA, non flipping, 4 inch blade riding on washers. This really is a greatest hits album of folding knives. I won't bring up the CRK/Hinderer comparison as that has been done to death. The more I use it, the blade shape reminds me of my beloved Benchmade 710.
 
Wanted to jump in here and say I have always admired the Spartan SHF knives, but just never bought one. I recently asked another member here about his experience with them as I have seem some of his posts mentioning them. I will not mention name, but if he wishes to chime in, heck yeah. And he is certainly an enabler in the recent acquisitions thread LOL.

I bought a 3.25 as I was not sure if the larger one might be too bulky. I immediately liked everything about the knife that many have already mentioned. It was not long before I ordered another SHF. I got the all PVD and like it very much too.

I imagine I will have another at some point in the future.

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I've been carrying one of my two 3.25" Damascus steel SHF daily for a little over a month in my right front pocket. The front pocket knife is for clean or delicate work (with a dirty knife in my right back pocket for anything that will not need to touch my mouth).

It's been great. It flicks open fast with the thumb or with my middle finger with reverse flick; and while it doesn't drop shut with gravity it will now close with a few shakes after unlocking the blade. I usually just unlock it and close it all the way with mu index finger, one-handed in one move. When it was new the blade was too tight for the blade to move no matter how hard or many shakes I gave it, but I could still quick flick it open unlike all my CRK which just wont open fast at all.

With a lanyard and beads at the end, it's easy to fish out of my pocket with other things in the same pocket. And, the Ti finish is barely showing any marks (maybe one faint snail trail on the show side).

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AlpacaWrangler said:
I ended my multi year long knife buying hiatus by picking up a plain jane SHF a few months ago. They seem like a great group of guys. I was excited because it's a made in the USA, non flipping, 4 inch blade riding on washers. This really is a greatest hits album of folding knives. I won't bring up the CRK/Hinderer comparison as that has been done to death. The more I use it, the blade shape reminds me of my beloved Benchmade 710.
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Anything USA, my first choice! Doesn't hurt when the quality is great and the knife works well. The SHF has a great balance to it, the tip and the edge are also outstanding to use. Bill Harsey really knows what works and Spartan knows how to build them!
 
So how does the SHF compare to 2 of my favorites, the GB2 and the Inkosi? Do I need a SHF?
 
DMG said:
So how does the SHF compare to 2 of my favorites, the GB2 and the Inkosi? Do I need a SHF?
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Well.... GB2 and any CRK are more knife then most will ever need, hell a PM2 is more knife then most will ever need. I don't have a GB2 but I do have large Sebenza's in all three types (tanto, drop, and Insingo) and numerous PM2's. The SHF is it's own knife and doesn't really compare to a Sebenza or GB2 or a PM2 other then to cut. I'd say the SHF compares more with a Strider SMF in hand and in cut just with more jimping. I've chased every type of knife looking for "the one" which I'm sure many here have done or are doing. I've chased steels, lengths, deployments, handles, blade types, thickness, and brands. A few things I've learned about myself and what I like in a knife. I like blades in the 3.75" to 4" range, my fav steels are 3V, cru-wear, M4, S90V, and I don't mind S35VN, and 20CV, I have larger hands(XL) so like bigger knives. What I have found is I like a knife that is balanced in hand. CRK, Striders, all have great balance and so does the SHF. For a big (6oz) knife the SHF just sits in the hand with no effort, easy to maneuver, easy to cut or stab with and it's comfortable to hold in various grips. Is it going to be my last knife? Nope! But it's definitely one of my more recent favorites, until the next shiny toy comes along.. lol..(Curtiss F3 large Spanto??)....lol.
 
DMG said:
So how does the SHF compare to 2 of my favorites, the GB2 and the Inkosi? Do I need a SHF?
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I don't own an Inkosi, but do own multiple Sebs, and an Umnum, and have owned multiple GB2s. An SHF would be absolutely right up your alley.
 
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When I first saw the JOD, I knew I had to have one. Once it was in hand, I needed a second so I could baby the JOD. I ended up finding a Sugar Skull DLC. These knives have stellar fit and finish. I have a plain handle and a plague doctor on the way as well. The plain handle is the planned EDC. For my use the fullsize is perfect.
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norcalAF said:
When I first saw the JOD, I knew I had to have one. Once it was in hand, I needed a second so I could baby the JOD. I ended up finding a Sugar Skull DLC. These knives have stellar fit and finish. I have a plain handle and a plague doctor on the way as well. The plain handle is the planned EDC. For my use the fullsize is perfect.
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Look what showed up today! Love these SHF knives!
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Update, I noticed that the jimping was slightly off on the show scale of my plain beadblast, I emailed Spartan about it, and they immediately wanted me to send it in at no cost to me. I countered and offered to do the labor on installing the replacement scale if they would send me a DLC instead of a beadblast. Customer service (Kimberly) was awesome and obliged. Extremely happy with how Spartan handled the whole affair. Behold the Two Face SHF 😂:
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My next big purchase is going to be a SHF. The LKS carries them as their CRK class of folders. My main conundrum is figuring out if I go with a 4" or just be honest with myself that a 3.25" is plenty of knife. I'm pretty sure I'm just going PJ as I don't really gravitate toward etched knives (although the Viking boat is pretty cool).

One of the things that caught my attention is that it is old school steel on titanium lock up over a lock bar insert. Nothing against LBI but I felt like I missed the boat when I got my first CRK as the 21 had just been discontinued for the 31. I opted for the Inkosi if I was forced to go with a ceramic ball. Don't get me wrong. I love my Inkosi, but I have always Jonesed for that perfect TI on Steel fit.
 
Steely_Gunz said:
My next big purchase is going to be a SHF. The LKS carries them as their CRK class of folders. My main conundrum is figuring out if I go with a 4" or just be honest with myself that a 3.25" is plenty of knife. I'm pretty sure I'm just going PJ as I don't really gravitate toward etched knives (although the Viking boat is pretty cool).

One of the things that caught my attention is that it is old school steel on titanium lock up over a lock bar insert. Nothing against LBI but I felt like I missed the boat when I got my first CRK as the 21 had just been discontinued for the 31. I opted for the Inkosi if I was forced to go with a ceramic ball. Don't get me wrong. I love my Inkosi, but I have always Jonesed for that perfect TI on Steel fit.
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I have three SHFs so far, the custom handles are masterfully done, the etching and anodizing is fantastic. My next will be a God and Country I think.
 
I currently have 2, a small PJ and a large black DLC with Molon Labe clip. I used to own a full size PJ as well, but sold it to buy another CRK. (I have more CRK than anything.) I really do like the SHF, but being a southpaw, I'd never carry the various designs as moving the clip to the proper side for me would cover it up. I don't mind using a righty frame lock, but generally prefer the clip in the right spot. And while I can overlook that due to the action on my Koenig Arius and my Grimsmo Norseman, the action on my SHFs isn't yet as smooth as a CRK, nor as exciting as the others I just mentioned.

All that said, the SHF belongs in the knife trinity alongside CRK and Hinderer if you ask me.
 
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