Opinions on the Spartan Difensa.

[Hermit_Knight]

I am close to getting a Spartan Difensa, there are a few reviews and everyone seems to like them but before I finally get one I just want to know if any blade forum members have one and your thoughts about it and have you used it in the bush? Thank you.

 

[Tommy-Chi]

I do not own the Difensa but it's on my short list. Will probably get in 2019.

 

[craytab]

I've got one. And several other Spartans. All are fantastic.

This is the definitive bf review that will push you over the edge: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads...-difensa-and-the-phrike-very-pic-hvy.1187294/

Btw, if you buy spartan blades on the exchange you can save some real cash.

 

[Comeuppance]

To be honest, it seems a bit overpriced. I have no experience with it, but, by reputation alone, I'm sure it's a extremely well-made knife... But I feel it almost certainly crosses the point of diminishing returns at a list price of $425.

I'd seriously look into the Cold Steel Medium Warcraft Tanto or AK47 Fixed blade first. Heck, even Spyderco, whose fixed blades tend to run a bit high in price, have more economical options than that.

If money is no option, though, and that tics all of your boxes for a good fixed blade, then go for it. It's not a flawed product, and it will serve you well; My only qualm with the choice is that of cost-effectiveness.

 

[pyreaux]

No doubt in the quality of their production. Handle is comfortable as typical of Harsey's handles.

I can say I've used it much, but I have spartan harsey hunter that I love to use. The difensa may behave a bit different as edge geometry grind and size are different.

 

[Hermit_Knight]

I've got one. And several other Spartans. All are fantastic.

This is the definitive bf review that will push you over the edge: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads...-difensa-and-the-phrike-very-pic-hvy.1187294/

Btw, if you buy spartan blades on the exchange you can save some real cash.

Nice I’ll read that after work thanks for the link, I own a Horkos and love it I just really want something with a Bill Harsey handle.

 

[Hermit_Knight]

No doubt in the quality of their production. Handle is comfortable as typical of Harsey's handles.

I can say I've used it much, but I have spartan harsey hunter that I love to use. The difensa may behave a bit different as edge geometry grind and size are different.

Yeah I have a couple of non Harsey models from them and the fit and finish really is perfect.

 

[Hermit_Knight]

To be honest, it seems a bit overpriced. I have no experience with it, but, by reputation alone, I'm sure it's a extremely well-made knife... But I feel it almost certainly crosses the point of diminishing returns at a list price of $425.

I'd seriously look into the Cold Steel Medium Warcraft Tanto or AK47 Fixed blade first. Heck, even Spyderco, whose fixed blades tend to run a bit high in price, have more economical options than that.

If money is no option, though, and that tics all of your boxes for a good fixed blade, then go for it. It's not a flawed product, and it will serve you well; My only qualm with the choice is that of cost-effectiveness.

I know what you mean, my srk could do everything the Difensa could but I have been really eyeing this model for a while but agreed they are pricey. A Warcraft in 3v would be pretty darn tough!

 

[Lapedog]

I am close to getting a Spartan Difensa, there are a few reviews and everyone seems to like them but before I finally get one I just want to know if any blade forum members have one and your thoughts about it and have you used it in the bush? Thank you.

Haven’t owned the Difensa but own a Spartan Enyo and have handled many of their fixed blades at my local store. Cannot recommend Spartan fixed blades enough. They are abit pricey but excellent builds. My only gripe about them is they can be abit wide behind the edge.

I have handled a few of their folders that had an issue here or there (dangerously early lockup on a Harsey and a lockbar overtravel stop on a Metis that was either too loose and rattling or too tight and pushing on the lockbar causing the detent to be pushed into its hole making flipping almost impossible) but their fixed blades have been absolutely top of the line every time. Of the fixed blades I have handled (Horkos, Thumb Dagger, Enyo, Cqb tool, Spartan/Les Georgeand 14 Spartan/Ek dagger) all were fairly thick behind the edge. However 3 of those are quite small knives with thick blade stock, the Horkos is one of their first knife models and 2 of them are daggers; so I have no idea how their newer knives or the Difensa is behind the edge. All these knives were exceptionally well built and felt like something special which were well worth their asking price.

To be honest, it seems a bit overpriced. I have no experience with it, but, by reputation alone, I'm sure it's a extremely well-made knife... But I feel it almost certainly crosses the point of diminishing returns at a list price of $425.

I'd seriously look into the Cold Steel Medium Warcraft Tanto or AK47 Fixed blade first. Heck, even Spyderco, whose fixed blades tend to run a bit high in price, have more economical options than that.

If money is no option, though, and that tics all of your boxes for a good fixed blade, then go for it. It's not a flawed product, and it will serve you well; My only qualm with the choice is that of cost-effectiveness.

Yeah they are pretty expensive but they are very well built. They are essentially factory custom knives built in a small shop. They definitely aren’t winning any contests for best bang for your buck.

 

[craytab]

To be honest, it seems a bit overpriced. I have no experience with it, but, by reputation alone, I'm sure it's a extremely well-made knife... But I feel it almost certainly crosses the point of diminishing returns at a list price of $425.

I'd seriously look into the Cold Steel Medium Warcraft Tanto or AK47 Fixed blade first. Heck, even Spyderco, whose fixed blades tend to run a bit high in price, have more economical options than that.

If money is no option, though, and that tics all of your boxes for a good fixed blade, then go for it. It's not a flawed product, and it will serve you well; My only qualm with the choice is that of cost-effectiveness.

If you buy used you can get a heck of a deal. I've bought 5 Spartans on the exchange between ~25-40% off, including the knife in question with two sheaths for $220

 

[Hermit_Knight]

Haven’t owned the Difensa but own a Spartan Enyo and have handled many of their fixed blades at my local store. Cannot recommend Spartan fixed blades enough. They are abit pricey but excellent builds. My only gripe about them is they can be abit wide behind the edge.

I have handled a few of their folders that had an issue here or there (dangerously early lockup on a Harsey and a lockbar overtravel stop on a Metis that was either too loose and rattling or too tight and pushing on the lockbar causing the detent to be pushed into its hole making flipping almost impossible) but their fixed blades have been absolutely top of the line every time. Of the fixed blades I have handled (Horkos, Thumb Dagger, Enyo, Cqb tool, Spartan/Les Georgeand 14 Spartan/Ek dagger) all were fairly thick behind the edge. However 3 of those are quite small knives with thick blade stock, the Horkos is one of their first knife models and 2 of them are daggers; so I have no idea how their newer knives or the Difensa is behind the edge. All these knives were exceptionally well built and felt like something special which were well worth their asking price.




Yeah they are pretty expensive but they are very well built. They are essentially factory custom knives built in a small shop. They definitely aren’t winning any contests for best bang for your buck.

Thanks for the info, I wish I grabbed one of the 200 Ek daggers they made. I am looking maybe at the Horkos now over the Difensa as I can get one for a fair amount cheaper. How do you like the Enyo?

 

[Tommy-Chi]

Thanks for the info, I wish I grabbed one of the 200 Ek daggers they made. I am looking maybe at the Horkos now over the Difensa as I can get one for a fair amount cheaper. How do you like the Enyo?

I have an Enyo and Horkos, they both rock. The Enyo is my neck knife.

In 2019 I also plan to buy the Spartan Harsey Tactical Trout, Spartan Harsey Difensa, Spartan Phrike, and Spartan George V14 Combat Dagger.

 

[Lapedog]

Thanks for the info, I wish I grabbed one of the 200 Ek daggers they made. I am looking maybe at the Horkos now over the Difensa as I can get one for a fair amount cheaper. How do you like the Enyo?

Yeah they had 2 of those 200 up here in Toronto at my local store for almost 500$ Canadian. I have always wanted an Ek knife, one of the ones with the brass guard which the Spartan Ek so beautifully simulates. (Kinda like the Kabar Ek/Jarosz boot knife too) I had the money with me in the store and was like damn I am never going to carry or have instance to use this thing unless North Korea invades. Didn’t buy it, regret it to this day.

The Enyo is very cool as a little EDC knife. Despite it being abit thick behind the edge I got it very sharp. (it came quite sharp too actually) As a little edc fixed blade it is very nice. However it was described as lbeing developed for people in Iraq who needed a defensive knife that wouldn’t be onvious they were wearing when they couldn’t carry a gun.

As a defensive knife it is lacking in my opinion. My finger is right up against the edge with no finger protection. The choil isn’t deep enough or has an unsharpened ricasso infronf of it like the street beat to prevent my finger from riding right up onto the blade. The only protection it has is if you push very hard against the thumb ramp and I’m not very confident in that. Maybe it might work in reverse grip if I thumb cap the butt. Imho the Street beat is way better at the described role.

But if I think of it as a small edc along the lines of the Izula or BK14 I am super happy with it. It is very comfortable to wear to the point you don’t even feel it.

 

[craytab]

Thanks for the info, I wish I grabbed one of the 200 Ek daggers they made. I am looking maybe at the Horkos now over the Difensa as I can get one for a fair amount cheaper. How do you like the Enyo?

I thought you owned a horkos?

Two very different knives. The harsey handle is meant for hard extended use.

 

[Hermit_Knight]

I thought you owned a horkos?

Two very different knives. The harsey handle is meant for hard extended use.

I got the Horkos and the shrike mixed up, I’ve heard Harsey handles are some of the best is this true in your opinion?

 

[Hermit_Knight]

Yeah they had 2 of those 200 up here in Toronto at my local store for almost 500$ Canadian. I have always wanted an Ek knife, one of the ones with the brass guard which the Spartan Ek so beautifully simulates. (Kinda like the Kabar Ek/Jarosz boot knife too) I had the money with me in the store and was like damn I am never going to carry or have instance to use this thing unless North Korea invades. Didn’t buy it, regret it to this day.

The Enyo is very cool as a little EDC knife. Despite it being abit thick behind the edge I got it very sharp. (it came quite sharp too actually) As a little edc fixed blade it is very nice. However it was described as lbeing developed for people in Iraq who needed a defensive knife that wouldn’t be onvious they were wearing when they couldn’t carry a gun.

As a defensive knife it is lacking in my opinion. My finger is right up against the edge with no finger protection. The choil isn’t deep enough or has an unsharpened ricasso infronf of it like the street beat to prevent my finger from riding right up onto the blade. The only protection it has is if you push very hard against the thumb ramp and I’m not very confident in that. Maybe it might work in reverse grip if I thumb cap the butt. Imho the Street beat is way better at the described role.

But if I think of it as a small edc along the lines of the Izula or BK14 I am super happy with it. It is very comfortable to wear to the point you don’t even feel it.

Did you ever see the kabar ek presentation daggers? I think it’s just 440c but they look very nice.

 

[Lapedog]

Did you ever see the kabar ek presentation daggers? I think it’s just 440c but they look very nice.

Yeah my local store had one of those too. Probably would have bought it but since it was a presentation knife I would never use it. Presentation knives are not really my thing.

440c I don’t actually mind as a steel but that isn’t to say I wasn’t disappointed woth 440c at that price point. The most expensive 440c knive I own is a Wilson Tactical (Wilson Combat) Model 1 integral bowie fixed blade.

 

[pyreaux]

I’ve heard Harsey handles are some of the best is this true in your opinion?

I'm a fan of bill's work and the man himself so I may be a bit biased. His handle designs don't have any obvious hot spots and are quite comfortable. My bias aside, I've had a friend unaware of bill's existence grab one of his blades and refer to it as the most natural handle he's ever felt.

 

[WilliamTheKnifeGuy]

I didn't find any info anywhere, so could someone tell me how wide is Difensa blade where the cutting edge starts?

 

[Jhansenak47]

I have owned the Spartan Harsey Hunter and Model II knives. The build quality was good, but S35VN is not a steel I like, especially in fixed blades ran softer for a little more toughness. It seemed like it didn't hold an edge as well as I wanted, but I am biased by my use of M390, Vanadis 4E, and a few others.