Some questions about the SHF

JTR357

JTR357

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I checked to see if Spartan had a sub here & didn't see one. I just have a few questions for the people who own these.

1. I'm looking at the Blue Plague Doctors Edition in Chad Nichols Stainless Damascus. On their site, it says "finish" is Chad Nichols Stainless Damascus but it states the blade steel is Magnacut. Is that even possible? Seems like a typo to me.
2. How does the full size version compare to the smaller one? Does it feel like a brick in your pocket? I've been leaning more & more to smaller knives because I have no real need for a 4" blade for what I use them for. I'm more interested in the comfort of using them & carrying them. I have large-ish hands, far from XXL though.
3. Are they using Magnacut now because their non-Damascus knives are listed as S45VN on their site? Both are great steels & I could take either one. I prefer the Magnacut slightly more for its higher hardness. Also, how does the Damascus perform compared to the S45VN or the Magnacut? I figure if I'm going to spend $550 on a knife, I may as well spend the extra hundred on the stainless Damascus, as long as the performance is comparable.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

ETA: Also do they use bearings or washers? I didn't see it on their site.
 
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I also have the same question per damascus.

For your other questions, as I am relatively new to SHF (with only two full-size ones) I can only offer my limited experience and opinion. They are not bricks at all though certainly not light weight. Their action is more like CRK as they are on washers. Their ergo is definitely more like RHK which I like a lot. They are not super slicers and may be a bit thick behind the edge But I think that aligns well to the design philosophy and intended use of the knife. I have observed that their second hand value is not as high as CRK or RHK. Definitely need to be mindful if purchasing new unless $ is of less importance.
 
Check CN's website. Maybe he has Magnacut core damascus now. That would be awesome!

For what it's worth (nothing), I got a small SHF and it's too small for me. Like too small to pocket ride for an entire day. Medium-large hands, but I like a big folder though. lol
 
sharp_edge said:
I also have the same question per damascus.

For your other questions, as I am relatively new to SHF (with only two full-size ones) I can only offer my limited experience and opinion. They are not bricks at all though certainly not light weight. Their action is more like CRK as they are on washers. Their ergo is definitely more like RHK which I like a lot. They are not super slicers and may be a bit thick behind the edge But I think that aligns well to the design philosophy and intended use of the knife. I have observed that their second hand value is not as high as CRK or RHK. Definitely need to be mindful if purchasing new unless $ is of less importance.
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That decides it for me. I can't stand a blade that's thick behind the edge. Thanks. I MAY just get a plain version & send it to Tom Krein though. 🤔

Also what is RHK? I've been out of the knife world for a few years.
 
JTR357 said:
That decides it for me. I can't stand a blade that's thick behind the edge. Thanks. I MAY just get a plain version & send it to Tom Krein though. 🤔

Also what is RHK? I've been out of the knife world for a few years.
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It's that horse head action. Rick Hinderer Knives.
 
JTR357 said:
I checked to see if Spartan had a sub here & didn't see one. I just have a few questions for the people who own these.

1. I'm looking at the Blue Plague Doctors Edition in Chad Nichols Stainless Damascus. On their site, it says "finish" is Chad Nichols Stainless Damascus but it states the blade steel is Magnacut. Is that even possible? Seems like a typo to me.
2. How does the full size version compare to the smaller one? Does it feel like a brick in your pocket? I've been leaning more & more to smaller knives because I have no real need for a 4" blade for what I use them for. I'm more interested in the comfort of using them & carrying them. I have large-ish hands, far from XXL though.
3. Are they using Magnacut now because their non-Damascus knives are listed as S45VN on their site? Both are great steels & I could take either one. I prefer the Magnacut slightly more for its higher hardness. Also, how does the Damascus perform compared to the S45VN or the Magnacut? I figure if I'm going to spend $550 on a knife, I may as well spend the extra hundred on the stainless Damascus, as long as the performance is comparable.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

ETA: Also do they use bearings or washers? I didn't see it on their site.
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I would suggest the full size over the small one. I just received my small one today and it feels tiny. I would suggest you say with the large unless you like small knives. Pic incoming and I wear a large glove. Also I have 2 large and love them and the size.
 
JTR357 said:
That decides it for me. I can't stand a blade that's thick behind the edge. Thanks. I MAY just get a plain version & send it to Tom Krein though. 🤔

Also what is RHK? I've been out of the knife world for a few years.
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Or BGM If Tom is busy.

Yes - Someone replied that RHK is Rick Hinderer who produces xm-18s and a bunch of other time flippers. SHF or not, you've got to try out xm-18s If you have not.
 
sharp_edge said:
Or BGM If Tom is busy.

Yes - Someone replied that RHK is Rick Hinderer who produces xm-18s and a bunch of other time flippers. SHF or not, you've got to try out xm-18s If you have not.
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I have had a few of Rick's knives. I'm not a fan of his spanto blades but love his wharncliffes, but still too much beef behind the edge is a turn-off.
 
I have a PJ full size and have handled a 3.25. I lean toward a larger folder. I currently have the SHF full size in my pocket right now. Honestly, if you make me pick a folder to carry not knowing what I was going to go into, it may very be this knife.

The 3.25" is great if you require a "normal" sized EDC that can probably pry a car door off it's hinges. I'm thinking about getting a gussied up 3.25 for dress carry. My PJ has been a constant hard use companion the last several months. The 45v steel is just about perfect for this application.
 
Steely_Gunz said:
I have a PJ full size and have handled a 3.25. I lean toward a larger folder. I currently have the SHF full size in my pocket right now. Honestly, if you make me pick a folder to carry not knowing what I was going to go into, it may very be this knife.

The 3.25" is great if you require a "normal" sized EDC that can probably pry a car door off it's hinges. I'm thinking about getting a gussied up 3.25 for dress carry. My PJ has been a constant hard use companion the last several months. The 45v steel is just about perfect for this application.
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I appreciate your insight. At first, I was going to get a CRK but I feel like you get more for your money with the SHF.
 
JTR357 said:
I appreciate your insight. At first, I was going to get a CRK but I feel like you get more for your money with the SHF.
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I will say that I think the CRK is maybe more refined. Nabbing one was a grail of mine. I missed the boat on the Sebenza 21 right as they were discontinued. I got a large Inkosi in 2019, and it is a well built and high quality tool that will last generations. The fit is amazing. No tuning or fighting center. It really only comes down to how "drop shutty" you want to make it. I prefer my folders tight.

I went with a SHF because I liked that it was a large and heavy built knife with a good steel (mines S45VN before the Magnacut run), and I liked that I could get a true titanium on steel lock up instead of an insert or ball bearing like I wanted in the 21. I think the whole thing would benefit from a dehorning and I will never buy the unsharpened portion at the bottom of the edge is a feature. The first time I have to give the edge a major sharpening, that little flat is going bye-bye.

I think a CRK is still a fine top of the line choice with impeccable fit. I think the SHF is about as bombproof as you can make a frame lock. Either should last a couple lifetimes of hard use with even the most menial care.
 
If you like the Spartan Harsey Folder, but are a little nervous about spending that much money on a knife, I would suggest tracking down a vintage Gerber Harsey AirFrame, if you can find one in good condition. They are tough to find, but should sell substantially cheaper than a new SHF.

The design is largely the same, but being a 20-25 year old design, the spec is not quite as rareified as the Spartan version. The AirFrame has a 154CM blade, and came in at least 4 different versions, the first two having either machined or cast titanium scales, the second two having either silver or black anodized machined aluminium scales. The black version has a slightly different cutout design on the scales, and was the last version made. The AirFrame is liner lock and tip-down carry only, non-reversible clip, and was available with either plain edge or partially serrated.
 
Steely_Gunz said:
I will say that I think the CRK is maybe more refined. Nabbing one was a grail of mine. I missed the boat on the Sebenza 21 right as they were discontinued. I got a large Inkosi in 2019, and it is a well built and high quality tool that will last generations. The fit is amazing. No tuning or fighting center. It really only comes down to how "drop shutty" you want to make it. I prefer my folders tight.

I went with a SHF because I liked that it was a large and heavy built knife with a good steel (mines S45VN before the Magnacut run), and I liked that I could get a true titanium on steel lock up instead of an insert or ball bearing like I wanted in the 21. I think the whole thing would benefit from a dehorning and I will never buy the unsharpened portion at the bottom of the edge is a feature. The first time I have to give the edge a major sharpening, that little flat is going bye-bye.

I think a CRK is still a fine top of the line choice with impeccable fit. I think the SHF is about as bombproof as you can make a frame lock. Either should last a couple lifetimes of hard use with even the most menial care.
Click to expand...
I had a couple of Sebenzas. I agree with everything you said about them but they were too "plain jane" to me. I had a large regular with the BG42 steel. I really regret letting that one go. I'm not a fan of the 31's, plus their prices went up. These SHF's are beautiful & it's like you're getting a unique graphic with each one, plus they only charge a $100 more for Damascus?? I don't know how they do it. Everyone else charges 200-300+ more for it. I'm going to get one in a couple of months. I spent over $2k on knives this month & my bank account needs a rest. Thanks again to everyone for helping me out. Much obliged.
 
JTR357 said:
I had a couple of Sebenzas. I agree with everything you said about them but they were too "plain jane" to me. I had a large regular with the BG42 steel. I really regret letting that one go. I'm not a fan of the 31's, plus their prices went up. These SHF's are beautiful & it's like you're getting a unique graphic with each one, plus they only charge a $100 more for Damascus?? I don't know how they do it. Everyone else charges 200-300+ more for it. I'm going to get one in a couple of months. I spent over $2k on knives this month & my bank account needs a rest. Thanks again to everyone for helping me out. Much obliged.
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If you end up wanting a small let me know. I think you would like the large better though.
 
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