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Author's Statement for Transparency and Disclosure
The test sample/s featured in this article have been provided for technical testing and review by the manufacturer. Test samples are retained by the reviewer following publication of the completed review for the purposes of long term testing and product comparisons.
All test results published in this review are the sole work of the reviewer, and are carried out independently and without bias. Test results are reported as found, with no embellishments or alteration. Though best endeavours are made to maintain the accuracy of test equipment, the accuracy of these results is not guaranteed and is subject to the test equipment functioning correctly.
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Author's Statement for Transparency and Disclosure
The test sample/s featured in this article have been provided for technical testing and review by the manufacturer. Test samples are retained by the reviewer following publication of the completed review for the purposes of long term testing and product comparisons.
All test results published in this review are the sole work of the reviewer, and are carried out independently and without bias. Test results are reported as found, with no embellishments or alteration. Though best endeavours are made to maintain the accuracy of test equipment, the accuracy of these results is not guaranteed and is subject to the test equipment functioning correctly.
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The SPARTAN HARSEY MODEL II is Spartan Blades third collaboration with world renowned knife maker, William "Bill" Harsey Jr. The Harsey Model II was designed to be sturdy knife that would serve equally well as both a field and combat knife. The ergonomic and textured canvas micarta handle is specifically intended to provide comfort and confidence of grip.
The Blade and Handle Geometry:
Most knives specifications have a basic description of the blade geometry, but in this section I will be taking a more detailed look at geometry and balance.
Using a set of gauges and precision measuring equipment including a Vernier protractor, callipers, fixed radius gauges and the unique Arc Master adjustable radius gauge (the one that looks like a crossbow).
These measurements have been tabulated and are presented along with a few reference blades (8" Chef's Knife, 5.5" Santoku and the popular Fallkniven F1).
Key aspects such as the primary bevel angle, grind type, blade depth, blade thickness, length, weight are detailed, along with balance information.
The 'Balance relative to the front of the handle' tells you if the knife will feel front heavy, or if the weight is in your hand (a positive value means the weight is forward of the front of the handle). The 'Balance relative to the centre of the handle' indicates how close to a 'neutral balance' the knife has in the hand.
In the case of full convex grinds the approximate centre of the grind is used for the primary bevel angle estimate..
The blade is made from S35VN.
Explained by the Maker:
The reasons for certain design choices may not be clear when simply looking at an object, so this section is intended to give an insight into the thinking behind a design by speaking to the designer themselves.
Many thanks go to Bill Harsey (knife designer) and Mark Carey (co-owner of Spartan Blades) for taking the time to explain the details of the knife and sheath design to me.
Though not quoting Bill and Mark directly, the following is an explanation of how the final design was arrived at.
Bill spoke with Spartan about the intended use before he started the prototype process. Having already done the Model 1 limited edition, Spartan Blades told Bill they would like to use handle shape but make it a bit smaller (so it would be more usable for more people). It was decided to shrink handle by 5% and change blade length.
In this case the blade length (A) was chosen to fill a specific gap in the Spartan product line.
A harpoon point (B) was used to reinforce the point, with the additional blade width used to make point stronger without making it thicker. The unsharpened edge of the harpoon point could be sharpened if required.
Looking at the area just in front of the guard (C) it might appear to be a finger choil, however, Bill emphasised that this is not a finger choil. Instead it is a relief between the end of edge and front of handle. Don't put your finger in it.
The cutting edge has been pushed away from the plunge line (D), extending the choil. Though this slightly reduces the length of the cutting edge, the knife has the edge where Bill intended it to be on this model. This also takes the end of cutting edge away from the radiused plunge line.
Bill made the guard (E) protrude enough to be useful without getting in the way. (Based on over 30 years of experience rather than any specific guidelines)
As with many of the knifes ergonomic features, the slight negative rake (F) was chosen by Bill because it felt right.
Discussing the single lanyard hole in the butt of the knife (G) and the subject of lanyard use and safety, Bill indicated that this feature is especially useful when working over water, and that ultimately it is the individual owners decision of exactly how to use the lanyard when there is a safety aspect to consider (Authors note - when chopping, use of a lanyard can be dangerous). What was expressly ruled out was the possibility of adding a lanyard hole in the guard.
As well as providing grip, the jimping (H) is for tactile reference. Jimping on the rear of the handle is for same reason but when using a reverse grip.
Front jimping.
View of both areas of jimping.
Rear jimping.
The balance point (I) has been adjusted by selecting appropriate material thicknesses and removing material where it doesn't need to be (such as drilling the tang).
Featuring a fully sculpted handle, the Harsey Model IIs grip is highly functional with finger grips and pommel hook/swell (J). Placement is of these elements is chosen to ensure function even when user is wearing gloves in adverse conditions.
*Now a temporary move to consider the Sheath design details .
During testing, it was noticed that the position of the strap makes it vulnerable to being cut when inserting or withdrawing the knife.
However Mark explained that the retention strap was positioned at handle choil level to insure a good fit and allow the user to get full grip on the exposed handle. The user can then flip the snap closure with their thumb (and sweep the strap out of way with their finger). While a user could cut the retaining strap, it is unlikely if deliberately drawing. The sheath is adjustable to allow it fit a range of Spartans other knives.
Showing the detail of the retention straps adjustment. You can alter the fit, or use it for another knife.
Though limited in space, the PALS webbing on the front (L), can, and has been, used for a small pouch or to place pistol holster over it for chest draw.
There is a Felt liner (M) inside the sheath. It is made from a recycled kydex like plastic which is laminated between layers of felt. This has the advantage that it provides some retention and is extremely quiet when drawing making it ideal for use in the field as well as when moving as there is no rattle.
A closer look at the liner.
Looking at the back of the sheath:
Use of Velcro throughout the entire belt loop (N) allows it to be fitted on a 1-4 belt width and the Velcro keeps the sheath tight onto the belt whatever its size.
There is Velcro on the outer flap.
As well as inside the actual belt loop as well.
Rather than just using the webbing loop (into which the D-ring is fitted), a D-ring (O) was introduced to provide better directional stability on the leg and allows for other items to be attached.
There are copious tie loops (P) on the back of the sheath which allow the leg tie down to act as a way to lace the sheath to a vest or pack in any direction (vertical, horizontal or diagonal) as well as allowing it to be mounted to packs or vehicle roll cages.
For the final part of Explained by the maker we return to the knife
Point position (Q) relative to the centre line gives a best user friendly position for most tasks.
Though supplied unsharpened, the Swedge (R) can be sharpened like an Axe to allow for use in tinder preparation and splitting wood, which saves the main blade from being used for those tasks.
As explained earlier, the harpoon point strengthens the tip. The position of the end of this feature (S) is dictated by overall form and function.
The final height of the grind line (T) is the result of the desired bevel angle intersecting with the 3/16 blade stock. The bevel angle used in the Harsey Model II allows for good sharpness while maintaining toughness.
A flat grind (U) is used purely as it is stronger than a hollow grind, and in this design, strength and durability are key requirements.
Use of a rounded plunge line (V) is related to providing stress relief during the heat treat / cryo process, and ergonomics when using.
One of the special features of this knife are the sculpted handle scales (W). Spartan Blades scanned a handle Bill had hand ground in the 1970s that was too hard to make at that time. Both Col Applegate and Al Mar wanted to use it, but at the time technology could not reproduce it Spartan Blades now have.
I really like the ergonomics and the crenelations on Bill's handle designs for these collaborations very much. I grew up working on the rivers of the southeast U.S., I agree firmly with him on the over-water and the chopping with a lanyard, so when chopping over water it's really good to pay attention. There are several features about the Spartan sheaths that show just how much thought went into them, and tell you a few things about the background of the designers. As for the aggressively-cutting point, you do understand that this isn't a dedicated bushcraft knife, right?
