Spartan Blades “Nymph” Integral Frame Lock Slip Joint Folder

RamZar

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The upcoming Spartan Blades “Nymph” Integral Frame Lock Slip Joint Folder was the 2014 Blade Show Most Innovative American Knife Of The Year.

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Here's some information about it direct from Spartan Blades:

"This small titanium folder is the result of a desire by Spartan Blade to produce a high quality slip joint folder using as few small moving parts as possible. While attending the 2012 IWA Show in Germany, we spoke with several people who simply couldn’t own one of our larger folders due to the restrictions of knives with locks, one handed opening, and long blades. During the show, Mark and Curtis were visiting the Nuremburg Toy Museum and were impressed by some of the very small high-tech mechanisms used to make toys. It was then the idea hit them to make a slip joint that didn’t require several small fine blanked parts, allowing for a more modern look and function than the classic slipjoint. Now they had a great idea but not the full mechanism to make it work.

Later, Spartan met with Les Halpern of Halpern Titanium and explained their idea for a small modern slip joint. He became very excited as he had an idea for a similar knife using what he called “A good idea” for a mechanism. Les did some drawings explaining his idea for eliminating the traditional back spring. Normally, slip joint blades are held in position by a strong "back spring" which assists them with bias to the open or closed position. Les’ idea was to make the frame the spring with the same bias in open or closed position.

This folder eliminates the need for a back spring by using what we call an “Integral Frame Slipjoint”, the dorsal side of the frame is cut to work as a spring and holds a pin that creates a bias to close and open. The blade is opened by pushing on the tab on the blade (it is not a flipper tab!) with one hand and pulling with the thumb and forefinger on the triangle cut-out of the opposite side and hand. Additionally, the pin "locks" into the blade when held firmly by the users thumb and forefinger in in position of use but is free to rotate upon release of the frame handle."

SPECIFICATIONS: (Updated)

  • Knife Name: Nymph
  • Designer(s): Spartan Blades / Halpern
    [*]Blade Length: 1 7/8" (1.0875")
  • Overall Length: 4 3/4" (Open)
    [*]Blade Thickness: 51/64" (0.08")
  • Blade Steel: S35VN
  • Blade Hardness: 58-60 HRC
  • Blade Style: Drop Point
  • Frame / Clip Material: 6AL-4V Titanium
  • Finish: Stonewashed Blade, Frame & Clip or Stonewashed Blade & Clip with a Blue or Purple Anodized Frame
    [*]Weight: 1.248 OZ
  • MSRP: $220 stonewashed or $230 for stonewashed & anodized
  • Country: USA

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While Spydeco PITS stayed at the just under 3" blade curiously the Spartan Nymph chose to stay at the just under 2" blade!
 
This offering would have looked much better with a nail nick or a groove like the CRK Mnandi, rather than that awkward triangle hole. It's somewhat unsightly IMO.
 
Reminds me a little of the AG Russell One Handed Knife of old with that style of frame cut out.
 
This offering would have looked much better with a nail nick or a groove like the CRK Mnandi, rather than that awkward triangle hole. It's somewhat unsightly IMO.
I agree.

For me, that triangular thumbhole cheapens the overall look of this knife.
 
This offering would have looked much better with a nail nick or a groove like the CRK Mnandi, rather than that awkward triangle hole. It's somewhat unsightly IMO.
Looks like a 'gator. but it's too small to be called that.
It looks too thick in the blade. 13/16? I guess that means 3/16, but that is too thick for a 2 inch blade.
 
The upcoming Spartan Blades “Nymph” Integral Frame Lock Slip Joint Folder was the 2014 Blade Show Most Innovative American Knife Of The Year.



...."It was then the idea hit them to make a slip joint that didn’t require several small fine blanked parts."

One last thing - I count 14-15 individual components on this knife. My Opinel has 5, and the John Lloyd slipjoint in my pocket has 12 - where is this a component reduction? Comparatively, it looks like pretty intense blanking, from a production standpoint anyway.
 
Looks like a 'gator. but it's too small to be called that.
It looks too thick in the blade. 13/16? I guess that means 3/16, but that is too thick for a 2 inch blade.

Maybe they meant 1/16? It seems like that would be more fitting for the knife.
 
This offering would have looked much better with a nail nick or a groove like the CRK Mnandi, rather than that awkward triangle hole. It's somewhat unsightly IMO.

I totally agree.....at least Matt can do a wave mod on it with out issue though. :p
 
I'm hoping to hear back from Spartan with more information, corrected specs and a video along with all that on their website before the weekend.

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The new Spartan Blades NYMPH - Intregral Frame SlipJoint folder is now on the Spartan website for $220 stonewashed or $230 for stonewashed & anodized. They have a few left in stock.

I have also updated post #1 with corrected specs:

The blade length is 1.875" and 0.08" thick (S35VN 58-60 HRC). The folder weighs just 1.248 ounces.​

Additional information from inquiries:

"Also, you should know that the small blade portion that looks like a flipper actually works as a thumb assist as I have always hated nail notches on small folders thus the triangle in the blade and the thumb assist. The thumb assist helps during that first awkward moment when you try to open most slip joints. Makes a little more sense when you hold the knife."
 
Excuse my ignorance, but why don't I hear more about "Spartan Knives" here on BF???

Is there something I'm missing?
 
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