Review Spartan Blades Pallas - Love This Knife!

Niall88

Gold Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2022
Messages
390
First off, I know all you guys/gals are smart and sharp. So I don't think I am enlightening anybody here with anything new. With this said, I just want to say that I absolutely fell in love with this knife. I am not a newbie. I have owned and used Hinderers. I have 5 Medfords sitting here in my office and a Marauder on my desk next to me that I drool on. Spyderco Military and PM2 are my favorite users. I am super busy working online, but I had to take the time to do this. This Pallas is so worth a little time in case any of you are inspired at all. Yes, I know, everyone has their specific preferences, there is no one knife everyone is going to like. And it is good there are infinite numbers and styles of knives available for all of us. But in my humble opinion, this Pallas is a masterpiece.

Button lock, flipper tab and thumb stud. Fantastic deployment. What I really like is that you can use the thumb stud to open the knife slowly without having to have it fly open. If you want it to fly open you use the flipper tab. Fantastic! Fidget factor: 100%
Aluminum scales, nice grip. Wish they were thicker just because I like thicker, beefy knives. However, the knife is slim, stealth, easy and comfortable to handle and carry in the pocket.
Strong, tight titanium pocket clip. Not deep carry. I cannot stand deep carry pocket clips. I need to be able to find and grab my knife exactly when I need it.
Excellent ramped jimping on blade just above the scale. Then a non-jimped smooth ramp in the blade that is very comfortable for choking up.
Beautiful, smooth stonewash S45VN blade.

Don't laugh at me, alright? I know this is totally subjective and emotional. I don't know what it is exactly, cannot put it into words, but somehow EVERYTHING, and I mean everything about this knife just wins my heart/mind in every aspect. Just had to share this. I believe you can find them for $305.

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How’s the lockup ? I’ve been almost buying one of those for a few years now. I’m always worried that the potential “play” would drive me crazy. I’ve had a few button / plunge lock knives ( mod / Freeman / protech ). Nice and simple design on that Spartan. Looks excellent from here. Thank you for the write up.
 
Just so I can give you an accurate response, I just picked mine up. It is totally solid. A beauty. I think they put some nice work into the newer ones with the S45VN.
 
In my limited experience with Spartans, as well as word from the fellas on here I ABSOLUTELY trust (you know who you all are) who own their more expensive models, they really do a bang up job their knives.
 
I like the knife, nice button lock action and good lock-up with great ergo's. My only issue is the really light detent, the blade shakes out super easy. I have an Akribis, a Pallas and about 10 SHF's, I really like Spartan knives.
 
I like the knife, nice button lock action and good lock-up with great ergo's. My only issue is the really light detent, the blade shakes out super easy. I have an Akribis, a Pallas and about 10 SHF's, I really like Spartan knives.
Yes, I noticed this. Not really an issue. But is there a way to make a detent stronger?
 
Yes, I noticed this. Not really an issue. But is there a way to make a detent stronger?
I just got an email back from Spartan Blades. The lady said to tighten the pivot screw ever so slightly. I did this and it impedes the nice, smooth motion of the blade opening and closing and does not really strengthen the detent. At least in my reality.
 
Would a stronger spring under the plunger make the detent a little more stiff ? Are the edges chamfered/rounded where the pin meets the blade ?
 
I am not sure. But that seems like a great idea! Where would one find the right spring? Also, I did tighten the pivot screw, and I mean "ever so slightly", and this did help strengthen the detent just a little. It is not quite so "drop shutty" now. And I fully agree with Greg Medford's comments about "drop shutty" action. As he states and as I prefer, I like the blade to stay where I put it with a bit more friction in the movement.

Just got off the phone with Spartan. Yes, 100% a bit stronger spring action under the button lock will strengthen detent.
 
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How is the durability of plunge lock knives, in general?
Personally, I don't know. But most of us do not use our folders so hard that we are going to ruin a frame or liner lock or a button lock. That is my guess anyway. I am not an expert. And it seems we all want our folders to perform like fixed blades.
 
Personally, I don't know. But most of us do not use our folders so hard that we are going to ruin a frame or liner lock or a button lock. That is my guess anyway. I am not an expert. And it seems we all want our folders to perform like fixed blades.
I don t abuse my outdoor work folders. But I do appreciate the lockup staying tight with no side to side play or lock rock, which cannot easily be corrected with a screw adjustment.
I ve been spoiled by Triad locks which for me have lasted for years of moderately hard use. And other back locks seem very sturdy. If button locks have the same durability as liner and frame locks, I would be ok with that.
 
I don t abuse my outdoor work folders. But I do appreciate the lockup staying tight with no side to side play or lock rock, which cannot easily be corrected with a screw adjustment.
I ve been spoiled by Triad locks which for me have lasted for years of moderately hard use. And other back locks seem very sturdy. If button locks have the same durability as liner and frame locks, I would be ok with that.
Maybe somebody on the forums has the answer to this?
 
In want one of these but my two button lock knives have developed play over the years, pretty early in my ownership, actually. To be fair, these are Masters of Defense knives made after the Blackhawk! acquisition but before they are branded as such. One from before 2006 and the other before 2009. I have another used one tthat also has play but don't know when it was made. I also don't like weak detents. A knife should stay open securely and stay closed.
 
Because the detent was a bit soft on my Spartan Pallas and I mentioned this to Spartan, they asked me to send it back. They immediately sent me a brand new replacement with a much stronger and perfect detent. Excellent customer service.
 
Because the detent was a bit soft on my Spartan Pallas and I mentioned this to Spartan, they asked me to send it back. They immediately sent me a brand new replacement with a much stronger and perfect detent. Excellent customer service.

This is awesome. Always good to hear about a company keeping their word on warranty. Excellent 👍.
 
Yes, the Spartan Pallas won my heart as a daily carry and their customer service is top notch. What I did not mention is that when the detent was soft, I mentioned this to them over the phone. They immediately sent me a couple new button locks and some springs to try out to make the detent stronger, along with a company tee shirt. After putting the new spring in, the detent was still soft enough where I could flick the blade out while holding the knife by the scales. I told them this, and that is when they asked me to return the knife and replaced it. Usually I get irritated with hassles like this. As I too do business all over the world, selling on Ebay, Amazon, Etsy and through my own websites and dealing with so many details that take my time. But I never felt irritated with Spartan as they were so kind. And the knife replacement they sent me was a perfect detent, along with another Spartan Blade tee shirt! Customer satisfied.
 
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