Spartan harsey hunter for a camp knife.

S

saylorbrand

Joined
Jun 8, 2008
Messages
338
It does everything needed that a bushcraft knife will do, and looks cool. Yes it is stupid expensive, but it's a knife that I think is awesome and I work hard for my money. I read mistwalker's review on it and it does it all. Still on the fence, because I dig the fiddleback forge production duke. That's the practical voice speaking to me, lol.
 
I have the Spartan nyx and its does a great job at feather sticks and light batoning. It isn't the best slicer, and not a fan of the handle. Over all I think they make a very high quality tool.
 
I don't have a Hunter, but I do have a Difensa, and I think it is an excellent all around knife. I carry it in the field (archaeology) and when I am clearing brush (grad school doesn't pay all the bills ) and it is a good everything knife.

It isn't the greatest slicer, but it does surprisingly well for most bushcrafty tasks. I used it as my comparison knife when I reviewed the Ambush Alpha on my blog (another good bushcraft knife for much less than the Hunter ).

I haven't used the Fiddleback Duke, but I do have one of the production Bushfingers. I really like the Bushfinger, but I actually prefer the Difensa for tasks like feather-sticking and the thicker stock feels safer for things like batoning (if you must baton).

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I have one I use quite frequently as a belt knife around camp. I love mine. It's a very well though out knife and some things I didn't pick up until after handling it a bit like the first inch of spine is squared enough to strike a ferro rod but the rest of the spine is rounded which makes it comfortable to whittle with, and the choil, while not a designated finger choil, is the perfect place to put your finger when you use the knife to filet. The coating picks up dirt quick, but a quick clean and it will look brand new after a wash every time. The handle is also super comfortable, probably in the top 2 I've ever handled. The only thing I would say is that as a bushcraft knife thin the edge when you get it as Spartan Blades come with pretty thick edges but it makes sense for the intended purpose. I re-profiled mine to 20 degree per side and it makes a great knife work even better. My only knock on it is that the sheath does leave you wanting.

There's also something to be said about pride of ownership. People can talk all they want about how expensive something is or, "This $20 knife will work just as well," but there's something about having that blade that you want, that connects with you, that makes the experience of using it just that much greater. The fact that Bill Harsey hand grinds each one just adds a personal touch to the knife.

The Duke also looks like a great knife and since I don't have one or haven't handled one I can't comment, but I've always liked the design. I'm sure both would serve you well, choose the one that calls to you brother. If you don't have to which it sounds like you don't, never settle.
 
I've got the defensa and while I haven't used it much the handle is just about as comfortable as they come. I've got other Spartan Knives and all have been of the highest quality.

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Grey Falcon said:
I have one I use quite frequently as a belt knife around camp. I love mine. It's a very well though out knife and some things I didn't pick up until after handling it a bit like the first inch of spine is squared enough to strike a ferro rod but the rest of the spine is rounded which makes it comfortable to whittle with, and the choil, while not a designated finger choil, is the perfect place to put your finger when you use the knife to filet. The coating picks up dirt quick, but a quick clean and it will look brand new after a wash every time. The handle is also super comfortable, probably in the top 2 I've ever handled. The only thing I would say is that as a bushcraft knife thin the edge when you get it as Spartan Blades come with pretty thick edges but it makes sense for the intended purpose. I re-profiled mine to 20 degree per side and it makes a great knife work even better. My only knock on it is that the sheath does leave you wanting.

There's also something to be said about pride of ownership. People can talk all they want about how expensive something is or, "This $20 knife will work just as well," but there's something about having that blade that you want, that connects with you, that makes the experience of using it just that much greater. The fact that Bill Harsey hand grinds each one just adds a personal touch to the knife.

The Duke also looks like a great knife and since I don't have one or haven't handled one I can't comment, but I've always liked the design. I'm sure both would serve you well, choose the one that calls to you brother. If you don't have to which it sounds like you don't, never settle.
Click to expand...

You hit the nail on the head.
 
craytab said:
I've got the defensa and while I haven't used it much the handle is just about as comfortable as they come. I've got other Spartan Knives and all have been of the highest quality.

Kt5o4Lxh.jpg
Click to expand...

That is a great Spartan Family shot. The Horkos and Difensa are certainly on my list. The handle width on the Horkos is my only hold up as my hands are very picky, need to get a hold of one.
 
I need to hit the lottery and then I'd buy all of them, test them and then pick my favorite. Not being rich and a fan of knives sucks.
 
I love the Hunter - it's a great size, not too big, not too small. And it is surprisingly slicey too.
 
Grey Falcon said:
I have one I use quite frequently as a belt knife around camp. I love mine. It's a very well though out knife and some things I didn't pick up until after handling it a bit like the first inch of spine is squared enough to strike a ferro rod but the rest of the spine is rounded which makes it comfortable to whittle with, and the choil, while not a designated finger choil, is the perfect place to put your finger when you use the knife to filet. The coating picks up dirt quick, but a quick clean and it will look brand new after a wash every time. The handle is also super comfortable, probably in the top 2 I've ever handled. The only thing I would say is that as a bushcraft knife thin the edge when you get it as Spartan Blades come with pretty thick edges but it makes sense for the intended purpose. I re-profiled mine to 20 degree per side and it makes a great knife work even better. My only knock on it is that the sheath does leave you wanting.

There's also something to be said about pride of ownership. People can talk all they want about how expensive something is or, "This $20 knife will work just as well," but there's something about having that blade that you want, that connects with you, that makes the experience of using it just that much greater. The fact that Bill Harsey hand grinds each one just adds a personal touch to the knife.

The Duke also looks like a great knife and since I don't have one or haven't handled one I can't comment, but I've always liked the design. I'm sure both would serve you well, choose the one that calls to you brother. If you don't have to which it sounds like you don't, never settle.
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The difensa and the hunter have to be two of the prettiest blades ever made. Not a big fan for paying millions myself, but I agree some expensive knives (or rather, excellent knives that happen to be expensive) have a special click.

I love my Chris Reeve Pacific, can't wait to get my hands on a Spartan or five.
 
I have a Spartan nyx, Enyo, and Phobos. I have a crk small sebenza, and crk Nyala. They both are equal as far as quality, and fit and finish go. I like the toughness of the Spartan heat treat better, but find the crk much more edc friendly. I carry the crk every day. Use the the nyx as my current shf knife.
 
another yes for the spartan... i as well have a difensa that i've done a bit of beating on and have total confidence in it to be there through pretty much anything. it's the knife of my unit and a lot of guys carry them and beat on them pretty hard in a wide variety of environments, from -70c to deserts and jungles and they are all pretty happy with what they've experienced.
 
craytab said:
I've got the defensa and while I haven't used it much the handle is just about as comfortable as they come. I've got other Spartan Knives and all have been of the highest quality.

Kt5o4Lxh.jpg
Click to expand...
craytab said:
I've got the defensa and while I haven't used it much the handle is just about as comfortable as they come. I've got other Spartan Knives and all have been of the highest quality.

Is that the defensa on top

Kt5o4Lxh.jpg
Click to expand...
 
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