Spartan Harsey Plague Doctor - Thoughts please

norcalAF said:
I say grow some callouses! 😂 I have had a couple of my SHFs apart, and they are easy to take down and reassemble, I greased them with some CRK grease and the actions are amazing!
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I say I've been a contractor 20 years and you can strike matches off my hands;) However there is no reason they can't buff an angle or two off the handle. I adore the knife, but going out of your way to not knock down an edge that you could and calling everyone a silly for bringing it up doesn't make it a feature.

I'll pick a SHF any day of the week. It's one of my most satisfying knife purchases I can remember. I only think buying my first (and only CRK) was more emotionally rewarding simply because that was a reward I gave myself for following through on something really difficult (and thus opened my door to paying over $400 for a titanium frame lock). Even still, the SHF is what I REALLY like in an EDC folder, but I'm not going to go jumping through hoops to not admit that I think the CRKs I've handled feels more refined by design.
 
Delgadonine said:
I like how the ergos are slightly uncomfortable. It makes me pause and slow down. A safety feature, for sure. Out in the field miles away from help.

Again, wear a glove.

Leather.
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You could roll your knife in epoxy and broken glass to make it even more uncomfortable and slow you down even further... would that make it more safe?

Just wear gloves.
 
I was interested enough in one of these to seek some out to handle in person while on vacation two years ago. I got to handle several. They seemed well made and pretty high quality but I passed for three reasons.

1. Blade to handle ratio is off. It's visually off putting to me.

2. I HATE edges that die right into the plunge line with no choil.

3. The sharp edges everywhere in the handle. I don't buy that it's a "feature" from those attempting to justify it. And if I ever heard the actual maker try to say it's a feature I would put it down immediately and walk away.
 
Delgadonine said:
I like how the ergos are slightly uncomfortable. It makes me pause and slow down. A safety feature, for sure. Out in the field miles away from help.

Again, wear a glove.

Leather.
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I mean, obviously enough people agree with you that the SHF is very popular. But I think knives should be ergonomically designed and not require you to wear leather gloves in order to use them. That's just absurd. Folding knives are for convenience, and carrying around a pair of leather gloves to put on before you open your pocket knife is not convenient. For the kind of work where you would be well served by wearing leather work gloves, you should be using an axe, saw, or fixed-blade knife.

Weirdly for me the end result of this is that the one SHF I have... I have as a collectible because their engraving and anodizing is so pretty. So despite it being a 'harder-use' CRK, virtually all the folders I own except the SHF get carried and used, while the 'overbuilt' SHF is relegated to the collection box. Because for the purposes one uses a folding knife (especially me, as a suburban office worker), almost any locking knife is plenty tough for the uses I will put it to, and all of them are more ergonomic.
 
I reckon everybody’s hands are built differently. I’ll admit that I have no problems with sharp edges and discomfort when using either of my SHF knives without gloves. But then I don’t have any problems with XM-18s or Medfords either, and it seems like a lot of folks find those uncomfortable too.
 
Greasepiggy said:
I reckon everybody’s hands are built differently. I’ll admit that I have no problems with sharp edges and discomfort when using either of my SHF knives without gloves. But then I don’t have any problems with XM-18s or Medfords either, and it seems like a lot of folks find those uncomfortable too.
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I believe this is a case of competing extremes, like many things in life. I think most of us that notice the sharper edges aren't immediately dropping the knife in the dirt like a snake bit us. I also think that most people who find the handle comfortable can understand how some might find it a weird to not have the edges buffed down a bit.

I'm very much in the camp of: it doesn't bother me at all to use the knife as I don't notice it one bit, but why are so many harder edges left on a $400 folder. Some can cause it aesthetic. Some can call it a feature. Some can call it lazy manufacturing. Some can postulate that they are in cahoots with the Big Glove lobby and are purposely pumping out knives that require hard working Americans to purchase a special folder glove to use it ;)

It doesn't bother me, really. I can see why some would find it uncomfortable at this price point, but I'm not gonna channel John Wayne and question a person's grit because they wish it was finished a little more nicely.
 
Steely_Gunz said:
I believe this is a case of competing extremes, like many things in life. I think most of us that notice the sharper edges aren't immediately dropping the knife in the dirt like a snake bit us. I also think that most people who find the handle comfortable can understand how some might find it a weird to not have the edges buffed down a bit.

I'm very much in the camp of: it doesn't bother me at all to use the knife as I don't notice it one bit, but why are so many harder edges left on a $400 folder. Some can cause it aesthetic. Some can call it a feature. Some can call it lazy manufacturing. Some can postulate that they are in cahoots with the Big Glove lobby and are purposely pumping out knives that require hard working Americans to purchase a special folder glove to use it ;)

It doesn't bother me, really. I can see why some would find it uncomfortable at this price point, but I'm not gonna channel John Wayne and question a person's grit because they wish it was finished a little more nicely.
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big glove lobby…… I love it!
😂😂😂😂😂😂
 
J. Doyle said:
3. The sharp edges everywhere in the handle. I don't buy that it's a "feature" from those attempting to justify it. And if I ever heard the actual maker try to say it's a feature I would put it down immediately and walk away.
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Thank you for the information. That's enough to put me off the idea of ever buying a SHF.

I have a Hogue that likewise has sharp edges all over the handle. Nick Shabazz said something uncharacteristically unkind about that handle, too. I kept thinking that some day I would chamfer those edges, but it's been a few years, and I'm pretty sure I will never get around to it. No more handles with sharp edges for me when I've got lots of other knives with comfortable handles.
 
I've never been bugged by sharp edges on the SHF. I don't have super calloused hands either.

I did sell off all my larges, because they were just too big for me. I still have several 3.25" SHF's and they feel fantastic - excellent action and superb build quality.

-Mike
 
madcap_magician said:
I mean, obviously enough people agree with you that the SHF is very popular. But I think knives should be ergonomically designed and not require you to wear leather gloves in order to use them. That's just absurd. Folding knives are for convenience, and carrying around a pair of leather gloves to put on before you open your pocket knife is not convenient. For the kind of work where you would be well served by wearing leather work gloves, you should be using an axe, saw, or fixed-blade knife.

Weirdly for me the end result of this is that the one SHF I have... I have as a collectible because their engraving and anodizing is so pretty. So despite it being a 'harder-use' CRK, virtually all the folders I own except the SHF get carried and used, while the 'overbuilt' SHF is relegated to the collection box. Because for the purposes one uses a folding knife (especially me, as a suburban office worker), almost any locking knife is plenty tough for the uses I will put it to, and all of them are more ergonomic.
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The knife, as a tool and you as a personality are mutually exclusive topics in this context. IOW, it isn't the knife for you and your personality. The knife's characteristics are valid as are your points.

Personally, if I am using a knife, I do not want the blood or sweat to interfere with my grip. SHF dispelled my concerns. Sure, carrying leather gloves may be an unacceptable coping mechanism. The SHF isn't for you. I don't have the gloves handy, unless it is winter.

(Pardon the pun)
 
Delgadonine said:
I have a Black Large SHF and a Stone Washed Small SHF. I want to get one of the engraved SHF with The Dragon someday. I carry the Large SHF everyday. It checks off all the boxes for me and that list is long! If price doesn't matter, they are worth every dollar you spend.

I have CRK's, RHK's, MKT's and The Spartans can keep themselves in their rank.

From ergos to lock up, from fit to finish; totally superb. I like how the Large feels like a fixie in hand.
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just got one!

To be honest, first impressions were "meh, cool". Here is why:

1. The engraving and anodising is somewhat dim, basically you see picture with colours at some specific light angle
2. Actual engraving is accurate and clean, but the finish is sharp, it is basically feels like a sand paper, don't know if it is by intention or it is only mine came like that. Probably good for grip
3. Action is stiff on new knife! I mostly middle finger flick thumb stud knifes and it was okay for that, but I had hard times to open it with thumb
4. Since Dragon varian has engraving on both sides and it finished like a sand paper - long life to my pants knife pocket :D probably better to choose plain lock side variants for better carry

But then the more I played with it the more I started to appreciate action, design and build quality. It has enormous washers, which I suppose would break in and action would become as smooth as CRK. It is already much better, than from the box after a drop of bluelube on detent ball! Ergo is great and it is razor sharp. Generally I appreciate build quality, design and Harsey's and Spartan guys intention, do not regret my buy
 

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Delgadonine said:
The knife, as a tool and you as a personality are mutually exclusive topics in this context. IOW, it isn't the knife for you and your personality. The knife's characteristics are valid as are your points.

Personally, if I am using a knife, I do not want the blood or sweat to interfere with my grip. SHF dispelled my concerns. Sure, carrying leather gloves may be an unacceptable coping mechanism. The SHF isn't for you. I don't have the gloves handy, unless it is winter.

(Pardon the pun)
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Yes, pretty much. CRK is actually similar here, too, some people never quite get the hang of opening the different models.
 
madcap_magician said:
I mean, obviously enough people agree with you that the SHF is very popular. But I think knives should be ergonomically designed and not require you to wear leather gloves in order to use them. That's just absurd. Folding knives are for convenience, and carrying around a pair of leather gloves to put on before you open your pocket knife is not convenient. For the kind of work where you would be well served by wearing leather work gloves, you should be using an axe, saw, or fixed-blade knife.

Weirdly for me the end result of this is that the one SHF I have... I have as a collectible because their engraving and anodizing is so pretty. So despite it being a 'harder-use' CRK, virtually all the folders I own except the SHF get carried and used, while the 'overbuilt' SHF is relegated to the collection box. Because for the purposes one uses a folding knife (especially me, as a suburban office worker), almost any locking knife is plenty tough for the uses I will put it to, and all of them are more ergonomic.
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For me, the SHF is one of the most ergonomic folders I've handled, even compared to CRK. I don't wear gloves, no idea why the other person even suggested that, and I don't have hands made of leather either.

Different desig s for different hands, and all that. I have been quite pleased with ow well the ergos are on the SHF for a full metal handle.

I have not tried the smaller one, only the large SHF. The size of the 3.25 SHF is no interest to me, I'll use something else that gets me under the 3" blade limits some cities around me have if going that small.

Also, I've never thought of a CRK to be a light use folder. Slices better than the SHF for sure but the build certainly doesn't seem like it's going to fall apart even for hard use knife tasks. I know one guy that splits kindling with his, works just fine and has for years, I guess. Both knives are made to be used, from the build quality to the ergonomics, from my experience.

I don't have a sebenza anymore and still have the SHF as I don't like the action of the sebenza. I have handled a zaan and like it much more so will probably end up with one eventually, when I feel like rewarding myself for something that grand.
 
bikerector said:
For me, the SHF is one of the most ergonomic folders I've handled, even compared to CRK. I don't wear gloves, no idea why the other person even suggested that, and I don't have hands made of leather either.

Different desig s for different hands, and all that. I have been quite pleased with ow well the ergos are on the SHF for a full metal handle.

I have not tried the smaller one, only the large SHF. The size of the 3.25 SHF is no interest to me, I'll use something else that gets me under the 3" blade limits some cities around me have if going that small.

Also, I've never thought of a CRK to be a light use folder. Slices better than the SHF for sure but the build certainly doesn't seem like it's going to fall apart even for hard use knife tasks. I know one guy that splits kindling with his, works just fine and has for years, I guess. Both knives are made to be used, from the build quality to the ergonomics, from my experience.

I don't have a sebenza anymore and still have the SHF as I don't like the action of the sebenza. I have handled a zaan and like it much more so will probably end up with one eventually, when I feel like rewarding myself for something that grand.
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I've wanted to like all of the high-end production knives, but only a few stuck around.

Spartan: I kept a boomerang Nichols damascus Plague Doctor as a souvenir of the COVID campaign of 2020, it is definitely a cool knife... just not one I'd carry.

Hinderer: XM-18, Eklipse, Half Track, Project X. XM-18 and Project X have the same sharp jimping by the flipper tab as the SHF does in the same location, which was ultimately what killed it for me. The Eklipse and Half Track were very good. I have a Jurassic on the way, and I'd like to try a Firetac.

CRK: Small inlay 31, large 31, Umnumzaan. I found the 31s difficult to open, and the range of motion for my thumb seems like it kind of needs a knife in between the small and large to make that opening motion without repositioning my hand. Umnumzaan is excellent except for the pocket clip and that sometimes any pressure on that will make it hard to open. I'd like to try an Inkosi and see if the third time is the charm. A large tanto Inkosi may end up being my perfect knife.
 
Just to clarify my position a little....for me the sharp edges wasn't a deal breaker because of potential discomfort or pain during use. I have hands from a lifetime of rough carpentry and knifemaking for the last 12 years. Even if I didn't, the human hand is pretty adaptable and can quickly and expertly adjust grip from pain/discomfort.

It was a deal breaker to me because it showed a lack of attention to detail and a willingness to cut corners....(or rather not in this case 😉).
 
bikerector said:
For me, the SHF is one of the most ergonomic folders I've handled, even compared to CRK. I don't wear gloves, no idea why the other person even suggested that, and I don't have hands made of leather either.
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That was me and your question is both fair and reasonable.

My friend is a hunter. Better than me.
My friend is a surgeon. Most certainly better than me. Her hands are gifts and must be protected. She loves my SHFs. However, they do bite her. Latex in the OR. Leather in the outdoors.

(And. No! I won't give her either of my SHF's! Bribery via bikini won't work! Besides, she can afford her own!)
 
After reading through this thread, I was curious enough about the "sharp edges" that I had to check my own SHF..... I must have gotten lucky because I don't have any sharp edges on this particular DLT exclusive Warthog. Chamfering is done well throughout my piece, even on the inside of the handle sections. The knife feels damn comfortable in my hand.
OP, I think the 3.25 P.D would do more than satiate your appetite for something great.
 
A spirited discussion! Wonderful! Thanks! I have a small one incoming. I'll let you know what I think.
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