Spartan Knives - Huge Disappointment

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kongfool

Joined
Sep 18, 2025
Messages
11
This is my first time buying from Spartan knives, although it's through DLT Trading. I just want to say firstly, DLT Trading has already responded and helping me process the refund. I also would like to make sure everyone understand, I am disabled now, with only 1 working arm/hand. I am extremely careful handling my high end collection knives. From 10 years of knife collection, I have never seen anything like this.

I have had my eyes on the Spartan Harsey line for quite some time. As an Marine combat vet and an ex professional poker player, I purchased the Spartan Harsey 2022 - Royal Flush edition. Anyone who's been stationed at Pendleton knows Oceans 11 lol, I practically lived there when I was station at Camp Pendleton. With poker, it dramatically helped with my personal finances, which led to helping me with the purchase of our first family home in Oceanside. Also, I wanted to support a vet business, and this knife looked absolutely beautiful online in the images. I was extremely eager to receive something I've had on my Wishlist for nearly a year.

My first impression as I opened the package was already an immediate disappointment, the Spartan brand packaging just looks terrible... I then open the knife box, it's in a plastic baggy with two foam sponge protections on top and bottom. I finally pull out the knife, and this is what I see. Visible scratch marks or production faults on the brass pivot. I used 3 different materials cleaning cloth to try to clean it, and some brass non-abrasive polishing oil but it didn't do anything. I then go to flip open the knife, it's extremely tight but it's understandable being a new knife. But, the frame locking mechanism is too tight, it's already grinding the base of the blade. Next I try to cut some printing paper, which should've been an extremely easy task for any S45VN factory edge, it failed that too. The blade is just straight up dull! I am extremely disappointed in this entire first time experience with Spartan brand, I had high hopes and high expectations for a $500 knife.

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Sorry to hear this. I had this brand before and almost had same impression as you did. The blade was very dull. The edges are very sharp..

Try a crk instead.
 
First off, thank you for your service, I'm a fellow vet and still serving USAF reservist. So my experience with Spartan has been very nice, if DLT doesn't make you whole, Spartan will. Honestly DLT should have never sent out a likely already returned knife (that design isn't a regular production and hasn't been for a bit to my knowledge) in that condition. My experience with Spartan customer service has been excellent. I have a version of that knife, but I personally blade swapped it to a stonewash blade from a PJ one I had. Regarding the sharpening, I guarantee if you reach out to Spartan they will cover shipping both ways and make sure your blade is a razor on return. There are Monday and Friday knives from every brand, just like cars and motorcycles. I have 9 SHFs currently and have owned probably twice total. Regarding the packaging, I would rather my money go to the knife, than the packaging personally.PXL_20250920_052425098.jpgPXL_20250920_052435548.jpg
 
I didn't mind paying for a beautifully designed knife, but now I've gotten it and see it in person, it's extremely underwhelming. It's not they used a rare high quality steel either, its S45VN FFS. The price is absurd now I've come to my senses.
 
kongfool said:
I didn't mind paying for a beautifully designed knife, but now I've gotten it and see it in person, it's extremely underwhelming. It's not they used a rare high quality steel either, its S45VN FFS. The price is absurd now I've come to my senses.
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They used one of the most cutting edge steels available when they made that knife several years ago.... Yes paying full retail for an old knife is a bit silly. All current releases from Spartan in the SHF line have been Magnacut for a bit.
 
norcalAF said:
First off, thank you for your service, I'm a fellow vet and still serving USAF reservist. So my experience with Spartan has been very nice, if DLT doesn't make you whole, Spartan will. Honestly DLT should have never sent out a likely already returned knife (that design isn't a regular production and hasn't been for a bit to my knowledge) in that condition. My experience with Spartan customer service has been excellent. I have a version of that knife, but I personally blade swapped it to a stonewash blade from a PJ one I had. Regarding the sharpening, I guarantee if you reach out to Spartan they will cover shipping both ways and make sure your blade is a razor on return. There are Monday and Friday knives from every brand, just like cars and motorcycles. I have 9 SHFs currently and have owned probably twice total. Regarding the packaging, I would rather my money go to the knife, than the packaging personally.View attachment 2980537View attachment 2980538
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Well, DLT has already send a paid return postal stamp, so that's covered. I also asked for an exchange rather than just a return, so I'll see what they say. If you know from experience with Spartan offering that level of customer service I trust a fellow servicemen. Me being disabled, I'm not skilled enough to sharp my blades as I used to with both hands. I am looking to buy a WorkSharp stationary sharpener, I've heard great things.
 
kongfool said:
Well, DLT has already send a paid return postal stamp, so that's covered. I also asked for an exchange rather than just a return, so I'll see what they say. If you know from experience with Spartan offering that level of customer service I trust a fellow servicemen. Me being disabled, I'm not skilled enough to sharp my blades as I used to with both hands. I am looking to buy a WorkSharp stationary sharpener, I've heard great things.
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I would ask DLT to personally inspect the replacement they send you, they may have pretty limited stock because as mentioned it is an older design that has been out of production for a while. Spartan's warranty though is forever and pretty much all encompassing.
 
norcalAF said:
They used one of the most cutting edge steels available when they made that knife several years ago.... Yes paying full retail for an old knife is a bit silly. All current releases from Spartan in the SHF line have been Magnacut for a bit.
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I did see that, I chose this edition purely due to my past with poker. I still play, but just for entertainment rather than a lifestyle. To be honest, I was actually super eager to brag to my buddies like a little kid lol.
 
kongfool said:
I did see that, I chose this edition purely due to my past with poker. I still play, but just for entertainment rather than a lifestyle. To be honest, I was actually super eager to brag to my buddies like a little kid lol.
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I can't blame ya there buddy, I have several knives I bought due to my personal experiences. My kiddo is half Japanese, so I bought this 😁PXL_20250916_162310338.jpgPXL_20250915_161643404.jpg
 
If you like Work Sharp, check out their knives.

worksharptools.com

RMX Knives

Work Sharp makes electric and manual knife sharpeners, belt sharpeners, and guided systems, and knives durable enough for everyday use.
worksharptools.com worksharptools.com

At $150 for a quality knife, with good steel, regular or auto opening, what's not to like!

20250919_075713.jpg
 
norcalAF said:
I would ask DLT to personally inspect the replacement they send you, they may have pretty limited stock because as mentioned it is an older design that has been out of production for a while. Spartan's warranty though is forever and pretty much all encompassing.
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I def will, and I appreciate you with the help my friend. Btw, I forgot to mention, I 100% agree I'd rather the money go to the knife than the packaging. But, it's just my personal opinion, Spartan should and could do better with packaging. My absolute favorite budget brand Civivi, if they can include a knife bag and cloth for their knives, Spartan absolutely should do better with packaging. As an American, we all tend to have this unnecessary disdain towards Chinese made products. I have quite a collection of Chinese brand knives, and they all have met my standards overwhelmingly. From the steel to out of box edge and overall material.
 
Bing Gao said:
Sorry to hear this. I had this brand before and almost had same impression as you did. The blade was very dull. The edges are very sharp..

Try a crk instead.
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I own a couple, meaning 2 CRK knives, all have been great! I. wanted to edit that and clarify 😂 😂 😂
 
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kongfool said:
I def will, and I appreciate you with the help my friend. Btw, I forgot to mention, I 100% agree I'd rather the money go to the knife than the packaging. But, it's just my personal opinion, Spartan should and could do better with packaging. My absolute favorite budget brand Civivi, if they can include a knife bag and cloth for their knives, Spartan absolutely should do better with packaging. As an American, we all tend to have this unnecessary disdain towards Chinese made products. I have quite a collection of Chinese brand knives, and they all have met my standards overwhelmingly. From the steel to out of box edge and overall material.
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Honestly, my favorite American maker is Les George. He is a Marine vet and makes fantastic knives under his own name and the D7 brand right in good ole Mississippi 😊 I highly recommend his new Talos model, which, though hard to source has been made in a variety of handle, all Magnacut.
 
Mk-211 said:
If you like Work Sharp, check out their knives.

worksharptools.com

RMX Knives

Work Sharp makes electric and manual knife sharpeners, belt sharpeners, and guided systems, and knives durable enough for everyday use.
worksharptools.com worksharptools.com

At $150 for a quality knife, with good steel, regular or auto opening, what's not to like!

View attachment 2980545
Click to expand...
I saw that, and I like the simple, clean, sleek design. It looks great!
 
norcalAF said:
Honestly, my favorite American maker is Les George. He is a Marine vet and makes fantastic knives under his own name and the D7 brand right in good ole Mississippi 😊 I highly recommend his new Talos model, which, though hard to source has been made in a variety of handle, all Magnacut.
Click to expand...
I just looked him up, perhaps his knives are too good, they're all sold out! 😂 They do look damn good though!
 
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