Spartan Knives - Huge Disappointment

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They seem to be doing just fine to me in their space in the industry. I use my examples all the time, but I have dedicated knives for tasks and am unwilling to abuse knives that I enjoy the physical appearance of for mundane stuff. Having said that I used some chad Nichols to cut some okra from the stalk this afternoon 🤣 and there are several examples on this forum of individuals who have used SHFs daily for months or years and have not been disappointed. They are pretty, but they are plenty capable.
 
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I love this knife. They do come dull as a spoon from the factory though. I’ve had about 6 different SHF’s over the years and none came sharp. The fit and finish has become better the past year or two.. I don’t know if the SHF is worth the MSRP but I’ve got zero regrets buying one. Slap a decent edge on it and go cut stuff.. they break in well.

* I may have a different idea of what sharpness is than some people. I think most of us probably re sharpen most knives almost immediately after receiving them.. sucks to spend $500 on a knife with a 30 degree secondary per side.
 
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kongfool said:
I did some research and shopping around last night, I did a bunch of a large variety high end premium steel collectable knives. I'd like to see Spartan Harsey line to implement more strong edge retention steels like Cru-Wear, rather than toughness and corrosion resistance steels like S45VN or Magna Cut. They'd be able to cut down production cost from steel material, and overall increase their brand design and packaging. The amount of money they'd save from using Cru-Wear would be enormous. These knives are collectables IMO, they're not going to be used in field so it's unnecessary to focus so heavily on corrosion resistance.

And just like another reply mentioned, to firmly establishing their brand in this price range Spartan needs to make some adjustments. The biggest selling factor to me are their handle graphic designs. But, at this price point, they need to improve the overall package.
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I disagree about them not intending to be used. The basis of the SHF is to be a hard use knife. It’s a robust frame lock on washers that’s meant to be used despite the fancy engravings they put on them.

I think that shows one big reason you were so disappointed. You bought a knife that’s fundamentally meant to be more of a heavy duty use knife to be a collectable showpiece.
 
kongfool said:
I did some research and shopping around last night, I did a bunch of a large variety high end premium steel collectable knives. I'd like to see Spartan Harsey line to implement more strong edge retention steels like Cru-Wear, rather than toughness and corrosion resistance steels like S45VN or Magna Cut. They'd be able to cut down production cost from steel material, and overall increase their brand design and packaging. The amount of money they'd save from using Cru-Wear would be enormous. These knives are collectables IMO, they're not going to be used in field so it's unnecessary to focus so heavily on corrosion resistance.

And just like another reply mentioned, to firmly establishing their brand in this price range Spartan needs to make some adjustments. The biggest selling factor to me are their handle graphic designs. But, at this price point, they need to improve the overall package.
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I’m curious how you came to this conclusion?

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knifesteelnerds.com

Knife Steels Rated by a Metallurgist - Toughness, Edge Retention, and Corrosion Resistance - Knife Steel Nerds

Steel Metallurgist Larrin Thomas uses tests of knife steels to rate the steels and explains the factors that control performance.
knifesteelnerds.com knifesteelnerds.com
 
Kongfool: Your disappointment is palpable. Thank you for sharing your experience. The slipshod presentation shows us all what Spartan thinks of their product and their customer base.

I bought our son a Randall #16-1, "Special Fighter" when he deployed from 29 Palms to Iraq in 2004 with the 3Rd LAR. While the knife was, and is, great, the presentation was just the knife rolled in paper and shoved into a box. Their customer service was disappointing as well.

Last year, I bought our son a Chris Reeve Sebenza 31 for his 45th birthday. As he unwrapped it, the packaging signaled how special the gift was intended to be . . . and the knife was great.
 
VorpelSword said:
Kongfool: Your disappointment is palpable. Thank you for sharing your experience. The slipshod presentation shows us all what Spartan thinks of their product and their customer base.

I bought our son a Randall #16-1, "Special Fighter" when he deployed from 29 Palms to Iraq in 2004 with the 3Rd LAR. While the knife was, and is, great, the presentation was just the knife rolled in paper and shoved into a box. Their customer service was disappointing as well.

Last year, I bought our son a Chris Reeve Sebenza 31 for his 45th birthday. As he unwrapped it, the packaging signaled how special the gift was intended to be . . . and the knife was great.
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Seriously? You're going to continue to find a reason to post this in virtually every single thread?

The first paragraph would have sufficed on its own, but please, let's move on from this constant refrain. It's become meme-worthy.
 
Blues said:
Seriously? You're going to continue to find a reason to post this in virtually every single thread?

The first paragraph would have sufficed on its own, but please, let's move on from this constant refrain. It's become meme-worthy.
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Absolutely: I view this as a customer service issue that is still open.
 
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I'm not a collector at all, but the images in the OP don't seem terrible to me... people do love good packaging though.

As luethge luethge said, I pretty much sharpen all of my knives out of the box (except for scandis) anyway, and those little scratches would happen with regular use so I wouldn't be fussed.

That said, I've been known to get emotional about purchases at times too. I'm working on it ;)
 
I've had two SH's and still have one. Both arrived very sharp with good action out of the box. Not carried a lot anymore but that's mostly because I have other favorites, not because of any issue with the knife. Actually, I may carry it soon just because.

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Thank you for your service sir and sorry to hear your experience. I’ve owned well over ten spartan harseys over the years and still have seven I believe. Majority of mine have came tight so every one I’ve received I’ve always backed the pivot out just a touch and it’s a whole different knife then. Opens and closes just as smooth as can be. So when you get the next one just back that pivot out a touch.
 
kongfool said:
These knives are collectables IMO, they're not going to be used in field so it's unnecessary to focus so heavily on corrosion resistance.
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This is tremendously off the mark. I'm a farmer who lives on an island surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. Corrosion resistance is a HUGE deal for me. I carry my SHF roughly 25 days per month and I use it multiple times whenever it's in my pocket. It's a fantastic work knife and it's designed as such. My variant just so happens to look awesome too.
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el gigantor said:
This is tremendously off the mark. I'm a farmer who lives on an island surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. Corrosion resistance is a HUGE deal for me. I carry my SHF roughly 25 days per month and I use it multiple times whenever it's in my pocket. It's a fantastic work knife and it's designed as such. My variant just so happens to look awesome too.
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Lovely knife el gigantor el gigantor - I heard that Magnacut is a lovely supersteel being very stainless and with mega edge retention - but a royal PITA to sharpen - that's why I prefer my carbons and RWL-34 knives.

My mistake I meant Maxamet - duh !

I lived on a very wet Island called the Isle of Man in a fishing village called Port St. Mary and rust was around every corner haha !

How did people cope before stainless at sea or on a farm etc - it must have been constant maintenance with wire wool, wire brushes and oiling - hard work !
 
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roaduck said:
Lovely knife el gigantor el gigantor - I heard that Magnacut is a lovely supersteel being very stainless and with mega edge retention - but a royal PITA to sharpen - that's why I prefer my carbons and RWL-34 knives.

I lived on a very wet Island called the Isle of Man in a fishing village called Port St. Mary and rust was around every corner haha !

How did people cope before stainless at sea or on a farm etc - it must have been constant maintenance with wire wool, wire brushes and oiling - hard work !
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I think you've been misinformed regarding the difficulty to sharpen MagnaCut. It also does not have mega edge retention. What it does have is an excellent balance of toughness, edge holding and corrosion resistance.

You should find it no more difficult to sharpen than RWL-34.
 
Blues said:
I think you've been misinformed regarding the difficulty to sharpen MagnaCut. It also does not have mega edge retention. What it does have is an excellent balance of toughness, edge holding and corrosion resistance.

You should find it no more difficult to sharpen than RWL-34.
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I think I got my steels mixed up - bad memory after a stroke etc - my mistake Blues.I meant Maxamet lol !
I heard Crucible Industries folded which is a great shame.
 
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