Spartan Knives - Huge Disappointment

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kongfool said:
I think the post I was writing will take care of that, I agree "I jumped the gun". I'm glad I made the post though, or I wouldn't be able to see all these beautiful knives!
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The title of your thread is the problem.

You posted an attack upon the entire company rather than allow their customer service department make it right.

My Spartan with CQ issues became a hard use knife. Not a blanket complaint.

Edge Geometry, Heat Treatment and Customer Service: a different kind of 'trinity'. Spartan has a place in those ranks. Especially in hard use!
 
IMG_9934.jpegHad a regular and a 3.25, they were both fantastic! I let the 3.25 go, but still have this large one and it’s definitely a favorite of mine. Rock solid and very sharp, with an incredibly smooth action. I also have nothing but high praise for DLT. Just my .02


Lance
 
kongfool said:
I'd like to clarify, the reason why I personally was disappointed by receiving a dull factory edge knife is the fact I'm disabled. I lack the motor capabilities to sharpen a knife to my liking.
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This is a legitimate issue, as I said. And far from the first I've heard of it. They should (and probably will) correct that.

kongfool said:
Secondly, I've been in the Import/Export business for over 15 years since I left the military. Trust me when I say, to include a simple case with logos attached would cost you $1.50 a piece even if you put in a small oder MOQ of 1000 pieces. You as a knife maker, I'd assume you want your product to be respected and recognized? A good overall packaging would highlight a beautifully designed, manufacture knife. It would boost the overall quality of the product. It's not that how much we as customers care for the packaging, it's what a high quality knife should have. I wouldn't dare to think that a $500 knife would come in a maple wood box, hand crafted and all that. But to show up in a cheap cardboard box with a plastic bag and a sticker is kinda crazy. When these lower, cheap budget brands like Civivi and M Miguron, even those come with a zip up bag with a micro fiber towelette and stickers. But, I don't think it's absolutely necessary it's just personal preference. I only learned of the Spartan Harsey line from other knife collectors, and I heard nothing but great things. So I think I just had too high of an expectation, perhaps it was too high.
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I've sold many of my $2000 folders with just a $6 zipper pouch and a sticker. Buyers seemed happy. 🤷‍♂️

Now they come with zipper pouch, soft-cloth drawstring bag, sticker and C.O.A. and cheap cardboard box (a far cry from $1.50 by the way).

Additionally, you griped about the packaging stating it wouldn't cost more than $1.50 to do it right but also griped that it's just a cheap cardboard box. How does Spartan win that?
 
Steely_Gunz said:
I bought a 2023 Magnacut Momento Mori that I was a bit underwhelmed with due to the centering of the blade and uneven grind.

Spartan customer service was awesome. They came out of the gates saying that that was unacceptable. They paid to ship the knife both ways, turned it around to me in about a week start to finish, and sent me a couple of stickers and a really nice American made ball cap as bonus swag.

The SHF is what I am going to call a classic design. It's not really cutting edge, it's nice if you want that fitted feel of titanium on steel lock up there you can't get from CRK anymore. Their edges are made for hard use, not really precise cutting. They are sharp but fat and not slicey.

I really like mine and I think they are worth the money, but they are not an elegant tool by most measures ;)View attachment 2980711
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I’m actually looking at getting a Harsey Folder. Steel on Ti is a big reason why. Strider still makes their knives like that. Sharpening I can fix, but I do believe it’s indicative of the mindset of a QC department. I mean, it’s a knife after all. It’s got one primary job.

Maybe someone can answer this. My favorite quality of the Sebenza 21 was being able to reassemble it however you want and tighten every screw down all the way. The knife required zero tuning or tweaking to run and lock up perfectly. Does the SHF share that attribute? I can safely say the 31 does not. I bought three thinking it was me….
 
kylemiller said:
I’m actually looking at getting a Harsey Folder. Steel on Ti is a big reason why. Strider still makes their knives like that. Sharpening I can fix, but I do believe it’s indicative of the mindset of a QC department. I mean, it’s a knife after all. It’s got one primary job.

Maybe someone can answer this. My favorite quality of the Sebenza 21 was being able to reassemble it however you want and tighten every screw down all the way. The knife required zero tuning or tweaking to run and lock up perfectly. Does the SHF share that attribute? I can safely say the 31 does not. I bought three thinking it was me….
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I have not taken my SHF apart, but I don't think so. I don't think you can really get a blade off center like mine was (noticeable but not BAD) and not have it easily tuned out with just the pivot. I probably could have "fixed" mine if I had loosened the slabs and sorta tightened it back like the lug nuts on a car.

My large Inkosi can be put together perfectly from scratch, but I feel like the Spartan knives need the tuning. The titanium on steel does feel really nice though. Lock up is great. I don't see a need in taking the SHF apart anyway because it doesn't use grease pockets like the Inkosi that get full of crud.
 
Delgadonine said:
The title of your thread is the problem.

You posted an attack upon the entire company rather than allow their customer service department make it right.

My Spartan with CQ issues became a hard use knife. Not a blanket complaint.

Edge Geometry, Heat Treatment and Customer Service: a different kind of 'trinity'. Spartan has a place in those ranks. Especially in hard use!
Click to expand...
The title of the thread is perfectly legitimate. The OP has not "Attacked" anyone.

The OP bought a $500-00 folder from a Spartan authorised dealer. The knife arrived blunt and with blemishes. He was disappointed with the purchase and posted such.

He is not disputing the provenance of the knife. He is not saying the materials or heat treat is bad or that the knife is not up to hard use.
He is saying that a $500-00 knife sold as a premium product should arrive in perfect condition from the factory able to do what knives are designed for..........to cut!
I have no doubt that Mark and Curtiss will make this right and solve the problem. They are a brilliant company.

What you have chosen to accept or do with your knives is your business, but it is not a metric to judge others by.
 
kongfool said:
I'd like to clarify, the reason why I personally was disappointed by receiving a dull factory edge knife is the fact I'm disabled. I lack the motor capabilities to sharpen a knife to my liking.

Secondly, I've been in the Import/Export business for over 15 years since I left the military. Trust me when I say, to include a simple case with logos attached would cost you $1.50 a piece even if you put in a small oder MOQ of 1000 pieces. You as a knife maker, I'd assume you want your product to be respected and recognized? A good overall packaging would highlight a beautifully designed, manufacture knife. It would boost the overall quality of the product. It's not that how much we as customers care for the packaging, it's what a high quality knife should have. I wouldn't dare to think that a $500 knife would come in a maple wood box, hand crafted and all that. But to show up in a cheap cardboard box with a plastic bag and a sticker is kinda crazy. When these lower, cheap budget brands like Civivi and M Miguron, even those come with a zip up bag with a micro fiber towelette and stickers. But, I don't think it's absolutely necessary it's just personal preference. I only learned of the Spartan Harsey line from other knife collectors, and I heard nothing but great things. So I think I just had too high of an expectation, perhaps it was too high.

From the responses I've gotten here, I'm happy to see that the majority SHF owners all had awesome experiences with Spartan brand. Also, an update from DLT Trading, they've contacted Spartan on my behalf and will fix all the issues and send it back to me after. So, with all that being said, I'm very happy with the result and customer service from DLT Trading. I am going to buy my next SHF next month, so my wife don't see in our CC bill that I'm slowly building up a SHF collection! 😂 😂
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I agree with you about packaging in general. While any swag that comes with a knife has zero bearing on how it performs in actual use, I admit that attention to those extra little details in the packaging do add to the experience and first impressions of unpacking a new knife, especially one at that price point. When that includes a storage pouch or bag, I most definitely use them when the knife is not in use. Saying that, though, I think it’s possible that it’s a conscious choice by Spartan to not include them in the packaging. This is just a wild-ass guess here, but if they intend for their knives to be heavily used, and maybe even a little abused, a cushy pouch doesn’t fit that narrative. And maybe there’s a little psych affect going on as well, in that you might be less likely to grab it and go if it’s tucked away out of sight in a pouch than one that isn’t. I know that’s a bit of a stretch, considering how many models of theirs are artfully decorated on the outside, and personally I would be much less likely to beat on one of those than a plain-Jane example. But that’s the only reasoning I can come up with, other than they’re just counting pennies … which is probably the more likely scenario.
 
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Delgadonine said:
The title of your thread is the problem.

You posted an attack upon the entire company rather than allow their customer service department make it right.

My Spartan with CQ issues became a hard use knife. Not a blanket complaint.

Edge Geometry, Heat Treatment and Customer Service: a different kind of 'trinity'. Spartan has a place in those ranks. Especially in hard use!
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I like the way you said it better. :)
 
I dislike expensive bulky packaging and useless swag. I have zero use for it and it takes up valuable space. I buy a knife for the knife...not the stuff that makes it cost more and is basically expensive trash. now if i had a small handful of knives or bought and sold often...... I might not care as much...but I got a lot of knives in my collection. so it isn't just a shelf in my closet that gets used up.

I got 4 shf full size. all mine came in good condition and sharp. I own a bunch of their other knives and have had all good experiences with all of them. im also happy with the lack of sharpening choil on the shf. trimming things, as an example, pineapple plant leaves...the sharpening choil catches and causes a tear and unclean cut. so it forces another slower cut using the middle of the blade. I wouldn't mind if they sharpened it further back though, but as is i prefer it to a sharpening choil, in use.
 
See
kongfool said:
I'd like to clarify, the reason why I personally was disappointed by receiving a dull factory edge knife is the fact I'm disabled. I lack the motor capabilities to sharpen a knife to my liking.

Secondly, I've been in the Import/Export business for over 15 years since I left the military. Trust me when I say, to include a simple case with logos attached would cost you $1.50 a piece even if you put in a small oder MOQ of 1000 pieces. You as a knife maker, I'd assume you want your product to be respected and recognized? A good overall packaging would highlight a beautifully designed, manufacture knife. It would boost the overall quality of the product. It's not that how much we as customers care for the packaging, it's what a high quality knife should have. I wouldn't dare to think that a $500 knife would come in a maple wood box, hand crafted and all that. But to show up in a cheap cardboard box with a plastic bag and a sticker is kinda crazy. When these lower, cheap budget brands like Civivi and M Miguron, even those come with a zip up bag with a micro fiber towelette and stickers. But, I don't think it's absolutely necessary it's just personal preference. I only learned of the Spartan Harsey line from other knife collectors, and I heard nothing but great things. So I think I just had too high of an expectation, perhaps it was too high.

From the responses I've gotten here, I'm happy to see that the majority SHF owners all had awesome experiences with Spartan brand. Also, an update from DLT Trading, they've contacted Spartan on my behalf and will fix all the issues and send it back to me after. So, with all that being said, I'm very happy with the result and customer service from DLT Trading. I am going to buy my next SHF next month, so my wife don't see in our CC bill that I'm slowly building up a SHF collection! 😂 😂
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Don’t ever buy a new Strider knife then lol. They come in a long zip lock type baggie. No sticker no box just a tactical zip lock haha
 
Steven65 said:
The title of the thread is perfectly legitimate. The OP has not "Attacked" anyone.

The OP bought a $500-00 folder from a Spartan authorised dealer. The knife arrived blunt and with blemishes. He was disappointed with the purchase and posted such.

He is not disputing the provenance of the knife. He is not saying the materials or heat treat is bad or that the knife is not up to hard use.
He is saying that a $500-00 knife sold as a premium product should arrive in perfect condition from the factory able to do what knives are designed for..........to cut!
I have no doubt that Mark and Curtiss will make this right and solve the problem. They are a brilliant company.

What you have chosen to accept or do with your knives is your business, but it is not a metric to judge others by.
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The OP didn't ask for help.

The OP was 'disappointed'.

I didn't 'judge' anyone unfairly.

The OP 'judged' a company based on one knife.

Isnt that unfair?
 
Delgadonine said:
The OP didn't ask for help.

The OP was 'disappointed'.

I didn't 'judge' anyone unfairly.

The OP 'judged' a company based on one knife.

Isnt that unfair?
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The forum isn't always about asking for help. It is also for sharing experiences. Most sales are straight forward and returns as well. Help is, more often than not, unnecessary.

You are correct, he was disappointed.
He purchased a $500-00 premium folder from a premium U.S. company to discover that the knife shipped from the factory with blemishes and a blunt blade. Any normal purchaser would be disappointed.

The OP absolutely did not judge Spartan as a company. He said nothing unfavourable about the ownership/management or other products.
He pointed out that his sole buying experience was not a good one and that was it. You may not agree with him, that is certainly your right, but he is entitled to post his buying experience without prejudice.
 
scorpnsnake said:
Appreciate your service, Sir!

I've had a few good experiences with them and really like the design. They aren't slicers, they are cutters though.

Both had to wear in with a little time, which I prefer, especially with washer knives. Metal parts are either wearing in or wearing out. :)

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That slo-mo is the shizznitt......😉👍👍👍
 
Steely_Gunz said:
I have not taken my SHF apart, but I don't think so. I don't think you can really get a blade off center like mine was (noticeable but not BAD) and not have it easily tuned out with just the pivot. I probably could have "fixed" mine if I had loosened the slabs and sorta tightened it back like the lug nuts on a car.

My large Inkosi can be put together perfectly from scratch, but I feel like the Spartan knives need the tuning. The titanium on steel does feel really nice though. Lock up is great. I don't see a need in taking the SHF apart anyway because it doesn't use grease pockets like the Inkosi that get full of crud.
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I’m not a compulsive knife disassembler either, I just think it speaks to the overall quality when it goes together like that. The 21 was really lightning in a bottle. Might not even see anything like it again.
 
Delgadonine said:
The title of your thread is the problem.

You posted an attack upon the entire company rather than allow their customer service department make it right.

My Spartan with CQ issues became a hard use knife. Not a blanket complaint.

Edge Geometry, Heat Treatment and Customer Service: a different kind of 'trinity'. Spartan has a place in those ranks. Especially in hard use!
Click to expand...
I think the comments reveal a pattern though. Spartan makes a great product but they have a little work to do in the QC department. I think that’s fair to say and doesn’t trash the company. They’re very close, if anything it’s complimentary.
 
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