Spartan SHF or Spyderco Nirvana?

[416isToronto]

What would you pick?

Spartan Blades SHF Harsey or the Spyderco Nirvana?

Similarly priced, and sizes are not too far off either...

Here's the specs:


[table="width: 600, class: grid, align: left"]
[tr]
[td]Spartan Blades SHF
 Blade Length: 3.95"
 Cutting Edge: 3.75"
 Closed Length: 4.95"
 Overall Length: 8.625"
 Blade Material: CPM-S35VN Stainless Steel
 Blade Thickness: 0.156"
 Blade Style: Drop Point
 Blade Grind: Hollow
 Blade Finish: Stonewash
 Handle Material: Titanium
 Handle Thickness: 0.50"
 Locking Mechanism: Frame Lock
 Pivot Assembly: Bronze Washers
 Pocket Clip: Tip-Up, Right/Left Carry
 Weight: 5.8 oz.
 Designer: William Harsey
 Made in the USA
[/td]
[td]Spyderco Nirvana
 Blade Length: 3.74"
 Cutting Edge: 3.74"
 Closed Length: 4.72"
 Blade Material: CPM-S90V Stainless Steel
 Blade Style: Drop Point
 Blade Grind: Saber
 Handle Material: Titanium
 Locking Mechanism: Reeve Integral Lock (R.I.L.)
 Pocket Clip: Tip-Down, Right-Handed
Weight: 4.8 oz.
 Designer: Peter Rassenti
 Made in Taiwan
[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]
(courtesy of knifecenter)

 

[Wolverine666]

The SHF was on my buy list. That is until I found the Nirvana in stock. So I got the Nirvana and I could not be happier with it. It's perfect in every way. And it's the most beautiful knife I've ever owned. Looks like a custom. The solid one-piece titanium handle is pure artwork. Gorgeous sharp blade. Strong lock up. The machining on the titanium handle alone is jaw-dropping. The Tai Chung Spydercos reputation for exquisite work is well-deserved. I was so impressed with my Nirvana that I bought a second one.

 

[MaxFactor]

Spyderco Nirvana. Without a doubt.

 

[dodgeem33]

At those prices, neither. Am I the only one with sticker shock? I've got over 40 Spyderco's all the way back to workers, mariners and police and I know material costs etc but man 400 bucks stings!

 

[MaxFactor]

At those prices, neither. Am I the only one with sticker shock? I've got over 40 Spyderco's all the way back to workers, mariners and police and I know material costs etc but man 400 bucks stings!

I can't disagree with you; however, between these two knives I'd say the Nirvana takes the cake by a long shot.

I'll admit that I was sucked into all the hype surrounding the Nirvana and bought one the first week they were released. I even paid state tax for an online order that wasn't even fulfilled from within my state. So I dropped just over $450 for mine. Was it worth it? I think so. Still, it's not a perfect knife but I'd say that it's superior to the Spartan Harsey folder with a street price that is slightly lower.

 

[abbydaddy]

I really like my SHF, and have no interest in the Nirvana... so I voted for the SHF. I think it really just comes down to what appeals to you and what you want to do with the knife. Since I bought the SHF to use in some challenging environments, the ease of cleaning it is definitely a plus for me over an integral handle. But for me the biggest selling point of the SHF is just the ergos, the Lone Wolf T2 is pretty much the perfect knife for me, and the SHF shares its ergos.

 

[416isToronto]

Thank you for the votes & responses so far...i am still undecided...
Far as use is concerned...i think i have more than enough knives to fulfill any task specific requirements...was just thinking of getting a new knife...and these two are up there on my list...but can only get one at this time....

 

[brancron]

I have handled both of these several times, and I'm sorry to say I was unimpressed with both. The Spartan didn't feel like anything close to a $460 knife, while the Nirvana had extremely serious lock stick issues (I'm not the only one to report this) and the bead blast on the blade was off-putting.

 

[416isToronto]

I have handled both of these several times, and I'm sorry to say I was unimpressed with both. The Spartan didn't feel like anything close to a $460 knife, while the Nirvana had extremely serious lock stick issues (I'm not the only one to report this) and the bead blast on the blade was off-putting.

Wow....input greatly appreciated....

 

[HyPnOtIk]

Out of the two I would choose the Spyderco Nirvana for the looks and better blade steel. That makes it a much better buy for the money IMO.

 

[fq55]

I watched a review of this knife on youtube recently and it did not look like a knife that should cost near $500. One of the issues that I found puzzling was that both the lockface and the blade tang are carbidized. I'm not sure why they would do that or what the long term effects of that would be if any.

 

[416isToronto]

I watched a review of this knife on youtube recently and it did not look like a knife that should cost near $500. One of the issues that I found puzzling was that both the lockface and the blade tang are carbidized. I'm not sure why they would do that or what the long term effects of that would be if any.

^^Which one is that? SHF or Nirvana??

Votes are only 2 apart right now... Nirvana leading with 9 and 7 for the SHF...

And i still have not been able to make up my mind...lol

Once again any and all your input is greatly appreciated!

 

[416isToronto]

This> http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1420545-Nirvana-blade-finish-corrosion-spots

is making me really think twice about the Nirvana...

 

[Daniel Dorn]

Hinderer?

Okay, not what you're asking. Having spent the last few minutes looking at each one, I'm on the fence, as well. Some things I like better about the Nirvana (steel, handle aesthetics, handle construction) and some things I like about the Harsey (blade grind, spring clip vs. milled, stonewash finish).

As the Harsey was voted at Blade as the US-made knife of the year, that may have some weight. If pressed, I'd have to go with the Spartan Harsey, which surprises me. Thought I'd go for more gentlemanly vs. tactical, but I don't think either of these can be categorized strictly one way.

 

[Wolverine666]

Hinderer?

Okay, not what you're asking. Having spent the last few minutes looking at each one, I'm on the fence, as well. Some things I like better about the Nirvana (steel, handle aesthetics, handle construction) and some things I like about the Harsey (blade grind, spring clip vs. milled, stonewash finish).

As the Harsey was voted at Blade as the US-made knife of the year, that may have some weight. If pressed, I'd have to go with the Spartan Harsey, which surprises me. Thought I'd go for more gentlemanly vs. tactical, but I don't think either of these can be categorized strictly one way.

The Nirvana was voted Blade Import Knife of the Year 2015. Just sayin'.

 

[Misanthropia]

As a Nirvana owner, I will say that while the lock stick will go away, the relative blandness of the Spartan will not. To me, both are impractical designs intended for enthusiasts only, and in that role the Nirvana excels.

 

[fq55]

Sorry. My post was about the Spartan.

 

[EntrancedVermin]

Definitely the Nirvana, to me it just has that "it" factor and when i look at the spartan like looks pretty plan and regular. I mean the Nirvana is also milled out of a solid chunk of titanium, thats just wicked!

 

[Wolverine666]

To the OP , have you decided which knife you're going with ?

 

[416isToronto]

Hinderer?

Okay, not what you're asking. Having spent the last few minutes looking at each one, I'm on the fence, as well. Some things I like better about the Nirvana (steel, handle aesthetics, handle construction) and some things I like about the Harsey (blade grind, spring clip vs. milled, stonewash finish).

As the Harsey was voted at Blade as the US-made knife of the year, that may have some weight. If pressed, I'd have to go with the Spartan Harsey, which surprises me. Thought I'd go for more gentlemanly vs. tactical, but I don't think either of these can be categorized strictly one way.

^^^ My thoughts exactly for what each one of them has going for it! Well said! Thank you for your input!

The Nirvana was voted Blade Import Knife of the Year 2015. Just sayin'.

^^^ Yup...aware of the Blade awards...which makes the decision harder! lol

As a Nirvana owner, I will say that while the lock stick will go away, the relative blandness of the Spartan will not. To me, both are impractical designs intended for enthusiasts only, and in that role the Nirvana excels.

^^^ LoL! Great way to look at it...Spartan is definitely more traditional...

Sorry. My post was about the Spartan.

^^^ Thank you for clearing that up! was not sure which one you were talking about...

Definitely the Nirvana, to me it just has that "it" factor and when i look at the spartan like looks pretty plan and regular. I mean the Nirvana is also milled out of a solid chunk of titanium, thats just wicked!

^^^ Gotta agree, certainly very cool how the Nirvana is made....

To the OP , have you decided which knife you're going with ?

^^^ Perhaps....certainly leaning more in one direction now...