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Spartan-Harsey Plague Doctor: Is it all hype??
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 เม.ย. 2021
- Grab a drink and sit down with me while I talk about where the SHF falls short and where it excels as a true EDC knife. There is SO much hype surrounding this knife, it almost kept me from buying one, so if you feel the same, join me and let's take a realistic look at it together.
A popular dealer put Spartan plague dr’s.for sale with the s45 vn and they sold out in minutes if not seconds, I commented on their IG post and a wonderful member of our community offered his brand new plague dr. to me for a super reasonable price. It hadn’t even broken in yet. It is now completely broke n in. I have since had a taro craft black leather slip made for me and I have been loving my plague dr. My plague dr is the smoothest washer action. As smooth as my sebenza 31
That's Hella cool! Congrats
I’m glad to hear that the action on your knife was smooth, because mine wasn’t! I’m referring to my brand new Spartan Harsey 3.25. It flipped fine, but in attempting to drop the blade shut, I could feel what felt like grinding in the pivot area. At first I thought it was a bad bearing, but then I realized it has washers. So I got down with a strong light and a magnifying glass to see if I could see what was going on. Sure enough, the grinding started the instant the indent ball engaged the blade, and stopped the instant it dropped into the detent hole (that part invisible to me). Apparently, the track the detent ball rides in was not smooth. I could see that its depth and width varied along its length. As the ball moved along that track, it was constantly grabbing and letting go, in a minute way, and so felt rough. These knives are supposed to have exceptionally smooth actions. This one was certainly the roughest I ever experienced, even in the cheapest knives! As the reader might expect, I started to process a return immediately…
I have been looking long and hard at that Plague Doctor knife. This 3.25 was meant to be a more practical alternative to a full size Harsey, but it might be nice to commemorate the plague, i.e. the COVID-19 pandemic. This knife seems well suited to that task!
If not the Plague Doctor, there’s always the Spartan Babe…
It looks like an amazing knife.I love the artwork on that knife the ano is amazing.
Looking good is about all it does
Instantly liked your video for the Maga-zine.
I just scored the Warthog version for $400, I just couldn't pass up that price, plus the Warthog artwork is just freaking amazing. It's hard to beat this knife for $400.
I just got the Monkeyedge frag patern version in blue anodized titanium. A knife with a lot of presence.
Melting hand grip like no others in the production lines- at least for my hand. But got to agree with your point, Jim, on the lockbar sharp edge and the somewhat flimsy clip. Nonetheless, a superbe tool.
Jim, It's 2024 Now and I was looking at this knife Recently and thinking that this knife could be looked at, for the Last 4 Years of my life and thinking"This would be a Great way to Comemerate the last 4 stinking Years"!
Exactly. Who knew this shit would get dragged out for so long!!
@@JimSkeltonKnives Good Work on your stuff man, most dont know a thing about Props,lighting and background(and i am more of a Man than some commenters know)It is really hard for guys like You because most don't have the Eye for Excellence.I am from Pgh. but lived in LA and worked in Beverly Hills selling The most beautiful, expensive sht. to the most famous people that walk the earth! You have Most Likely the Best presentations of Many because of your Eye! More Custom knifemakers should pay attention! just thought i'd make ya feel Good Today Brother!
@@scottwilson1258 thanks! I really appreciate it
Just purchased this knife 2 days ago. They seem to addressed a lot of the criticisms you had. Mine looks a little different than yours, same size but one less backspacer, which I like, it doesn’t get into the artwork. The pivot on mine is the same color as the rest of the backspacers, I find is a plus. It looks like they took the pivot, made it slightly bigger to act as an over travel stop. I do like the artwork around one of your pivots, Mine does not have that. The part I can’t figure out is you said you paid 650 I’m assuming that was on the secondary market. These knives are still available at knife Center for $100 less, just curious as to what’s going on. Maybe people just don’t like knife center lol. Very informative video thank you very much.
I don’t live under a rock and follow a lot of different reviewers. I never saw the hype of the knife and just got one in 2022 and is the dlt trading warthog exclusive and it’s very good and also very pretty. I am really enjoying the knife.
Hey Jim can I sharpen the Harsey with the wicked edge without putting a recurve in the blade after a while? I use to free hand and I didn’t have that problem but ever since my accident I can no longer freehand. I’m glad you talked about the edge termination because I am not a pro sharpener and like an idiot I am one of the ones who talked about a termination like that however that’s why I love to learn and now I will do my research to learn the correct way 👌🏻
I can’t say from experience because I use my grinder to do my edges. However, I *believe* that someone on TH-cam did a demo of how to do it.
I just got one a week ago and they've apparently made some design changes. The lockbar overtravel stop is not the hinderer style anymore, it actually stops on a larger lockside pivot. Show and lock side pivots are the same size now. There's no sharp edge at the end of the lockbar. Not on mine at least. They must have changed the detent as well because mine rolls open with ease just like my Sebenza. As a left handed person I appreciate being able to swap the clip but I do agree it would be nice to have a dedicated LH model. All my CRKs are and when Hinderer offered some at the end of the last year I got a LH XM-18. Great review. Glad to see they're making changes as time goes on.
As a fellow lefty I just carry this one in the right handed clip orientation. Swapping the clip over and covering up the Plague Doctor show side scale makes it look sooo ugly!
@@stephenWVU4life That's actually why I haven't bought the PD version. I just can't bring myself to cover it up with the clip and if I spend that much on a knife I want to carry, I want to carry it left handed. So I have the plain ones. I do have a couple of knives that are RH only but they're mostly just for the collection because I liked the design.
I just started getting used to carrying some knives right handed and others left handed. But yeah that’s definitely not one I’d ever cover up the scale on!
Just bought the Spartan Babe 2021 edition, looks awesome can't wait to get her, going to have to sell 2 to justify the cost but well worth it I think.
For the life of me I cannot understand the lack of a pivot standoff in these and the Hinderers. From a structural stand point not having one creates unnecessary lateral play and stresses in the blade, hardware, and frame. And they, like Hinderer, use much smaller washers than a Sebenza without large grease pockets. That is why CRK's have unmatched hydraulic action.
Was between this and a Zaan, went with the CRK. Still really like this blade. Great vid as always.
Nice I did the opposite, now time to get a umnumzan. How is the action on the crk
@@benjamindelannee3501 perfect as everyone mentions🤣👌
This knife is a perfect example of what bothers me most about the knife community; people value hype more than a quality product. The clip, exposed stop pin, weight, run of the mill blade finish, plunges, and sharpness aside, that massive lock bar cutout, no lock bar insert, and a sharp edge on the lock release, any one on their own would be a deal killer for me.
You seem pretty informed what would you recommend around this size and price range?
@@MegaHalomegabloksAre you looking for something rugged to use, something pretty to collect, or something fun to play with?
I just bought the newer verision (pivots on both sides match in size) plague doctor blue ano with the stonewash. I paid $395. I can't wait - I watched this video when it came out, and still hadn't collected one. There are many of the top notch variants on eBay at the moment with damascus, but I think those are to busy - that with the engraving is too much - those arenow selling for what you stated you paid for yours - guess they didn't appreciate in value like you thought. I'm stoked under 4 bills for mine! Suhweeet! oh, and while it is stiff, I can slow roll it without much work - not slick, but looking forward to that day - do you still own yours? or did you sell it? Also, I had no idea you helped design some Tuya knives! I just bought a Voodoo, and in searching see your name on a few - that first comparison was one of yours right?
This Harsey folder design has always DONE it for me...even in a plain Jane package...like a Micarts scaled T3 Lone Wolf...
I’d love to see some 3D machining/sculpting of the handle like on a Spyderco Slysz Bowie
I do like getting a padded zipper pouch ....but I’d rather that $$ go into finishing , or come off the price....Chris Reeve’s white box special w/sticker is all the packaging I need
It is the first time this design has been offered in a full Titanium model...🤷🏼♂️...that could have something to do with the hype...
The Fantoni HB01 (which I believe you reviewed Jim🤗) has nice thick-ish Ti liners under g10 or CF...
I bought a small SHF Plague Doctor for the same reason after getting through the plague twice. I've got a couple this size, too, and agree they're a bit beefy for EDC. The second one I grabbed only because I finally got the one with the trees and Nichols damascus, my first full size is a sugar skulls and is just a user.
So glad I heard the bit about the detent not allowing a slow opening. I can't stand that without a flipper tab. Appreciate the review!
I paid $550 for my Plague Doctor, and I think it’s worth it. Now, I absolutely love my small 21 Insingo micarta Sebenza (it’s my EDC), but I really get some satisfaction from the thick, more brutalist, feeling of this knife.
totally agree, most people do not use their knives enough to justify sharpening it every other time they use it. just strop it!! lol
Is this the green or blue version? I’ve seen both! I love the coloration of yours!! Thanks for the video!
@@brentbarnfield8284 this is the green.
I love mine, but I'm on the opposite side of the spectrum as far as aesthetics go. I like plain Jane and not so much for the graphics, although I still think some of the designs are cool, this one included. Good score Mr. Skelton 👏🏻
Would you be open to parting with it? I could definitely work w you on the price?
@@willhernandez7687 not looking to let it go. Good luck!
@@OnTheEdge72 Thanks brother. Don't blame you at all!
@@willhernandez7687 I have pictures of it on Instagram if you want to check it out, same username 🤘🏻
I didn't even notice the lock bar gap until you said something. Damn it is huge
I LOVE the engraving/coloring they're pulling off, but the blade shape makes it "meh" for me. I really want to get over it and grab one, but for some reason, I just can't.
And love the classic Jim skeleton knife review THE GOAT of knife reviews. You were the pioneer in this game and NOBODY can review a knife like you. Oh and by the way this Spartan Harsey when broken in the blade falls like it’s on beatings. Insane smoothness!
I've bought dozens of high end knives, and although I know of Spartan, I had not heard of the designer. From the comments below, I see I am not the only one.
I’m working on my review and testing on the knife right now and damn I am so glad you drop your video because I felt like a total asshole because I just didn’t understand the hype especially when compared to others in the same price range. I think the lock face is just bare titanium not carbarized or carbodized. Mine has bad lock stick and not smooth at all but I’m sure it will break in. Also I wish the standoffs were locator points but they are not set into the scales so you can get so much variation in the action and centering if you try to make any adjustments. Lastly the edge termination is absolutely ugly and once you sharpen it once you will start to create a recurve. Well I’m done ranting, excellent video and maybe I’m just being way to nitpicky
I have had my MagnanCut DiVince Spartan Harsey folder for two weeks. I have never used a pocket clip on any knife and would prefer no clip. I dislike the fact I can't get my thumb in to release the lock. Why not chamfer the inside of the lock?
I have no issues with my variant but I have XL hands and big thumbs, so maybe more meat to squish in there - my first frame lock knife - I usually go for bar lock or button... I'm digging the extra fidget factor
I feel like some of your points are translatable to the xm-18. Do you think Hinderer is starting to get left behind?
I like classics. Some designs can and will live forever. This one, the XM series, the Sebenza... they all fit that niche. But customers crave “new”, and Rick is constantly tweaking current models as well as designing new ones, so that he isn’t left behind.
Knife enter has some in stock now at $550. Mine should arrive by Saturday.
Spartan has been making this Harsey design for a few years now...I do want to pick one up to set along side my Gerber Airframes, Lone Wolf T2, and Fantoni HB01s....all based on the same Harsey design..🤗
There’s a Reeve Harsey connection as well...
Great video Jim, a very candid and honest review. Thanks for taking the time to give us your thoughts on this Stunning (IMO), Knife. PEACE :-)
Always wonderful presentation.
My tactile bexar has a latent rectangular image of a sticker on one of the dlc scales. Wipe alcohol and it sticks out like a sore thumb. A little oil and buffing it disappears.
Another awesome Review Jim! From the master knife reviewer, never get tired of your videos ,and what a Beautiful Knife, definitely worth the wait 👍🏼
Thank you
That is gorgeous 😍
Just to put the knife in context. Bill makes tactical knives in the sense that its intended for combat. The spartan 3.25 is actually an edc style and size
Also has month and year of manufacture under the filler tab
Love the video, literally the video I was looking for before deciding if I wanted to buy the same blade.
You mention CR Sebenza, I do agree on most your statements with the CR blades, but aren’t they made in production as well?
I’m curious to know how well the finish on the scales will hold up.
WOW VERY BEAUTIFUL . THANK YOU FOR SHARING. I GOT A ASTOR IN THE FAKE CARBON FIBER. THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS WITH US. 🙏
Seen the maga-zine and subbed immediately!
I have owned three and all three have had serious lockup issues. I love the size and feel but the lockup issues were all dealbreakers. I really wish harsey would put out a similar design with another manufacturer.
The really need to put a lockbar insert in. I’ve had a couple and none have a smooth lock disengagement.
Ok, Jim I’m going all in after watching your review....this better take the wrinkles out my sack and tickle my butthole😂
I dig the Maga-zine
I like thicker knifes so this knife is perfect for me
Dude you crack me up 😂💀
The Ti has some of the best color control and art I've seen on a factory piece.
450 for a sebenza vs 460 for the shf. Shf is more worth it. That knife cost 550. Just like a micarta sebenza. Which also has proud hardware by the way
Were would you place a hoback radford on your scale. Would also wonder would you choose a reate k4 over this?
2 videos in 3 day? Christmas came early
Thank you for this video.
I'm a knife nut, I was never really impressed with the Harsey knife. The deal breaker was no sharpening choil.
Hey its a damn fine cave tho boss thanks for sharing your knowledge and input
Always liked the artwork on their knives but yeah, that gap kills any chance of me dishing out the cash for one
I’m new to Spartan. Would you recommend replacing the clip?
So many people have reviewed this so I'm not going to go into crazy detail....... 36 mins later...
I agree with all of your complaints and even @ $550 I feel it could have been better. Given all that I feel I would get my investment back should I decide to sell it in the future.
I just scooped up thee at Michael in s45 is pretty cool
Hey Jim, just found your channel. I need your help here. I’ve been considering a Harsey folder for a few months now. It seems pretty great. The problem is, I’ve been in love with the Reate K2 for 2 or 3 years now, and the fact you pulled one out to compare in this video….I had to leave this comment. I’m aware of price differences, bearings vs washers and all that. I’ve done my homework to a ridiculous degree. I have to ask; if you were to select only one as your EDC, the Plague Doc or the K2, who do you go with? Thanks for your time. Really enjoyed this review and I’m planning on checking out more of your content.
Honestly, it would simply come
Down to whether I wanted a flipper or a manual folder. One is just as nicely made as the other, both are stout, tough framelocks and I get equal joy from them. It will just come down to personal preference. Normally I’d be able to break it down better, but that’s really it between those two.
Okay fair enough. Thanks for the reply. Damn I wish there was a clear winner. Haha! I mean, I have 1 flipper and about 15 manual folders, but I’m concerned about bearing cleaning and maintenance. Anyway, appreciate your time. Have a good one sir!
I love the plague doctor but damn is it big. If it was 8” and they ran their heat treat a bit harder I would be all over it
When’s that new knife collection video coming out????
Even later to the game then you, just what I needed to hear. Hard pass on these, was hoping for a production Q36
You mean like an RJ Martin Q36? Oh nooooo. Not a flipper and not nearly the same size or profile. Wildly different kind of action feel too. This is more closely compared to a Sebenza or similar.
@@JimSkeltonKnives
Yea man, been dreaming of a user Q36 for a long time and from 30,000 feet this didn’t look too bad. Non flipper tickled my butthole even more, I not a huge fan of flippers. I guess I’ll have to wait it out.
LMFAO we stick it in a rubbermaid bin and see it when we sell or trade the knife. That's fucking exactly what I do. I have two SHFs. One is a full size and one is a 3.25
Well Jim I’ve been living up here in Washington state under the Whidbey Island Rock because this is the first review o this maker and knife! Hahahaha 😂😅😂🤣
As unsightly as that gap is, Jim, seeing you park a Miata in there would have been VERY sightly!
Or maybe an MR2 😉
I remember way back when Lone Wolf Knives produced the Harsey T1/T2/T3, how badly I wanted one. The tip-up-only carry and liner lock ended up making me look elsewhere, but I always liked the shape. This thing looks like everything the T1 should have been. That anodizing is absolutely beautiful. I think it'd be nice to see a stainless steel lockbar insert, but with titanium that thick I'm not entirely sure it's necessary.
Lockbar inserts are nice, but not a requirement. A visit to any CRK group will show you 20+ year old knives where the lock has settled and has no problems. I’m not saying lockbar inserts are a gimmick, but they’re not as important as some would make it seem.
Profile-wise it owes a bit to Lone Wolf also.
Very nice knife but I think I’d rather have one of the pandemic XM-18’s Rick built when he was the only one in the shop...
LOL not getting into detail...
Toolsforgents.com has a used golden compass...
Keep them reviews coming.
Thank you.
This blade definitely pulls the wrinkles right out of my sack
They're cool, and I'd own one but I'm not lusting after it
For me personally it just didn’t have the features action or fit and finish for the price tag it has. Action was gritty and stiff even after break in my scales were a little rough around the edges and no sharpening choil? Seriously? On a supposed hard use folder. Dosent add up at all
The full size warthog will drop tomorrow too
Firstly: thanks for letting me know. Secondly: fuuuuuuck
I must have been living under a rock then - I've never seen a review, until this one ;-}
I knew the knife existed from their website, and thought they were a bit spendy, and I already have a Harsey Design (Fantoni HB-03). It too has a nicely radiused plunge grind, but no sharpening choil, so, as you say, if you don't know how to sharpen/don't have the gear, it can be an issue.
Devils advocate here - the knife never came to you from the factory - are you sure the sharp lock face left that way?
That thing would be beautiful with a Damascus blade
You might have already seen by the time I made this comment, but they did make them with Damascus blades
I was shocked that you bought that knife. Your a custom guy
I recently called and asked, I'm a lefty after all. CRK makes 6% of knives left handed.
That’s great info to have, Thank you. Also: I’m not knocking weirdo lefties, I’m actually a lefty, but only for writing. I’m right hand dominant for everything else.
Just got a MV like the one in ur vid. Its no lightweight either...
The clip is TITANIUM!! Not spring metal!! ;-}. MM
I dig it 🤙
Can’t get video to load 😢
This is the first I've heard of this thing. Glad to get it from you first🤙. The first thing I looked for after price and availability was internal milling of lightning pockets. I'm into the art but lost on the package. Great video brotatochip!
Isn’t that knife 550?
It was. I’ve seen one left on the net and it’s $550.00. Some of the bigger knife stores had it for a little less..
I prefer a bent pocket clip. Fuck that sculpted shit.
I hate all these lightweight knives. I'm a man, I need some weight to my knife. I need to know it's there and know it's strong and solid.
Just received my copy with the Damascus blade and while opening it is nice. Closing it is a different story and I blame the frame lock. Spartan/Harsey's design is the opposite of what most other frame locks are done. As I two hand close it, I can feel the frame lock apply force on the blade. So I am pretty sure the only way Spartan fixes this is by having to slightly bend the frame lock outward and I am not sure I want them to do that!
I see Reeve's knives are the same and I will be avoiding both companies in the future.
The Plague Doctor is a beautiful knife and I'll keep it for what it represents to me during this pandemic, but the design and workmanship is not worth the price tag it came with. Boker Magnum comes out with some sweet looking designs for $30 and I rather get one of those instead.
You sold me on a Sebenza first
Got it!!
good shit
I’m going to end up buying one now Jim.....after 2 years of “thinking about it”.....
“.....Tickle my butt hole”....😂😂😂😂😂
I noticed the lock bar cut out when this model first came out...it’s big and sloppy considering the supposed level of this knife...Taichung cuts a smaller relief for Spyderco on their many Ti frame locks...
It doesn’t need to be sliver thin...just smaller than that cavernous gulf
You’ve mentioned many times in your reviews, that a pocket clip seemed like a “after thought” when it fell short design-wise of the knife it was on...this clip does not match up to the overall design...the arrow cut out is cool...
Much like the lock bar cut out which is huge and looks even bigger because of the “height” of the knife as viewed from the back, the proportions of the clip do not contribute to a overall aesthetic
The blade profile is as classic as Teruola’s ATCF ...imo
Meh, for the price I'd rather just get a Chris Reeves. Not a big fan of paying an extra $200 for engraving etc. Nobody's going to be impressed that your knife looks that fancy, and I don't really see the reason for making something like this an EDC if you aren't doing so to try and impress other people with the look of the knife.
That has always bugged me a knife where its made for a right handed person, why do they need to accommodate lefties? Just make left handed knives. right handed and left handed people now have to deal with holes all over the knife, they need to stop doing that, especially on production knives, it doesn't matter if its a cheap knife or not, just make left and right handed knives.
$650 for that knife is comical…just my two cents
Not understanding value in today’s market is comical to me 🤷♂️. They sell every one they make. And people flip them on the secondary for a tidy profit and they sell as fast as they’re listed.
Did you really put Mick Strider on the same sentence as Chris Reeve?
The “Big 3” as we’ve known them are Reeve, Hinderer and Strider. It has nothing to do with whether or not you like him or his knives. I tried to be as clear as I could when I defined that in the video.
@@JimSkeltonKnives "
The “Big 3” as we’ve known them are Reeve, Hinderer and Strider."
We? CR has been a full time knife maker since the early 80's, but I can still remember the firefighter that was struggling to keep up with orders for his custom knives in Bladeforums (great looking knives) that you now place alongside CRK.
I don't think we are speaking the same language.
Just because everything now cost the same as a Sebenza (have you looked at the price of a Spartan Harsey Folder lately?) it doesn't mean the companies are at the same level.
"Strider knives" doesn't even exist anymore.
I'm frankly confused as to which metric you are using to stack these three makers together beyond "they all make great knives".
There might be better knives, but no one cares, everyone will compare your new knife to a Sebenza or every question about which knife to get will be answered with "get a Sebenza and be done with it".
CRK is on their own level, they are the Rolex of the knife world.
Strider and Hinderer? I think you can put them together in the same category. They make great knives, but they are no CRK.
@@CorkKNIFE you’re definitely reading way too deep into this
@@theone76779 Just asking for clarification.
I wonder where poor Mr. Emerson fits into all of this if Strider and HInderer are in "the big three" but he's not.
@@CorkKNIFE Emerson production knives.. while the blades and ergot are great EVERYTHING else is nowhere near the three other makers mentioned. That’s clear as day.
MESSAGE ME IF YOU WANNA SELL!?!??!??!
Not for me
Mick Strider? Really? Stolen valor is your thing?
Who said I support that?
Also, I haven’t watched this since I uploaded it… where was I talking about Mick Strider in this video??
@@JimSkeltonKnives you named him at the beginning as one of the makers everyone wants to be. Along with Reeve and Hinderer. He shouldn't be mentioned in the same breath.
@@jstraw13 Well, the “holy trinity” has always been Chris Reeve Knives, Hinderer Knives and Strider knives. This is in reference to popularity, sales numbers and longevity in the industry with evergreen designs. Not about the maker’s personality, past or relationships. Marfione and Medford are also in the same league. The size each of these 5 brands has achieved is the goal of just about every knifemaker you’ll meet.
wouldn't pay more than 175 for this and it will 100% be out of Jim's collection within the next 8 months.
Well, then you’d basically only be paying for the raw materials and a couple extra bucks. 🤷♂️
There are Many flaws in this knife, from an engineering standpoint. I'm shocked you would say this is a great knife without even taking it apart. This is a $300 knife, no more. A fool and his $! As long as people like you continue to spend upwards of 5- $650 they'll Never address those issues. By the way Bill Harsey Designed this knife, he Didn't build it. Shame!!!
Even with all of those improvements it needs, $650 is still way too much
Maybe to you, and that’s fine. But they sell every one that they make, and they sell on the secondary market very quickly, even at higher than retail. Listings in the groups generally last minutes to hours.
@@JimSkeltonKnives that's everything right now not even just knives
@@jaredappleseed7037 Oh no, not in any way. The knife market has been rough for months. I’ve seen many highly desirable knives listed with numerous price drops and still not selling. Both on the secondary and from some makers. Some key brands and makers are doing fine, but there’s a shocking amount that aren’t performing like they used to.