I really enjoyed watching this video Mike. I carried a Spartan for over a year! I worked the clip and sanded down the pinchspot on the scales to where it "flows" out of my pocket lol, still secure though! Even with my limited amount of training and experience in the use of a martial blade, the Spartan felt VERY comfortable and secure in my hand... Definitely a blade you can count on! Now I'm craving a Spartan carry again, why not... Again Mike, excellent video!!!
I like the look of that one but went with the Voyager XL Tanto instead. Been carrying it for a few days now and I can't believe how incredible it feels and handles. First time I ever really felt like the folder in my pocket was a real weapon (very nice feeling). Looks like you just really can't go wrong with any Cold Steel Tri-Ad Lock knife.
The XL Voyagers carry much better even being an inch longer. The size and shape in pocket has been my biggest deterrent to regularly carrying the Spartan vs other choices I have.
I have adjusted the pocket clip on my Spartan and I carry it with my Espada Large, and Swiss Army Tinker over the winter ❄️ and even a little now. Original years ago I thought it would be a knife I would not like at all but I kept hearing how reliable and secure it was and the Lynn C Thompson story of his friend at the Gas Station so I gave it a try and i must say I'm very pleased with it, but it really ain't for everyone because of hand size I certainly agree. 💯👍
Personally, I think the handle of the TALWAR 5.5 is the best, and because of the shape of the handle, I would classify the Spartan as a small knife with a longer blade size.
Something that really helped me enjoy my spartan more was grinding down the hook on the pommel, essentially giving it a similar shape of the voyager xl series, just in a smaller package. Hope this helps!
@@michaelrizzo5523 keeps the awesome blade shape, but makes the handle a bit more user friendly. I can’t take credit for the modification. Comes from a now deceased friend of mine. Look up “Fresno felon mod” for the cold steel spartan
I've owned mine for almost ten years now. It was the bead blasted finish, hollow ground version of the time in the old AUS-8 steel. I chipped out the steel right in the apex of the belly. That old AUS-8 steel they used back then was hard, my kid snapped the tip off of my XL voyager with the clip point clean. Since then I've modified the knife heavily and reground most of the bevel with a flat grind so it resembles more of tanto. I've lost the thumb plate too, snapped the screw securing the plate clean off. Since then i ground in a spur for an Emerson wave for pocket deployment. I guess it was worth the 65-ish dollars i paid for it back then. I haven't completely broken it yet.
Another great breakdown! Not sure if you've considered it or not but the glock field knife has suprised me a lot. I have 2, one for 15+ years. The sheath requires modification to be effective but for around 30 dollars I find it incredibly hard to beat
@@michaelrizzo5523 both have serrations due to the other being out of stock when I ordered. I've filled the handles of both with about an ounce of birdshot since I throw mine constantly. The steel is softer since it is intended to be a all around beater but it sharpens nicely. I do wish the sheath had more carry options
I have the Spartan, mine, bought this year is fully flat ground. I kind of miss the swoopy hollow grind. You might consider the serrated version too. Where it closes in the handle, you could sharpen an inch of the tip on the top of the blade. A serrated, sharp top clip version could be incredible. I'll stick with my plain edge version, lol. The Rajah 2 needs the thumb plate of the Spartan and Espada.
I finally bought one but when I got it the backlock spring was too heavy and the action was gritty. I sent it back. I also wanted the hollow grind like yours is... like the picture was... but it was flat grind. No mas.
This old man ain't THAT fast, but thanks! I've studied more arts than I can easily count over 45 years, but I think I'd credit certain types of Chinese martial arts, FMA, HEMA and my recent explorations of North American Bowie and Argentine Esgrima Criolla with pushing my speed.
So when can we expect a review of the Leatherman Squirt PS4? What? It’s my EDC.😅 I believe the Spartan was my first Cold Steel knife. A pocket kukri of sorts that started it all. :) The newer version has a full flat grind (not to mention optional colors and serrations).
Good video!!! I have a Cold Steel spartan I have in the edc rotation. Love that knife. By the way some time ago Lynn Thompson mentioned that on a knife about the bottom 2" of the blade isn't often actually used in a fight. You can hit with all the blade but between a slash or a pressure cut the bottom 2" aren't used much. I suspect that's why so much handle is past the hand and why it's the shape it is so it sorta hits more with the recurve. Also a buddy of mine got his spartan after I got mine and his is full flat grind. I guess they changed that. Mine is like yours.
I'm getting comments that the newest ones are going with the saber ground trend. (Should I get a newer one?) I've just done some target cutting and, yes, that belly has a really nice bite.
I really enjoyed watching this video Mike. I carried a Spartan for over a year! I worked the clip and sanded down the pinchspot on the scales to where it "flows" out of my pocket lol, still secure though! Even with my limited amount of training and experience in the use of a martial blade, the Spartan felt VERY comfortable and secure in my hand... Definitely a blade you can count on! Now I'm craving a Spartan carry again, why not... Again Mike, excellent video!!!
I like you have so much Cold Steel and think I would like to get a few
I like the look of that one but went with the Voyager XL Tanto instead. Been carrying it for a few days now and I can't believe how incredible it feels and handles. First time I ever really felt like the folder in my pocket was a real weapon (very nice feeling). Looks like you just really can't go wrong with any Cold Steel Tri-Ad Lock knife.
The XL Voyagers carry much better even being an inch longer. The size and shape in pocket has been my biggest deterrent to regularly carrying the Spartan vs other choices I have.
I have adjusted the pocket clip on my Spartan and I carry it with my Espada Large, and Swiss Army Tinker over the winter ❄️
and even a little now.
Original years ago I thought it would be a knife I would not like at all but I kept hearing how reliable and secure it was and the Lynn C Thompson story of his friend at the Gas Station so I gave it a try and i must say I'm very pleased with it, but it really ain't for everyone because of hand size I certainly agree. 💯👍
That's a good carry combo.
@@michaelrizzo5523
Thanks Pal 🙂
Personally, I think the handle of the TALWAR 5.5 is the best, and because of the shape of the handle, I would classify the Spartan as a small knife with a longer blade size.
Something that really helped me enjoy my spartan more was grinding down the hook on the pommel, essentially giving it a similar shape of the voyager xl series, just in a smaller package. Hope this helps!
That is a good idea!
@@michaelrizzo5523 keeps the awesome blade shape, but makes the handle a bit more user friendly. I can’t take credit for the modification. Comes from a now deceased friend of mine. Look up “Fresno felon mod” for the cold steel spartan
I've owned mine for almost ten years now. It was the bead blasted finish, hollow ground version of the time in the old AUS-8 steel.
I chipped out the steel right in the apex of the belly. That old AUS-8 steel they used back then was hard, my kid snapped the tip off of my XL voyager with the clip point clean.
Since then I've modified the knife heavily and reground most of the bevel with a flat grind so it resembles more of tanto. I've lost the thumb plate too, snapped the screw securing the plate clean off. Since then i ground in a spur for an Emerson wave for pocket deployment. I guess it was worth the 65-ish dollars i paid for it back then. I haven't completely broken it yet.
Another great breakdown! Not sure if you've considered it or not but the glock field knife has suprised me a lot. I have 2, one for 15+ years. The sheath requires modification to be effective but for around 30 dollars I find it incredibly hard to beat
The Glock knife is on my wish list but I've never picked one up. I still may. Serrations, or no serrations?
@@michaelrizzo5523 both have serrations due to the other being out of stock when I ordered. I've filled the handles of both with about an ounce of birdshot since I throw mine constantly. The steel is softer since it is intended to be a all around beater but it sharpens nicely. I do wish the sheath had more carry options
I have the Spartan, mine, bought this year is fully flat ground. I kind of miss the swoopy hollow grind. You might consider the serrated version too. Where it closes in the handle, you could sharpen an inch of the tip on the top of the blade. A serrated, sharp top clip version could be incredible. I'll stick with my plain edge version, lol. The Rajah 2 needs the thumb plate of the Spartan and Espada.
I was thinking the newest version would have gone flat grind. Seems like the trend.
They changed it! Now it has a full flat grind!!! Better or worse???
Not sure, but it looks like all the CS hollow grinds are becoming flat sabers.
I finally bought one but when I got it the backlock spring was too heavy and the action was gritty. I sent it back. I also wanted the hollow grind like yours is... like the picture was... but it was flat grind. No mas.
There's so much variation between CS Triads I never know if I'm going to get a smooth one or a gritty or sticky one.
I recently purchased a Counter Point XL. I would really like to see you review that knife at some point. (Pun intended) 🙂
Counter Point is on my wish list.
I'm a new follower. What martial arts have you practiced because you are so swift?
This old man ain't THAT fast, but thanks! I've studied more arts than I can easily count over 45 years, but I think I'd credit certain types of Chinese martial arts, FMA, HEMA and my recent explorations of North American Bowie and Argentine Esgrima Criolla with pushing my speed.
So when can we expect a review of the Leatherman Squirt PS4? What? It’s my EDC.😅 I believe the Spartan was my first Cold Steel knife. A pocket kukri of sorts that started it all. :) The newer version has a full flat grind (not to mention optional colors and serrations).
A series on more straight-up utility folders isn't a bad idea.
I@@michaelrizzo5523I would love your take on utility folders as I respect your testing and takes on martial blades
Good video!!! I have a Cold Steel spartan I have in the edc rotation. Love that knife.
By the way some time ago Lynn Thompson mentioned that on a knife about the bottom 2" of the blade isn't often actually used in a fight. You can hit with all the blade but between a slash or a pressure cut the bottom 2" aren't used much. I suspect that's why so much handle is past the hand and why it's the shape it is so it sorta hits more with the recurve.
Also a buddy of mine got his spartan after I got mine and his is full flat grind. I guess they changed that. Mine is like yours.
I'm getting comments that the newest ones are going with the saber ground trend. (Should I get a newer one?) I've just done some target cutting and, yes, that belly has a really nice bite.
Full flat, the serrated one is