Cold Steel Spartan: "Cave Man Blade!" by Nutnfancy

It's not the meanest blade at the party but it makes a statement. The Cold Steel Spartan is a manly blade whose lines and chiseled looks would fit right it in at the Battle of Thermopylae or even in a Cretaceous period dinosaur hunting expedition. The Grivory handle is a favorite part for me: the blocky contours are both cool and functional and the wrap around design literally locks the handle into the users' hand. It accommodates both forward and reverse grips and its butt end is long and effective enough for non-lethal impacts. The AUS8A steel choice will provide good edge holding and medium rust resistance. The beast blasted finish looks good and contrasts well with the black handle (and it takes engraving well too). Expect some complications during sharpening as the heavily curved blade will make it tough. However it's that same 4.5" inch Kukri blade shape that gives the chunky Spartan great slashing performance. Out of the box, the Spartan arrives razor edged...nice job Cold Steel. With practice, the deployment speed is fast and I find single handed opening works. Smaller hands might have trouble actuating the thumb plate in conventional fashion. However that thumbplate is ambidextrous (as are the clip placements, two included) and can work to wave the blade from the pocket (a radiused base to this thumbplate could help prevent pocket hangup btw). The pocket clip seems small but it carries tight, is unobtrusive, and it's stout. This clip carries the Spartan deep so you may need to affix a lanyard to the lanyard hold to ensure fumble free pocket deployment. There are no under clip issues that will shread the pocket like several other Cold Steel designs (smooth Grivory handles). Lockup would please King Leonidis: rock solid and the Tri-Ad locking mechanism has been proven to hold 300 lbs and passes overstrike and shock tests easily. It's backed up by a strong lock spring that will require a two-handed closure for safety. Another statement the Spartan makes is WEIGHT. It's weighs in at a heavy 9.4 ounces, partially due to the thick stainless steel liners which are devoid of any milling for weight savings (cost savings too). Some will like this heft and feel it's in line with the theme of the Spartan. I would like to some weight taken off the Spartan in future iterations (perhaps by water jetting the liners). Value is very high. At around $55 or so, you will get a super strong heavy duty tactical blade that can give pride of ownership. Serving as a collectible, a hard use outdoor knife (not tested!), or emergency defensive tool, the Cold Steel Spartan weighs in with authority in the high value knife market. ///////////// Nutnfancy Likability Scale: 9 out of 10 (price considered) /////////////// Music: Jason Shaw @ audionautix.com

[@jtyearsley]

Will NOT leave the house without this knife. Had it for years, love it.

[@nb7673]

love this knife. bought mine a couple years ago and have never had a problem with it. I've abused the hell out of it too dropped it countless times in water, on dirt, asphalt, concrete, when rock climbing, out of a no one car(friend threw it out), used it for butchering, cutting rope, wire, chopping wood, used it as a hammer a couple times and many many other things and it's honestly the best knife I've ever owned

[@poopoopweass5697]

what's better the Aus8 or the cts bd1 version?

[@julesthurongi1223]

I got the stone washed finish for last Christmas!! It's the only competition for my xl voyagers!! I love it!!

[@phillski1]

2010-2011 was when nutn and tnp was in their prime. You can hear the enthusiasm in his voice. Just watch his vids from those years and compare to now there's definitely a difference.

[@Deathinflames]

This was my first knife from Cold Steel. Not the easiest blade to whip open if you have small hands (like me), but I'm loving it so far. Great review.

[@efd5803]

Missing the combo vids with you and Fitzen. Bring em back!! I just ordered the Spartan after watching this video!! Thanks Nutn!

[@20tom09gt]

u all ways do great reviews keep them coming really enjoy them

[@BalGreene]

I though about this knife for months, but I've actually moved it off of my wish list for some other fun knives. Great review as always though nutnfancy. Glad to see a knife review again

[@jppcherokee]

Love the emotion in the hand at the end!!!! Awesome!!!!

[@thegangvault2]

Got this knife mainly because of your recommendation. Great knife! And my first large folder. I've EDC'ed the blade for about two months now, a bit on the large size for that but I love carrying it. Keep up the GREAT work Nutn, it makes a big difference for thousands. =-]

[@roguexvampire]

I took a sneek peak at my christmas presents, found this knife in with everything, I am so damn excited and really happy you posted this review man!

[@AndThatsAll]

Got it since August. My current EDC blade. It got surface rust by carrying it in jeans. Now I wear 5.11 Taclite Pro Pants and haven't seen more rust. Great vid thanks Nutn!

[@HomeMadeGunNut]

Dude! How could you resist shouting "This is spartaa!!"? I couldn't resist haha.

[@boydstudios]

Love this review. I was watchign the beginning and thinking, "well, it's good, but not quite as good as my CS Espada Large" then you pulled out that exact knife and said that exact same thing. Awesome. I love most of CS's folders (Recon and Espada are my favorites). I love your site because your opinions align with my own.

[@no1livez4evr]

i cant tell you enough how good of reviews you do

[@CadetLD]

Dude! Awsome review of an awsome knife. Thanks again nutn and Veri for yet another insightful and entertaining video.

[@DavidML777]

haha, oh man i was just lookin at spartan vid yesterday and was hopen you would get one up, awesome job nutn.

[@MrLoiti100]

I ordered one today!!! Can't wait to get my hands on it!Thanks for the superb review, as always! TNP!

[@makarthamin]

Review was spot on, took it camping at Current River in MO. Dry wood prep was excellent for a knife considering its girth and weight. I found the best way to swing the blade to hack at wood was to loop my index finger on the bottom of the handle to get a little more leverage in the swing but i also had a lanyard on my spartan to keep it from slipping out from my index finger. Food prep was excellent, sharp enough to fillet strong enough to be a can opener.

[@DavidTanisDreams]

I've been waiting for this review since I saw that knife on the Cold Steel website. Thanks so much Nutn!

[@bapfreak]

I have not seen any other folding knife with such great hand protection built into the handle.

[@cbrusharmy]

Another sweet vid; good job!

[@smith35744]

ima order one right now looks like nice knife and love the vids keepem coming!

[@TheDramageek88]

I love Cold Steel. Have carried the OG AK-47 (axis lock) for over 7 years now as my EDC! This will be my next Cold Steel purchase soon. Maybe Christmas!

[@barbaricwanderer3841]

Love this blade. I was cruising your vids again and caught this one again. I bought the Spartan before I saw your vid originally and I agree with the review. It's not my utility EDC knife but that's not it's purpose. Certainly, there are some places where "tactical" blades are not allowed and I carry a less "intimidating" blade in those cases. Great review and a Great Blade!

[@mattbeam11]

i have the rajah II and the spartan and i could not be happier with the both of them. amazing knives. and like he said you have to see them and hold them in person to really understand how bad ass they are

[@360chris88]

good video nutn and veri keep up the great work

[@thedefinitive6296]

i bought this knife after watching this review about a week ago. got my spartan in the mail yesterday and i am not disappointed, brother. it IS a caveman blade. i personally love the weight and it does carry well for being as heavy as it is. i knew it was a badass blade, but after checking out some demo vids of it from cold steel, i'm exceedingly confident that this is the best $60 i ever spent. again, thank you for posting meaningful, informative content.

[@barehandedbearhunter]

still lovin my spartan thanks nutn! ive had it for about six months, no problems except a little bit of rust but nothing a little tlc i mean clr cant get rid of

[@marcisgreatAA]

haha your vids still keep getting better man, keep it up.!

[@forkedroad]

im very much considering this! i love the triad lock, the somewhat rajah shaped blade, but my favorite part is the handle.. very unique and very functional! thanks fancy, keep these super helpful cold steel videos coming!!!!

[@quintili1]

Just ordered one of these. Thanks for the review.

[@Likes2FightGuy]

great review...i love my spartan, bought mine about 10 months ago and was hoping you would review it. glad you like it as much as i do.

[@derek223556]

Just paid 54 on amazon for this. Can't wait to test it out.

[@slugsandstuff]

LOL Great vid! I have been looking at the Spartan, and it is very cool to see you review it.

[@TheMadMedek]

This blade waves Great. I polished mine. Looks awesome.

[@GodOfWar221]

Hey Nutnfancy! due to your review and having been in the market for a GOOD knife for some time now, I ordered a Spartan off Amazon and just got it today, and I love it. Love the feel, the weight is well balanced and it's perfect, love your videos.

[@MrDawggie]

My favorite and my only EDC. I have no issue with the weight.

[@Enigma96969]

man i been waiting for your review on the spartan! i ordered one last night now you have the vid up lol, nice you on top of it nutn

[@TheWarriorScholar]

This is my EDC, it's awesome!

[@Patriot36]

Thanks Nutn....great review man!

[@32Loch]

Awsome blade, definitely getting this beast of a knife.

[@KincadeCeltoSlav]

Just scored a Very slightly used one for $40! LOVE IT! Thanks for your review!

[@LordReDead]

Hey Veri just wanted to thank you for putting out all these great reviews. You really have pursuaeded me to buy this knife! :)

[@idiot1jerk2face3]

lol I'm watching this with my spartan in hand and doing what you're doing.

[@Hazmattdown]

I bought this blade based on this video, Wow, love it. Been my edc blade for 6 months now. I find the weight is just fine. Sometimes forget I have it. I have used it for everything from cutting fire hoses to steak knife. One issue: pocket lint will jam the locking bar shut. Easy to clean though with a can of air. Easy to disassemble too. Awesome blade, mad props bro!

[@waynehighsmith7591]

My edc blade from the day I received it! Had to add a lanyard to ensure a quick deployment as the pocketclip is set an inch or so too high. But this knife is a beast pure and simple! Love it! Great review!

[@ziqianyang]

hahaha, love it when you said "SPARTAN!~~" great vid

[@stispartan10]

just got mine in the mail yesterday from the cutlery shoppe (free shipping thanks to nutnfancy) this is one bad ass knife

[@iiNeVeRShOOt]

it feels nice to hold the knife you're reviewing. i got this and the spyderco endura ffg for christmas.

[@barehandedbearhunter]

Thank you fine sir. i have purchased this knife online and now awaiting it to get here

[@gwowns]

Great review! love the end! ;D

[@HunterRyngo]

Great review Nutn as always! The funny thing is that when I started to watch it, the video had 300 views! SPARTAN!!!

[@RayH42]

Nice knife; nice blade; nice review, as usual.

[@CampfireTalk]

Nutn dude! "Cave Man Blade" is a title that totally fits this knife :) Also, great intro with Fitzen, this is probably one of the 12 blades he would normally carry as part of his normal EDC! Awesome review on a mammoth blade.

[@hogspen3]

Nice review, keep up the quality reviews!

[@BubbaGannoosh]

Thanks for the review!

[@legaleagle101]

Nice review. Thanks

[@mikeguns611]

Thanks for this video bought this knife, wife liked it and its now hers.

[@SyrianKnight01]

this is a great knife it's well worth the time to practice using it.

[@stispartan10]

@Badin10tions I'm right there with you I've always carried a pocket knife, but never worried about quality, now from watching Nutn's vids I pay attention to the details on knives. I'm currently working on duracoating Cold Steel Spartan to match my STI Spartan 1911.

[@Fieldpup]

Great review of the Spartan. I saw it on their website a month or so ago not even planning to buy a knife but ended up buying it that day just because of the cool factor of the knife. Fieldpup

[@onca51]

Just got this one a few days ago. Awesome knife!

[@caudillioski]

Just bought one. Best defensive knife I own by far.

[@LuckyNut76]

love to have this thing man just straight awesome

[@chubz1225]

great review

[@Chretze]

thank you for that review! :D im now sure to order one soon

[@jimmyggh1]

Just recieved mine, and it is a beast! Cant quite do the Nutn one hand flick open (smaller hands) but it is quick on the pocket draw! Great vid! I look forward to your future ones (much to the dismay of my wife!) Spyderco Endura 4 FFG next!

[@obeyoneshinobi9603]

excelent knife. got one for my 23rd bday. super awsome gift. like nutn said it beefy but i carry it absolutly everyday, and idk it just carrieS NICE. it really feels lighter in pocket. once again great knife: comfortable, big, intimadating, an looks friggin awsome. i always score cool points when i flip it out.

[@ajvidman21]

Keep up the knife reviews nutn!!!

[@xballer1989]

Thank you nutnfancy I have been hoping for a review by you of this blade most of the other ones on youtube have been lackluster at best, if not uninformative. This will probably be the next knife I buy so thank you for the review!

[@victorinoxfan]

Just ordered one of these suckers. Looking forward to getting this monster.

[@vertigoBE]

I guess you what wanted to say is 'This is Sparta!' :) great vid! V.

[@Flakey86]

Nutn kept using the spartan accent, made me giggle every time.

[@ElectricityTaster]

This is madness!

[@VinceFull]

I'd never get one of those, but that's just me. As usual great and entertaining review!

[@Conan568]

Shop tour John, give us a shop tour Laddie. I'm sure some of that equipment has a few stories to tell.

[@xCodeView]

Got one,Awesome knife

[@duvaldrummer]

such a cool lookin knife

[@GmasterRED]

I like that knife already.

[@eliteteutonicknight1]

Believe it or not, the Spartan is my EDC, regardless of how chunky it is!

[@Mrcaffinebean]

Cool, you write really neatly with an engraver.

[@99pitbulls]

i've been carrying the cold steel spartan as my edc for about a month now. Its a little heavy and its gonna take up a whole pocket to itself but it's more then capable of doing any task you need it for. Also a good conversation starter lol

[@SFRabie]

It's definitely served well hacking in the woods. The lock is super strong enough to go through a 5" tree in mere minutes. I did have the thumb plate loosen up a bit on that use, but I was able to simply tighten it up with a T6 torx and never had another issue. The only negative I've spotted was the dificulty of actuating the Tri-Ad lock. I would say that after months of use, It's still not loosened up to where the Rajah I started.

[@jjkerel]

Another awesome review. I've hoping you would review this CS blade. Thanks!

[@MatejTirco]

i realy like spartan .. will buying one in future . my sti spartan will have bro :)

[@ClarkePerformance91]

I need this in my life

[@icychillgrill3]

ive been looking at this knife and was thinking about getting it but i didnt see any good reviews thanks!:)

[@74Hobbes]

Kick ass blade man..... oh, nice review too! lol! Great as always!

[@drummaster728]

I have a cold steel spartan and my brother has the recon 1, I love the handle of the recon 1 and its black coating, but the heft and sturdiness of the spartan is amazing. They are both the same steel blade but the un coated blade of the spartan can rust more easily. I edc my spartan and i can even feel it in pocket. I love the fact of the solid steel liners in the spartan. An overall great blade for me! you will definately get more looks when you take the spartan out then the recon 1.

[@jab0505]

Love the spartan.. my next knife will either be the spartan or the raja

[@cmonsterz]

Great vid! I've been debating on getting this knife of the Espada. I think that I'm going with the Espada!

[@highonimmi]

i absolutely fell off my chair laffing at how he went nutsoid over the espade. i was waiting for him to start 'billy ba-rooing" it (aka ted knight in caddy shack). i totally dig how he gets into his blades. cant blame him ine bit.

[@EJVDBerg]

Finally you made it :)

[@drummaster728]

yea it rusted after being wet for a couple hours for me but it cleaned up afterwards. this knife is definitely worth the money. I carry mine every single day since ive gotten it in the mail

[@siguser17]

"Locks up like a BANK Vault" too funny!.. Once again, an informative, entertaining review! Keep it rolling....nut'n cause its a Hot summa!!!!

[@fenderman615]

im getting this for christmas (shh don't tell my parents i peeked) haha but wow it feels amazing in hand, and looks totally different than on the internet if you ask me. the curves seem alot more abrupt, and i think i like it even more

[@Highjak86]

Another nice vid!! I'm still waiting for nutnfancy's vids to go HD though!

[@mmunarim]

Hey Nutn! I'm a big fan here in Brazil. Great vids, I see them all. I received my Spartan yesterday and after one day carrying it in my pocket the blade showed some rust problems. Had the same with a CRKT Hammond Cruiser and start to believe this problem is all about the Bead Blast finish. What do you think?

[@skrevan19]

argh, would love to get this but saving up for a new gun. Thanks for the review, looks swweeet