Phil Harvey Gladius: An enormous & wonderful homage to the Roman short sword

Aside from the monstrous proportions that grabs your attention initially, the detail work, level of refinement and overall execution of this knife puts Phil Harvey in an elite class of knifemaker. It is masterfully crafted down to the smallest (pun intended) detail. While this model may not be for everyone, it is a showstopper in every respect, and I am very fortunate to have stumbled across him on Instagram because I feel that this is one of the most well made full custom folders I've ever owned.
Check out Phil on IG at: @philharveyblades

[@MrStrutxD]

the gladius bronze sword did not have a profile like that.... wtf?

[@TheMcg4248]

Probably one of the nicest hand rubbed satin finishes I've ever seen.

[@renechavez870]

The peacemaker makes this knife look like an edc friendly knife. The makers finishing and quality loooook amazing! Cooool

[@valentinoperson3372]

Rene Chavez Yep And I Own And Love My Piece Maker 🍻🔥❤😈

[@wcreview8227]

Jim Thanks for the GREAT Review! I found phil by accident! I was scouring some websites looking for something that caught my eye and on Arizona Custom Knives I saw a Gladius!! I actually contacted Phil and we emailed a little.. I got myself on his books and look forward to one day owning a Gladius!! Phil is an amazing artist and knife maker!!

[@JorgeRomero7]

One of the coolest knives I've seen. Thanks for sharring!

[@Tinker.Studio]

The Army's new folding entrenching tool looks pretty neat.

[@AntonioSalgado1960p]

This folder by Phil Harvey is by far the most ingenuos

[@specopsbrat5130]

Why does it have a pocket clip? Just why?? You need a holster for that one.

[@sagelegoman]

If you close your eyes and listen to this review.. some fun images will pop in your head

[@zak0508]

Watched this video the next day after you posted it and was so impressed with the Gladius I knew I just had to have one. Emailed Phil right away to place the order and a few days later Phil emailed me back and said the wait would be "over 3 years if I wanted to be on the list". You made him an overnight worldwide success. I ordered a customized Praetorian Ti and that was to take 1 year...8 months to go. lol I have asked to be put on the list and hope he will be able to make one sooner. Love your videos Jim, keep'm coming.

[@oldschoolgoodness4004]

That's beautiful. Size, colour, design... Thoroughly gorgeous

[@Trypno]

That thing is huge, but looks really, really freaking good. It looks perfectly balanced, and that gladius style is so different from what I've ever seen in a knife blade.

[@VuittonMaster]

I love watches so much Jim, my name is Logan, ive called into your watch show a few times now. That being said, my second favorite thing are knives and of course my favorite watch host would have his own kick ass knife channel!! Thanks Jim!

[@JimSkeltonKnives]

That's awesome. Thank You very much!

[@bobjordan4868]

The size is what everyone will see and talk about. That amazing handle color is what I take from the video.

[@Player_Review]

I bet the Romans never thought someone would invent a gladius that would fit in your pocket. They made the best cement and Phil Harvey apparently makes the best gladius.

[@andyjohnson9402]

Best intro. Period.

[@kpw528]

Off topic, what material is the bolster made out of on that John W. Smith knife you used for size comparison? Just curious.

[@peshteful]

Roman Gladius is one of my favorite sword ever, but this KNIFE is amazing , what an interesting idea does he has with this knife. Indeed i am impressed by this video.

[@mikeysbladeworks1000]

Coolest part about this maker is.........that he told me my knife was ready this week BUT it would be $300 (plus international shipping charges) more than what he quoted me when I ordered if I wanted it. How fucking awesome is that?!

[@dugweacr1]

All I can think about when I see this is the scene from Crocodile dundee

[@Pet_Hedgehog]

omg that pocket clip is so sick!!!!!! I almost pissed my pants when you flipped the knife over ;D

[@dennispeadero9513]

Holly shit. I love this more than I can convey with words.

[@AntonioSalgado1960p]

the more and must of folders iv ever seen. And the name GLADIUS says it all.I as a long term collector would Love to have this gem but ill try any way and hope for the best. 😀😀😀😍😍😍😎

[@darkdrakex]

+jim skelton i am looking to getting into knife collecting as i have always had an infatuation with knives, where do you think i should start? I am a big fan of flippers and EDC,able knives. I currently have a Benchmade Griptillian with a deep pocket clip that i EDC, but would like a higher quality flipper.

[@valentinoperson3372]

Thanks Jim!!I'm On The List😎🍾😆

[@troywheatley744]

Valentino Person ...BadAss Cool sauce, have you gotten it? Lovin it?

[@MrJordanhead19]

so I'm sitting here at work just listening too your vids, because (I've seen them all already) so it's cool to be able to listen to the review and your opinions what I'm trying to say is that YOU NEED A PODCAST sir I know your super busy but once a week or month or something would be awesome but keep the vids coming bro

[@VireDragon]

I'd like to see that next to my Cold Steel Espada XL.

[@AsianTheIdentity]

When folded doesnt that edge still cut stuff? Is that just a design thing or does it have a purpose?

[@JimSkeltonKnives]

+AsianTheIdentity No, that's a false edge. It looks like an edge, but it's not at all.

[@FireoftheGreeks]

Just imagine that in Damascus................ Knifegasm!

[@JonnieZuramski]

what kind of camera do you use Jim?

[@teakey]

Ok, I do remember watching this.

[@jeffgothro1147]

That's a fucking knife!!! Fuck! ALL KNIVES SHOULD BE MADE THIS BIG!!!

[@dennisrader2014]

Why does the clip not touch the knife. Looks like it would slide out of pocket

[@user-qp4qd9mt8s]

One of the best knives what I`ve seen!!!!👏🍾👏👍👋

[@jonahchaddon5934]

Awesome knife. Thanks for sharing!

[@johnjames218]

what's the Gladius like next to a Praetorian ?

[@reviewdykeusa8347]

Check on his Twitter he has a pic of it next to the praetorian

[@aljr357]

Do you know if he makes a mid tech version

[@RyanLRaben]

This knife is beautiful.

[@aljr357]

I love this knife I really want one but probably will never afford one

[@Zendail]

Dude, whats your lighting setup?

[@colsoncustoms8994]

This looks a lot like the Spyderco Rubicon. That back spacer looks dead on.

[@colsoncustoms8994]

Phil Harvey I'm not saying anyone took anyone's idea, just that they look similar. It's a safe bet that they got inspiration from the same place as you did.

[@howelx]

I laughed so hard! I said holy shit at the same time when you compared the two knives

[@RSLucid]

The titanium looks like it has some imperfections specifically near the backspacer on the frame, also this is not quite the same profile as a Gladius. It's a little too rounded at the tip.

[@nycmaverick]

Love the comparisons but I wish you would have put a more common knife in the mix for a context most of us could understand.

[@GenesisYasu]

Yo jim, whats the wait time for a Hamachi by Pohan leu???

[@SensorDelay]

How much did this set you back?

[@1trillionviews4u]

Man, that's one for the ages. Thanks for the vid Jim.! This guy is going to known now. Lol

[@zacharykole4247]

Hey, don't take this to be an insult to your ddc because its not its a curious question. What are the kind of things you use these beauties for, and do you use these tools less toughly then a normal knife because of the shear artwork and price?

[@JimSkeltonKnives]

+Zachary Kole I'm not a hard user at all, I'm a suburban guy who doesn't do outdoor stuff or anything particularly crazy... but whatever knife is in my pocket, regardless of price, if I have a task in front of me, it will get used.

[@zacharykole4247]

Jim Skelton I gotcha! Thanks for the reply, subbed!

[@Oneness100]

Does the outside of the blade that's exposed a sharp edge? Isn't that dangerous to hold and put in your pocket? I wouldn't want to slice my hand reaching for my pocket knife. It is very nicely made other than that.

[@wilazn]

Holy Mother of batman! Thanks for the heads up Jim. I'm definitely going to email Phil. This is amazing!

[@Trypno]

Also, you just said this knife is about 1lb, and that you actually carry this. By comparison, a fully loaded 5" 1911 .45 handgun also weighs around 1 to 2lbs fully loaded

[@balfemotor6067]

I absolutely love it, and I want it, but it doesn't look anything like a gladius to me. I think the handle of a gladius is more iconic than the blade shape.

[@darknessmanclone]

An impressive knife indeed but I don't see the similarities to the roman gladius. If I recall correctly the roman gladius had a pointed tip and no fuller. But I'm no expert so don't quote me on any of this.

[@robertbefford4190]

The back of the handle looks like the back of a gladiator helmet

[@5150madawg]

love the blade shape but its nothing like a gladius . its for sure a spatha . the spatha was a longer roman cavalry sword

[@arizonapancake349]

If you close your eyes and listen to this review, your mind may go to a completely different place...

[@kylestewart4444]

that is truly beautiful

[@mrben9364]

Thank you for showing us your fancy knives. There's many that I have admired but this knife is not one of them.

[@TheRealSamtrex]

that is art. damn son.

[@erichemberg6458]

Awesome vid!! Super cool knife

[@DeathBecomesHerDeathBecomesHer]

Mall ninja AF. I think they sold this knife at John T's at the mall in Dubai.

[@bradhuskers]

Jim. I really want to buy this knife. Its a work of art. Please instruct me on how to obtain one. Thsnks. Brad

[@sputumtube]

The clip looks a bit loose...

[@JimSkeltonKnives]

Not a bit. Solid as a rock.

[@sputumtube]

Jim Skelton Sorry Jim, what I meant was that there's a clear gap between the clip and the body of the knife. Kind of like the opposite to the often complained about Cold Steel clips if you get my meaning. :)

[@phillycheaseman]

+Jim Skelton I think he's saying how the clip isn't flush with the frame. But it's the nature of 3d clips cause it isn't as flexible as spring clips.

[@chrisesserry548]

Hey Jim, maybe you'd like the Legionary lanyard bead by Lion Armory? It's a helmet of a Roman Legion soldier.

[@beeseebee_]

that is a really cool and innovative knife!! fun.

[@KeenanMetaEonPrZ]

Take a look at ColdSteel's Pocket Sword.

[@bradhuskers]

Can I purchase this knife?

[@martinak4532]

I clicked on the video and was like `holy shiiiiiizzzzzt` 1 sec later you: HOLY SHIT

[@loki1000r]

thumbsup for the "holy shit!" at 1:17 lolololol

[@bingobango9706]

Hey Jim I was just wonder what do you do in life to afford all this knives? I juts found your channel a few days ago and I was wondering what job do you have to afford these awesome but expensive knives?

[@JCBeastie]

Great to see Phil getting some promotion! I own the Karambit you can see on his website and it is terrific! One of his earlier knives that he sold to me for far too little (not that I'm complaining). I really need to get a sheath for it though.

[@jonc3519]

I realllly want to see some cutting/chopping tests with that knife, but I, of course, understand why you wouldn't do that, lol.

[@stoneybeek5257]

You can get a cheapy from bladehq. Or a pure silver strider one. From somewhere else

[@mikeysbladeworks1000]

Been on his books since he first started Instagram can't wait for my name to come up. Thanks for sharing.

[@phdcredible5211]

What a gorgeous bladed beast. Wish I could afford such a beauty. 💜😅

[@FUBARGunpla]

a knife with a fuller...hahah i NEEEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDD, i have a gladius, based off a historical piece and i'd love to pair it with this bad boy.

[@williamquirk-pd7fs]

I like your vids because you like large knives as I do! Great!

[@Noahbruce911]

I worry about UK knife makers, as I've heard that the knife laws over their are pretty strict. Donate your knife boxes and such.

[@JimSkeltonKnives]

In response to darknessman10 (another youtuber that has his settings managed where there is no "reply" link accompanying his comments).... There were several iterations of the Gladius, and you're right, most did have a pointier tip. The center swedge (for strength and weight reduction) was prevalent in earlier versions, whereas later versions (like the Pompeii Gladius) did not have it. Good eye.

[@playas487]

+Jim Skelton would have liked to see the ADV Butcher next to it . that would ahve been cool

[@cookycamy101]

+Jim Skelton fuck this guy ^

[@bloodgout]

+Jim Skelton No, there were no gladii with fullers. Not even the Hispaniensis, the progenitor of the Roman sword. Prior to that, the primary sword in use among the Italian tribes was the Greek xiphos, which had a significant rib running the length of the blade. Again, no fuller.

[@JimSkeltonKnives]

+bloodgout casiberia.com/img/prod/ip-023.jpg

[@JimSkeltonKnives]

+bloodgout www.swordsdirect.com/legacy-arms-roman-sword.jpg

[@DjRjSolarStar]

Why can't knife makers start designing cars and airplanes? You get such fucking amazing designs in the knife industry, but almost entirely lackluster shit in aerospace and car design.

[@JourneyOnLife]

looks like a good dear skinner

[@joeshmo3460]

Wtf close to a pound that's purely impractical.

[@InceptusPrime]

Books are currently closed. Just went to his website for more info on this piece 😖

[@kristinasaunders5377]

gladius is a double edged, slightly weighted short sword, with an aggressively shaped tip meant to stab through armor. without a fuller. the geometry on the bade makes it pretty bad for stabbing. very poorly named. cool knife though

[@kristinasaunders5377]

its a pocket shovel XD

[@declanisducky]

ok what's the cost

[@T3hN3wB]

Now that is a sexy knife!! That thing is so cool

[@deangestner6560]

how much?

[@anthonysmith7624]

you have thebest knives. just subscribed

[@ILLUDIUM_Q_36]

You always tell people that their prices are too low after you and your close friends get your orders in.

[@JimSkeltonKnives]

I've actually never said that, why would you make such an assumption?

[@ILLUDIUM_Q_36]

+Jim Skelton you just said it in this video lol

[@JimSkeltonKnives]

+AWMIGHTY Yes, I said his prices were too low, but you're making the assumption that I told him he had to raise his prices.

[@ILLUDIUM_Q_36]

+Jim Skelton Well what else do you expect him to do when someone with your status as a high end custom reviewer tells them this?

[@abe9852]

So while I got got a place on his books as Jim said o haven't been quoted a price yet :) nice try though.

[@ChrisC30]

It looks like a dagger, but the tip isn't profiled to taper enough, for me. Nice knife, but not my cup of tea. Weight is also likely too much for EDC. Probably to the point that it'd be impractical for using. I carry a rather large EDC folder, CRKT Otanashi noh Ken, and that is a bit heavy, but a pound is really pushing it. Beautiful knife, though.

[@trumpsahead]

Beautiful knife - a work of art. I think it would be more impressive if you remove this beauty from a holster left side chest high under your coat. It's total class.

[@bloodgout]

No, the gladius did not have a fuller. They were either lenticular or diamond in cross section and all versions were significantly pointed for stabbing. Not saying this isn't a cool knife. Just saying the Roman gladius (Latin for sword) did not share any of the characteristics you enumerated for this knife.

[@vladdomozhirov1270]

His waiting list is 5 years now.:)

[@JimSkeltonKnives]

lol, no it's not. It couldn't have grown that large this fast.

[@vladdomozhirov1270]

I was told its a three year wait for me. It's due too him not having the correct tools right now. But i got on his books maybe.. 2 weeks ago?

[@zach4007]

Sweet knife, but if you really want something like a folding gladius, go for the Cold Steel Immortal

[@JLConawayII]

The first ever knife that can actually destroy a planet.

[@goprodog4304]

So size does matter after all? :))) When the vid started I would have sworn it was 3D, not real life. Sweet knife but really, why do you need a large FOLDING KNIFE? The longest knife I have has 10" blade. Thank you for the video anyways, I love these nice knives.

[@bobjordan4868]

A video of this and your Steve Skiff Cohort. :)

[@kristinasaunders5377]

gladius is a double edged, slightly weighted short sword, with an aggressively shaped tip meant to stab through armor. without a fuller. the geometry on the bade makes it pretty bad for stabbing. very poorly named

[@DK-fr4yu]

this is 1000x better than a medford. i wish Mr Harvey much success. i doubt the chinese can duplicate other customs with the same ease as they can with a medford. if others can duplicate medford knives that easily, that simply means it is an easy to build knife. if chinese can make it for $17, how much are they really worth? the only difference in design between medfords and chinese ones are the screws, parts, and materials used... slight difference in dimensions. medford uses proprietary parts not because he has to but only because they are the only things that set it apart as an original. otherwise, it would be exactly the same as the $17 chinese designs.

[@wolfie498]

If you don't like having to thumb it all the way open, try a bit more foreplay.