Spartan Astor XHP edge retention testing. Advertised at 58 to 60 hrc, how does it stack up?

[@paulootouro5348]

Hey G I bought one of these because it was a nice big chunk of xhp for a good price. I guess for the price it’s ok. I had to do a bunch of sanding on the sharp edges to make it more comfortable. The thumb studs were particularly bad and were tearing me up and got a bunch of sanding. I think the ergos are good now. My detent was too tight and had to be adjusted to take pressure off. It will still not drop open as hard as I try. It is now good for me. I think that shows how inconsistent their tuners are. I wanted an xhp blade for my collection and should have bought a chaparral etc. Oh well like I said it’s ok for the price and I actually like the knife but will get another xhp. Wish I could have gotten a recon when they were in xhp but got into the hobby just too late. Thanks for all the great content. An informed buyer is getting what they really want.

[@-trmxzer0-235]

The XHP Shaman was the best I've used you can tell it was done really well on the stones and it comes to a screaming apex.

[@sabotagesavant5277]

I had looked at this one with an eye to buying. Would like to get something in xhp but feel better about waiting now. Looking forward to seeing that hardness testing video, should be interesting.

[@BenoJ3000]

Holy shit I just bought one of these. I didn't have any XHP and you sold me on it. Thought it was a value at about 72 dollars. It was very thick behind the edge, .035 if I remember. Weighs nothing. The cutting ability is subpar. I will have to grind down the primary grind unless I want it to be a scandi grind at this point. Overall it's an ok knife. I'll have to mod it if I keep it. Nice to see you back.

[@matusknives]

How is the detent on your sample?

[@BenoJ3000]

@@matusknives it's not bad. Lock up is later with the liner in the middle of the blade. I wonder if it was adjusted at the factory to get the detent tight enough. It not the best or the worst. Mediocre. Like the whole knife. I can't hate or love it.

[@NeevesKnives]

My Slysz bowie has the best xhp I've felt, it's amazing

[@BrandonGavin_EDC]

I wish Spyderco would just make the Slysz a permanent option now. They have reached such epic state after being discontinued that now they would sell easily.

[@nebulamask81]

Thanks for continuing to do these tests!

[@TheScottyp1]

been waiting to see this before i bought one

[@joshuabriggs7114]

Thanks for sharing this data point.

[@chrisspanks7750]

I have a Les George VECP and love it. Bet George hates having his name on these Spartans. Have heard of a lot of problems with them.

[@allthingsknives]

Awesome video, I’m excited to see how mines does versus the Spyderco stuff

[@tonycanniffe2360]

Thanks G. Have you tested any Cold Steel 8cr or 4116. Seems like Cold Steel does very well on their HT. Curious about these budget option steels (from CS). Lawman XHP hollow grind is a gun (pun intended) EDC.

[@danielwasused]

i was really sitting there waiting for something more entertaining to watch maybe educational and this is perfect

[@barkingspider2007]

XHP is a great steel if done right... I have a Benchmade Griptillion in XHP that is my favorite deer skinning knife, cuts like a scalpel and needs very little

[@gaberoo9099]

What a shame. Thanks for testing it.

[@stevenlachance8576]

I’ve been pocket cut by two weak detent knives. Reason to return knife.

[@littlewoody5539]

Good review. 👍

[@marcounkel4806]

I have this same knife, the carbon ply one. Its one of the greatest knives ever made. Edge retention is just up with s35vn on the one that i got. Detent is spot on, it reminds me a lot to the ZT0909. cant go wrong here.

[@lionknives3]

Hey G, can you make a 14c28n from Civivi? I would like to see the difference from the older test from Real Steel and so. Greetings from Austria

[@TheAverageJoeX]

Can you explain what the fine edge vs working edge is that you talk about? Is that that the type of edge you put on it while sharpening?

[@Outpost_76]

Fine edge is the initial sharpness uo u til the point it won't shave hair anymore. Working edge is from when fine edge stops until it no longer uts 20 poind weight printer paper against the grain. All steels and knives I test are done this way to have a benchmark of when each cuts until.

[@whocares3986]

Have you tried any Kizer 10V yet?

[@spyhunter6411]

How tight is your astor? If I tighten it to where it has no side to side play, it seems really tight. I got an astor because I love my vecp, I knew it wouldn't be the same at all, but it seems to have a lot of tightness out of box.

[@Outpost_76]

Mine was also stiff to begin with. I've used it enough now that while not loose it's also not stiff. I don't see it ever being any kind of drop shut knife and I prefer it that way.

[@spyhunter6411]

@@Outpost_76 I think I have it adjusted better now, still not perfect but good enough for how new it is. I don't expect it to be drop shut, this was just waaay tighter than I'd expect. I'm a bushings over bearings guy with most of my knives. This was VERY tight. I've heard a few people say that it was pretty stiff, but no real explanation of exactly how stiff. I figured if it was stiff enough to comment, it had to be pretty measurable.

[@briank.7937]

I have two coldsteels with xhp and love them. Shame the steel isn't as available on those low price models anymore. Nice to see another well made taiwanese knife with the steel from a reputable brand. Edit: shame about that detent though. Spoke too soon.

[@ericpitre4031]

Is it worth $89??

[@BenoJ3000]

I would say no. Reason being is some of the fit and finish on the knife. My version looks ok but does not function well.

[@handsofstone1887]

XHP should be 61 +

[@jaystrongbow9435]

How come no one else supposedly can't get XHP by these guys can? Sad.

[@nebulamask81]

I don't know how many of these they are putting out, it may well just be an issue of how much of the steel is availible and how often they need it by different companies.

[@tacticalcenter8658]

Cold steel said something like the price was too high and the quantity they needed cause they are a huge mass manufacturing company was an issue. Something like that. Since s35vn was in more supply and cheaper they went with that. Plus more Normie's know s35vn.