The Spartan-Harsey Folder 3.25 The build of the 3.25 version is every bit as rugged as it’s bigger sibling but it’s scaled down for a more pocket friendly size.
The Spartan Harsey Folder has been a huge seller for the company. It’s a large folder that’s running a 4 inch long blade of S35VN stainless steel, and is a part of the company’s Gold/Elite line of knives that are designed and manufactured in the Spartan Blades facility located in Southern Pines, NC. It’s a beast for sure and is definitely very capable of putting in some work on tough cutting jobs. The knife is built very rugged with it’s titanium frame lock build. If you’ve ever gotten a chance to check one out for yourself, you can easily see why the SHF is such a great seller for Spartan Blades. However, for a long time Spartan Blades has been repeatedly receiving requests from customers for a smaller version of the knife. For some, the sheer size of the full size knife is too big for everyday carry. Finally, the folks at Spartan have not only listened to their customers but they have acted upon it, by releasing the Spartan Harsey Folder 3.25, or simply known as the SHF 3.25 - also a part of the Gold/Elite line. The build of the 3.25 version is every bit as rugged as it’s bigger sibling but it’s scaled down for a more pocket friendly size. Still, expect to see the rugged titanium frame lock build as well as a blade made of S45VN, which is an in-line change that Spartan is making gradually across the board for ALL Spartan Blades knives.
“I think this is going to be a popular one,” says Curtis Iovito, co-owner and co-founder of Spartan Blades, and President of Product Development/Marketing.. Using the regular SHF as a platform to build the smaller one from, Iovito says they made a few changes to the SHF with the 3.25 model. “The first was the elimination of parts,” he says. For starters the 3.25 has five less parts than its bigger brother. “We eliminated the Lock Bar Stabilizer and its screw as well as one stand-off and its screws,” states Iovito. One of the most noticeable changes to the SHF 3.25 is the use of the symmetrical pivot screws. The regular SHF has an asymmetrical pivot screw setup, with the larger screw head on the non-lock side (aka presentation side, side with the Spartan Blades logo on the blade) and a smaller screw head on the lockside of the handle. The SHF 3.25 uses a symmetrical pivot screw setup with the screw heads the same size. On the lockside of the handle, the larger screw also pulls double duty by functioning as the lockbar travel limiter, preventing the lock bar from being pushed too far and losing its spring tension.. On the bigger SHF, there was the actual lock bar stabilizer screwed to the handle. The new pivot screw setup on the 3.25 streamlines it and reduces time during final assembly of the knife. Outside of the pivot setup, everything else is pretty much standard fare for the SHF platform. You’ll find dual thumbstuds for ambidextrous deployment, there’s the distinctive arrow pocket clip which carries the SHF 3.25 tip up in the pocket and also can be switched to the opposite side to easily accommodate left handers. The high utility drop point blade that is flat ground. Then there’s that buttery smooth blade action as well. “The 3.25 inch blade is pretty thin behind the cutting edge so it will surely make for a good slicer!” exclaims Iovito. The stock thickness of the blade is ⅛ inch.
The SHF 3.25 uses a symmetrical pivot screw setup with the screw heads the same size. On the lock side of the handle, the larger screw also pulls double duty by functioning as the lock bar travel limiter, preventing the lock bar from being pushed too far and losing its spring tension.
Before you all start bugging Spartan Blades about special editions (like they have done with the full size SHF), Iovito says that right now there are no plans for such, but he does hint at the possibility of later on down the road making some that incorporate laser engraving and Chad Nichols damascus steel. For now, the Spartan Blades crew is very excited to release this variant of the SHF. “Customers have been asking for this size for a while so we are excited about this one,” says Iovito. With it’s lighter weight, shorter length, and thinner form factor, the SHF 3.25 is sure to be a hit as it will be a much more EDC-able folder that will carry very well from jeans to casual and even formal situations. Basically, it’s everything that you love about the SHF but smaller! Great things indeed come in smaller packages. Keep watch over your favorite Spartan Blades dealer for the all new Spartan Harsey Folder 3.25.