Spartan Harsey Difensa

Ordered my first Difensa at the Black Friday Sale in 2023. Ordered another two at the Black Friday Sale in 2024. Superior materials, perfect craftsmanship, superb customer service. Fast shipping, Spartan made it even possible to change the delivery date to my door, so that I can pay customs (live in Germany) directly. Order with confidence. I do!

Was a bit disappointed when I took it out of the box because the DLC black coating seems a little uneven. There are small circles almost like it was splashed on. Then I used it and it is freaking awesome! Chopped a hardwood, 3 inch diameter branch, and it is amazing how well it just slides into the wood. I can see why it is used by Canadian special forces. Great defensive and bush crafting knife. Strongly recommend!

Here’s an odd comparison for you: After owning this knife for about a week, I get the same sensation as when I started playing a professional grade instrument. This knife is a tool artfully made by seasoned professionals, with the scope of hard, realistic use in mind.

Excellent shipping time. Beautiful craftsmanship. In hand, the Difensa feels at home like an extension, and very well balanced. This is my second Spartan blade, and definitely not my last. Thank you for an excellent knife.

I now have two of these. One the older S45VN, and now the latest made with Magnacut. They are both great knives with the typical very comfortable, ergonomic, and just plain usable grip that Mr. Harsey designs. The S45VN is a little more rust resistant and holds an edge a little better. The Magnacut is tougher and less likely to break or chip. This was my priority. The edge holding isn't enough of a difference for me to normally even notice. I've not damaged a blade in a long time, but the memory is still there. I've only done some light testing, especially now that I'm retired from the service. I did do a couple things that many years ago was common, like chopping smaller limbs and putting on a point to use them as sector stakes or smaller ones for tent stakes. A little bit of batoning just because, but I usually don't believe in that. I'm not going to test it unless someone gives me a free one to damage, but it's less likely to break the point, or chip if it were ever actually used as a weapon and you stabbed or slashed into a buckle, button, magazine, or ID tags. It will make a great field knife and can handle hard use to light abuse. Don't try chopping down a forest and splitting knot filled logs or chopping nails and bolts and it can be passed down through your family for a few generations.

I waited to review this as in my opinion until you have used/worked with something all you can do is say how pretty it is. So. This feels really good in the hand, balance is GREAT, handling is also great. Cuts well this is my first Magnacut steel so I as yet do not know about edge retention. I did some wood carving/cutting and some feather sticking. I wanted something not too long but long enough and able to do many things. This seems to fill that very well.

Finally pulled the trigger on buying a Difensa. Really had no choice now that it's available in Magnacut. This will be a great companion to my Phrike and 4" Folder. Looking forward to putting the Difensa through its paces. One odd thing, when it arrived the kydex sheath needed some break-in with the knife, which of course is normal. I quickly popped the knife in and out of the sheath exactly 10 times. Then when I looked, the coating had already worn off the blade down to metal in several places. And the knife arrived with a 2mm long scratch in the coating, right down to shiny metal. None of that is an issue for me since this will be a hard use field knife anyway, but that kind of thing might matter to some folks. All in all though, the ergonomics are phenomenal, and no doubt the MagnaCut will perform beyond expectations. Looking forward to putting this thing through some hard use!

When I recd the Difensa and leather sheath I was very happy with the quality of both. I had to return both only because I wanted a knife I could carry on a daily basis and it was too big. I have request an exchange for the Trout and match leather sheath. Customer service was great! The exchange request was made with no issues and now I am waiting for them to receive the Difensa and send me the Trout.

This is my second Spartan fixed blade and won’t be my last. I can honestly say it would be the first knife I’d grab for any trek into the woods. The Harsey handles always fit extremely well into the hand with no hotspots. The fit and finish is spot on from Spartan. It’s got good weight and so far has held an edge very nicely with moderate to heavy use in the 3 outings I’ve used it on. Can’t recommend this knife enough.

The good and the great: handles are perfectly sculpted, one of the most comfortable knives to hold in hand. Ergonomics are outstanding. Weight is perfectly balanced, blade geometry and design is excellent. Jimping on top is grippy and perfect, no hot spots. Sheath is top quality. Less than great: not shaving sharp out of the box. Slicing paper it was a bit toothy/gritty. I had to run over a strop a few times and that smoothed it out and it’s nice and slicey now.