Perhaps the most specialized knife in the Spartan line is the CQB Tool. The design concept for the CQB tool originated with Greg Thompson, a close-quarters fighting instructor for the special operations community. The CQB Tool is a ring dagger that has an overall length of approximately 7 inches with a blade length of 2.78 inches, and it’s made from 154CM steel. Housed in a Kydex sheath, the CQB Tool can be mounted to a tactical vest or carried on the belt or even inside the waistband.
The company’s website describes the CQB Tool as a “transition tool” or a “get off me” knife. The tool is drawn by placing the index finger through the loop and wrapping the user’s three fingers and thumb around the deeply scalloped handle. Used as a true dagger, the CQB Tool is designed to deliver multiple deep-penetration wounds in a rapid and dynamic environment. While originally designed for military special operations, the CQB Tool is well suited for law enforcement officers as a final lethal option.
The second blade I received is a neck knife, appropriately called the Enyo. Enyo was an ancient goddess of war and a companion to the war god, Ares. The Enyo is a small, fixed, drop-point blade made from CPM S35VN steel. It has an overall length of 6.25 inches and a blade length of 2.69 inches. The handle of the Enyo is ergonomically shaped to provide a solid purchase, while the blade shape is suited for both defense and utility use.
The form-fitted Kydex sheath is multifunctional and comes with a breakaway neck chain and a belt loop for inside-the-waistband carry. In addition, a 2-foot section of paracord is included that allows the sheath to be mounted in a variety of locations. The Enyo is the perfect low-profile blade for both uniform and undercover officers.
The Horkos is one of Spartan’s large fixed-blade workhorses. Horkos is “a sacred oath and the demon protector of honor/oaths” in Greek mythology. The knife was originally commissioned by the U.S. Military Academy Combat Weapons Team and designed by Spartan’s founders.
The Horkos is made from CPM S35VN steel and is 10.88 inches in overall length with a blade length of 5.69 inches. The drop-point, single-edge blade has a relieved distal spine, giving it a unique profile. The blade is finished in black or Flat Dark Earth SpartaCoat. Available in black or green, the sharply checkered handles are made of canvas Micarta.
The final knife I received is Spartan’s folder, the Akribis, which is Greek for “sharp” and “precise.” The Akribis is designed for everyday carry from “the battlefield to the boardroom.” Spartan, with assistance from others in the industry, took over a year and a half to design and develop the Akribis. Made from titanium and S35VN, the Akribis is both lightweight and durable. The Lock Bar Stabilizer is licensed from Rick Hinderer and provides an improved lockup. The titanium handles of the Akribis fill the hand and are contoured for a positive purchase. The drop-point blade, made from SV35VN steel, is 0.13 inches thick and 3.5 inches in length. The clip is also titanium and features an arrow cutout that reflects the special operations background of Iovito and Carey. The Akribis comes in black or Flat Dark Earth with G10 or carbon-fiber scales. The scales are cleanly beveled, and the edges flow into the frame.
The folks at Spartan Blades understand that whether in the mountains of Afghanistan or the streets of Atlanta, lives may depend on their products. The company’s slogan is “Knives with Intent.” That “intent” is to get you home at the end of your tour.
Spartan warriors were known for their great courage and self-discipline. According to the dictionary, the word “Spartan” also means something “marked by simplicity, frugality or the avoidance of luxury and comfort.” Oddly enough, both uses are applicable when discussing Spartan Blades.
Curtis Iovito and Mark Carey founded the company after they retired from the special operations community with more than 40 years of combined military service. To quote the company’s website, “It is the intent of Spartan Blades to provide the modern warrior and outdoorsman with knives that will serve them in a variety of missions and environments.”
It is important to note that every Spartan blade is manufactured in North Carolina using materials of U.S. origin. I recently had a discussion with Iovito concerning which Spartan models are the most popular within the law enforcement and tactical communities. He was kind enough to forward four very distinct and different blades for evaluation.
Check out the four blades in the gallery above. For more information on Spartan Blades, please visit SpartanBladesusa.com or call 910-757-0035.
