Microtech, Spartan, fixed blade

mendezj · Jun 21, 2020

I’m after a rugged, high quality field/tactical knife. I’m considering a Microtech Socom Alpha (5”) or a Spartan Horkos (6”). The Microtech is made of M390 steel, the Spartan in S35VN steel. Any suggestions will be considered.

I like the design and size of the Spartan. I like and prefer the steel of the Microtech. I will appreciate your comments, suggestions and recommendations. Thank you so much.

Silent H · Jun 21, 2020

Depends what you're going to do with it, S35VN on the Spartan will probably be tougher than the M390 on the Microtech, so if you're going to be chopping, batoning, prying or otherwise abusing it, I would go with that

I'm not too familiar with Microtech's fixed blades, I'm sure they're well built, but the majority of what Spartan makes is rugged fixed blade tactical field knives. I have one of their folders, and I can tell you that their S35VN is no slouch, and they have top notch customer service too.

vjb.knife · Jun 21, 2020

I have some Microtech Socom Alphas. the top one is a standard grade and the bottom two are hand grounds. Microtech uses a variety of steels (Elmax, CTS-204P, M390, and maybe others) on these and you usually don't get a choice on them, so if you are choosing based mainly on steel and you like the S35VN, then I would go with the Spartan. The standard one that I have is Elmax and I don't remember on the other two. I don't think the Socoms are made as a feild knife and would not choose one for that purpose, so I would go with the Spartan. Basically for your stated purpose I would choose spartan and they are usually easier to come by as well. And M390 is as tough as S35VN and has better edge retention (ref. https://www.bladehq.com/cat--Best-Knife-Steel-Guide--3368#cpms35vn), but not as easy to sharpen. I think blade design is more important here and again the Socom Alpha is not designed as a hard use field knife.

Korean Hog · Jun 21, 2020

mendezj said:
I’m after a rugged, high quality field/tactical knife. I’m considering a Microtech Socom Alpha (5”) or a Spartan Horkos (6”). The Microtech is made of M390 steel, the Spartan in S35VN steel. Any suggestions will be considered.

I like the design and size of the Spartan. I like and prefer the steel of the Microtech. I will appreciate your comments, suggestions and recommendations. Thank you so much.

I agree with others, no need to get too caught up on steel. Both S35VN and M390 are high quality stainless steels.
If you like the Spartan's fixed blade shape and design more, you should go with that.

marrenmiller · Jun 21, 2020

I had a socom alpha and was not impressed with the handle design. I love the Socom Manual/Elite folders, but the handle on the alpha was too small to be secure in my hand, and there's not much that really keeps your hand from sliding forward onto the blade.

Additionally, it is my belief that M390/204p doesn't make as much sense as S35VN in a fixed blade, being chippy steel for a stainless steel. I'd go with the Spartan, personally, or try to find a CRK/Harsey fixed blade instead (the CRK pacific is IMO a better option than either knife you listed).

mendezj · Jun 22, 2020

Thank you guys for your thoughtful replies. I agree with the consensus. Now: there is a Busse INFI steel knife on a popular site which has been modified with a convex edge for competition. Otherwise the knife is new. Would this knife be preferable to the Chris Reeve or Spartan?

vjb.knife · Jun 22, 2020

mendezj said:
Thank you guys for your thoughtful replies. I agree with the consensus. Now: there is a Busse INFI steel knife on a popular site which has been modified with a convex edge for competition. Otherwise the knife is new. Would this knife be preferable to the Chris Reeve or Spartan?

I would say that depends on what Busse model it is, who modified the edge and what they did to it. There are usually plenty of Busse knives for sale on many sites. I like some of them and I own a Team Gemini that I have used in the field a lot, and I like it quite a bit. I think it is a great choice for a field knife. I would choose it over any knife mentioned so far.

mendezj · Jun 22, 2020

Yes, the Busse, indeed. However, the Busse world seems very shady. The manufacturer doesn’t answer questions, and I recently I asked an eBay vendor about a knife he has posted for sale and the response was particularly hostile. Moreover, the different quality of Busse knives adds to the confusion.

However, I found out that Reeve tempers his S35CV to up to 57 Rockwell, and Spartan to up to 61. The Reeve would be easier to sharpen, the Spartan more difficult to sharpen but hold the edge longer and is more prone to chipping. Like all in life, it’s a compromise. I have ordered a CR Pacific, and in the near future I expect to order a Spartan too.

By the way, people, in this case ladies, at both companies are extremely helpful, kind and honest. And thank y’all for your very useful and serious responses.