The Lynn Thompson Signature Spartan

[The Whip]

I have long thought that the Spartan is a very underrated Cold Steel folder. It and the Rajah were "folding tank" models well prior to the introduction of the 4-MAX. And as much as I love the 4-MAX, in many ways, the Spartan outshines and out-performs it.

I'm really looking forward to the Lynn Thompson Signature Spartan, and I hope that GSM doesn't abandon it. (It's no longer listed among the New Items and, in fact, doesn't appear at all on the Web site.) In my surfing to learn more about the Signature Spartan, I discovered that KnifeCenter and Blade HQ show two very different photos of the prototype.

This is KnifeCenter's.

This is Blade HQ's.

Note that the serial numbers are different, with KnifeCenter's being 0000 and Blade HQ's being 0001. I don't know if the different serial numbers and handle configurations correspond with different designs, different manufacturers, or both.

While the Blade HQ model more closely resembles the aesthetic of the original Spartan, the KnifeCenter model appears more comfortable and refined, and personally I hope that the final version (if there is a final version) turns out to follow that design. Here's to hoping that we see at least one come to fruition!

-Steve

 

[Your Name Goes Here]

A vote for the knifecenter version. Strangely I never liked the spartan, but this full serrated blade appeals to me.

 

[jbmonkey]

I vote for gsm to make the Fresno felon cmftw version.......

 

[paul brown]

unobtainium? I like the serrations on the HQ model.

 

[Man with no name]

From another vendor.

 

[DayofReckoning]

It would be very unfortunate if these are only offered in serrated, that's all that I'm seeing listed.

 

[Juan Lopez]

We will wait until Lynn signs all 2500 boxes.

 

[JeremiahWeaver09]

i bought the regular version of the new serrated spartan with the grey handles, its actually pretty nice and the price is great

 

[Juan Lopez]

Spartan deserves G10.

 

[paul brown]

the spartan is the only CS that has ever jumped out of my hands not once but twice now. I'll blame the long reach to the thumb disc and the freaky plastic handle. G 10 would be great.

 

[Zephyr One/Zero]

Would've been nice, if they'd done a 50/50 run of non-serrated versions too.

 

[Chris_Texas]

I have been really looking forward to the LT Spartan. Does anyone have a clue when or even if these will.ever happen?

Just saw them listed as overdue on Midway, and I finally saw the price. GSM has lost their freaking minds. $399 ?!

 

[DangerZone98]

It would be very unfortunate if these are only offered in serrated, that's all that I'm seeing listed.

Unfortunate indeed. I’d be interested in a plain edge version.

I’m sure there are many talented folks in BF who can convert that to PE though hehe.

 

[Vlade]

I realized these are going to be collectors items. However I do not like cold steel serrations. Once the tiny tips break off it's over. But I don't think anybody is going to use a signature blade from Lynn Thompson

 

[rustinxcohle]

finally saw the price. GSM has lost their freaking minds. $399 ?!

If this will be the street price, I don't know what to say about that. San Mai Trail Masters are going for less than that, at least where I am. I love the classic Spartan and would easily pick up another one, if
an upgraded plain edge version (3V, plain edge, G10, anyone?) would come out, even for a much higher price than the standart one. But change the handle color, put serrations on it,
call it a signature edition and that's it for this of a price? Just no.

 

[Chris_Texas]

If this will be the street price, I don't know what to say about that. San Mai Trail Masters are going for less than that, at least where I am. I love the classic Spartan and would easily pick up another one, if
an upgraded plain edge version (3V, plain edge, G10, anyone?) would come out, even for a much higher price than the standart one. But change the handle color, put serrations on it,
call it a signature edition and that's it for this of a price? Just no.

I saw one of the generally less expensive retailers now listing them as IN STOCK.... for $399

If you want one wait, there is no way in hell the knife world is gonna pay that.

 

[Juan Lopez]

I saw one of the generally less expensive retailers now listing them as IN STOCK.... for $399

If you want one wait, there is no way in hell the knife world is gonna pay that.

$400 would be too much, but $399 is tempting me.

 

[Chris_Texas]

$400 would be too much, but $399 is tempting me.

Indeed. My wife offered to buy it for me-- probably that tempting $399 thing-- but I told her hell no.

It's kinda a bummer for me, because I collect the LT models, but this is absurd.

 

[EveryDayIsHalloween]

Indeed. My wife offered to buy it for me-- probably that tempting $399 thing-- but I told her hell no.

It's kinda a bummer for me, because I collect the LT models, but this is absurd.

It will go down soon enough, maybe it will take a while though (like the Oyabun Limited did)

 

[Chris_Texas]

It will go down soon enough, maybe it will take a while though (like the Oyabun Limited did)

I think so as well. Speaking of the Oyabun limited, I liked it so much I bought two. One for the collection and one to carry. It seems some don't like the looks, but I do.