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f you want to know what makes agreat fighting knife ask someonewho’s used one, or in the case ofSpartan Blades, LLC, just ask coownersCurtis Iovito and MarkCarey. These two military veteransbiographies speak for themselves.Iovito was a member of the USArmy Special Forces as a WeaponsSergeant, while Carey was a memberof the same elite group, as a MedicalSergeant and Senior NCO. Both menspent 20-plus years each in the military,including special duties in counterterrorismand sniping. Both menwent through tours of duty in Asia andthe Middle East and were teammatesduring several years of their service.Needless to say, they both got to knowknives along with their firearms, sowhat better pair to put together a companyspecializing in edged weapons?Curtis Iovito, the president ofSpartan, went into the venture withhands-on experience at knifemaking.During his duty in the Special Forceshe took an interest in making knivesand developed his skills by makingEnyo Knife —flat dark earth.cutters for his buddies in 1st SpecialForces Group Airborne. After Curtisretired from military service he workedas the marketing director for a companyspecializing in large armor development,gaining valuable experiencein the business world, which includedworking with the US government andforeign entities.Spartan vice-president Mark Carey’spost-military career paralleledthat of Iovito. Mark also becameinvolved in the armament industry,serving as the Director of OverseasOperations in Kuwait for an armordevelopment company in charge ofplanning and managing a multi-milliondollar military contract. Like teammateIovito, he gained valuable experiencein the business arena and workingwith foreign governments.When asked why he and Iovitochose knives as the focus of their businesseffort Mark tells us, “Since Curtishad made knives on and off for yearsfor our buddies and we had learneda lot about manufacturing in shortContinued on page 94Erebus Knife —flat dark earthwith tan micarta.Nyx Knife — flatdark earth withgreen handle.WWW.AMERICANHANDGUNNER.COM 69