PMCI - June 2019
PMCI continues its coverage of the 2019 "show season" as Bill lands his annual report from IWA in Nuremberg; there's also coverage of the latest from Spartan Blades, an in depth look at the Laser Ammo Training System, and Clint returns to his service days, getting on the range with the Mossberg 590A1! As usual, if it's tactical and worth knowing about you'll find it in PMCI.
PMCI continues its coverage of the 2019 "show season" as Bill lands his annual report from IWA in Nuremberg; there's also coverage of the latest from Spartan Blades, an in depth look at the Laser Ammo Training System, and Clint returns to his service days, getting on the range with the Mossberg 590A1! As usual, if it's tactical and worth knowing about you'll find it in PMCI.
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community. Aside from creating outstanding designs for wellestablished<br />
companies such as Gerber and Columbia Knife and<br />
Tool, Bill’s most significant design was that of the Yarborough<br />
Knife, which was named after Lt. Gen. William P. Yarborough,<br />
known as the “father of modern Special Forces.”. This special<br />
combat blade is presented to each graduate of the United States<br />
Army Special Forces Qualification Course. Each of these knives<br />
possesses its own serial number and gets logged in an official<br />
record book maintained by the United States Army Special<br />
Operations Command.<br />
During SHOT SHOW <strong>2019</strong>, I had the honor of meeting Bill Harsey<br />
when I dropped in on Mark and Curtis at their Spartan Blades<br />
booth. During my time spent chatting with these gentlemen, I<br />
was introduced to their recent collaboration called the Tactical<br />
Trout Knife better known as the Spartan Harsey TT. When Mark<br />
placed one in my hand, it immediately felt like they had made<br />
it specifically for me. The fit, weight and shape seemed to melt<br />
into my hand and gave me a feeling of complete control over<br />
the blade. The G10 micarta scales on the handle provided a solid<br />
purchase in my hand without being overly aggressive or feeling<br />
as if its “biting” into my skin. Even the lanyard loop was snug<br />
at first to fit my hand through and then landed perfectly around<br />
my wrist at the proper length. My brain immediately started to<br />
figure out how to fly home with this blade. Thankfully, the guys<br />
were genuinely kind enough to mail one to me after the show for<br />
testing and review.<br />
Spartan Harsey TT Specs<br />
Designer:<br />
William W. Harsey<br />
Overall Length: 9”<br />
Blade Length: 4 1/2”<br />
Blade Thickness: 3/16”<br />
Blade Steel:<br />
CPM S35VN<br />
Blade Hardness:<br />
58-60 HRC<br />
Blade Style:<br />
Spear Point - Flat ground main bevel<br />
with tapered top edge.<br />
Coating:<br />
PVD - Tungsten DLC (Black) or ZrN<br />
(Flat Dark Earth)<br />
Handle Material:<br />
3D Contoured Linen Micarta (Black<br />
or Camouflage)<br />
Weight:<br />
0.460 LBS<br />
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL<br />
When the Tactical Trout blade arrived at my office, I enjoyed some<br />
private time quietly inspecting the blade from tip to pommel far<br />
from the busy trade show floor in which I first saw it. I remember<br />
reading about how the knife’s original design came from Bill<br />
designing a “do-all” outdoor knife approximately a decade ago<br />
simply called the Trout knife, in which its spear point and saber<br />
grind along the 4 1/2” long blade accommodated a wide range<br />
of practical application. A decade of tweaking details along with<br />
combining the handle design of another Harsey creation known<br />
as the H-Class Tanto lead to what Spartan Blades now produces<br />
as the Tactical Trout aka Spartan Harsey TT.<br />
Constructed from S35VN steel for its rust resistant qualities<br />
and somewhat ease of sharpening in the field, the blade is rated<br />
at 60 HRC on the hardness scale. The knife comes with a choice<br />
of two PVD coatings, Tungsten DLC (Black) or ZrN (Flat Dark<br />
Earth). This coating not only gives the blade added protection<br />
from the elements but also reduces glare given off from the<br />
blade exposed to bright light. The spear point profile with false<br />
top edge is perfectly designed for deep penetration whether its<br />
gutting large game or in a self defense application against two<br />
legged predators. The main blade edge itself is supported against<br />
chipping by a slightly thicker than average base and holds a<br />
3/16” thickness along the spine for added strength.<br />
The razor-sharp blade led down through the afore mentioned<br />
well-thought out G10 scales of the grip as the full tang ended<br />
with a pointed “skull crusher” or “glass breaker” point. This<br />
impact point can come in very handy on a rearwards strike. For<br />
my medium sized hands, I enjoyed the fact, the grip wasn’t<br />
over-sized as generic blades tend to be. Even with my Outdoor<br />
Research gloves on, I still felt like there was plenty of grip without<br />
too much unused length. The lanyard hole offered a solid location<br />
for the accompanying length of 550 paracord to attach for use<br />
when chopping with the knife.<br />
Shipped along with the knife was a Kydex sheath set up with<br />
a belt loop for open carry. By removing two screws, the end user<br />
can remove the belt loop easily. The open rivets running along<br />
each side of the sheath are perfect for lashing to Molle equipped<br />
gear with 550 cord or shock cord. By applying a simple metal or<br />
Kydex belt clip to the sheath, it can be tucked inside the waist<br />
band for everyday carry. This was the option I used the most.<br />
KNIVES: SPARTAN / HARSEY TACTICAL<br />
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