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Spartan Blades Astor
The Spartan Blades Astor was Spartan Blades' first folding knife collaboration with Les George, the Marine veteran knifemaker. It is a full-size working liner lock. The Astor belongs to Spartan's Bronze Field Grade line, which Pineland Cutlery, the Spartan and KA-BAR partnership, produces in Taiwan to bring the price down.
Spartan Blades Astor Specs
The Astor carries a 3.5 inch flat ground drop point on 0.12 inch stock and runs 8.25 inches open, the size of a full work folder rather than a gent's knife. The blade has a tumbled finish that hides the scuffs of daily use. Dual thumb studs and a reversible deep carry clip make it workable for left-handed carry, and the thick liner lock is built for real cutting work.
CTS-XHP Blade Steel
Spartan specs the Astor in Carpenter CTS-XHP at 58 to 60 HRC. XHP is a powder steel that takes a fine edge and holds it longer than most mid-range stainless, with good corrosion resistance for pocket carry. It is close in character to an upgraded 440C, and our knife steel guide shows how it stacks up.
OIBBS Pivot and Handle Options
Every Bronze Field Grade folder runs Spartan's Oil Infused Bronze Bushing System, or OIBBS. The bronze bushings are impregnated with oil, so the blade swings smoothly without a loose pivot. On our shelf the Astor comes with OD green G-10 or carbon fiber scales, both over a tumbled blade.
Astor vs Talos and the Harsey Folder
The Talos is Bill Harsey's smaller CTS-XHP Field Grade folder with a 3.12 inch blade and the same OIBBS action. If you want to step up to Spartan's US-made flagship, the titanium framelock Spartan Harsey Folder won American-Made Knife of the Year at Blade Show 2016. For Les George fans, his V-14 dagger is in the Spartan lineup too.