There’s a brutal elegance in a knife that’s designed for maximum damage. Even better is when the knife can do double duty as a general utility blade or field knife. Few designers can pull that combination off as well as William W. Harsey Jr., that’s for sure. A true legend in the field, Harsey has built a reputation for hard-use blades that are intelligently designed and ready for action. The Spartan Blades Clandestina is a shining example of those traits.
The Spartan Blades Clandestina
There’s a reason it won Knife of the Year at the 2024 Blade Show. From pommel to point, every detail has been well thought out and planned for efficiency, ergonomics, and precise capability. While it’s far from being the first collaboration between Harsey and Spartan Blades, the Clandestina is definitely a top-ranked one.
At 10.1875 inches in length, the Clandestina might be a bit large for routine EDC, but it’s perfect for field work. The 5.5-inch blade gives you plenty of razor-sharp edge for any cutting or slicing task.
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Spartan Blades went with MagnaCut, a steel that has been all the rage as of late. Rightfully so, as it’s a tough steel with great resistance to wear and corrosion. These qualities are augmented by the PVD coating, available in either black or FDE (Flat Dark Earth).
The blade is a spear point profile with a flat grind. The point is needle-sharp, yet not too thin for actual use. I like a flat grind as it’s easy to maintain. It also slices through material smoothly, without getting caught on anything along the way.
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Handling the Clandestina
The Clandestina handle is 4.6875 inches long. That’s plenty of real estate for even those with catcher’s mitts for hands. As with some other Harsey designs, the handle sports grooves for both index and middle fingers. While not unheard of, this is a somewhat rarely seen feature in the knife world.
As with every other detail, there’s a reason behind it. In this case, the middle finger groove provides an additional level of control over the knife, something that becomes evident once you start using it. The handle terminates in a point, giving it a skull-crusher look. This is partially obscured by the included paracord lanyard, but I’m sure it could still deliver a good wallop, should the need arise.
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The handle scales are Micarta, which is always a great choice for a knife that’s intended for real-world use. The material is just about bombproof. There’s enough texturing on this handle to be tactile without being ridiculously rough. The handle is slimmer than you may expect, but it’s very comfortable.
Overall, between the material and the contouring, the handle provides a rock-solid grip.
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A Sheath Meant for Hard Use
There are two stock sheath style options with the Clandestina: nylon or Kydex. There is also an aftermarket leather sheath available from Spartan Blades, should you wish to go that route. I received the Kydex sheath. It holds the knife securely with absolutely no wobble or rattle. I shook the sheath like a dice cup in a high-stakes game of Yahtzee and couldn’t hear a sound.
The sheath is equipped with a removable rig that has wide straps for attaching to MOLLE or your belt. There is a small weep hole at the bottom of the sheath to allow moisture to escape. Yet another small detail that speaks volumes toward this being a working knife, not a safe queen.
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Clandestina Options
Whether you order it from Spartan Blades or one of their distributors, the Clandestina is available in a few different configurations.
The blade can be either black or FDE (Flat Dark Earth), which is sort of a brownish color. The Micarta handle can be either black or camo, which is a brown and black mix.
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For sheaths, you have a choice between nylon (black, camo, or brown) or Kydex (black or brown).
The options chosen will determine the final price, with MSRP starting at $370. The one reviewed here has the FDE blade finish, camo Micarta handle, and brown Kydex sheath. This particular iteration retails for $405.
Putting It Through the Paces
I’ve had my Clandestina for a few months now. It has tagged along on a couple of camping trips as well as several hikes. I’ve owned several Spartan Blades offerings over the years. One of my favorites has always been the Spartan-Harsey Tactical Trout. The Clandestina is, in many ways, its big sister. Not brother, as clandestina is the feminine version of clandestine.
The knife is perfectly balanced and feels like an extension of the arm rather than a separate tool. It melts into the hand easily and just handles beautifully, no matter what you’re doing with it.
I’ve used it for cutting cordage, including old clothesline as well as paracord. It did great with making feather sticks and processing cardboard boxes, including stabbing the latter several times. The blade length gives you plenty of reach without being cumbersome, though if you’re used to carrying a three-inch blade EDC, it takes a bit to get used to the longer knife.
What I still can’t get over is just how comfortable the Clandestina is in hand. Harsey did a truly amazing job with the handle design, and it’s been perfectly executed by Spartan Blades. I’ve owned and used hundreds of knives, and this one is easily one of the top five or so for ergonomics.
The Spartan Blades Clandestina: Meant for Hard Use
The Clandestina isn’t the sort of knife that most folks would EDC. Carrying it through a suburban grocery store is likely to garner some side eye. But if you get out past where the sidewalks end, that’s where it’ll be in its element.
The Clandestina is designed for rough use in areas where there is little chance for outside support for long periods.
Spartan-Harsey Clandestina Specs
| Overall Length | 10 3/16 inches |
| Blade Length | 5.5 inches |
| Blade Steel | CPM MagnaCut |
| Blade Grind | Flat ground |
| Handle Material | Canvas Micarta Black and Camo |
| Weight | 7.5 ounces |
| Blade Hardness | 61-63 HRCSheath type and material: MOLLE and Kydex options |
| Special Features | Available in Black and FDE PVD Coating, Double Deep Cryogenic Treatment |
| MSRP | $307 – $405 (as shown) |
