Spartan Blades LLC was founded 2008 by two retired US Army Special Forces NCO’s with the singular mission to “manufacture finely crafted tactical and field knives” guided by the “Special Operations Truths.”
Curtis V. Iovito and Mark Carey, co-founders of Spartan Blades, bring a combined 43 plus years of infantry and military special operations experience to their innovative, award-winning functional knives. Spartan Blades knives are now in use with SOF operators around the globe. They have been used in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan by both US and Coalition forces.
Spartan Blades are designed and handcrafted to meet the rigors of military use. The company utilizes only the highest quality US origin materials, precision handwork, latest CNC technology and CAD/CAM software, state-of-the-art heat and double cryogenic / temper treatment, along with the best protective coating technology and multiple quality control checks to create knives that meet the standards of the most discerning professional.
Spartan Blades Enyo knife was developed at the request members of the US Army Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Afghanistan. Team members were looking for a small fixed blade knife that they could carry inside the waistband (IWB) when they went to meetings with tribal leaders. The Enyo has become one of Spartan Blades top selling knives.
Enyo is a fitting name for this wicked little knife. Enyo (i-nye-oh) was the goddess of war in Greek mythology. She was the counterpart and companion to the war god Ares. According to mythology, Enyo so delighted in warfare that she even refused to take sides in the battle between Zeus and the monster Typhon. A statue of Enyo stood in the temple of Ares at Athens.
Just as the goddess Enyo was a companion to the war god Ares, the Enyo knife is a companion to the modern warrior. It’s a compact fixed blade knife for everyday carry (EDC) that can be worn in a myriad of ways.
The Enyo is made of CPM® S35VN super-premium stainless steel. CPM stands for Crucible Particle Metals®. The CPM method of manufacturing increases the uniform distribution of carbides, nearly doubling the toughness over conventional steels of the same composition.
Although CPM S30V was originally used for the Enyo, Spartan Blades upgraded to CPM S35VN. Both CPM S30V and CPM S35VN were developed by Crucible Steel specifically for knives. CPM S35VN is a martensitic stainless steel that’s considered by many to be the ultimate blade steel.
Due to the addition of 0.5% niobium (which forms niobium carbides), CPM S35VN is 15 to 20% tougher than its predecessor CPM S30V, with no loss of wear resistance. The improved toughness offers better resistance to edge chipping, allowing for a more acute, edge geometry, as well as edge retention that’s far superior to that of conventional steels.
Performance of the steel is improved further by a –325°F to – 350°F (-198°C to -212°C) deep cryogenic process after vacuum heat treatment and again after initial temper. This process creates a significantly denser molecular structure that offers greater wear resistance and durability. Conventional deep freeze methods only reach -120°F (-84°C). Spartan Blades heat and double cryogenic temper and quality control measures meet the requirements of ISO9001:20158 and AMS2750 standards. The Enyo is hardened to 59-60 HRC.
Spartan Blades uses SpartaCoat™ (ionbond®) PVD coatings to protect and harden the surface of many of its knives, including the Enyo. PVD stands for Physical Vapor Deposition. The ionbond PVD process produces metal-based hard coatings on a substrate by means of generation of partially ionized metal vapor. The ionbond PVD coatings are harder and more corrosion resistant than coatings applied by the electroplating process.
PVD coatings offer good impact strength, excellent abrasion resistance and are exceptionally durable. The Enyo is available with either a Black Tungsten DLC coating or a Flat Dark Earth Zirconium Nitride (ZrN) coating.
The Enyo is exceptionally compact and lightweight, It has a 2.69-inch (6.83 cm) blade and an overall length of 6.25 inches (15.88 cm). Blade thicknesses is 0.19-inch (0.48 cm). The knife weighs in at a svelte 2.8 ounces.(79.38 g). It may be small in size but it definitely doesn’t lack in performance. It’s an ideal fixed blade EDC knife for both everyday tasks and personal defense.
The blade on the Enyo is of drop point design. A drop point blade slopes on the spine of the blade from the handle of the knife to the tip of the blade. It allows the spine of the blade to continue forward to the tip of the blade for tip strength while maintaining an upward curve of the edge and placing the tip in-line with the user’s hand.
The ergonomics on the Enyo are excellent. Not an easy task on such a compact, lightweight knife. The knife is well balanced and feels good in the hand. Kudos go out to Curtis Iovito and Mark Carey who personally designed the Enyo.
The Enyo features a skeletonized handle that reduces weight and aids in gripping. All of the edges are bevelled for comfort. The handle features a finger cutout as well as jimping in all the right places. It’s equipped with a paracord lanyard with a classy US-made silver-plated lead-free pewter Spartan helmet bead that also aids in retention (Spartan Blades also offers other cool plated pewter beads on its website).
Spartan Blades is known for its attention to detail and high quality control, as one might expect from a company run by former SF NCOs. The Enyo is no exception. Fit and finish on the sample knife are second to none. The knife was razor sharp out of the box.
The Enyo comes with a form-fitted Kydex® sheath in either Black or Coyote to match the respective blade finish. The sheath is designed for optimum versatility and durability. It includes a stainless steel break-away neck chain, Pull-the-DOT® soft belt loop for IWB, and two feet of paracord for convenient carry options.
The belt loop is attached to the sheath with a bolt fastener and can be removed or attached to to any of the sheath grommets for the preferred carry position. The sheath is compatible with many aftermarket belt clips and is Blade-Tech® hardware compatible. It may also be used with the Mercharness™ paracord shoulder harness, made by George Matheis of Modern Combatives Systems and available from Spartan Blades.
Brian Wagner of Okuden Custom Kydex, makes all of the sheaths for Spartan Blades. Wagner is regarded as one of the top Kydex sheath makers. Each sheath is precisely fitted to withstand an 18-inch inverted drop test and still allow the user to easily draw the blade.
I prefer to carry a small fixed blade knife, such as the Enyo, close to my body mid-line, either OWB or IWB. Mid-line carry provides easy access with either hand. It also makes it easier to access and deploy the knife from a clinch and if knocked to the ground. I also like the Mercharness for some applications.
Although neck carry is also popular and has its advantages, it also has disadvantages that need to be considered. On the plus side, neck carry is simple, convenient, unobtrusive under slightly heavier clothing and the knife is easy to access when seated. On the negative side, a neck knife can be difficult to access when in motion or on the ground and can print under lighter clothing.
In Conclusion
If you are looking for an outstanding fixed blade knife for EDC, you need look no further than Spartan Blades Enyo. MSRP for the Enyo is $150.00. All Spartan Blades knives come with a limited lifetime warranty and free re-sharpening/honing for life.
At its core, Spartan Blades “is a give-back organization, forever striving to be our brother’s keeper, and encouraging others to do the same” They support a multitude of organizations and initiatives that help veterans in need. (See the charities and organiztions they support)
Specifications
Spartan Blades Enyo
Model:: Enyo
SKU: SB2
Maker: Spartan Blades, LLC
Designer(s): Curtis Iovito and Mark Carey
Type: Fixed Blade
Blade Length: 2.69 in. (6.83 cm)
Blade Thickness:. 0.19 in.(0.48cm)
Overall Length:: 6.25 in. (15.88 cm)
Blade Material: CPM S35VN Stainless Steel
Coating:: SpartaCoat PVD —Tungsten DLC (Black) or ZrN (Flat Dark Earth)
Blade Hardness: 59-60 HRC
Blade Style: Drop Point
Weight (knife): 2,8 oz.(79.38 g)
Lanyard Hole: Yes
Sheath: Kydex Sheath (Black or Coyote to match blade finish) with neck chain and IWB belt loop. Blade-Tech hardware compatible.
Origin: USA
Warranty: Limited Lifetime
MSRP: $150.00
Material Disclosure
I received this product as a courtesy from the manufacturer so I could test it and give my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal or implied contract to give this product a good review. All opinions are my own and are based off my personal experience with the product.
*The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Spotter Up Magazine, the administrative staff, and/or any/all contributors to this site.