REVIEW: Spartan Blades CQB Tool

CQB Tool? A knife is always a tool, but what do you work when working in a Close Quarter Battle? Spartan Blades from the USA (not related to us), known for fine blades in the higher price segment, has presented a small knife here that is specifically designed for self-defense. The shape looks ancient Roman to us, the Spartan implementation results in a minimalist dagger, designed for the most dangerous situations and available in Germany at G-Gear.

The CQB Tool has a total length of 17.3 centimeters (cm), the double-edged blade alone measures 7.2 cm. Sounds long, but it's not: here we see the tool in hand. The index finger is placed through the ring, the fingers fit into the wavy handle, seamlessly transitioning into the contact surface for close combat that goes under the skin.

There are people who complain about the ring at the end of the knife, because there would be a risk of breaking a finger. It shouldn't happen, especially because the thumb presses from behind on the flat surface at the ring and the CQB Tool - now all blade - should be securely in the hand. Cutting and carving are not intended here, only stabbing is the sole purpose. The steel used is 154CM.

Spartan Blades includes the knife with the matching Kydex sheath. It is slim and designed so that the knife can be inserted between MOLLE loops …

… or - here the back of the sheath - can also be horizontally attached to the belt with Paracord. Both, knife and sheath, are available in Black Sparta Coat or Flat Dark Earth.

Or the wearer attaches adhesive Velcro strips to the sheath and secures the knife like here fixed on the back of a Chest Rigs - with the Haley Strategic Partners D3CR this works very well. The knife is immediately ready for use, but hardly recognizable to a layman.

CONCLUSION: This tool is a weapon for absolute emergencies. The CQB Tool is part of the Special Operations Combatives Program (SOCP) and was created by Greg Tompson, who oversees this program as a trainer. The CQB Tool is a weapon for short distances, with the purpose of stabbing to create distance again, when the threat is getting too close, in order to then immediately switch back to the primary weapon. A compelling argument for self-protection. And also damn good looking …

The Spartan Blades CQB Tool is available at G-Gear for 160 euros.