REVIEW: Spartan Blades Ronin Shinto

The ancient laws and wisdom of the Japanese samurai continue to be respected to this day and are an integral part of the world of warriors. This is exactly what the term "Shinto" describes - an attempt to create a connection between the old and the new. Behind the design of the Shinto is MSG rt. Tu Lam. If you are not yet familiar with the retired Green Beret, you can find all the information HERE. Ronin means masterless samurai. This is the name Tu gave himself after retiring from 22 years of service in the US Army.

Technically, the Shinto is the second project by Tu with Spartan Blades. The Sakura, exclusively made by Spartan Blades for Ronin Tactics, was the first. Spartan Blades generally rejects work as an OEM manufacturer. However, they could not deny their former team member Tu the wish for his own serially produced knife.

The Shinto is a skillful blend of utility and fighter. What is immediately noticeable when you first pick it up is the extremely well-balanced weight distribution of the knife.

The solid tip with top edge grind is robust and penetration-friendly. Drawing a line from the tip to the handle hits exactly the soul axis (center) of the handle, as is the case with most combat knives. Unusually, there is a pronounced belly on the blade, which is excellent for long, slicing cuts. Here, Tu deliberately deviates from the narrow dagger shapes of many combat knives, as the knife is used 98% as a tool in today's military applications. The belly allows cutting material even far away from solid surfaces. This shape also favors light chopping.

Opinions on a recurve shape may vary, but it certainly makes the form damn sexy. Cutting rope material is greatly simplified, and sharpening, if needed, can be done by a professional. The shape somewhat resembles a jaguar getting ready to pounce, aiming to convey qualities of speed, agility, strength, and aggressiveness.

With a blade thickness of 0.48cm, the knife is robustly built and very sharp due to the light hollow grind. It follows the motto "less is more". Those familiar with Spartan Blades knives will notice a tendency to avoid excessively thick blades to keep the weight down and increase cutting performance.

As always, the tried and tested powder metallurgical steel S35vn from Crucible Industries is used. The blade is coated with a robust and abrasion-resistant zirconium nitride multi-layer coating in the Flat Dark Earth version and DLC in the black version.

Following the sharpening just before the guard is a finger groove, allowing for fine work and facilitating sharpening. The guard that follows prevents slipping into the blade.

Most large knives from Spartan Blades use Micarta, but not here. Deliberately, the indestructible but somewhat less pleasing to the touch G10 was chosen, with a honeycomb-like milled surface providing secure grip and a firm hold regardless of wet or oil-smudged hands. A thumb groove is milled into the front part of the grip scales on both sides. This assists in finer work and offers multiple grip options for different knife use scenarios. The handle is relatively compact and not very hand-filling, but it is very secure and firm. This was deliberately done to make the knife compact and easy to handle, so it adds little weight to the equipment.

At the end of the handle, the tang is exposed, forming a pommel. This can transfer force to media without damaging the handle scales.

Currently, the knife is available in black or FDE with black G10. The sheath is currently the robust and popular puncture-proof First Spear Cordura sheath with insert. This keeps the knife safe and can be attached to the belt, Molle, Pals, or almost anywhere on the equipment. Available colors: Black, Coyote, and Multicam.

Available at G-Gear for 380.00 EUR or directly at Spartan Blades for 350.00 USD excl. Shipping. A Kydex sheath is currently being produced and should be available in black and Coyote/Tan in the near future.

G-Gear website: www.g-gear.com

Spartan Blades website: spartanbladesusa.comThe Master and the Maker: Tu Lam of RONIN TACTICS and William W Harsey Jr.