Petzl Spatha Knife Review

Although manufactured and advertised as a climbing knife, I’ve taken to carrying the Petzl Spatha as my hiking knife. I used to carry a Leatherman Skeletool CX, but the only feature I ever used was the knife (mostly for cutting cheese), so I decided to get something lighter.

Sure, ultralight fanatics can argue that this knife, at 1.5 oz / 43g, is still too heavy to be included in one’s pack, but for now, I will resist the pressure to deprive myself of a proper cheese-cutting device (although a credit card works well in a pinch). I’m not too into the idea of carrying a micro knife.

The Specs

• Color: Yellow or Blue
• Weight: 1.5 oz / 43g
• Knife Blade Type: Partially Serrated
• Open Length: 7 in / 180 mm
• Closed Length: 4.25 in / 110 mm
• Locking Blade: Yes
• One-Handed Opening: Yes
• Handle Material: Nylon
• Blade Construction: Stainless steel
• Product of: France
• MSRP: $39.95

The Good

The Weight

Petzl removed the metal handle from this version of the Spatha, giving it a weight of just 1.5 oz / 43g. For its size, it’s one of the lightest knives available – it’s lighter than a Snickers bar. There’s no argument against carrying a knife (also known as a mountain lion deterrent) when it’s this light.

The Blade

The blade is sharp. Despite my relentless mistreatment, it’s been resilient and does not appear to have dulled since being added to my pack (yes, occasionally I cut things that aren’t edible). The blade’s half closest to the handle is serrated, allowing it to cut through rope, clothing, or fingers easily. There is also a notch at the top of the blade, which makes it easier to open with gloves.

The Hole

If you prefer not to carry your knife in your pocket (or if you’re using this knife for climbing), the hole at the top makes it easy to secure and access with a carabiner. This hole is also ribbed and can be gripped and turned to open the knife (instead of needing to grab the blade).

The Okay

The Opening & Closing

Although it’s possible to open the Petzl Spatha with one hand, it’s not the easiest thing in the world (it’s more like a one-handed and one-legged operation). The knife can also be opened by grabbing and turning the carabiner hole, which (in addition to the notch in the blade) makes opening and closing the knife with gloves easier.

The Handle

Although the handle saves weight, it’s plastic. It’s not the best knife handle you’ll find (but remember that we’re saving weight here). Don’t get me wrong, I’ve beaten the hell out of this knife, but I don’t know that I would trust the handle in a prying scenario.

The Bad

The Lock

The Petzl Spatha does not have a lock to keep it in the closed position, which means that accidental opening is possible. However, the knife requires a fair amount of force to open, and I cannot imagine it opening on its own very easily (especially if inside a pocket or pack). Note: The blade DOES lock when open.

Conclusion

If you find yourself neglecting your multi-tool and decide to focus on the thing you’re (probably) using the most, your knife, then the Petzl Spatha is an excellent option. I have very much enjoyed making the switch to the lightweight Spatha.

Check out the Petzl Spatha Knife.

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