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Petzl Spatha Review

The best knife we have tested for rock, ice, and alpine climbing
petzl spatha pocket knife review
Credit: Petzl
Price:  $35 List
Manufacturer:   Petzl
By Jediah Porter ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Aug 25, 2022
56
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#14 of 18
  • Blade and Edge Integrity - 30% 6.0
  • Ergonomics - 20% 5.0
  • Portability - 20% 8.0
  • Construction Quality - 20% 6.0
  • Other Features - 10% 0.0

Our Verdict

The Petzl Spatha is the knife we recommend most highly for climbing usage. It is light, sturdy, versatile, and readily carried in climbing settings. The functionality and materials far exceed that which you need for climbing-only applications. This is a great climbing knife is a top-ranked pocket knife for day-to-day use.
REASONS TO BUY
Serrated blade portion
Carabiner carry option
Lightweight
Good blade steel
REASONS TO AVOID
Rudimentary construction
Primitive lockback
Editor's Note: We updated this review for Petzl Spatha on August 25, 2022, with supplementary information from our testing process, a hot take on value, and suggestions for other comparable products that may better suit your needs.

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Pros Serrated blade portion, carabiner carry option, lightweight, good blade steelBeautifully constructed, assisted open, good valueCompact carry, familiar blade, bottle openerSmall, portable, well-constructedInexpensive, functional, heavily featured
Cons Rudimentary construction, primitive lockbackSlender handle makes it hard to apply even pressure, thin blade is fragileSmall handle, not available with Leatherman's best blade steelNot made for heavy-duty useUnremarkable construction, low quality steel, bulky
Bottom Line The best knife we have tested for rock, ice, and alpine climbingA slender, svelte pocket knife with great materials and a reasonable valueA compact, lightweight, affordable pocket knife with a handle that is a little too small for robust tasksA tiny, multi-function pocket knifeA fully-featured tactical pocket knife at an unbeatable price, but it lacks high quality construction
Rating Categories Petzl Spatha Kershaw Leek Leatherman Skeletoo... Victorinox Classic... Albatross EDC Tactical
Blade and Edge Integrity (30%)
6.0
7.0
6.0
4.0
5.0
Ergonomics (20%)
5.0
6.0
4.0
3.0
5.0
Portability (20%)
8.0
8.0
9.0
9.0
5.0
Construction Quality (20%)
6.0
8.0
6.0
5.0
5.0
Other Features (10%)
0
0
1
6.0
4.0
Specs Petzl Spatha Kershaw Leek Leatherman Skeletoo... Victorinox Classic... Albatross EDC Tactical
Weight 1.5 oz 3.1 oz 1.3 oz 0.8 oz 3.8 oz
Blade Length 2.7 in 2.9 in 2.3 in 1.4 in 2.5 in
Blade Material Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel 420HC stainless steel Proprietary Stainless (between 440A and 420) 440 stainless steel
Handle Material Nylon 410 stainless steel Steel Plastic Stainless steel
Blade Style Drop Point, hybrid straight/serrated Drop point, straight Drop point, straight Drop point, straight Drop point, straight
Blade locks closed? No Yes No No No
Opening Style Ambidextrous thumb hole; ridged traction ring Assisted, ambidextrous thumb stud; back-of-knife finger tab Thumb hole Fingernail Assisted, flipper
Lock Mechanism Lock back Frame lock Liner lock None Liner lock
Carry Style Carabiner hole Pocket clip and lanyard hole Pocket clip and lanyard hole Keyring Pocket clip
Closed Length 4.2 in 4.0 in 3.4 in 2.3 in 3.9 in
Overall Length 7.0 in 7.0 in 5.9 in 3.8 in 6.5 in
Thickness (w/o pocket clip) 0.5 in 0.3 in 0.3 in 0.4 in 0.4 in
Other Features or Functions None None Bottle opener Scissors, nail file, small screwdriver, tweezers, toothpick, key ring Seatbelt cutter, glass breaker

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Spatha is a knife designed specifically for climbing. This means that it is built to be carried on a carabiner, is relatively lightweight, and includes a serrated section of the blade for cutting rope and webbing. The fact is that, even if you carry it only while climbing, you will likely use it for non-climbing specific purposes most of the time. The members of our testing team that climb a lot can assert that cutting rope and webbing is a very rare part of most climbers' days. Worry not, as the Spatha is also a serviceable "regular" pocket knife.

Performance Comparison


petzl spatha pocket knife review - this is exactly what you picture doing with your climbing knife;...
This is exactly what you picture doing with your climbing knife; removal or maintenance of semi-permanent anchor materials. Some climbers do this with regularity, but most of us do not.
Credit: Jediah Porter

Blade and Edge Integrity


Petzl easily could have "phoned it in" on the blade and edge of the Spatha. A specialized, seldom-used tool like this doesn't have to have a great blade. Thankfully, they put a great blade in it. The Scandinavian 12C27 steel is stamped right on the blade, alongside the qualifier "inox." "Inox" is the French abbreviation for "stainless" steel; short for "inoxydable" or "not oxidizable," it means that it's resistant to rust. Petzl's European loyalties are clear: Scandinavian steel and French abbreviations are well-regarded. It is nothing flashy but has been shaped into great blades for decades all through Europe.


The Spatha has a half-straight, half-serrated blade. Generally, for day-to-day pocket knives, we like fully straight blades. A straight edge is easier to maintain and more versatile than a serrated one. A straight edge does everything a serrated edge does, but the opposite is not true. A serrated edge is marginally better at cutting cordage than a straight edge, especially with equal (especially, equally poor) edge maintenance. A dulled serrated edge will hack through rope and webbing better than a dulled straight edge. Because it is optimized for rope-intensive settings, we like the serrated section of the Spatha blade. This is officially the only application where we recommend a serrated section. For any other purposes, choose a straight blade and keep it sharp.


If anything, own more than one knife. Own this one for climbing only and own another, with a fully straight blade, for day-to-day and non-climbing adventures. We feel strongly about serrated sections in your blade edge; avoid them except for rope-intensive applications.

petzl spatha pocket knife review - you can open the spatha a variety of ways. that grey circle moves...
You can open the Spatha a variety of ways. That grey circle moves with the blade; you can use it to open the blade, which is especially handy with gloves on.
Credit: Jediah Porter

Ergonomics


The Spatha blade is full-sized, the handle is relatively thin and low profile, you can open the blade with one hand (with either thumb, in the blade's cutout) or with the ribbed hinge ring, and the blade locks open with a traditional "lockback" bar. None of these ergonomic matters are on the leading edge, but they all do the job and make sense in this application. Perhaps the most interesting thing about the knife ergonomically is the large ribbed ring you can use to open the Spatha. This is readily manipulated with gloves on. No other knife we've used is as easy to open with gloves on. We like this, even for purposes not climbing-related.


The traditional lockback mechanism isn't very sophisticated and is prone to developing more play than other modern solutions. However, with the huge hinge, carabiner hole, and opening "traction ring," the lockback configuration makes sense and is likely the only feasible solution. In all but the most extensive, robust use, the lockback will do just fine. Like the opening ring, the lockback can be manipulated with gloves better than other options.

petzl spatha pocket knife review - the full-length handle is great for heavier tasks. it is just a...
The full-length handle is great for heavier tasks. It is just a little thin for maximum effectiveness.
Credit: Jediah Porter

Portability


The Petzl Spatha weighs 1.5 oz and, when closed, measures 4.2 x 0.5 inches. The dimensions are pretty typical for a full-function pocket knife, but that weight is remarkably low. Of the knives we tested, all those that are close in weight are much, much smaller. Petzl's choice of an almost all plastic handle and a relatively thin blade comes with weight savings.


Like any pocket knife, you can carry the Spatha loose in a pocket or bag. Further, the hinge/opening ring has a huge hole in the middle of it for clipping to a carabiner. So clipped, it hangs with gravity (plus the friction in the hinge), keeping the blade closed and dangles minimally low on your harness. This is great.

petzl spatha pocket knife review - the petzl spatha's carabiner hole does exactly what it is made to do.
The Petzl Spatha's carabiner hole does exactly what it is made to do.
Credit: Jediah Porter

A knife handy on your harness is a good thing in some climbing settings. Note that all that keeps the knife closed is friction in the hinge. Given that at least some of the hinge surface is plastic-on-metal, you might anticipate this hinge friction to degrade.


Our team has carried versions of the Spatha for years with no important friction loss. However, this long-term test finding has had limited actual use of the knife. It is conceivable that a Spatha, if deployed extensively and regularly, could develop play and lose more friction than a typical pocket knife. We will keep testing and keep reporting.

petzl spatha pocket knife review - as compared to "regular" pocket knives, the spatha is unique in...
As compared to "regular" pocket knives, the Spatha is unique in design and appearance. For climbing, the design makes sense.
Credit: Jediah Porter

Construction Quality


The first impressions of our testers with the Spatha, accustomed to sturdy, everyday pocket knives, were relatively unremarkable. The all-plastic handle, somewhat rough hinge friction, primitive lockback design, and low weight combine to leave our test team somewhat underwhelmed at first glance.


Long-term use indicates that the Petzl Spatha will hold up just fine. As noted above, there is good reason to believe that the hinge may lose friction and risk the blade opening inadvertently. We have not found that to be the case but will continue investigating.

petzl spatha pocket knife review - petzl chose good blade steel when they didn't have to. this is good.
Petzl chose good blade steel when they didn't have to. This is good.
Credit: Jediah Porter

Other Features


While there are no additional tools or functions on the Spatha, this is a good time to comment on the versatility of this knife. You will likely choose a climbing knife primarily for cutting cord and webbing. The fact is, though, that cutting rope and webbing while climbing is quite rare. There are precious few instances in routine climbing that you need a knife to cut rope or webbing. If that is all you used a knife for, the blade could be tiny and entirely serrated. Such products exist. That being said, if you carry a knife while climbing, you will almost certainly find many other uses for it. If you are using it for anything other than cutting rope and webbing, you will be glad for the versatility of the full-size Spatha blade.

petzl spatha pocket knife review - this is the more frequent application of a climbing knife; prepping...
This is the more frequent application of a climbing knife; prepping lunch by cutting the cheddar. The Spatha is as good for this as it is for cutting rope and webbing.
Credit: Jediah Porter

Should You Buy the Petzl Spatha?


The Petzl Spatha is the knife we currently recommend for climbers. Its full-size stature is handy for many tasks beyond cutting rope and webbing. Its construction, materials, and portability are carefully balanced for optimum application in steep terrain. For the function and versatility, the Spatha is relatively inexpensive. You can spend this amount on a daily-carry knife and get better materials, construction, and ergonomics. But you can't do better at any price for climbing purposes, especially for a knife that is more than adequate for everyday applications.

What Other Pocket Knives Should You Consider?


Our test team has used other knives while climbing, but the Spatha is by far the best climbing-specific option we've come across. Of course, we recognize that not everyone spends much of their free time hanging from ropes. At this price point, consider weighing this knife against the Sanrenmu 7010. But for an overall balance of value and performance, our recommendation is the Kershaw Leek.

Jediah Porter
 
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