Petzl Spatha Knife

I have the small version and it lives on my harness. It's great for cutting out and replacing manky tat as well as cutting up salami. I have had no issues with the blade opening up when I didn't want it to (I have had this issue with different models of knives). The opening action is still stiff after 4 years of use. I view that aspect of the knife as a positive because I don't want it opening up and exposing an edge to things that are not supposed to be cut. If you are looking for a locking blade look somewhere else. It is a solid light weight performer.

It's a good sharp knife, but any real climbing knife should have a locking blade and SERRATION. The wavy blade on the larger model just doesn't ....cut it.

The trick to opening this knife withe one hand is to use your fingers to rotate the coloured knob/bearing of the blade. Not a problem if you have some finger strength. Nice easy racking knife for climbing or canyoneering.

I've read a lot of reviews complaining about how the Spatha can't be opened with one hand. I almost didn't buy it because of these reviews. But, I found a good deal and bought it anyway. Happily I discovered that you can, in fact, open it with one hand quite easily. You hold the center ring, where the carabiner fits, and catch the bottom against anything, your thigh for example, and it opens right up. You can't grip the blade with your fingers and wrench it open, as you might with other knives. But once you figure out how it is supposed to be opened, things make a lot more sense. All in all its a great little knife and I'm glad I bought it.

The spatha is an extremely light weight little knife (plastic handle weighs next to nothing). I find that it is perfect for situations were extra weight is undesirable, however it is not easy to get open, does not lock, and is by no means a one hander, also does not fit some brands of carabiner.

I have had this knife for about two years now. Its is a nice light utility knife that holds a decent edge and can be clipped to nearly everything.
I will say though that i have yet to find a biener that fits the "biener hole" and I have never found a way to safley open it with one hand.
Its a good knife though and I would reccomend it to anyone.

Sharp and light, makes a good camping knife. Also it as stated in other reviews it can be opened with one hand.

I generally need knife for cutting string or rope, opening meal packages and doing all sorts of little things in the camp. The small Spatha definitely ain't the easiest for one-hand opening but face it: how often do you really need one hand opening anyway? In a tight spot I can one-hand it open by sticking the end of the handle into a pocket or through carabiner loop or belt. It also works in full gear, in sub-zero temperatures and with heavy gloves on. Trust me. I've tried.

The light weight and easy carrying when clipped into one of my spare carabiners overshadow any little hindrances with the opening. Besides it is cheap so I can buy a few, carry one and not feel that bad if I accidentally lose the knife somewhere in the glacier. It is not the best knife in the world, but it’s definitely worth the money.

I bought this knife and put it in a small survival kit that I have. Awesome knife. Recommend the smaller Spatha as well as this one. Both great knives.

It is lightweight, and it is sharp. However, a knife without a lock has no place. It's too easy to have that blade fold back on you.

I think it's BS that Petzl even puts one out like this.

Generally, I like petzl stuff, but i thought this knife was straight up awful. The 1 star saying straight up sucks basically sums it up. may other better choices.

the blade on the short knife is just great. The little serrations are done a little differently from most other knives I've used but I'd say it's an improvement from traditional knives. Love this knife.

Like another reviewer said, it doesn't open easily with one hand, but it will using one hand and say, pressing the bottom of the handle against some part of your anatomy or clothing. Anyways, I'm glad it doesn't open easily since I've had other one hander's that open by themselves while banging around on your gear loop (now that is dangeous) the spatha wont do this. Its not that sharp, but is sharp enough. Its tough, and fulfills its usage parameters.

This is a decent knife but not for what it's designed for. It's sharp, light, and seems strong. However it doesn't lock, hard to open (with one hand), and the loop is very limited to biner size. Personally I want a knife that will fit most biners on my harness and will open with one hand. Check out the link below to a great climbing knife that I personally use. It's lighter, locks, serrated, indestructible, fit's most biners, and is great for absolutely anything!

http://www.backcountry.com/trango-piranha-knife

Excellent knife for climbing, mountaineering. Small, light, sharp serrated blade for cutting through most rope efficiently. Nice 'biner hole for carrying.

I've found this knife to come in handy quite a few times. It's super light weight makes it easy to carry and doesn't weigh you down. It is also easy to open one handed which is a plus. Great bang for your buck.

I use this knife for backpacking and i bought the large cause i hate sharpening serrated blades. without the carabiner in the middle of it the knife and as long as its clean it's really simple to open with one hand if you have strong fingers and the knife doesn't lock in the open position so its even easier to close. if you tie a piece or cord through it instead of using a carbiner you can secure it to yourself and still open and use it easily. great multi-use knife i would recommended adding it to you gear collection.

Great knife, only downfall is the hole for the biner is a bit small so most biners will a larger lock off will not work.

The Petzl Spatha Knife (small) has a unique and handy concept with its carabiner hole and circular ridge that is used to open the knife. Despite Petzl's claims, I find the knife difficult and dangerous to open one handed, and it is even more difficult to try this with a carabiner in the hole. A neat knife, but there are better one-handed openers for climbing.

I bought this item as a gift. My friend loved it and said he had been eyeing it for quite some time. He brought it out skiing 2 weeks ago in Vermont and loved the carabiner feature and the convenience. Always great stuff from Petzl as well as this site.

Knife is light hangs well on a biner, it's sharp (cuts through salami & cheese nicely) but it does not lock out and cannot be opened with one hand. Right out of the box and freshly oiled it was more than a struggle to "one hand" it and after a little trail dust forget it.

Thanks for getting it to me so quickly though. You do a great job.

I love this knife. It's a great all-purpose climbing, camping knife. It even cut through tomatoes like a charm. It really doesn’t open one handed well, but you can be assured that it won't accidentally open while moving around on your harness. (I would rather open with two hands than have it flop open randomly.)

I bought this knife because it was cheap, lightweight and it had a certain coolness factor. It's comfortable in my hand and fits nicely in my pocket (it has a rounded handle). The knife seems to be resistant to water and can be attached a hundred different ways to the same amount of clothing or gear. However, it is nearly impossible to open with one hand and gets grit inside that makes it harder to open.

This knife rocks man! It's got a hole in it for a biner to run through, making it easily accessible when you're on a wall, or hook it onto anything else you may need to. The blade comes super sharp (it even splits a hair.) Great tool to have in your first aid kit, or any kind of adventure backpack. I take it everytime I go hiking, fishing, and climbing. All around great investment! (Ya never know when you'll have to cut your arm off.)

This is a handy knife to have hanging off of your harness on a carabiner and is super sharp! My only complaint is that it doesn't have a locking blade, but that is just my personal preference. Great climbing knife non the less!

The Petzl Spatha Knife is a good climbing knife. It fits easily on a binner so you can keep it on your harness for quick access. I highly recommend to purchase serrated blade because it’s easier to use to cut webbing, cord, rope, etc.