SPECIAL FORCES

USING MILITARY PHILOSOPHIES, TWO RETIRED GREEN BERETS HAVE MASTERFULLY GUIDED SPARTAN BLADES FOR 12 YEARS

- DOUG JEFFREY

They are American heroes. Combined, these two retired members of the Special Forces have more than four decades of military service and dedication to the United States of America. To be sure, their skills, military education and experience are among the elite.

In the following story, you will find out how Curtis V. Iovito and Mark Carey combined forces and used the philosophies they mastered in the military to build one of the knife industry’s strongest brands— Spartan Blades.

In the interview, Mark made it abundantly clear that they are patriotic and driven toward perfection. Whether serving our country or their customers, these two men are also humble, talented, focused, dedicated and committed. That’s why they are American heroes, and that’s why Spartan Blades has been in business for 12 years.

Along with their team, they are most definitely “special forces.”

Knives Illustrated: What prompted you to enlist in the Marines and then the Army?

Curtis Iovito: As a young man, I grew up in a small town that valued patriotism and service. Combined with a sense of adventure and a desire to see more of the world, I was compelled to join the Marines.

As for the Army, two of my squad leaders talked me into getting out of the Marines. This was not intended as a permanent thing; instead, it was a way of avoiding leave. They explained that it was common to get out, take a short break, which was basically free leave, and then I’d reenlist.