Molon Labe (ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ) is ancient Greek and means “come and take them“. According to Plutarch, a Greek philosopher, this is what Leonidas I replied when Xerxes The Great offered to spare the lives of the Spartans if they gave up their arms. Since then the phrase has become an expression of defiance and has also been used during the American Revolution and the Texas Revolution.

Microtech Ultratechs on a bed of .38 Super Comps.

The fate of the Spartans has been filmed at least twice, in The 300 Spartans (1962) and the much more modern 300 in 2007.

In 1955 there was a bronze statue of Leonidas raised at the Battle of Thermopylae in Greece, with the inscription ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ. There is also a statue in Sparta with the same inscription, erected in 1968.

As I type this story, I feel like I need to visit at least two new locations in Greece…

Molon Labe Knife Serial #003 on top of a Schmidt & Bender 3-27×56 PMII with an ACRO C-1 Red dot, Spuhr mount. Note the Magpul ARCA Rail on the JP Rifles handguard. The rifle is a JP PCS-12 in 6.5 Creedmoor.

Microtech Knives have also commercialized the famous phrase, with a collection of four automatic out-the-front knives. As a knife collector and gun owner, I thought these four were a suitable target, but it took years before I could place all four side-by-side.

I missed the Sparta blade when it was available, then it took years for it to get back on the market. Luckily I managed to get the special edition with serial #003 from the Marfione House Collection.

The magazine is from Oberland Arms. Tripod from Innorel with a head from Really Right Stuff.

From PVK.Vegas:

Microtech Ultratech MOLON LABE Spartan Blade 223-13ML Serial Number #003.

Limited Edition Microtech Ultratech MOLON LABE Spartan Blade Bronze Apocalyptic Finish Blade and Hardware with a black distressed handle and Spartan Helmet Handle.

This piece is part of the legendary Marfione House Collection. This collection was a very special treasure trove of knives and related gear built by Marfione from the mid 90s to 2018 and contained many prototypes and one offs in addition to the coveted serial 003 knives. The entire collection totaled over 1500 pieces. This is just about one of every unique knife ever built at Microtech and Marfione Custom Knives. Owning a piece from this storied collection is a once in a lifetime opportunity to enjoy, share and be a part of the preservation of these amazing pieces.

The overall size of this automatic knife is as follows:

Overall Length: 8.35″
Blade Length: 3.45″
Blade Thickness: .13″
Closed Length: 5.1″

The handle material is 6061 aluminum and the weight is 3.6 oz.

The Sparta blade (bottom). Note that the screws are different and that the Cerakote is “distressed” making it look old and worn.

Below: The bottom glass breaker is really, really sharp.

From Microtech’s Instagram:

Do you also have a collection of silly things? Let us know in the comments below.