Are we shy of using European blades?

[picard]

Are we a bit shy in trying out European blades? Do their blades made from different standard or the same as Benchmade? I saw extreme ratio blade on web site. It is made of N690 cobalt stainless steel. Isn't stainless steel difficult to sharpen.

 

[hardheart]

Fallkniven, Opinel, Frost's of Sweden, Boker, Klotzli, Fox collabs, Grans, Brusletto *sp, etc.

I don't think there's a problem, personally

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Are we a bit shy in trying out European blades?

They are probably not as available.

Isn't stainless steel difficult to sharpen.

Compared to some steels, in some respects. This is heavily influenced by geometry and the exact type of steel though, 420HC and S90V are both stainless and both respond very differently to honing.

-Cliff

 

[Bob W]

One reason why European knives aren't discussed as much on the forums, few European knives are marketed towards the hugely popular 'tactical' or military wannabe markets.

Availability is a factor too. There simply aren't many European knife brands commonly found at American retail stores. Try finding even relatively common brands at WalMart or hardware stores...

Perhaps a reduction in European manufacturing and a down-grading in quality of common European knife brands. Boker and Puma, for instance, don't have the same level of respect as they did years ago.

Personally, I have many European knives. An Opinel was my only carry knife for twelve years. I'm a fan of the vintage Bruckmann pocketknives. Scandavian hunting knives have amazing ergonomics, like those from Helle and Karesuando; Mora is quite popular too but I don't own one.

Best Wishes,
Bob

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Some of us have been talking up Laguiole knives and Douk-Douks. Scandinavians are as good as any hunting or field knives anywhere. I'm not talking about made-in-Japan Fallkniven, either, but Erickson, Helle, and Marttiini and Jarvenpaa.

Boker may be changing again. They even have a manufacturer's forum here. Some of their newer knives look pretty good.

There may be a perception problem with the use of older steels like 12C27, 440A, and even 440C -- perfectly serviceable, with known characteristics. Done as well as anywhere else. But not up to collector standards of "the latest and the greatest".

 

[djolney]

Fallkniven, Kizlyar, Victorinox, and a little Aitor boot knife.

If I can find more interesting European blades I’ll buy them.

 

[SilverFoxKnows]

an EKA 88 in my pocket right now. It's been my EDC for months.

Frank

 

[kamagong]

Maybe yes, maybe no. It's kind of hard to claim that we are afraid of using European blades when the most common knife around is the SAK.

But then again most of my knives are American made. I don't think I'm afraid of using a European knife since I EDC a Laguiole, it's just that most European knife designs just don't appeal to me. I don't know that's true for most people; most probably couldn't tell you the truth between an American and an European blade.

There are several European blades that I want to pick up. I want to pick up a puukko and leuku. I also want to pick up a quality Navaja.

I don't think most people are afraid of using European knives. They're not even afraid of using cheap Chinese and Pakistani knockoffs.

 

[cerulean]

European knives tend to be more traditional in design. They frequently use natural handle materials and have blades made of less sophisticated (but still good) steel.

Americans like “tactical” knives with high-tech, modern designs. We’re attracted to space-age materials and to whatever steel that’s advertised as the latest and greatest.

Opinel and Mora knives are popular on the forums and are a great way to try out simple carbon steel.

Scandinavian knives in general (and puukkos in particular) should appeal to every real knife aficionado. They go from plain, inexpensive factory knives up to ultra-nice customs and they’re all made for using.

 

[kaosu04]

Dont really care about the "latest and greatest" or "tactical" (which is just a fairy tale word when it comes to knives). A knife should be reliable with a good lock, and the lock of preference for the user, best steel for the job, a handle to fit the situation, and a useful blade shape. Why care about anything else? Except for those who collect for looks of course.

 

[Andy_L]

I only have 2 american made knives, only one gets used.
America has a big thing about buying American (or so it seems to me). I'm currently wondering if I could sort out a run of sheffield made knives in D2 or M2 since a lot of that is used for industrial blades

 

[godot]

If we put quality issues aside, we are still faced with the difference in the dollar and the euro (1 to 1.20). American knives in America are a bargain.

 

[Danzz]

Because European companies doesn't make the good production balisongs!

 

[Andy_L]

what quality issues?

I agree import taxes are a major concern. We in the UK can pay the same in £ as you do in $ Even more in some cases.

Because European companies doesn't make the good production balisongs!

it's not legal to here

 

[DGG]

I only have 2 american made knives, only one gets used.
America has a big thing about buying American (or so it seems to me). I'm currently wondering if I could sort out a run of sheffield made knives in D2 or M2 since a lot of that is used for industrial blades

Actually I think Americans are buying more Chinese than anything else.

One of my favorite knife companies is Katz.

www.katzknives.com

I like the Scandi filet knives but am not crazy about their fixed blades because I don't like cleaning an animal blind without benefit of a blade guard. I thinks it is dangerous when using a sharp blade. I don't think they have this problem which is probably why they don't use it.

 

[not2sharp]

Are we a bit shy in trying out European blades?

Many of these knives are so common we don't even think of them as European. Wenger and Victorinox are among the largest production companies, and the other European brands are well represented. The only thing that the Bladeforums is missing is a company forum sponsored by a European Maker.

n2s

 

[Andy_L]

Actually I think Americans are buying more Chinese than anything else.

That comes as a real shock to me. I guess I get a very narrow view of the american public and their knife habbits from a forum but I thought china was avoided. I really like my chinese kitchen knife

 

[brownshoe]

There are a lot of european knifes in the US and discussed on these forums to name a few, AGRussel, Gerber, Vitronix, Wegner, Lone Wolf, Smokey MTn, Taylor-United, Hen/Rooster, Bulldog, Irish-Schrade, Opinel, Fox, EKA, Kellam, and more.

Falknivens are actually made in Japan.

 

[Carl64]

That comes as a real shock to me. I guess I get a very narrow view of the american public and their knife habbits from a forum but I thought china was avoided. I really like my chinese kitchen knife

He may have meant products in general. The US is loaded with crummy Chinese products, but some good ones as well.

As for knives, the "good" Chinese knives are good for the price, even amazingly good for the price in some cases, but we are talking about a $10-15 knife. So far even their best is not close to a Spyderco or US-made Benchmade.

China IS avoided when looking for really good stuff, but we still end up buying a lot of stuff.

 

[Andy_L]

So far even their best is not close to a Spyderco or US-made Benchmade.

China IS avoided when looking for really good stuff, but we still end up buying a lot of stuff.

I have a custom knife made in china (at the time the maker didn't make his own blades but that's changing). I wouldn't shy away from a knife becasue of where it was made.