Belated photos: Father's Day Gift WK-1 folding Puukko

[ejes]

I know some of us have definite feelings when it comes to folder vs. fixed, but I like 'em all. I think the key is to know their respective capabilities and shortfalls when it comes to different tasks. Myself, I always have a folder with me. If I go into the field, I ALWAYS add the fixed blade(s).

I thought I'd post up photos of a knife I've wanted for quite some time and that my wife and kids surprised me with this past Father's Day. I think a few folks here have one of these too. A Harri Merimaa WK-1 (Woods Knife) folding Puukko.

This is a grand knife. The workmanship is beautiful, but it begs to be put to work. It came somewhat sharp, but not where I wanted it. I could tell the edge was there in every way, but just a tad rough. After 10 light strokes of stropping on impregnated leather that I use for my convex blades, this knife was sharp. Well, I think that is an understatement, actually.

I cannot describe well enough how sharp this blade became after stropping. I own knives from two makers that are sharper than any other I have ever owned and they have a reputation for the sharpness of their blades: Christof (Koyote) and David Farmer. Both of these guys present blades that are laser sharp. I have one necker from David that I have nicknamed "The Little Demon" due to it being so sharp that it will bite you if you don't respect it. A few friends (as well as myself) have made this mistake because it looks "cute". Cute or no, it is a serious knife.

With due respect to these gentlemen, I have to admit that this knife is the sharpest knife I now own. It is inexplicably sharp. So sharp, in fact, that since the WK-1 comes with no thumb stud or any other device to aid in one hand opening, I don't dare open it with one hand. One handed opening is easily doable with this folder, and I did it before sharpening. However now, I don't feel it is safe to do so. The WK-2, by the way, does have a thumb stud. I may have to look into installing one on this knife, but for now I'll leave it stock.

So here are the photos. If anyone has a chance to pick one of these up, do so. This is a really nicely built folder that is a capable worker.

Word of caution. It comes with a nice/functional belt/pocket sheath. DO NOT put it in the sheath with the clip on the outside like I did for the photo. The clip fits so tightly against the knife that it took me 5 minutes to work it back out. This may be the only down side to the knife. The clip doesn't really work well with thicker material on the opening of a pocket like on most pants. It works best on thinner materials.

 

[BarberFobic1992]

Very cool, I have been looking at those for a whiel :thumbup:

 

[siguy]

Very cool knife, and I like that the sheath incorporates the traditional style dangler loop. Nice!

 

[BarberFobic1992]

Also, the person that makes those also makes some nice looking fixed blades that I've seen on cloudberry market's site.

 

[Snake Dr.]

Very Nice ! That Curly Birch Wood Is Beautiful, Thank's for sharing the picture's of that Beauty !

 

[ejes]

Also, the person that makes those also makes some nice looking fixed blades that I've seen on cloudberry market's site.

I'm not so sure my wife didn't get the last one from Cloudberry.

Just the feel of this steel and the way it sharpens tells one, unmistakably, that it is very high carbon steel. It really feels like a straight razor if you shave hairs with it. Very impressive for a Scandi grind. I am going to have to seriously consider a fixed bladed Woodsknife. The Hiker or Bushcraft are on the list.

 

[SpookyPistolero]

I've never seen that, it's a damn cool folder. Great score!

 

[rctk1]

is there any blade play? vertical or horizontal? i also noticed that there is no torx screw or anything that could be used to tighten the tension on the blade in the event that the blade does become loose.

 

[ejes]

is there any blade play? vertical or horizontal? i also noticed that there is no torx screw or anything that could be used to tighten the tension on the blade in the event that the blade does become loose.

I believe, if you look at the photos that show the side opposite the clip, that is actually a screw of a type that would use some kind of a small spanner wrench. There is a little play, but it is very, very minimal.

 

[BlackHills]

I hadn't seen that before either and I love it. I'm not big on folders at all but I might have to pick one of those up. Congrats.

 

[John G]

Nice scandi folder! You gotta love those scales.

 

[PatriotDan]

I recently made a comment on it at the general knife discussion forums. Perhaps it better serves here...ejes, if you don't like my opinions on your thread let me know and I'll remove this. But here goes.


I have one of the early serialized ones. I like it in that it's a break from the standard folder style in materials, design and obviously, the grind.

It has a certain feel to it that makes it nordic in my eyes. First of all it's typical puukko size. The curly birch scales and the nonpolished "rustic" finished scandi grind blade give it a nice organic or perhaps a wilderness look to it. Nothing's polished or feel silky smooth in my fingers. I don't like what appears to be just black paint finish on the liners, clip and screws. Looks cheap. And with little use some of the paint is wearing out on mine. Looks like a user fast.

It has a fairly thick linerlock that in my knife locks roughly at the middle of the blade. In this respect it's not following the norm of giving plenty travel for lock wear. What happens to lock I'll have to wait and see. The overall construction appears slightly heavier than what is the norm in that size class folders. This gives it kind of sturdy feel. Surprisingly enough, it's actually not much heavier than other similarly sized folders. It's handle heavy and just feels that way.

I cannot recommend it as a heavy duty folder as I'm lacking experience with the knife to feel comfortable on it's abilities to stand for abusive use. Normal whittling and light bushcraft use work great. For me, the ergos are not meant for extended bushcraft chores though. It feels pretty much like the Marttiini folders. Very similar when it comes to ergos. Weight is similar too. You can work with it but it's not like a good fixed blade handle. But this of course is the case with most folders due to construction putting limits to handle shape. One of the things that makes folders bad bushcraft knives in general (poor handle ergos). In my opinion of course.

It's a break from the norm in many ways and I like it as such. And it is a user. (But puukko it isn't...)

 

[ejes]

I recently made a comment on it at the general knife discussion forums. Perhaps it better serves here...ejes, if you don't like my opinions on your thread let me know and I'll remove this. But here goes.


I have one of the early serialized ones. I like it in that it's a break from the standard folder style in materials, design and obviously, the grind.

It has a certain feel to it that makes it nordic in my eyes. First of all it's typical puukko size. The curly birch scales and the nonpolished "rustic" finished scandi grind blade give it a nice organic or perhaps a wilderness look to it. Nothing's polished or feel silky smooth in my fingers. I don't like what appears to be just black paint finish on the liners, clip and screws. Looks cheap. And with little use some of the paint is wearing out on mine. Looks like a user fast.

It has a fairly thick linerlock that in my knife locks roughly at the middle of the blade. In this respect it's not following the norm of giving plenty travel for lock wear. What happens to lock I'll have to wait and see. The overall construction appears slightly heavier than what is the norm in that size class folders. This gives it kind of sturdy feel. Surprisingly enough, it's actually not much heavier than other similarly sized folders. It's handle heavy and just feels that way.

I cannot recommend it as a heavy duty folder as I'm lacking experience with the knife to feel comfortable on it's abilities to stand for abusive use. Normal whittling and light bushcraft use work great. For me, the ergos are not meant for extended bushcraft chores though. It feels pretty much like the Marttiini folders. Very similar when it comes to ergos. Weight is similar too. You can work with it but it's not like a good fixed blade handle. But this of course is the case with most folders due to construction putting limits to handle shape. One of the things that makes folders bad bushcraft knives in general (poor handle ergos). In my opinion of course.

It's a break from the norm in many ways and I like it as such. And it is a user. (But puukko it isn't...)

No, actually I agree with your comments. I don't have the belief that a folder should be relied upon for bushcraft use, and I didn't mean to give that impression or to turn this into a debate of that point. I rely on them for garrison type duties only. I know there are staunch fans of folders for more than that and that may fiercely disagree with this, but in my opinion, the term "heavy duty folder" is an oxymoron.

If I may be so bold as to quote myself in the original post: "I think the key is to know their respective capabilities and shortfalls when it comes to different tasks."

As far as the comment that it is not a puukko, I can go along with that in a certain way as well. That is just the term used by the retailer. Perhaps it would be better termed "scandi folder with puukko influence", as well in as much it is a tool instead of a weapon. In fact, I would go so far as to say that Americans are to too narrow in their definition of such. In Finland, the term puukko is far more general and simply refers to any knife used as a general purpose tool.

As far as the finish comments, I agree with that, too. However for me, it is a non issue. Though it comes with some nice amenities, I don't think it was made with any other expectation than to be used. Personally, it is not what I would call a particularly "expensive" knife, which aids in that conclusion. When I say the workmanship is beautiful, it is, for what it means to me for what the knife is meant for. If one were looking for a display piece, I would not use that terms for this workmanship, I would call it utilitarian.

 

[william O]

I purchased this knife a month or so ago to bring with me on my son's scouting camping trips. I love the look and feel of the knife, and it's very sharp. I was very disappointed, however, that it doesn't throw sparks well at all with either a misch metal rod or even a scout light my fire firesteel. I tried to sharpen the spine on a bench stone (by hand), but no great improvement. I don't (won't) use the sharpened blade on the firesteel. When I got my Mora Clipper 840 from ragweed forge, it did a poor job throwing sparks, until after I read a post on bensbackwoods that showed how to sharpen the spike. After a very short time sharpening the clipper, it was AMAZING at throwing sparks. Didn't seem to work on this new folder. What am I doing wrong?!!! Is it possible I just won't be able to get a good 90 degree edge due to a difference in blade metal? Or might I not be holding the spine against the stone "square" enough to get a good edge? (I wonder if the clipper spine is slightly wider making it easier to sharpen it square on the stone?). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I don't know why it's so important to me to use this knife's spine on a firesteel, but it is. Thanks, William

 

[BarberFobic1992]

I purchased this knife a month or so ago to bring with me on my son's scouting camping trips. I love the look and feel of the knife, and it's very sharp. I was very disappointed, however, that it doesn't throw sparks well at all with either a misch metal rod or even a scout light my fire firesteel. I tried to sharpen the spine on a bench stone (by hand), but no great improvement. I don't (won't) use the sharpened blade on the firesteel. When I got my Mora Clipper 840 from ragweed forge, it did a poor job throwing sparks, until after I read a post on bensbackwoods that showed how to sharpen the spike. After a very short time sharpening the clipper, it was AMAZING at throwing sparks. Didn't seem to work on this new folder. What am I doing wrong?!!! Is it possible I just won't be able to get a good 90 degree edge due to a difference in blade metal? Or might I not be holding the spine against the stone "square" enough to get a good edge? (I wonder if the clipper spine is slightly wider making it easier to sharpen it square on the stone?). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I don't know why it's so important to me to use this knife's spine on a firesteel, but it is. Thanks, William

It could be differentially tempered or somthing. My advice would just be to carry a deicated striker with you.

 

[Joezilla]

I've had my eye on these for while, ejes. Thank you so much for giving your input!

 

[william O]

I wonder if OP ejes has had any luck with this kife as a firesteel striker...