Cold Steel Finn Wolff, who's got one?

C

collim1

Joined
Aug 14, 2014
Messages
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Cold Steel usually does little for me, but the announcement of the Finn Wolff last year got my attention for some reason. I see now that they are beginning to become available at some of the big online retailers. The price appears slightly higher than what they were announced to go for initially, but that seems to be due to high demand.

Anyone have one and what you think of it? It appears to be the closest thing to a folding version of my beloved Moras. I am really considering picking one up to play with, I mean test out, and keep it in my pack as a backup knife when hiking/fishing/camping etc...

I am most interested in the performance and strength of the blade grind. I want to know if the edge of the scandal grind is too thin and rolls or chips during use. I am interested to hear your opinions.
 
Geez, no one? Guess I'll have to buy this one blind. Can't stand it anymore. If nothing else it will end up being the boat knife. $40 bucks is not a big gamble.

Still interested in what anyone has to say about it.
 
Waiting for the usual dealers to get them in stock. As of this post. ..none of the dealers i use have them yet.....
 
G. Scott H. said:
Here are some comments on one: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1271835-Finn-Wolf-arrived-Mini-review-overview-and-comparison?highlight=ddran. Keep in mind this is a "first batch" model with a hollow grind, new batches are true Scandi ground. I have one on the way. May be here by Friday. :thumbup:
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I sure hope the one I just ordered has a true scandie grind. It won't be used hard, but I don't need it rolling cutting wood. Thanks for the heads up, somehow I missed that one when i searched.
 
Excellent, thats good news. I have good luck free hand sharpening a scandi and that was my main motivation for this knife. A folding knife that sharpens as easily as my Mora, yes please!
 
Looks like I will have to post a mini review of this little knife after I get it. I don't have any outings planned in the immediate future so this may be a good excuse to take the canoe to the river and do a little fishing. Likely won't be more than whittling up a few tent pegs and fuzz sticks, and hopefully cleaning up a catfish or two for dinner, but may give some folks a little info on the knife if they are on the fence as I was.
 
collim1 said:
Looks like I will have to post a mini review of this little knife after I get it. I don't have any outings planned in the immediate future so this may be a good excuse to take the canoe to the river and do a little fishing. Likely won't be more than whittling up a few tent pegs and fuzz sticks, and hopefully cleaning up a catfish or two for dinner, but may give some folks a little info on the knife if they are on the fence as I was.
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It's always good to get a little more feedback. I've seen it for around $35 and at that price it seems like it could be a real competitor for the Rat 1, Tenacious and Kershaws like the Thermite.
 
My finn wolf arrived today. True scandi grind and very sharp. The handle was entirely polymer no aluminum liners or back spacer. Thumb studs felt a bit too close to the handle but I have larger hands so that could just be my problem. The texture on the handle was the same as on the rajah 3 so it won't damage your pockets. Mine cost 38$ shipped and for the price I'm pretty happy. I hope Cold Steel makes a premium scandi folder in the future, I would really like to see an upgraded version of this knife.
 
I got mine today too. Definitely true Scandi and very sharp, like Tuesday's. The only potential concern is in the closing of the knife. Unlike most other CS folders, there's not much in the way of a ricasso on this one, so extreme care needs to be taken when closing one-handed. Keep your index finger right at the front of the handle when doing so, or the edge near the ricasso may bite your finger. I've opened/closed it a couple dozen times to get a feel for it, and it's not a huge deal, it just takes some adjustment from, say, the American Lawman. :thumbup:

With Lawman:
0624151633_zps1tg5rkp0.jpg


In my chubby (but overall medium sized) paw:
0624151635_zpsp5tzszs2.jpg


Attempted close-up of grind:
0624151636_zpsdoxy8h5v.jpg


edit: In terms of handle color, it looks like a dark od in lower light and more of a dark-ish gray with a vague greenish tint in brighter light. How's that for specific? :D
 
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G. Scott H. said:
The only potential concern is in the closing of the knife. Unlike most other CS folders, there's not much in the way of a ricasso on this one, so extreme care needs to be taken when closing one-handed.
Click to expand...

That's a good point, you really need to pay attention when closing this one handed.
 
Just got my Finn Wolf today as well. A few points:

1. I'm surprised that there is no blade play vertical or side-to-side since it's polymer with no liner. All other polymer knife with no liner i handled has plays(eg. SOG).
2. The knife is sharp as hell. In fact, it is the sharpest knife i ever received. Mine is the true scandi grind, not the older hollow ground one. This has the best edge finish of all CS knives probably because it is zero edge, it's polished and it's not toothy.
3. The knife feels solid, and not plasticky, probably because the polymer scale is of higher density. However it's still slightly blade heavy, the balanced point is right below the pivot screw.
4. As other people mentioned earlier, closing the knife may be a challenge in terms of avoid getting cut. Make sure you finger is in front of the guard, NOT on on the small finger groove cutout, or you will get cut. It's counter intuitive since you finger will naturally want to be on the cutout groove when you close the knife.
5. The lock is smooth and easy to operate even after i cranked the pivot tight all the way.
6. The cup screw(i.e. the handle screws screw into a cup on the opposite end) is a great idea, they should have done is for Voyager and other models that has grivory handle. Less screw and is a stronger construction.

Great knife for the price overall. I wish there is a higher end version, using the polished & bead blasted G-10 handle like master hunter. Heck, i wish all CS folder has scandi grind. I can just sharpen them with high grit sand paper like this: http://www.amazon.com/3M-03064-Trizact-Performance-Sandpaper/dp/B005RNGL9O
 
hkyew said:
Just got my Finn Wolf today as well. A few points:

1. I'm surprised that there is no blade play vertical or side-to-side since it's polymer with no liner. All other polymer knife with no liner i handled has plays(eg. SOG).
2. The knife is sharp as hell. In fact, it is the sharpest knife i ever received. Mine is the true scandi grind, not the older hollow ground one. This has the best edge finish of all CS knives probably because it is zero edge, it's polished and it's not toothy.
3. The knife feels solid, and not plasticky, probably because the polymer scale is of higher density. However it's still slightly blade heavy, the balanced point is right below the pivot screw.
4. As other people mentioned earlier, closing the knife may be a challenge in terms of avoid getting cut. Make sure you finger is in front of the guard, NOT on on the small finger groove cutout, or you will get cut. It's counter intuitive since you finger will naturally want to be on the cutout groove when you close the knife.
5. The lock is smooth and easy to operate even after i cranked the pivot tight all the way.
6. The cup screw(i.e. the handle screws screw into a cup on the opposite end) is a great idea, they should have done is for Voyager and other models that has grivory handle. Less screw and is a stronger construction.

Great knife for the price overall. I wish there is a higher end version, using the polished & bead blasted G-10 handle like master hunter. Heck, i wish all CS folder has scandi grind. I can just sharpen them with high grit sand paper like this: http://www.amazon.com/3M-03064-Trizact-Performance-Sandpaper/dp/B005RNGL9O
Click to expand...


This is encouraging. I'm planning on picking one up to stick in my glove compartment for the occasions when I forget to tuck a folder in my pocket.
 
I plan on getting one soon.

Since I have never had a knife with the Scandi grind before, I figure "why not?"

I find it interesting that they left out the liners, but I guess that helps to keep the price down too.
 
GCG199 said:
I plan on getting one soon.

Since I have never had a knife with the Scandi grind before, I figure "why not?"

I find it interesting that they left out the liners, but I guess that helps to keep the price down too.
Click to expand...

I think not using liners is more to reduce weight since triad lock technically do not need it to be strong, unless more lateral strength is needed. However in this case i actually would prefer if they use metal back spacer or liner just to make the knife more balanced, as i dont really mind the extra 1 once of weight. YMMV though. Of course, not having to process the steel liner helps lower the cost too...
 
I am curious about the lack of a liner, guess I'll have to just use it and see how it does.

It's on the way hopefully will be here Monday.
 
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