EKA Swede 88 lockback

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Brutus013

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Well, yesterday I got a new knife: The EKA Swede 88 lockback. EKA is a swedish knife company what gets its name from the place they're made, Eskilstuna, Sweden. They've been in the business for Well over 100 years, and it shows.

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The knife uses a single piece of bubinga for the handle, with a slit in the middle cut out for the blade and lockbar. At first, it seems light and cheap, but after some use the quality shows. It's solid, has a nice color, and fills the hand nicely. Compared to a Case Sodbuster Jr, which also has a 2.5" blade, the handle is giant. It has brass pins and a brass pivot, which is adjustable.

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The blade is a swedish steel, 12C27, manufactured by a swedish company, Sandvik. Kershaw also uses a sandvik steel that's similair, 13C26 (and also 14C28 now). 12C27 is softer than 13C26 and other common steels like 440C, but the carbide structure is more fine and the blade can take a sharper edge. It won't last as long, but it'll be easy to put back on and will hold it long enough for most uses. The lock is solid with no side to side play, no vertical play, and just a small amount of front to back play.

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I got the knife for $19 on ebay, but it usually sells for around $30. For the price I payed, end even for $30, it's a very well built and high quality knife. Highly recommended.
 
Hi,

You have to like Swedish design. Always clean and simply elegant. It looks as if it would be as at home in a boardroom as easily as the woods. I hope you enjoy it!

dalee
 
Yes, I do like the scandinavian style knives. I have two puukkos as well, and plan on getting at least one more EKA folder, and possibly more puukkos as well.
 
nice review, thanks for sharing. it appears in the first photo to have a small secondary bevel, is that the case or just a trick of the light?
 
I have the Eka folder that is bubinga and is a little bigger. I like it, and will take it camping this winter. I may buy the 88 also, as i was almost going to get that one instead of mine. Very nice knife for the money.
 
siguy said:
nice review, thanks for sharing. it appears in the first photo to have a small secondary bevel, is that the case or just a trick of the light?
Click to expand...

It does indeed have a secondary, 40 degree bevel. Not a scandi grind.
 
That's a really cool knife. Tell us how you like it when you use it. Would love to see some working pics.

God Bless.
 
That looks like a fine knife. :thumbup:
I think I remember seeing them up there when I was camping.

Peter
 
I like that!

Any weights or thickness of the handle please? Shots with a Sodbuster?
 
Here's a comparison pic:

my.php


The lighting isn't so great, but I'm sure you won't mind in this case. I don't have any measurements, but the blade looks to be very close, if not exactly, the same thickness as a victorinox cadet, which is to say quite thin. The handle is a bit thicker than the Sodbuster Jr, I'd say 1/8" maybe, a bit less perhaps.

Edit: Image isn't working for some reason, here's the link:

http://img179.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1020054ef7.jpg
 
The Eka knives are high quality, strong folders. I like stuff that is off the beaten path so to speak. Knives that people are not that familiar with. Eka, Kopromed, Helle, etc. These knives made in europe are very good.
 
They've been around forever. I think I got my first EKA in the mid seventies if I recall correctly.
 
Blues said:
They've been around forever. I think I got my first EKA in the mid seventies if I recall correctly.
Click to expand...

According to the box and the little paper that comes with it, they've been manufacturing knives since 1882.
 
LOVe that design.
What was the purpose of the 88 design. Was it made for heavy duty? Btw how thick is the blade?

God Bless
 
Lycosa said:
Well...I ordered one.
Thanks a lot Brutus!!
;)
Click to expand...

Nice choice. At first, the handles may feel a bit light and even a bit cheap, but give it some use and you'll come to like it. It feels quite nice in the hand. Be sure to tell us how you like it in this thread when you get it.
 
I too have had one of these for a good few years now and really value it highly. Easily one of the most comfortable folders I've used for when i've need to make forceful cuts in wood. Doesn't seem to scare none knife people either which is a plus particularly here in the UK.
I was surprised how thin the blade was when it first arrived but it's never been an issue. Cuts like a dream.
I also have one of its big brothers, the rubber handled Super Swede which is another winner.
I think I may have to try one of their fixed blades soon :)
 
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