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. I highly recommend it.
 
NIce review.
You for sure got a deal on that one at $19.
EKA is a well-regarded knife company.

I've been looking at those for a while. It's working its way up my want list.
 
Thanks for posting the review Brutus. I love the look of that knife. I'm off to look at ebay right now!:)
 
Isn't/Wasn't there a similar knife (and by this I mean about a close 100% similar) that was EKA manufactured, but marketed by Wenger as part of their line before the Victorinox takeover?
 
One of my fave knives is the Eka Masur which is very close to the 88 but the handle is made of birch.
I recommend these Ekas for EDC for a lot of usages. Light, strong and handy. I also think they have more soul than knives with synthetic handles, like a Griptilian or a Delica.
 
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Eka makes a damn good knife. I wish they were more widely available in the US. One odd thing I've noticed with some of their lockbacks is that the blades have no "kick". The edge simply rests on the inside of the handle when closed. This is kind of odd for typical knives available in the US, and would generally be considered a no-no. But it works out OK with the EKAs. The steel is wonderful. Easily sharpened, takes a very fine edge with little effort. That 12C27 is really good stuff. Something else I wish were more available in the US.
 
GIRLYmann said:
Isn't/Wasn't there a similar knife (and by this I mean about a close 100% similar) that was EKA manufactured, but marketed by Wenger as part of their line before the Victorinox takeover?
Click to expand...
I have three EKA/Wenger coprod. knives. Very nice indeed.

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~Paul~
 
Hi Brutus,
Regarding the hardness of our 12C27. Theoretically it gets harder than 440C, by a hair, but still. In our recommended heat treat you can get 61 with a sub-zero quench.

Your knife, the EKA, is heat treated to 58-59. I have one of thoose and I think it's overall a good level. Sure, the edge will roll after some hard use but it will not chip.

Congrats, I think you have made a good deal.
//Jerker
 
Nice. The handle on mine is more of a reddish color. I like that dark brown. I've had my 88 for years. They're one of the great sleepers of knifedom.

Frank
 
"dePaul"
Thanks for the pictures!
Yes, they are lovely knives indeed.
A little old world...but therein lies the charm.
Keepers for sure.
 
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