Frosts Lapplander Series Knives

Jack Black

Jack Black

Seize the Lambsfoot! Seize the Day!
Platinum Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2005
Messages
69,135


Apologies for the poor quality photograph, but I’ve just dug 3 old Frosts Lapplander knives out of the cupboard. The numbers on the knives refer to the respective blade length in mm. I did have a fourth shorter knife, making up the set, but it was stolen many years ago. I don’t know if anyone else has ever used any of these knives? The handles are rosewood with red spacers. I’ll try to get round to getting some better pics sometime.
 
That series is pretty expensive for Mora so most folks don't go for them it seems. You're the first person I've seen that actually owns them.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
That series is pretty expensive for Mora so most folks don't go for them it seems. You're the first person I've seen that actually owns them.
Click to expand...

Years ago, Frosts sent me a whole load of knives for review purposes including the Lapplanders. They weren't that expensive at the time, not here in Europe at least. I'll have to look up how much they run to these days. They're good working knives, thicker than the more regular Moras and have heavy leather sheaths with liners. They came razor-sharp and hold their edge well. Of course they're also heavier than the plastic-handled Moras, and the brass tarnishes and gets grotty very quickly.

Blimey! See what you mean about the prices! Ouch!
 
Yeah. So combine that with a strong brand image of "inexpensive knives that can do what many more expensive ones do" and you can understand why the upscale version with more "conventional" styling kind of lacks appeal. There are tons of other nice fixed blades in that size and price range that people can rationalize to themselves a lot easier. :D
 
Gosh, I like that top one. Off to check prices if I can find a dealer...
...

Well it took some searching to find those models offered. And I concur on the price. Not completely unaffordable, but there are many other knives I like better for the same price. $137 for the bottom knife in the photo, in case anyone was wondering.

I obviously haven't handled or used one of these, having seen them here for the first time today, but I can't see why they're priced higher than a Helle or a high-end Marttiini.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Yeah. So combine that with a strong brand image of "inexpensive knives that can do what many more expensive ones do" and you can understand why the upscale version with more "conventional" styling kind of lacks appeal. There are tons of other nice fixed blades in that size and price range that people can rationalize to themselves a lot easier. :D
Click to expand...

There was a time when all Scandinavian knives represented a good bargain here, but it seems that the prices have now gone up. As you say, I can see why people wouldn't purchase the Lapplanders. It has to be said, they are excellent knives though, the steel is cryo-treated and holds a wicked edge. One of them is the sharpest knife I've ever had out of the box. While I prefer FFG, they are good practical knives that would certainly give a lifetime of service. I used to reccomend them, along with some Brusletto blades, to Ray Mears for his courses. I don't like the brass much, it looks nice when it's polished, but when it hasn't been it just looks brown and grotty.

Bob W said:
Gosh, I like that top one. Off to check prices if I can find a dealer...
...

Well it took some searching to find those models offered. And I concur on the price. Not completely unaffordable, but there are many other knives I like better for the same price. $137 for the bottom knife in the photo, in case anyone was wondering.

I obviously haven't handled or used one of these, having seen them here for the first time today, but I can't see why they're priced higher than a Helle or a high-end Marttiini.
Click to expand...

I have a nice Martinni, and it's an excellent knife. Compared to mine, these Lapplanders are different in respect of the full tang, thicker (possibly slightly better) steel. They're a tougher, more robust knife I think. Helle knives look fantastic, but I've never owned one. I've got my eye on an Enzo Trapper at the moment, with FFG and D2 steel. I'm afraid I get bored with knives, even when they're good ones, and particularly (as in this case) where I didn't actually purchase them. I'd like to keep one of the Lapplanders, but maybe I'll even put one up for trade (though I'm useless at that kind of thing - given loads of knives away, never sold or swapped a single one)! :) I'd certainly be up for a pass-a-round if I lived in the US.
 
dePaul said:
Really? Where did you get that info?

~Paul~
Click to expand...

The phrase Frosts used in their advertising and on the packaging the knives came in was "ice-hardened". I was using vacuum-hardening with a two-stage (gaseous nitrogen) cryogenic treatment at the time and so was interested. I had been speaking to Frosts UK rep at length in any case, and asked him specifically about this. He said he'd have to speak to Frosts and when I spoke to him subsequently he said the "ice-hardening" referred to a cryogenic treatment. I don't think I ever found out more than that, though I think I did review one of the knives and there may be more information in there if I can find it.
 
I've had a 95 (the one in the centre of your pic) for years and I like it. I've used it for hunting and as a general EDC knife around the ranch. It came with a sheath similar to that of the Fallkniven F1, with a flap, that covers the whole knife. It feels a bit handle heavy (which makes sense, since there's more material in the handle area than on the blade) and the scales were a bit boxy with sharpish corners when I got it (but that might have changed in newer models).
 
Jack Black said:
The phrase Frosts used in their advertising and on the packaging the knives came in was "ice-hardened". I was using vacuum-hardening with a two-stage (gaseous nitrogen) cryogenic treatment at the time and so was interested. I had been speaking to Frosts UK rep at length in any case, and asked him specifically about this. He said he'd have to speak to Frosts and when I spoke to him subsequently he said the "ice-hardening" referred to a cryogenic treatment. I don't think I ever found out more than that, though I think I did review one of the knives and there may be more information in there if I can find it.
Click to expand...
OK, understand.

~Paul~
 
Last edited:
Franciscomv said:
I've had a 95 (the one in the centre of your pic) for years and I like it. I've used it for hunting and as a general EDC knife around the ranch. It came with a sheath similar to that of the Fallkniven F1, with a flap, that covers the whole knife. It feels a bit handle heavy (which makes sense, since there's more material in the handle area than on the blade) and the scales were a bit boxy with sharpish corners when I got it (but that might have changed in newer models).
Click to expand...

I like the 95 most as an EDC (though I kinda like them all). I prefer the handle shape. It slightly reminds me of one of Al Polkowski's patterns, but with heavier, blockier, handles.They're all handle heavy, but well balanced I think. The corners of the scales weren't sharp on mine, but when I first got them, the liners were slightly proud. I was surprised Frosts had sent them for review like that. I was going to sand them down, but the liners sort of shrank into place. The sheaths are very solid. Two of mine came with open sheaths and one with a studded flap, they're actually pretty interchangeable. I'd like to get a Kydex sheath for the 95 at some point. I sometimes like to wear a knife IWB, but I'm not sure the fairly blocky handle might make this uncomfortable.
 
Love these...I've handled a few, for my bro's, and have a few more sat waiting to slap scales on at some point.

115 with Padauk (that made me ill!)
DSCF0705.jpg


75? with miscellaneous wood (someone had already slapped the sales on...and rough profiled it)
MoraSheath1.jpg


(if you Google Image search 'Frosts laplander' it throws up both of these kniveson the first page! Neat huh!?)

I think the 115 is by far the best length.

My younger bro would complain of its lack of cheese slicing ability though....that's his measure of a good knife in his books.
I suppose I could scoff, but he has a point.
 
Nice :thumbup: I didn't realise there were so many Lapplanders around these parts! :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top