Leuku blade thoughts and ideas?

Runs With Scissors

Runs With Scissors

Joined
Dec 3, 2000
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I'm wantin' a new large sized woodsloafin' knife. I'm trying to decide between a few pre-made blades.

The blade that looks the best thus far is a 7 3/4" blade by Roselli. My only problem with it is the price....$95 Every other blade I'm looking at is around $25, made from the same kind of materials. what makes this one seventy bucks worth of better?

http://www.ragweedforge.com/rb150.jpg

The next one I'm really liking is the Lauri 7" blade with unpolished sides and carbon steel. about $25 I like the style, width, and the price of this one, but still haven't ever handled one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Polished-Hi-Car...sPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

(It's just like this one, but with unpolished sides)

The Stromeng 9" blade looks nice too, although I do think I might wind up reprofiling the edge fairly quickly.

http://www.ragweedforge.com/sameblad.jpg

And finally, I'm half tempted to just make my own darn Leuku blade with a 8" convex edge, and perhaps a nice piece of O-1, or 52100. Maybe even A-2 if I were to go towards the more stain resistant side.

what are your thoughts and experiences on the matter?
 
I have one & personally do not like it because if your hand ever slips on that wicked sharp edge...it is off to the ER pronto! I just don't know how the Scandi people can use this Sword of Damacles but, they do!
 
I've only had one real Leuku, (Helle Lapplander) and always gotten along with it extremely well. Better than I get along with my beloved BK #5 these days infact. I would feel better having one in carbon steel though.

I sent Ragnar an email to ask about the price differences.

Right now though, quite honestly just grinding my own blade is looking better and better.
 
It's a great knife for sure... I carry mine once in a while camping & trekking. I got mine many years ago for around 30.00. I can't believe how them prices jumped up on em though. I currently carry a Erikkson's model 510 from Ragnar & am well pleased with it. Let us know what you decide on & maybe a review. Thanks!
 
#510 is very nice looking. The handle looks very versatile and comfortable, and the blade goes without saying....

I've only gotten into the Scandinavian style knives a few years ago. I could only imagine $30 for one! heck, to me I still think $65 seems like a steal!:D


I'll keep ya' tuned into what happens, and I'll be happy to post a review on the knife I end up with. (although I can hardly be considered impartial if I grind my own blade):D

I've only made a few, so it could be quite an adventure...

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/karieann69/my_photos

thanks much, and take care!
 
Instead of grinding your own blade, how about buying a blade from ragnar and putting your own handle on it?
I bought the 9" Stromeng and the blade only was <$30.
ragnarloot.jpg


It has resisted the first two handles that I've made for it...
OK, I messed them up :p

For a lot less money and a little effort you can have a pretty knice knife.

Here's a Brusletto that I handled.
Scanickerblocks.jpg
 
How is that Stromeng blade for ya'? It's one of the blades I've been considering. Is it reasonably stout? decent edge geometry?


Very nice job on the Brusletto handle. I'm guessing that's the laminated carbon blades he used to have? I still have about three of those left, thank goodness, cause I don't see them on his site any more. Although the 4" ones look pretty nice also, and are available with unpolished sides...

Take a looksee at the link above and you can see the handle I did for mine. Just plain old walnut and brass, but it was a good user. (until my wife's Physical Therapist talked me out of it):D Felt good to know it was sellable though....

nice pics, and thanks for the input!
 
I have a Brusletto Nostalgi laminated carbon blades on the way. Unfortunatly it is in the evil clutches of canada post at the moment.
Ebbtide I belive that is the same model as your knife with the great handle.
What do you think of the big Stromeng? Remember the Finns use theese knives with gloves most of the time.
Ragnar is a great guy. I have a piece of elk antler just waiting for that Bruslleto blade.
 
Ebbtide said:
Instead of grinding your own blade, how about buying a blade from ragnar and putting your own handle on it?
I bought the 9" Stromeng and the blade only was <$30.
ragnarloot.jpg


It has resisted the first two handles that I've made for it...
OK, I messed them up :p

For a lot less money and a little effort you can have a pretty knice knife.

Here's a Brusletto that I handled.
Scanickerblocks.jpg
Click to expand...

How do you attach the handle material and the butt plate to the knife's tang?
 
topscandis.jpg

Top view, Stromeng in the middle.
Nostalgi on the right.
The Stromeng:
Nice clean grinds, sharp scandi edge, well finished.
Closer to a 'Butch' kitchen knife or small machete, than a sharpened prybar.
Just the way I like 'em.

gm...very carefully :P
I'll put up a link to a tutorial tonight :D
 
Here's the tutorial
http://www.brisa.fi/bark1.html
They demonstrate a leather handle, but the basics are the same.

stagscandi.jpg

Here you can see how the guard looked before being filed to shape, stag was drilled out (from both ends to the center), ready for the buttcap.
The tang nestles into the buttcap, and there is a pin that goes thru the buttcap and into the stag.
And the whole thing is held together with some carefully prepared epoxy.
(I saw that in Blade® ;) )
 
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