Malanika (Daniel Knives) Puuko review.

Well I was just informed that mine will be shipping out on Monday. Wait till you see it! He did a neck carry sheath for me, which he knocked out of the park judging by the pictures. Great info on your post DeadboxHero, thanks for linking it.
 
Hi! I watched your video on the malanika pukka and it's a beautiful knife. But it doesn't seem to bit into the wood... Is that true or were you trying to make finer cuts? Could you post a video of you trying to get some depth in the wood or simply show us how it performs in carving up close? I really want to buy it but I don't want to be disappointed from a $200 knife. I just don't know if it's to thick.

Thanks!
 
Danijel has many, many positive reviews speaking to the quality of his puukko's. As with everything, sometimes one must take the plunge to discover the truth. While I encourage the mora comparison, I find it very hard to believe it will compare. I understand that mora's are very fine cutting instruments, they in no way can compare to a more full tang style knife. No matter the argument, I will personally always prefer more strength in a knife which will be used in the field. I believe danijel can use thinner stock for what it's worth.

I'm excited to see the review DeadboxHero!
 
Scandi Knife Face off!

Left to right
Malanika Puuko$190,Helle Viking $100, Mora Laminated $50, Mora carbon companion $15.

Size comparison


Very comparible sizes
The Helle is the heaviest, the Mora laminated had the shortest handle. The companion is the lightest.


Using a notch cut with both thumbs on the spine.
I pushed the knife into to wood until it would not move.



Here's another view, I added a bk2 for control

The Malanika Puuko got the most depth but do you see how the wood was moved and split by the Mora and the Helle?

These knives have better "bite" in the wood, they really sheer off the fibers with a mix of split and cutting.

There can be issues though

Nothings free.

The more "bite" the greater the tendency for it to "dig" into the wood when not wanting to unless one is careful.

I'll call it "depth control"


Also the edge can be more delicate and take more damage.

Here's a graph I made.








Bite comparison



The Malanika takes more force to make bigger feathers but can make the same feathers

Depth control comparison


Yet, its takes less effort to make fine tinder feathers with the Malanika Puuko.

The Mora wants to dig too much and takes more concentration.

Edge stability

The Mora takes edge damage just from the carving the feathers you see! While it is still very Sharp and can keep cutting longer then a normal Mora, it does take more time to repair.

The Malanika Puuko has no edge damage.

Spine Thickness

The Malanika is thicker but has a high grind that terminates to a better edge geometry for a blend of sharpness and durability.
Handle profiles


The Malanika has the best shape for comfort






My conclusion

It's all in the details.

Ask yourself

How much do details matter?

Is it worth over 10 times the amount of a knife that functions good enough just to have all the finer details and performance enhancements?

I think so, but understand my point of view, I'm riding the line between passion and madness.

I love quality knives more then anything to the point where I miss out on alot of other things to fulfill my desire.
If I can afford it and make sacrifices.
I feel it's always worth it to buy someones work that has fine attention to detail that makes cutting, maitaning, feeling and looking at pure joy.

But one has to have an eye for detail to appreciate it

Cause in the end there all "just knives"
 
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Very good comparison! I'm not at all surprised of the verdict thuogh :D Rhombic birch bark puukkos are just a class on their own for me.

I too confirm also that laminated Moras are easily microchiped. I had a 106 carving slöjd (O1 core, 24° inclusive, 59 HRC) getting microchips all along the edge carving some dry white spruce, while keeping a pristine edge on a rhombic maasepän puukko (80CrV2, 19° inclusive, 62 HRC) carving the same piece of wood.
 
tiogatires said:
And.....BOOM goes the dynamite!
Click to expand...
Haha yeah

Frederick89 said:
Very good comparison! I'm not at all surprised of the verdict thuogh :D Rhombic birch bark puukkos are just a class on their own for me.

I too confirm also that laminated Moras are easily microchiped. I had a 106 carving slöjd (O1 core, 24° inclusive, 59 HRC) getting microchips all along the edge carving some dry white spruce, while keeping a pristine edge on a rhombic maasepän puukko (80CrV2, 19° inclusive, 62 HRC) carving the same piece of wood.
Click to expand...

Nice man, I love that rhomboid geometry.has to be my new favorite geometry even more then convex grinds.
 
Still waiting for mine to arrive and definitely getting harder to be patient after watching these videos...
 
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