MMK PSK Knife Review

[Jeff H]

Muskratman (Kaleb Reynolds) PSK Bushcraft and PSK Puuko

I have had these two cuties for a couple weeks now. I had hints about them from Kaleb, but nothing terribly descriptive. When they appeared on his site, I realized that he is obviously more expressive in his work, than he is about it. I was pretty tickled to see them, as I had laid claim to them before knowing for certain what they would look like. My limited experience with his knives has been all positive and I was confident these would not disappoint.

The idea here, as stated in the subject line, is another version of the PSK Knife. There are a number of them to chose from and I have had several. I don’t think I had one that was a stinker, or even just “so-so.” They were all “very nice” to “excellent knives,” but none of them really “fit” like I had hoped. These both “fit.” They may not be everyone’s “cup of tea” but they certainly found a loving home on my person.

I knew what to expect in fit and finish and was not surprised at the design or workmanship. There are a few points where they exceed my personal requirements in aesthetics, but I’ll accept that. The nicely finished faces of the blade and the satin appearance on the very nicely shaped scales are not necessary for performance but it is fitting that they look as good as they perform – they are a big step up from a “working finish” and a running jump on “user” performance. My knives are primarily woodworking tools which I also use for other stuff, so my performance standard is based on how they work wood. I won’t run through my “checklist of visual inspection” because there’s just nothing wrong with these knives – nothing to look for or question.

Each weighs 3 ounces even, the handles are a shade over 3 ¼” long and 11/16” wide and the blades are made of 3/32” L6. I know I always tell people I don’t care what the steel is and don’t remember, but in this case “L6” sticks out, as it is not one of the current “favorites.” It performs admirably and I feel it is as “good” as my O1, A2, 1095, etc. knives. The Bushcraft blade is 3” even and the Puuko’s 3 ¼”, giving overall lengths of 6 ½” and 6 ¾” respectively. Don’t let the dimensions fool you. Most of us appreciate what a 3” blade can do but the 3 ¼” handles are the surprise, as they are shaped such that they can be really used with little fatigue – one stand-out feature on this pair that made them my personal choice in a PSK knife.

 

[Jeff H]

Not to compare knives or makers, rather to provide a perspective of their size compared to something you might recognize, I have included a Ritter Mini-Grip’ and a Gossman PSK – more of a “true” PSK in the sense, I guess, that it will fit into a minimalistic kit and is a different “class” of knife in my mind. The featured PSK knives are more of an “EDC format.” Either fits nicely in the front pocket of any pants that I wear and weighs the same as my SAK Farmer, only 3/10 ounce more than my Mini-Grip’ and 2/10 ounce less than another “pocketable” favorite, my Breeden Compact Bushcraft I.

In the kitchen, where one can get a feel for general handling, they did better than expected. Naturally, I complained out loud the whole time I was using them so my wife didn’t notice them. She would never commandeer one of my knives, but when she likes something, I want her to have it – she’s just that sweet that I can’t help myself. So, I complained through – peeling and slicing a couple piles of potatoes, peeling and slicing apples (best apple-peelers I have used), slicing tomatoes and anything else I could get my hands on. Honestly, I have been using them in the kitchen simply because they handle so nicely and cut so well. No “kit’ pics” as I am usually up to my elbows in stuff I would prefer not getting on the camera.

General cutting chores are as easily handled as with any knife I have owned and the handiness/compactness means that I have not been without one of these except when in the shower or in bed. Up to this point, they are working as well as anyone’s favorite folder or fixed-blade might in day to day tasks. To name a knife “PSK” is one thing – having it live up to performance expectations is something else.

These are not knives one will find room for in an Altoids tin – I don’t care how good you are at stuffing that thing full – you will not get one of these knives in there,..... without cutting or grinding. I will take that trade, because I will also have some sort of small knife in there for whatever use – but I know I won’t be building much of a shelter with it. With the PSK Bushcraft and PSK Puuko, I can – at least a rudimentary structure and without excessive discomfort or fatigue. The handles are shaped such that, in spite of their abbreviated length, they are quite comfortable to work with if you work wisely. They are not “choppers,” but you can slice decent-sized saplings easily and, if necessary, baton your way through larger stuff. This is no “stunt.” The Puuko, in particular, has enough blade to make this a reasonably easy task.

 

[Jeff H]

Given the handle design and the great cutting ability due to the edge geometry, performing tasks one might otherwise choose a larger knife for is possible and pleasant. I bent saplings over and cut through them very easily – more easily than I have with some larger knives I have owned with thicker edges. The thin edge may cut like crazy, but too thin an edge is not going to stand up to harder use. The happy balance achieved on these allows one to baton green wood very cleanly but also stands up to batoning seasoned wood (standing deadwood). I used some long-dead Red Pine for this, as it would be what I would reach for first if available in the woods but I worked some seasoned Ash and Black Walnut as well. I hand-cut a baton from the first sapling and used it to “baton out” a larger one.

Finer work, after the “beating” was effortless. One might expect these to handle the finer tasks well, just by looking the blades over, but they still did it after some rough use. The edges held up extremely well, only receiving a very light touch on the “fine” side of a strop – two or three strokes. No chips, no rolls, no excessive dulling through the harder work. In fact, “dulling” is hardly the word. I did not detect any change in the edge through the use documented in these photos but hit the strop with them out of habit after washing them in the sink so I could look them over better for any kind of damage or degradation.

 

[Jeff H]

I have been favoring the Bushcraft model over the Puuko in my daily use, so I chose to work the Puuko over for the photos. I had already given the Bushcraft a workout similar to this and wanted to give fair play to the Puuko. In all honesty, I really liked the Puuko, so I would have a hard time recommending one or the other. I guess that’s why I asked for one of each. If you decide that you need one, all I will say is that the decision will have to be a personal one. I am on the fence. They both are very capable and both have a couple subtle differences, in blade only, that make me feel either would be as “good” as the other.

I have “Ranger-banded” a BSA Hot-Spark and P38 to the sheaths and carry one or the other daily right now. There is sufficient belly in either for making killer “fuzzies” and the spine is very sharp, allowing for a “fireworks display” when used on the ferro-rod. I did not ask for sheaths with these, although I should give Kaleb’s leather a go sometime. I knew these would be in my pocket so I made Kydex up for them that will still fit a small Tek-Lok or work as an inverted necker. If I get some time, I might try another leather pocket sheath that will take a ferro-rod and flashlight. It would definitely be worth t he effort because these are two sweet little knives.

Thanks for lookin’

 

[matthewdanger]

Awesome review! Kaleb has really been turning out some cool knives lately. Those nice clean cuts in wood are amazing.

 

[siguy]

excellent review, looks like an amazing pair of knives.

thanks for sharing.

 

[Snow]

Dang, what a thorough review. We sure have a lot of choices for quality custom makers on this forum!

 

[RescueRiley]

Those are schweet!!!!..Man this place is going to kill me

 

[Brian Andrews]

Nice knives Jeff! That is a great review....as always.

B

 

[Liam Ryan]

I really like the drop point, great stuff.

 

[mtnfolk mike]

great review jeff... cool pics too...:thumbup: both those knives look sweet... perfect size in my opinion...

 

[BarberFobic1992]

that strait spine one looks awsome :thumbup:

the grind on those look very nice. i also like the look of the handle, seems quite comforable. which point design do you find more useful?

 

[Stickman]

Thanks for an excellent review Jeff. My focus has been on knives in this size range lately and these two look perfect...although I think I'm leaning towards the Puuko. Nicely executed designs by Kaleb.

 

[kgd]

Looks like a great knife and a really thorough review. I really like the idea of the ranger-banded firesteel. I might borrow that trick from you!

3/32" is a great thickness and makes for a wicked sharp edge. I can only imagine how sharp that must feel on a scandi grind. On thing I noticed is that I use this hand position often when whittling and notching.

Sometimes I find 3/32" is a bit hot on the thumb when doing this repeatedly. How was it for you? 1/8" feels really good for it though. I find myself, without conscious effort, reaching for and often using two different knives. The 1/8" one for these types of cuts and the thinner one for slicing cuts.

 

[tonym]

As always a terrific review and outstanding pics.

Those knives look as wesome as they appear to function!

 

[C Bryant]

Great review, I'm in love with those handles!

 

[Jeff H]

Thanks for he comments, guys. I enjoy sharing this stuff. I see a lot of stuff here too and just don't have enough information on what I am oggling at the moment, so I try to give as much objective info as possible. I liked both of these so much I really had to stop and think a few times if I really WAS being objective in my comments.

that strait spine one looks awsome :thumbup:

the grind on those look very nice. i also like the look of the handle, seems quite comforable. which point design do you find more useful?

Barberfobic, like I said near the end - you're on your own, Bub. I honestly cannot say which I like better meself, even though I personally prefer a spearpoint. I knew others here would like these so I chose to request both so I could offer some feedback on both. I knew others would like the Puuko but I have found that I do too. I wish I could help you, but I swear I would't be able to pick just one myself.

......I really like the idea of the ranger-banded firesteel. I might borrow that trick from you!.......I can only imagine how sharp that must feel on a scandi grind.....Sometimes I find 3/32" is a bit hot on the thumb......

KGD, Borrow away! I probably borrowed it myself but it works great and keeps it from sliding out of my pocket when I sit down too. I get funny looks when stuff falls out of my pockets in the conference room..... because it jars me out of an open-eyed slumber. Don't forget the P38. The "Ranger band" is from a "universal bike tube" and is pretty tight.

SHARP! I failed to mention a very important feature - these are ground slightly higher on the face of the blade (meaning a shallower angle) than a normal Scandi and the edge is stropped at a very slightly higher angle than that of the grind. I believe Kaleb does regular Scandis too but I like this edge. It gets super sharp, super quick, and the edge stands up very well in spite of the thinness of the blade just beyond the edge.

I cut that way a lot too. These cut so easily that the thumb is doing little more than "following" for control without adding any significant force. The spines are sharp yet did not bother my thumbs a bit.

Thanks again for the comments!:thumbup:

I am behind on my "sharing." I have some Breedens and a Gossman no one has gotten to see an some more MMKs on the way.

 

[matthewdanger]

Jeff, so am I understanding this correctly: The edge is a "high" scandi but it essentially has a microbevel that is produced with a strop?

 

[Jeff H]

Jeff, so am I understanding this correctly: The edge is a "high" scandi but it essentially has a microbevel that is produced with a strop?

That's pretty much it, Matthew, but the "micro-bevel" is shallow so I am careful not to say "micro-bevel" so as not to give the impression that it is an obtuse secondary bevel.

That's how he did my "full-sized" Bushcraft and I love it.
I do not get along with "secondary bevels" and end up regrinding almost every knife I buy with a "high secondary convex" edge on flat-grinds and convex to zero on convexed blades with secondary bevels. I have not done any kind of "work" to Kaleb's blades to get them to work to my satisfaction. Like I said, they are primarily woodworking tools to me, and using a secondary bevel on wood feels like using a cold chisel - even if it will shave hair. I am not picking on others' preference in edges either - just saying what I happen to like. These give the effect of a much thinner blade, as there is little "meat" just behind the edge to drag but the edges stand up admirably. I am waiting on a couple "Baby Bushcrafts" and another "full-sized" Bushcraft in 1/8". I have been VERY pleased with how these edges work.

 

[j williams]

Great stuff. I REALLY like the bushcraft PSK. I need to get me one of Kalebs blades I hear great things.......

Wonderfull review Jeff. I really enjoyed it.