New Wostenholm I*XL folder (pics)

[psycho78]

I got a copy of the Smoky Mountain Knife Works catalog and amidst all the crazy fantasy mall ninja stuff I ran across this little gem. If I'm not mistaken, the caption in the catalog reads that the Wostenholm company was bought by Parker cutlery. SMKW had the parts to these knives laying around in their warehouse since 1980, and they recently found a manufacturer to assemble them.

anyway, I couldnt pass this knife up for under 20 bucks. Here are some pics.

This is the only thing I dont like about it. The fit and finish on the spine isnt too great.

The knife feels great in the hand, has a really nice mirror polished blade and nice handle scales. Opens smoothly and locks up pretty strong with a nice snap. Overall, I'm very satisfied with it. :thumbup:

 

[flylock]

It looks nice , but for that kinda money it's just gotta be made in china.

 

[Rusty1]

I was lead to believe some while ago that, They were assembled in Japan, I think only the blades were made in Japan and the knives assembled elsewhere, there are five different models, in the series, they have been around for at least 2-3 years, I have two out of the set, not bad for a cheap EDC.

Rusty1

 

[peter78]

I was mildly interesting in these also. My biggest question is where were they assembled? From your pictures, it does not show where they were made.

I bought a Boker from them years ago, the blades were left over from the USA factory and the knife itself said USA on the base of the blade and then in the middle of the blade it said made in Germany. On the other side of the blade it had 1985 (the year the USA factory stopped), then 1998. It is a neat knife and a little bit of history involved in that knife. I was hoping this knife would be simular.

 

[psycho78]

oh! well...dang fellas. I forgot to take a pic of the other side. The blade on the other side says they are made in Japan. I know this isnt the best knife ever, but IMO for 16 bucks you cant beat it.

 

[peter78]

oh! well...dang fellas. I forgot to take a pic of the other side. The blade on the other side says they are made in Japan. I know this isnt the best knife ever, but IMO for 16 bucks you cant beat it.

Here is a quote from SMKW:

"The blades on these knives were made and put in storage in the 1980s by Parker Cutlery. When Jim Parker licensed the I*XL name, he decided to reproduce the most popular blade patterns in Japan. The blades were to be imported to the USA for the knife assembly. In the meantime, Parker Cutlery filed bankruptcy and SMKW bought the blades in the bankruptcy sale. They had been in storage since then. After twenty years, we have finally found a manufacturer able to assemble them to our satisfaction."
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I get the feeling the blades were made in Japan, but SMKW found a manufacturer to assemble them. Since they don't say where that is, to me it usually means "China". I decided not to buy them, but I must admit I really like your pictures. It looks pretty good.

Here is a link for a set of 5 for $60, pretty good deal if they are decent:

http://www.eknifeworks.com/webapp/e...Wostenholm&Search.x=12&Search.y=9&SKU=IXL5SET