Please recommend a scandi for me - I think I finally understand the appeal :)

S

sharpandsafe

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Feb 25, 2011
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I did a lot of reading over the weekend, and I am totally confused about what I should get and what manufactures offer the best price/value ratio. Here's what I think I want:

Traditional scandi grind.

4-6 inches in length (blade)

Carbon steel (?), or a material that will stand up to some abuse

Price less than $50 or so


What would you recommend? I am cautious of the stainless and laminated options, because I fear that they might chip, break or bend when subjected to heavy use such as stripping bark, light batoning, striking a fire steel. Also, I might want something with a finger guard in case I have to stab a bear or something with it.

Thanks!
 
sharpandsafe said:
I did a lot of reading over the weekend, and I am totally confused about what I should get and what manufactures offer the best price/value ratio. Here's what I think I want:

Traditional scandi grind.

4-6 inches in length (blade)

Carbon steel (?), or a material that will stand up to some abuse

Price less than $50 or so


What would you recommend? I am cautious of the stainless and laminated options, because I fear that they might chip, break or bend when subjected to heavy use such as stripping bark, light batoning, striking a fire steel. Also, I might want something with a finger guard in case I have to stab a bear or something with it.

Thanks!
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So you want a scandi grind carbon steel knife under $50. Well... off the top of my head, there are several Mora knives. There's the clipper and companion series. There's also the Marttiini Carbon Hunter. There are some inexpensive knives from Kellam, but the S-line are not really scandi grind...

Sam
 
sja2249 said:
So you want a scandi grind carbon steel knife under $50. Well... off the top of my head, there are several Mora knives. There's the clipper and companion series. There's also the Marttiini Carbon Hunter. There are some inexpensive knives from Kellam, but the S-line are not really scandi grind...

Sam
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Thanks for the suggestions!

The only knife from Marttiini that fits my criteria is the Lynx Lumberjack carbon, but I see no info on blade thickness, hardness, or the alloy of carbon steel used.

The knives from Kellam look good. How are their kit blades? I could get the 4.1" carbon blade and make a handle from a wood blank. What do you think of that idea?

I also like the looks of the basic 10mm carbon steel puukko from Iisakki Järvenpää (#5226-b at Ragweed Forge). Does anyone have an opinion of this knife to share?
 
tincansurvival said:
Based on your terms a Condor Bushlore might be in order.
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Thanks for the suggestion, but these are made in El Salvador, and I am very familiar with the wretched working conditions in El Salvadorian factories. I will not buy a knife made in a country where there are not even the most basic protections in place for the welfare of workers.
 
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I say go browse over at ragweed forge and see what appeals to you...
 
rpn said:
I say go browse over at ragweed forge and see what appeals to you...
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Thanks, I've looked there, and that's part of the problem - there is so much that looks appealing! Problem with looking is that I don't get any information about the suitability of the blade for my planned use, or input from the experiences of others.
 
sharpandsafe said:
Thanks, I've looked there, and that's part of the problem - there is so much that looks appealing! Problem with looking is that I don't get any information about the suitability of the blade for my planned use, or input from the experiences of others.
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What models did you see that you liked?
 
I like Frosts Lapplander knives (I have the Lapplander 90, Lapplander 100, and Lapplander 115) and Brusletto also do some quality knives (I have the Gubben, Hallingen, and Tollkniv, as well as the Fisksprett which doesn't have a Scandi grind). The only Martinni I have is the Deluxe Hunting model, nice knife.
 
rpn said:
What models did you see that you liked?
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Temagami Carbon
Helle Viking
Mora Craftline Robust
Mora #2 classic carbon
Karesuando #3515, The "Rävan Special"
Karesuando #3520, The Örnen
Iisakki Järvenpää Lappland Puukko #5226-b, unpolished carbon steel blade
Lapin Puukko #3003; Leukupuukko 3
Lapin Puukko #3020; Whittling Knife 31
Wood Jewel Knives #WJ-V10; The "10 cm. Carving Knife"

Kit Blades:

Helle #HB-96; the laminated carbon steel blade
Karesuando #3550
 
Karesuando and Helle are more finely finished, and therefor are generally beyond the $50 price range. My Helle is the "Millstone" and from Karesuando I have the Wolf. Most knives from these two companies are stainless as well.

The only knife from Marttiini that fits my criteria is the Lynx Lumberjack carbon
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Good eye. That's on my shopping list.

Mora Craftline Robust
Mora #2 classic carbon
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If I were to recommend a single Mora above all others, it would be the #137.

Lapin Puukko #3003; Leukupuukko 3
Lapin Puukko #3020; Whittling Knife 31
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I have one from this company, but I'd have to go upstairs to see which model. The #3002 perhaps? It's pretty well finished, especially the stainless fitting on the butt.

One knife not on your list that I think you'd like, the Ahti Metsa (Forest).
 
My personal favorite is the Helle Symfoni. Handle is hand-filling, nicely contoured, and a slight guard to help keep your fingers where they belong. While I generally prefer carbon steel over stainless, the laminated stainless Helle uses has performed well for me. Added bonus is less worry if it rainy or really hot & humid. My other favorite with a guard is the Roselli Hunter. Sharpens up easy & takes a wicked edge. Slightly bigger than my Helle Symfoni. Another to look at is the Kellam Puukko. Personally don't own one, but it is probably my next.

All of these are over $50 though. Under that, I suggest looking at the Mora Bushcrafts.
 
The Lapins look better than they are. They have a tremendous secondary bevel on them...or mine sure did. Not true Scandis.

You've got quite a range there. I've got most of those except the Karesuando.

Start with Mora for the modern scandi and Iassakki Jaarvenpaa for the tradition. Both are reasonably priced. Both are great.

The Helle Viking and a truly awesome knife but that's some cash and it lacks a guard. You may or may not like that. Get a much less expensive Jaarvenpaa first and see if you like the guardless format...you won't be trading down much at all in quality, just price.
 
Just get a basic Mora, you won't feel too bad abusing it as you learn about Scandi edges, how to use and sharpen them, you can also go through several rounds of forcing patinas on it before you sand them off. Excellent knife and very good practice blade.

After you have practiced for a while with one, you can decide on a more expensive Scandi blade.
 
+1 on Moras. I decided to buy a mora companion recently as I started to "finally understand the appeal" of scandi knives.. and boy was I impressed! $15 shipped on ebay!
 
Something like the rubber gripped Marttiini Condor line of hunting knives would meet your needs. Most models have a 4" blade and better sheaths than Moras. They have a scandi grind and are sharper out of the box than Moras. They are better knives than most Mora knives and cost around $20. They are supposed to be softer than Moras, but I've had equal performance as far as resistance to dulling goes.

Joe
 
Mora Buschcraft Triflex
Mora Bushcraft Force
Mora eh, you get the idea.....

Moose
 
sharpandsafe said:
Thanks for the suggestion, but these are made in El Salvador, and I am very familiar with the wretched working conditions in El Salvadorian factories. I will not buy a knife made in a country where there are not even the most basic protections in place for the welfare of workers.
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So you've visited Condor's factories? Remember, working condition in one country that we see as deplorable, the workers see as acceptable. It's a different world. I've visited a couple of US facilities that, imho, were miserable, but the employees love it. Metalworking ain't pretty or comfortable work.

The company is turning out a great product. Good enough for me.
 
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