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

jimh0220 said:
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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I have been to El Salvador, I have researched the working conditions in the factories there as well as the status of legal requirements for the health and safety of workers there. I have spoken with workers about these conditions. I have not personally visited Condor's production facilities, but I do have an uncommon level of expertise when it comes to the working conditions in Latin America, and El Salvador has some of the worst there are, even by Latin American standards. Even if the conditions in Condor production facilities are better than average, they are still likely to be terrible.

That said, there has been some political and social progress in El Salvador in recent years, but until I am shown some evidence to the contrary, I think it is very appropriate to assume that workers in Condor's production facilities are being exploited according to the status quo of that country. I think it (at least for myself) would be morally reprehensible to patronize a company when the preponderance of personal evidence I have shows that the company is likely exploiting their workers.

...That said, I would be more than happy to support this company with a purchase if I could be assured that this company affords the kind of protections to workers that we, in the developed world have come to enjoy.
 
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Frisky said:
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
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Thanks, I saw these and wasn't terribly impressed, but I will take a closer look given your endorsement.
 
Bob W said:
If I were to recommend a single Mora above all others, it would be the #137.
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I think a Mora #2 with the guard seems superficially similar to the model you suggest, adds the safety of a guard and costs half the price. I may pick one of these up to see if I like the scandi design and possible upgrade to something fancier in the future, or if I break it :)
 
The new made in USA bushcrafting knife from Camillus seems pretty nice, albeit at a high price-point. Anyone been using one of these lately?
 
I bought a zillion Scandis. The Iisakki 5226 is a fine knife. I also like the Wood Jewel. Not really impressed with the Lapin Puukko. The Iisakki 8224 is a good knife (easy to mod the handle if you wish).
Also take a look at the Ahti puukko. I especially like the Metsa and the Vaara depending on your handle preference. Not a big fan of the modern Marttiini as they are not really true "scandi" anymore (have German or French blades and you can tell the difference in the steel). If you can go up a bit the Helle Symphoni and the Roselli Carpenter are great knives. It's a personal thing, but I don't care for the modern Moras. Few with laminated blades and I hate plastic!

Rich S

-------------------------------------------------------
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Nordic Knives and Knife Links
http://home.earthlink.net/~rsblade/nordic.htm

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Is it just me, or did the requirement that the knife be less than $50 or so go by the wayside? Are there any besides the Kellams, Mora's, and Marttiini's that are less than $50? I saw quite a few on UK sites for less than 50 POUNDS...

Sam
 
My use of the rubber gripped Marttiinis has been in deer gutting and skinning and in wood shaving. The little one, Little Classic, out-performed my Clippers on wood. Another knife you should examine is the Light My Fire/Mora knife. It's like a Clipper with a stainless blade and firesteel in the grip. The grind differs from the Clipper and looks good. Costs around $29.

Joe
 
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If I were to recommend a single Mora above all others, it would be the #137.
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I think a Mora #2 with the guard seems superficially similar to the model you suggest, adds the safety of a guard and costs half the price. I may pick one of these up to see if I like the scandi design and possible upgrade to something fancier in the future, or if I break it
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Personal preference, of course. But to me the #137's leather sheath is so much nicer than the basic plastic sheaths that it's worth the extra $$. The #137 also has laminated carbon steel blades that undoubtedly add to the price.
 
sharpandsafe said:
I have been to El Salvador, I have researched the working conditions in the factories there as well as the status of legal requirements for the health and safety of workers there. I have spoken with workers about these conditions. I have not personally visited Condor's production facilities, but I do have an uncommon level of expertise when it comes to the working conditions in Latin America, and El Salvador has some of the worst there are, even by Latin American standards. Even if the conditions in Condor production facilities are better than average, they are still likely to be terrible.

That said, there has been some political and social progress in El Salvador in recent years, but until I am shown some evidence to the contrary, I think it is very appropriate to assume that workers in Condor's production facilities are being exploited according to the status quo of that country. I think it (at least for myself) would be morally reprehensible to patronize a company when the preponderance of personal evidence I have shows that the company is likely exploiting their workers.

...That said, I would be more than happy to support this company with a purchase if I could be assured that this company affords the kind of protections to workers that we, in the developed world have come to enjoy.
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I've found your comments about this really interesting. Would it be possible to start a thread about it, specifically in relation to Condor knives?
 
sharpandsafe said:
I have been to El Salvador, I have researched the working conditions in the factories there as well as the status of legal requirements for the health and safety of workers there. I have spoken with workers about these conditions. I have not personally visited Condor's production facilities, but I do have an uncommon level of expertise when it comes to the working conditions in Latin America, and El Salvador has some of the worst there are, even by Latin American standards. Even if the conditions in Condor production facilities are better than average, they are still likely to be terrible.

That said, there has been some political and social progress in El Salvador in recent years, but until I am shown some evidence to the contrary, I think it is very appropriate to assume that workers in Condor's production facilities are being exploited according to the status quo of that country. I think it (at least for myself) would be morally reprehensible to patronize a company when the preponderance of personal evidence I have shows that the company is likely exploiting their workers.

...That said, I would be more than happy to support this company with a purchase if I could be assured that this company affords the kind of protections to workers that we, in the developed world have come to enjoy.
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Everything I've seen of Condor/Imacasa's facilities has been excellent. They're a real stand-up company. Their lead designer, Joe Flowers, is a man of exceptional ethics and has visited the factory on many occasions to oversee QC improvements, design modifications, and the like, and if he had any concerns about the treatment of their workers he's never voiced it to me. I don't think he'd work with a company that didn't do right by their employees.

Here's a video from inside the factory.
[video=youtube;F6aGNUY1Wjw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6aGNUY1Wjw&feature=plcp[/video]
 
I have been to the factory 7 times, and while I will admit it may not be as clean as some american factories, I can FIRMLY state that safety is a HIGH priority. Checks have been made before they go in, to make sure loose clothing can't get caught in machines. They spent tons of money on a huge vacuum just for grinding Micarta, along with respirators that are so big they make jokes about how their neck hurts from all the plastic attached to their face. They routinely go through inspections, and have hired consultants from America and other places just to maintain a safe work environment. They have people there that have worked there for 30 years. Imacasa is not some cheap company just crapping out blades.
 
Thanks, Joe! With the way that they commit themselves to constant product improvement and customer satisfaction I would have been shocked to find anything less than what you described with regards to concern for their workers. :)
 
Yes, thanks Joe! This is very encouraging to read! However, I am still on the fence about buying something made in El Salvador based on my experiences there. I will give their line a harder look though.
 
Thanks a lot for the input on this issue Joe and Mike. I have to say, looking at that video, that factory looks spotless compared to anything I've ever seen in Sheffield, England (no air extraction, no masks, unguarded saws, absolutely filthy conditions). Of course, that may not be the whole story (there's issues like pay as well), but as 'sharpandsafe' says, it's encouraging. Very interesting thread. Thanks again guys.
 
sharpandsafe said:
Yes, thanks Joe! This is very encouraging to read! However, I am still on the fence about buying something made in El Salvador based on my experiences there. I will give their line a harder look though.
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Just look at it this way--more business for Imacasa/Condor means more company growth. And company growth means more good jobs for El Salvadorans! :D
 
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