Robert Klaas (Germany) traditional folders - how are they?

matus

matus

Joined
Apr 24, 2009
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662
Hi,

I seem to be falling for traditional folders. Since I am located in Germany I have first started to check out what is available here, and knives from Robert Klaas (in particular damascus blades) look really nice (see below). What I would like to ask is how good these knives are and how do they compare to here better known production knives (queen, case, buck, etc.). The damascus steel is made by Marcus Balbach from Germany (mostly carob steel damascus, there are a few knives with stainless damascus though). The stainless steel blades are made of 440C.

As a matter of example I am looking at following Klaas knives (I only found decent photos on sites of different online shops, I hope it is OK to link them):











I would appreciate your experience and opinion on these knives.
 
The only Kissing Crane I have is an old stiletto that says just Kissing Crane on it. (and stiletto and KC48)
From your pictures it looks like Klaas makes the Hen and Roosters as well as the Kissing Cranes, and I've heard good things about the Hen and Roosters.
If you can handle them before buying, so much the better, but I'd risk it if they've got what you want.
AG Russell's website often has more information about who makes what brand than you see elsewhere.
 
You can´t go wrong with a Robert Klaas. But you should have handpicked it. It seems that there were some quality issues recently. At least from what is heard.

The same thing about Hartkopf or any other german maker. As you are interessted in damascus blades; have you almost checked out Friedrich Hartkopf? They get their damascus blades from Markus Balbach and there are special runs of G-3 damascus (damascus made from the barell of the former german assault rifle) as well as Leo-2 damascus (damascus steel made of the barell of the Leopard tank of the Bundeswehr).

I don´t know where Klaas is getting their damascus but the Balbach damascus is a quality trademark all over the world.
 
While I do not have the option to cherry pick the knife in a shop, I do have the right to return it within 14 days, so avoiding one with issues should not be a problem. Still - it would be much more cool to choose one in a shop. Maybe one day :)

Yes - I am aware of Hatkopf knives, they however seem to have rather few models with Balbach damascus and none of the knives really caught my attention.

And indeed - Balbach damasucs has a great reputation - they currently offer different damascus steels including steel made of Leopard tank barrel or Eurofighter jet machine gun barrel (I would love to know how did they get hands on that one :) ). They have also so called DSC (damascus super clean) in stainless and carbon steels, but most of Robert Klaas knives seem to use their 'nornal' damascus steel.

I have also foune one cool knife that was a direct collaboration between Markus Balbach and Robert Klaas - it is made out of stainless damascus (19c27 and 14c28N) - only 4 were ever available for sale. Very tempting too :)
 
Hello,

the company Robert Klaas relates exclusively by us their damascus.
Currently some stainless damascus folders are at Klaas back into production.


Greetings from Germany
Markus
 
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