Skrama 240 vs Buck Froe

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rlewpolar

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Oct 4, 2022
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I have a Skrama 240 and am wondering if the Buck Froe brings anything new to the table when batoning and splitting wood. My impression is that the Buck can handle even more heavy duty batoning and splitting wood than the Skrama but it’s just an impression, nothing to base this on. Anyone have both and which is the better chopping, splitting and batoning instrument? Thanks
 
The Buck is using a tougher steel (5160 vs 80crV2), thicker stock, and at a lower/tougher temper.

I don’t own either, but based on materials and dimensions, I have some guesses…

Unless they mess something up in HT, it should certainly handle more abuse than the Skrama. On the other hand, the Skrama will likely bite deeper, retain an un-abused edge longer, and generally be a better all-around knife.

I’m also interested to hear if anyone has used them side-by-side…
 
I have a Buck froe machete (it's a froe blade on a machete handle) that I was planning to try out on some pokeweed and cherry saplings, but my wife objected. It seems like a really nice blade, but the sheath is left-handed, so I would not recommend it to anyone who is right handed unless you are into making machete sheaths.

You can turn the blade 180 degrees in the sheath, but then the sharp edge is exposed.
 
Alberta Ed said:
Get a genuine froe with a 20 inch handle (saves bending over) if you want to split lots of wood. Shake splitters on the we(s)t coast have used them for eons.
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Expert advice if it's serious wood working that the OP wants to do.
There's no better tool than a froe for splitting wood accurately, or riving particularly long pieces of wood.
The single bevel and the long lever arm make it ideally suited for that task.

If OP just wants a knife they can beat through wood to split it, I have no problem fully recommending the Skrama.
I have the 200 and the thing's a beast. It's just a well designed tool and a functional knife.

The buck froe always bothered me because it's not a froe.
 
EngrSorenson said:
Expert advice if it's serious wood working that the OP wants to do.
There's no better tool than a froe for splitting wood accurately, or riving particularly long pieces of wood.
The single bevel and the long lever arm make it ideally suited for that task.

If OP just wants a knife they can beat through wood to split it, I have no problem fully recommending the Skrama.
I have the 200 and the thing's a beast. It's just a well designed tool and a functional knife.
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Yep. It's all about where your focus is. The Skrama is an excellent large knife that can also split wood well. if you want a large knife that does knife tasks really well and splits wood well also, get the Skrama. If your priority is wood splitting and you don't care about cutting abilities, then the froe might e the best bet.
 
There have been reports here of the handle coming off the tang after longer/hard use, but that's the only negative point on the Skrama (of course, not exactly trivial) I've seen mentioned.
 
TC said:
There have been reports here of the handle coming off the tang after longer/hard use, but that's the only negative point on the Skrama (of course, not exactly trivial) I've seen mentioned.
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Well at the price point that one can buy a Skrama… I’m not even sure I could buy equivalent bar stock 80CrV2 that cheap. But two skrama. If one breaks, send it back and use the other one.

I have a feeling those crazy drunk Finns would make good on it.
 
EngrSorenson said:
Well at the price point that one can buy a Skrama… I’m not even sure I could buy equivalent bar stock 80CrV2 that cheap. But two skrama. If one breaks, send it back and use the other one.

I have a feeling those crazy drunk Finns would make good on it.
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It would take a hell of a lot of oof to break a Skrama.
 
TC said:
There have been reports here of the handle coming off the tang after longer/hard use, but that's the only negative point on the Skrama (of course, not exactly trivial) I've seen mentioned.
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I wonder if the 200 suffers from this? The handle shape is pretty much contoured to the tang shape on the 200, whereas the 240 has an almost stick like tang.
 
coolbreezy37 said:
I wonder if the 200 suffers from this? The handle shape is pretty much contoured to the tang shape on the 200, whereas the 240 has an almost stick like tang.
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I’ve wondered the same thing. It’s interesting also that the 200 has a bunch of cutouts in the tang. Seems like it’d be easier to make scales for the 200. Anyway, I’m a big fan of the Skrama and actually had the 200 arrive just yesterday to keep my 240 company. I’m off the froe idea, especially the Buck froe. I don’t have a ton of wood to split, just the miscellaneous piece of wood out while camping/backpacking. Regarding froes, Gränsfors Bruk makes a froe where the vertical handle is removable for easy transport. For the life of me though, I can’t figure out how the handle locks in place while in use if it’s otherwise easily removable. Anyone own one? Not that I’m going to get one at almost $300 dollars 😬
https://imgur.com/a/gm8Ymvk

https://imgur.com/a/GQdDiCh
 
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rlewpolar said:
I’ve wondered the same thing. It’s interesting also that the 200 has a bunch of cutouts in the tang. Seems like it’d be easier to make scales for the 200. Anyway, I’m a big fan of the Skrama and actually had the 200 arrive just yesterday to keep my 240 company. I’m off the froe idea, especially the Buck froe. I don’t have a ton of wood to split, just the miscellaneous piece of wood out while camping/backpacking. Regarding froes, Gränsfors Bruk makes a froe where the vertical handle is removable for easy transport. For the life of me though, I can’t figure out how the handle locks in place while in use if it’s otherwise easily removable. Anyone own one? Not that I’m going to get one at almost $300 dollars 😬
https://imgur.com/a/gm8Ymvk

https://imgur.com/a/GQdDiCh
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froes have a slip fit handle. It comes up from the bottom (bladed side) and wedges in place. The handle has a flare in it.
Some companies like Lee Valley sell one that is actually tightened with a bolt or something, but the gransfors is (from what I know) the traditional way to haft a froe.

Think tomahawk.
 
EngrSorenson said:
froes have a slip fit handle. It comes up from the bottom (bladed side) and wedges in place. The handle has a flare in it.
Some companies like Lee Valley sell one that is actually tightened with a bolt or something, but the gransfors is (from what I know) the traditional way to haft a froe.

Think tomahawk.
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Aha, flared handle, makes sense. Thanks
 
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