The Mighty Pequena

I got one, but ended up giving it to a friend who loves sodbuster patterns, and has a little collection started of simple working knives from around the world. (Opinel, Swede 38, etc) I think he needs a Douk Douk, next.

It was smaller than I expected, and a bit hard for me to open. I really like the blade shape, though. Maybe I'll look into getting the medium sized one some day.
 
I've long been a fan of Opinels, but as a project, decided to start a specific collection of working or peasants knives, (Opinels, the Svord, Okapi, Douks, K55ks, Higonokomis, etc.) Using a knife from a different culture is a great way to learn first hand about differences, and similarities between people around the globe. It's relatively affordable compared to most modern knives, too!

I bought an Aitor Castor Grande from our friend 42 Blades, and i'm blown away at the design and quality for the price. It's almost as though an Opinel, Douk Douk, and Barong got put in a blender and this little jewel came out. Like most true peasants knives, the ergonomics are fabulous, even with my large hands.

The blade shape should appeal to Spyderco fans, and the build quality, presentation and price should appeal to everyone!

This would also make a superb Bushcraft Folding knife, as the blade shape works for many techniques, and the handle is comfortable over long hour of work.

I will be purchasing more Castors, and it will make a great gift knife for friends, esp with the Bubinga wood and the presentation box.
 
I will have have to write up a more thorough review when time allows- this knife certainly warrants it. I'm not often this impressed by knives, especially not at this price. No, it's not perfect, but i got it 99% there, ( for me,) with an hours work sharpening, stropping, touching up the corners, and applying linseed oil & beeswax. Now she's a true beauty, all around 20 bucks! But i didnt become a true fan of the Castor until i spent an evening whittling with it. What a great blade shape, grind and steel, mated to a beautiful, comfortable handle.
 
Looking forward to your your further posts Mr Mac, it's great to see your considered enthusiasm for this great working pattern :)
 
Working pattern this is!

The quality and ergonomics give it outstanding appeal, it really works well as a Kitchen Folder.

Try one and see.
 
Just curious- does anyone have pictures of all three sizes? I have 2 Grandes, and large hands, but the pequena and mediana Appeal, not just for the collection, but as pocket knives. The Grande is like an Opinel 8 so it's really not large by todays standards, but a small Castor would almost be like an old world Spyderco Delica or Dragonfly! :) i only worry that they would be too small for me.

I agree about making great kitchen knives- the FFG, medium thickness acero, great grinds, and perfect belly make wicked little slicers and processors. Rolling cuts are superior to the Opinels blade, and the leaf-shape blade allows great indexing for precise cuts.

P.S. Castor means beaver, but maybe they're referring to Greco Roman God? Somehow the hard working beaver seems more appropriate!
 
A couple weeks later, and i am finding this to be one of the most exceptional traditional knives i've owned. The blade shape has a perfect amount of belly for slicing while retaining control, and the combination of steel, grind and blade thickness gives a strong knife that slices almost as well as a Douk Douk, with more strength at the edge.

The handle is just about as comfortable as an Opinel during long and hard use, (my Grande is about the size of the Opinel 9,) but rides in the pocket much better. While the slipjoint spring isn't as incredibly strong as the Douk, but it's stronger than almost any other slippie i've handled.

Also, the ricasso is the perfect length to allow you to choke up on the blade, like on a Spyderco with a choil. It also increases safety because if the blade should somehow start to close, your finger would likely make contact with the ricasso, not the edge. So, for safety, this slipjoint gets a solid "A."

The steel is plain old, wonderful carbon- it sharpens and holds an edge like 1070, 1075 and or 1080. It's much harder than the Douk's 1070, and slightly more so than my Opinels, and so takes slightly longer to sharpen, but holds its edge longer. (Maybe it's 1095, but Euro traditional knives seem to favor less carbon than Americans.)

I'm a heavy knife user, since my day job requires it, so i get a good feel of a knife quickly. It's been awhile since i've been so impressed with a design, (maybe the Para 2,) and at this price, it's just a bargain.

Hopefully, in the not too distant future i'll have time to do a full fledged review. The knife certainly warrants it!
 
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yep, i love me some working knives that punch well above their price like these aitors. i think the pequena is also kind of pretty to look at and might also make a nice 'gentlemans' type knife. ymmv.
 
Thanks for your further thoughts Mr McDonnell :) :thumbup:
 
Thanks Carl!:D

The carbon on this takes a dark and even colour very fast when using it as a kitchen knife. This seems to be the case with a lot of Euro steel, Opinel, Böker etc it is likely softer than US steels although I find CASE cv takes a nice even patina too. Not so much GEC, most of mine are blotchy and spotty, odd??:confused:

These knives may be small (well this version) but the leaf blade gives a lot of slicing power I find.

Regards, Will
 
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