Note: if you've read my recent post in the traditional forum, there probably isn't much new here. I just wanted to mark one year of carrying this knife.
I've been carrying the Svord mini peasant knife for a year now, exclusively, except for a few formal occasions when I have carried other knives. It just went into my pocket and I never wanted another knife from then on. Every morning I reach for the familiar curved orange handle, and I'm on my way. Why do I like it so much? Because it cuts well and is no fuss.
Here are my thoughts after 1 year:
STEEL: I thought it was L6 carbon steel, but Svord now lists 15N20, which is very similar to L6. I put the edge retention on par with Opinels, SAKs, Buck's 420HC ,which is perfectly adequate for me. It's not very hard, but it's easy to sharpen with basic tools. I use a ceramic rod and strop on cardboard. I use it to shave some facial hairs. There's a nice patina from cutting fruits and vegetables.
BLADE GEOMETRY: The blade is 2.5" long and 1.5mm thick. It's plenty strong for its size, and large enough to prepare a meal without undue discomfort. You can see the funky "Svord grind," which is fully ground at the tip, and then recedes toward the tang. There is a secondary bevel. Bottom line, it cuts well due to its slim stock. I find the drop point with generous belly a versatile layout. This knife is a competent wood carver (see the butter knife below).
HANDLE: It's polypropylene with a nice, non-slip texture. The scales are thick enough to provide comfort when bearing down hard on the blade, and for hours of carving. The protruding tang does not cause any discomfort. When pushing hard on the blade, the handle flexes somewhat, though one's confidence stays intact. I've cut away the pointy tip to shorten the knife and avoid premature wear on my pockets. The scales show no signs of wear after a year.
CARRY-ABILITY: It's all about the tang with the Peasant knife. It is a big turn-off to the casual observer, who cites two issues: 1) The tang makes the knife longer. I can't deny that, but in my front pocket, I really only feel the handle, not the tang. If anything, the extended tang helps keep the knife vertical, which is a plus. 2) The exposed tang can cause accidental opening in your pocket. I adjust the rear screw to pinch the blade closed. I bike to work daily, lift heavy equipment, and the blade has always stayed secure. Accidental opening is a non-issue for me. Maybe if you practice Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with a peasant knife in your pocket, who knows? As a pocket knife, I have no reservations about recommending the Mini Peasant for EDC. It weighs 1.5 ounces, which makes it easy to stash in any pocket. I wear Dickies, which are on the loose side. If tight jeans are your thing, maybe this isn't the knife for EDC.
EASE OF USE, MAINTENANCE: It's easy to operate the Svord Mini Peasant with one hand. The knife is already returning to the pocket in the time it takes to open a two handed knife. There is no lock as this is a friction folder. That means, my hand gripping the handle and tang keeps the blade from closing. This system has never failed. When I sweat in the summer, condensation does start small rust spots if I don't wipe off the blade. I don't oil the blade, just tighten the screws every month or two. If I cut food, I wash the blade, blow out the pivot with my lungs, and wipe dry. The knife is so simple, not much can go wrong. When I first got the knife, I did install a thicker stop pin to keep the blade from touching the rear screw when closed. This fix is still working.
CONCLUSION: I did not know this knife would work so well for me when I got it. I still want to get other knives, like a Buck 501, which is so handsome. However, the 501 weighs twice as much, so I doubt it will displace the easy-going Mini Peasant. The unassuming Peasant knife isn't going to impress people with good looks or exotic materials. Luckily, I prize utility above all else. For the foreseeable future, this knife will still be my top choice for EDC.
My original impressions on Youtube:
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