Upgrade from Mora, the $50-100 shootout

Noshtero

Noshtero

Joined
Oct 10, 2002
Messages
1,551
Here's my contenders

Fallkniven F1
Iisakki Jarvenpaa Aito Puukko (1244)
Iisakki Jarvenpaa Kauhavalainen Puukko (1156)
Helle Eggen
Helle 75 Ar Jubileum
Wood Jewel WJ-REI Handforged
Roselli R110 Carpenter's Knife
Cold Steel Master Hunter
Benchmade NRA Snody
Grohmann GR1

Basically... I carry an RD9 and a SAK. I want this knife to fill the gap. I purposely left off the pry-bar knives in this area (Ka-Bar, Sog, etc...) because big heavy cutting is done by the RD9. I don't dig using my SAK for camp chores. I prefer to keep that blade razor sharp for fine cutting.

So ya... what do you guys think?
Feel free to add another contender in. The downfall of shopping over the internet is no matter how I do it, I'm buying a knife without ever holding it. That's why I rely so much on your opinions. If you find yourself in an apples to oranges situation (like comparing the F1 to the Aito) because the knives are both awesome, but very different, then please try to lean to the one that would fill my situation the best. I'd prefer to stay as cheap as possible, but I'm ok going up to $100.

Considerations:
I'm not a very accomplished sharpener, so I tend to have better luck with scandi grinds.
This will probably be belt carried.

I'm sure you all get sick of these "compare the knives" posts. I've just never seen a shootout between the puukkos and the others. It's always F1 vs. Master hunter or Helle vs. Jarvenpaa.

Thanks much guys.
 
This is similar to Stick-ems post. I consolidated a bunch of the recommendations there to get a concise shootout.
 
Might want to add a real hand-made puukko to that list. You'll find none of the factory manufacture knives will come anywhere close. Acquiring one isn't as simple, of course, but you could get a very nice hand-made Tommipuukko for under 100 €. Just something worth considering.
 
Where would I come across such a thing? In my experience, hand-made = BIG money.
 
Sadly you'll also have to deal with shipping costs and the low value of the dollar currently.

I have read a lot of good things about the Kellam knives lately, too, if that adds some confusion to the decision. :D I think out of most of those, you really can't go too wrong. If you're like me, you'll find another blade you can't live without in a few months anyway!
 
The Kellam knives, at least what I can see, are all very expensive.
I for sure want to stay under $100 U.S.
 
Noshtero said:
Where would I come across such a thing? In my experience, hand-made = BIG money.
Click to expand...

A hundred euros isn't exactly small change for most Scandinavians. We're not all oil millionaires here. ;) Some of the very best bladesmiths in Finland sell their hand-made puukkos under 100 euros, although they are mostly those who do not spend ridiculous sums on marketing and advertising, as they have products that quite efficiently market themselves or they do not make blades as their primary source of income. You'll find one such smith at www.tommipuukko.com. Shipping overseas may be an issue, though. But such knives do exist. Unfortunately the exchange rate for the US dollar isn't very good right now, so that'd make stuff more expensive for you guys.
 
I can personally vouch for the Roselli Carpenter. It looks alot better than a Mora and has a significantly stouter blade (1/8 inch thick). In my experience the edge tends to fold rather than chip (which is good for a knife in the 60+ RC range). The scandi grind is spectacular for woodworking and is easy to sharpen, although Roselli grinds his with a slight secondary bevel which makes for a more durable but less keen edge (can be easily removed on an oil stone). The handle is extremely ergonomic and can be easily modified to fit your hand (if necessary).
 
Noshtero said:
Customs aside, what do you think of my original list?
Click to expand...

I'd go with the F1. It's certainly more durable than Roselli and Järvenpää puukkos, if durability is your thing. But of course any decent puukko, including Roselli & Järvenpää, will survive any reasonable use.
 
Why do you feel the F1 is more durable?
Is it worth almost double the price of some of the puukkos?
 
Look at the construction and see for yourself. I have Marttiinis, Rosellis and Järvenpää knives, and a lot of hand-made puukkos I consider "real" - since in my view factory-made puukkos aren't very close to what puukkos really should and used to be. And I have almost all the Fällkniven models ever manufactured. Most puukkos are designed to be pure cutting and woodworking tools, very light in weight, very slender, not built like a tank or even an armored car. ;) Look at the thickness and blade geometry on Fällknivens and, say, Rosellis. Fällknivens are typically thicker, less pointy and heavier. The materials tend to be inorganic - zytel, kydex, Kraton, Thermorun and stainless VG-10 laminated compared to the leathers, woods, and carbon steels of Roselli knives. The F1 is the most puukko-like Fällkniven with perhaps the exception of the H1. The quality of manufacture is higher with Fällkniven. And that's saying something, since Fällkniven is Swedish and Roselli and Järvenpää, like myself, are Finnish. ;) There are Finnish knives I'd rather have than a Fällkniven, but they're hand-made knives, all of them. If you want a knife that will not break on you, then you would rather go with an F1 than any Roselli or Järvenpää, although both of the latter are good knives indeed. They're just not tactical in any way, in other words, not meant for prying or batoning and such. Whether Fällknivens are worth the price is up to you, ultimately. To me, they are, but that's not to say I couldn't do everything that I need to do with a knife with just a 2 euro Mora knife made out of plastic and Sandvik stainless. It's just a question of how fail-safe and high-performance you want your knives to be.
 
The Kellum Wolf Pack series is are pretty much just below $100, if that's a main concern.

I think anything that strikes you as particularly comfortable from your first list would be excellent choices. Due to the overwhelmingly positive reviews of very many owners on this forum, I'd also go with the F1 (assuming you're not hot for a pukko). One of the lower priced BRKT blades might also be in order.

Your original list looks very good to me, too.
 
I'd second the F1. It's a lot of steel in a small knife. The convex grind leaves more blade thickness closer to the edge. It's also has a full tang which extends out the butt past the handle.

I've beat on mine for a couple of years and it's held up great. Sharpening a convex edge does require some learning and patience though.

If you are willing to try a convex grind Bark River also makes several models in your price range if you look hard at the second hand market, Snowy River, Northstar, Fox River, etc...

-Stephen
 
The F1 is a great knife. If you're looking for something a bit different, I'll vouch for the Grohmann DH Russell no. 1. It's a terrific mid-range knife, and would fill the gap between your RD9 and SAK nicely. On top of that, it's a classic design, and a beauty to look at. I have the regular and flat grind versions, and am happy with both. The leather sheath lacks some of the features of a more modern design (it's not as waterproof, and it doesn't have a retention strap), but I haven't found this to be a problem.

Best of luck with your decision,

- Mike
 
I always heard the rat knives were very "sharpened pry-bar" types. I wanted to stay away from looking at TOO rugged of a knife because I have the RD9 for heavy cutting. I purposely left off the Ka-bars, Seals, RD4s, etc... I always thought the Rat 3 landed in this category.

I may be looking at it wrong though, so feel free to post an opinion on this as well. Would you do fine cutting work and food prep with a Rat3? Would you do it with a Seal Pup?
 
I have a rat3 on my belt right now and would not call it a sharpened pry bar. I have only had it for a few days but so far am impressed, however you said you were sharpening challenged and my rat needed quite a bit of work to get it right, new the grind was a bit off. Looking at your criteria I think I would look at one of the Bark rivers or as so many have said a fallkniven. I think a mora would fit the niche nicely but understand you wanting something a bit prettier. Chris
 
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