Post by digitalpublius on Sept 27, 2013 7:21:24 GMT -5
The next in my series of high value, low cost knives for everyday use is The Svord Peasant Knife.
The Svord is as low tech as they come, a simple friction folder. No locking mechanism other than your closed hand on top of the tang. In fact it is so simple it's complex.
Patterned after the old Bohemian knife designs carried by European peasants 400 years ago, it is a form that still works quite well contemporaneously. The Svord has surprisingly good ergos for a knife that cost just $20 including shipping--It feels good in the hand.
I confess that I had planned to make the South African Okapi the next knife featured, but watching YouTube videos with my son Joshua we were impressed by the fact the high carbon blades exposed tang made for an excellent and safe striker for a ferro rod.
Svord's are hand made by Master Cutler B.W. Baker in New Zealand--Hand forged and ground carbon blades, housed between simple wooden scales held together by brass screws which can be adjusted to increase or lighten the blades action and on the bottom, increase the tension retaiing the blade when closed.
The blade comes sharp from the factory, not Mora sharp, but sharp, after a few runs over the strop it was easy enough to get it scary, hair popping sharp. The blades are cooled in oil which gives each one a unique patina that is partially left on the blade.
This is a no frills tool, you can see and feel where the edge is unevenly ground which rather adds to the knife's charm and makes the Svord a sort of hobby knife as people convex or re-profile the business end. Notice how rough around the edges the knife is on the wood scales too.
With the Svord it isn't about fit and finish, it's just naked utility that's in order. The Svord is the best smelling knife I own, they give off a pleasant scent of wood and oil.
Now that I have checked it out for myself, i'll order one for my son. I'm gonna strip the scales and seal and coat them with wood wax to get rid of the rough feel and introduce a satin like finish. Then again, maybe I won't, there is something cool about it's roughness. Haven't used it outdoors yet, but it seems like a good bit of kit and at the price...why not? They certainly have a good reputation as a good field knife.