For those who were wondering about this knife’s stats, here they are:
-the 9 cm blade is made from Sandvik 12C27 Swedish stainless steel. This is the most used steel in all French knives. It is a happy-medium steel with good edge retention and easy to sharpen.The blade had a very sharp edge out of the box, but a few swipes on my large strop with Green Compound and it was extremely sharp. I will be putting my own edge on it after a bit, but for right now it is good.
-the bolster is stainless steel and the fit and finish is superior. The Juniper wood(I love the peppery smell) and the steel mate nearly seamlessly.The lock mechanism in integrated into the file-work on the back-strap of the bolster. You can see it standing proud of the rest in the picture of the file-work. The blade opens manually and needs no nail-nick to do it as there is ample metal for one’s fingers. The unlock is two-handed, press the unlock button with one hand and fold the blade with the other. Like many folding knives, one must be careful to not snap the blade shut sharply as there is a risk of the blade edge touching the bolster inside and possibly blunting the edge. This is the only flaw I have found in the knife and it doesn’t bother me at all. I am scrupulous about my edges and that baby is closed softly each time and I constantly touch up the edge with a strop. Soon the WEPS will put an even sturdier edge on this knife.
-the closed length is 13 cm and the total length open is 22 cm. It weighs about 4 ounces.
All in all this is not only a beautiful knife and well crafted but it is made of the finest materials. Although it is labelled a ‘gentleman’s knife’, it is sturdy enough to do duty around the campfire as well as the kitchen and dining table, provided one doesn’t try to chop or baton wood as you would with a fixed blade. Unlike most of my knives, the women in my family love it because it is so well crafted and for once I didn’t get, “What, another knife!” Instead an appreciative smile.
I have used it everywhere in the house from opening packages to thin slicing pork roast to butterflying chicken breasts and finally at the table with dinner. I love it! Try one, you could do a lot worse but not much better!
Leo
