Anyone have one of these and care to share your thoughts? Seems like a rugged, inexpensive survival knife for the price but maybe there is a down side I am missing.

Svörd Pocket & Peasant Knives

Cheers,

Matthew

Looks good enough. Simple, solid and cuts well are the basic requirements. Inexpensive, or at least moderately priced, would be nice. But looking for prices on the site I find this:

"WE NO LONGER SHOW PRICING ONLINE
Because SVORD is retailed in many different countries we no longer display prices on the website."

Found them for $19.00 in NZD ($14.00 USD):
http://www.outdoorsupplies.co.nz/knives2.htm

Would I pay $14 locally for one of those? Sure, $14 is cheap enough to give it a shot. As I read it it is a high-carbon steel and it will rust if not protected. For home and field use It might serve. I would avoid it if your around salt water.

I did contact Bryan Baker and this is what he said a couple of days ago for orders in US dollars shipped from NZ to USA: "PK wood $21.50, PK poly $14.30, box $3.60, sheath $3.60, minimum order quantity 6, free post to US." He didn't quote a price for just one or two knives so I imagine that's out. Ragweed Forge carries them in the USA for $16 (poly) or $22.50 (wood) plus $6 shipping, so if I want just one I'll get it from Ragnar at Ragweed Forge. I may want to get a bunch to give as gifts, so then I'd order from NZ.

I am also interested in the Okapi knives from South Africa (originally made in Germany) if anyone has any experience with those. Thanks!

The Svord has a great rep in the UK (ask the guides on Britishblades) - as a friction folder it's non locking so it can be legal edc here (most people grind the last 1/8 inch of the blade to make sure it is under 3"), but with that big friction lever and adjustable pivot screw it can be as safe as you like (you could in an emergency tie or tape that lever which would lock the blade open). Wood or coloured plastic handles make it non-tactical looking and the steel is supposed to be great for a pocket knife - and they are cheap as chips.

Are you sure the Okapi is really strong enough - at the junction between the blade and the handle? Somehow the design doesn't look all that robust ... at least from looking at the pix.

other Pete

I have to question that hump with the hole on in on the backstrap of the knife. Seems it could get a mite uncomfortable when you are working.

I have to say the Opinel folders are also a good choice for cheap pocket knives. Carbon steel blades, lightweight, cheap, simple and they lock in both the open and closed positions. A lot of bang for your buck.

After seeing this thread I orderd myself one from Kizylar-Messers in Germany. I live in Sweden so it was the closest supplyer I could find.

I got the one with a wooden handle part of the reason for getting it is that I am into SCA (society for creative anachronism) (medivela reenactment) and I have been looking for a historical folding knife for quite some time.

I have tried it out a little. The grip with the friction lock is hard enough for most tasks, it will let go a little if you apply a lot of preasure on the back of the blade, but the palm of your hand will help to keep it in place.

It is really great for kitchen work. The angle of the handle and blade works very well for cutting veggies etc.

The carbon blade had a small burr on the edge but a few minutes with a ceramic stone honed it to razor sharpness. It has a saber grind an you can probably reshape the edge quite easily, however it cuts very well.

I made a sheath out of leather, so it can be both a dangler from a belt or in a pocket.

The mechanism is a friction lock so it is the force of the sides that keeps the blade in place as well as the preasure of your hand. It feels secure enough, I had it open a little when dropped to the floor and it feels secure enough to go into a pocket without a sheath but I would recomend one.

Open
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4040/4334142287_19fd5b3bc0.jpg

Half open
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2701/4334141397_43db8d6db6.jpg

Gallery
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lord_edricus/4334141397/in/set-72157623364303762/

[quote=Steeltoe]

I made a sheath out of leather, so it can be both a dangler from a belt or in a pocket.

The mechanism is a friction lock so it is the force of the sides that keeps the blade in place as well as the preasure of your hand. It feels secure enough, I had it open a little when dropped to the floor and it feels secure enough to go into a pocket without a sheath but I would recomend one.


You made a good sheath