Custom Made Scandi - help needed

[Dunelm]

Hi - for some time now I've been using the Kellam "wolverine" which has served me very well but the time has come for me to commission a one-off hand made knife of my very own.

I'm very keen on the clean lines and simplicity of the Scandinavian style knives and have been looking around for a good maker who can make something that is both aesthetically beautiful and robust enough to be a practical hardworking field knife.

I've seen a few websites and whittled it down to 2 possibles but any advice or guidance from those who have done this before would be very welcome. This will be a "once-in-a-lifetime" purchase so I'm prepared to push the boat out, my budget is around £200-300 UK.

Also - dasmascus blades? They look stunning and are obviously stronger but are the benefits worth the extra cost?

thanks

 

[TheViking]

I don't think you'll need a damascus blade, not for a bushcraft user anyway. Your budget is big, i'm commisioning something too at the moment, but on www.britishblades.com.

Have a look, i'm sure someone can make you something for 200-300 £

cheers

 

[leon-1]

I don't think you'll need a damascus blade, not for a bushcraft user anyway. Your budget is big, i'm commisioning something too at the moment, but on www.britishblades.com.

Have a look, i'm sure someone can make you something for 200-300 £

cheers

Yep, I'll second what Andy has to say on BB, there is a little crossover on this site from them so you may get some good advice here . It is worth going over and having a look, the guys are also very helpfull if you decide to make your own.

 

[Andy]

british blades has a whole section on scandi knives, There are a number of people on there who make some of the best around. With your budget you can have whatever you want. It's all exciting getting a knife made what with choosing woods, bolsters etc
I don't really like the look of damacus on scandi knives.

 

[Snufkin]

Your budget is pretty huge for a working knife. Damascus is pretty but you would probably do as well with a laminated blade. You should definately pop over to British Blades, talk to some of the makers work out just what you want in a knife.

 

[simonsays]

How about a hand-made scandi Packpal from Allan Blade? Mine arrived this morning, It looks and feels fantastic and has a wicked edge straight from the box. I'm going to post a review soon or you could use the search facility to dig up loads of info on this particular knife.

Oh, its cheap too. Mine was about £50 delivered with a kydex sheath :

 

[Dunelm]

thanks for the info. Yeah, I know £200+ is a lot for a knife but its something I've wanted for a long time and something I will keep and use (hopefully) for the rest of my life.

If I was being practical I would spend the money on a new Nanok sleeping bag and a plane ticket to walk the Kings Trail in Sweden but sometimes your heart rules your head.

I've checked out the BB site - lots of good info. I'm leaning towards either Dave Barker/Brukskniver or Magnus Hjelmgrem at the moment. Both of them have the mixture of simple practicality and eye-catching design I'm loking for.

 

[Andy]

I've handled quite a few Dave Barker knives (search for reviews by Danzo about Daves knives). They really are great.

This is my favorite knife I've seen from Dave. I'd rather a hammerd finish blade rather then damacus though
http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7618&highlight=dave+fire


This scandi by ZDP was popular as well
http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7077
Working with him to create a knife is a memory I still treasure

 

[tomtom]

might i suggest PB knives

peter is an artist in my opinion.. check this out

 

[Andy]

I was trying to remember who made pagan wolfs knife
(this one)

he did a thing about making it as well IIRC

 

[leon-1]

I was trying to remember who made pagan wolfs knife
(this one)

he did a thing about making it as well IIRC

Andy that was PB Knives

 

[Andy]

My bad

Great knife though

 

[Danzo]

As Andy has mentioned I have had several of Dave Barkers knives, four, to be exact, with a fifth on the way. Six if you include the working inch long scandi.



I can wholeheartedly recommend his work and he is a great bloke to deal with. I also have a very nice knife by Magnus as well, which although made by him as a piece to test techniques is of the highest workmanship as well.

Ah, choices!



Although for a budget of £300 you could have a knife from both of them........



PB knives always look superb and the work of guys like Tvividr and Otto is excellent and very reasonable, due to the number of guys competing for a small market share.

Good luck in deciding!

Danzo

 

[alick]

might i suggest PB knives

peter is an artist in my opinion.. check this out

Are you coming to the BCUK meet fri/sat this weekend ? I've a PB knife in my pack you can take a look at. Peter does beautiful work.

 

[Motorbike Man]

I have one of Dave Barker's knives as well and can totally reccomend him as being a really nice bloke to do business with