Your opinions

**Pablo** · 29-10-2005, 15:52

Hi Folks,

I'm just about to buy my first general purpose knife (for a long time). I've been looking around for weeks and like the idea of a custom knife (Bison; Bearclaw etc) but I don't think I'm willing to wait the time it takes to make the knife. Also not sure about the high prices.

I've been looking more and more at the EKA Nordic W11, and would appreciate any advice on this. I haven't seen any comments about this knife yet. I might get a smaller more manageable knife later to complement this one.

If you think that I should really wait and get one of the cutoms because its significantly better, then I will probably do this. But I need your help.

Cheers

Pablo

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/EKA-Nordic-W11...QQcmdZViewItem

**micky d** · 29-10-2005, 16:06

they are i nice knife dead easy to sharpen hold an edge pretty well thing is though its already well over the odds on evilbay! check out www.heinnie.com theyve got them for 67.95 including postage which is less than it would be on ebay and the servise is excelent, or if your quick go to www,extremeoutdoorgear.co.uk and co to clearance , knives .35% and get a northstar 4 £60 you wont be disapointed hope this helps

**Motorbike Man** · 29-10-2005, 17:05

The Northstar is great if you have small hands as it's a tiny knife. For a first knife I would definately save my money and buy a Frost Mora 'Training ' knife. You can see them on www.raymears.com for about £10 IIRC. Don't be put off by the price as it will do all you need for bushcrafting and is a good knife to practice sharpening on as for the price, it doesn't particularly matter if you try something that doesn't work and you mess the blade up. I have one and it's easily as sharp as any of my more exotic custom built knives. It's also a good knife to have around as a back up to lend to people.

By the way, if you have a search around, you can actually get the Mora for even less than that as well

**Spacemonkey** · 30-10-2005, 08:33

And you can have it in Carbon Steel or Stainless Steel, or be greedy like me and have both. I buy them for friends as well, as they are so cheap. I pay £8 from strikeforce.

**RovingArcher** · 30-10-2005, 09:38

I'm a mora fan as well. But I'm finding that I prefer Eriksson over Frost.

**wolf** · 30-10-2005, 10:44

cant go wrong with the mora training knife,you can customise it yourself and if you do mess it up its only a tenner or less.

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**Motorbike Man** · 30-10-2005, 18:48

That's an interesting idea Wolf, what sort of tang did the blade have when you took the plastic handle off?

**wolf** · 30-10-2005, 21:13

Its a half tang quiet thick with a small curve at the top,the tang is squared,with a little patience you can fit your own handle.I didnt like the plastic handle,but i must warn you this was hard to remove.

**daveymonkey** · 30-10-2005, 21:39

ive got the eka nordic, well worth the money and it comes shaving sharp out of the box buy one and you wont be disappointed!

**Jjv110** · 30-10-2005, 21:44

Originally Posted by Pablo

I've been looking more and more at the EKA Nordic W11, and would appreciate any advice on this.

Hi Pablo,
A friend of mine has a Nordic W11, and personally, I think they are very nice knives. It has a very comfortable handle and nice and grippy, the finger groove fits just right. The blade is a perfect length and has an overall purposeful appearance. The blade does seem to catch the sheath very slightly at the top when you withdraw the knife, but only a bit and I can't see it as being a problem.
On the top edge of the blade there is a thumb grip which, again, fits very well, and feels comfortable to use. The weight is right as well.

I think for the money, it would be very difficult to find a knife as good as that. He only paid around £50, (benefit of living in Jersey-no VAT).
You could find a knife fairly cheaply from America, but you'll probably have to wait a while.

I think you'll be happy with a Nordic. It definitely has potential to become an "old faithful".

Cheers, Julian.

**Motorbike Man** · 30-10-2005, 22:24

Originally Posted by wolf

Its a half tang quiet thick with a small curve at the top,the tang is squared,with a little patience you can fit your own handle.I didnt like the plastic handle,but i must warn you this was hard to remove.

Cheers Wolf, I see a possible project coming on

**bushwacker bob** · 30-10-2005, 22:48

If your going to do that, Jon, have a look at this thread!
http://forums.outdoors-magazine.com/...pic.php?t=5136

**Motorbike Man** · 30-10-2005, 23:00

Originally Posted by bushwacker bob

If your going to do that, Jon, have a look at this thread!
http://forums.outdoors-magazine.com/...pic.php?t=5136

That's a great link Bob, straight into my favourites

**rapidboy** · 30-10-2005, 23:15

Pablo you should also check out the Helle Eggen.

At around £40 it's priced between the entry level knives like the Mora's and the more expensive bushcraft standards like the Woodlolre or the Fallkniven F1.

Similar in size to a Woodlore or an F1 ,it's a class piece of kit and one that's both traditional looking and well suited to bushcraft duties.

rb

**wolf** · 31-10-2005, 20:00

Originally Posted by Motorbike Man

Cheers Wolf, I see a possible project coming on

no probs

**wolf** · 31-10-2005, 20:04

Originally Posted by rapidboy

Pablo you should also check out the Helle Eggen.

At around £40 it's priced between the entry level knives like the Mora's and the more expensive bushcraft standards like the Woodlolre or the Fallkniven F1.

Similar in size to a Woodlore or an F1 ,it's a class piece of kit and one that's both tradirional looking and well suited to bushcraft duties.

rb

nice knives ,can you recommend best place to get one?cheers.

**rapidboy** · 31-10-2005, 20:42

Joe at Extreme Outdoor Gear can get them
http://www.extremeoutdoorgear.co.uk/...52_783_78.html
or Heinnie has them
http://www.heinnie.com/cgi-bin/heinn...s.htm&cart_id=

**wolf** · 31-10-2005, 21:50

Originally Posted by rapidboy

Joe at Extreme Outdoor Gear can get them
http://www.extremeoutdoorgear.co.uk/...52_783_78.html
or Heinnie has them
http://www.heinnie.com/cgi-bin/heinn...s.htm&cart_id=

thanks will check them out.

**Pablo** · 02-11-2005, 18:48

Thanks to everyone who replied.

Bit more thinking and looking to do yet, but I managed to handle an EKA Nordic H8 (smaller than a W11) and a Helle Folkenkniven. Both very nice but was drawn more to the Nordic as I have small hands. The blade of the Nordic is quite thick (I guess 4mm) and would be up to some harsh treatment. As I originally thought, it might be better to get second smaller and thinner blade for intricate work at a later date.

I will definately take up advice about the Mora to practice sharpening.

Thanks again.

Pablo.

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