My Soulthrower Open 2026, part I

It's often said that a criminal often returns to the scene of the crime. Apparently, this also applies to knife throwers. Last year I missed this competition, but this year I had the opportunity to attend. It was finally time for the first of three competitions of the year for me, the Soulthrower Open in Arboga.

A competition that, when I participated in for the first time, offered strong international competition. Unfortunately, there would be significantly less of that this year. The state of the world and the economy of individuals are putting a damper on many people.

Unusually, I did not travel together with my dear wife, but this was a solo trip. This means that the 480 km long car journey from Småland to Västmandland was a little longer and tougher than usual. But with a couple of stops, it went well. A hearty cup of coffee always does the trick. The way up was pure transport, so the extra small roads were avoided. However, most of the holiday traffic was heading the other direction, so the roads were relatively free of vehicles.

There was one problem: it was over thirty degrees when I started, and our car does not have AC. It certainly has a button marked "A/C", but the only thing that happens if you press it is that a green light is visible. Nice but not particularly cooling. 

A much-needed break in the region of Askersund, more specifically, the Hammarsund Bridge. Many hours in a car, hotter than 30 degrees, take their toll

Once there, I checked into an Airbnb in the centre of Arboga at the home of an extremely sympathetic older gentleman who turned out to be an artist with a checkered past. He also had a provident little dog, which turned out to be the centre of my attention a while later.

The second stop was the Arboga sportkastingsklubb's indoor arena. After a bit of socialising and greeting people I hadn't seen since last year, it was time for something of a surprise competition. The weekend started with a jump start, which meant duel throwing more or less on a standing foot.

This is where the dog came into the picture. I had neither training clothes nor a belt on me. Two things that are good to have if you are going to throw a knife. Shirts tend to get tight around the arms when you throw, and without a belt, you can't wear a knife sheath, which is a requirement in this specific sport. So it was just a sprint back to the accommodation on the other side of town, which thankfully isn't that big, to make up for the shortfall. 

The only problem was that Lady, the family dog, aimed for the door when I arrived and ran out! Panic was what I felt. The dog was very wary of strangers, as she was a rescued street dog from Ireland. Luckily, I somehow managed to persuade the little one not to run away, and I was able to lead her back inside. She is so old that I had to help her up the stairs.

Two beards duel, Pehart vs. Karlsson

Then there was a mixed warm-up/workshop. The latter, especially for me, who does not have access to any machines for timing and has never practised "quick draw". The principle is not difficult, but there are many details to think about. Tips and advice are therefore welcome for a beginner like me. But generally it went well, both in the warm-up and the throw. It can be stated that I am relatively safe, but in this context, slow. I rarely miss, but I am not fast. So I had nothing to do with the lead, something I did not expect either. The final consisted of the battle between the beards. In fact, the podium was sorted by the length of facial hair. With this, I have also revealed that Mr Soultrower himself did not actually win the standings but came second. Rickard has the longest beard and Simon the shortest.

After the competition, we talked over a couple of pizzas and Chinese food. Various topics were covered, and I also managed to visit the company that is located in the same premises as Arboga SK, Bra Billigt. They are developing a range of throwing knives that I got to see and test throw. It was a variant of a Seax that I believe in.

One of the models recently developed by Bra Billigt together with ASK

But since people are nice and I have a hard time being in between, time flew by. It was time to head for bed and get ready for tomorrow's activities. It would be more than expected, it would turn out.

Saturday's schedule included Walk Back in both knife and No Spin, as well as various Games. I knew most of them, but there was also something called "Mystery Game", which, of course, aroused some curiosity. Otherwise, it was Mountain Man, Speed ​​Throwing, Double Bit, Silhouette Throwing and Plank. In addition, distance throwing in both knife disciplines and basic games in Coutanque will also be completed. A very substantial program, in other words.

Then, as usual, there was going to be an axe competition on Sunday, that's how it was planned anyway. However, the reality looked a little different.

/ J - your thrower in the ether

Review SRM Twin

  

-  A real light heavyweight

Who doesn't love a dagger? Or at least the elegant aesthetics that come with that blade shape. It's something that SRM has taken note of in this model called Twin. A knife that is characterised by the slender symmetrical shape, which is the epitome of the knife type.

However, this is not a large fixed-blade knife, but a small knife intended for EDC use, a pure pocket knife, quite simply.

SRM 251 Twin

The SRM 251MB Twin is currently available in four versions. The blade steel is the same regardless of which one you choose, but the handle material and, therefore, the appearance differ. To choose from, there is G10 available in either a white or multi-coloured appearance, or as seen here, with a carbon fibre surface. The alternative is otherwise a brown Micarta. Depending on the chosen handle, the blade is either covered with a grey or black coating or sandblasted.

Twin, a very elegant and symmetrical knife

Short version: SRM Twin, A small, lightweight pocket knife for those who appreciate symmetry and hidden opening methods!

Blade

This entire knife is built around symmetry, and this is reflected in both the handle and the blade. Consequently, a dagger blade is found here. However, it is only sharpened on one side. But since the entire blade disappears into the handle when the knife is closed, you could theoretically double-sharpen the knife.

The length of the blade is 76 mm, and the width is at most 22 mm. But the shape means that immediately after the ricasso, it begins to taper towards the tip. Then the blade is made even lighter and possibly stronger by having a fuller that runs along the middle of the blade.

The thickness of the stock is 2.5 mm, and it tapers via a secondary edge of 9 mm to a thickness of a measly 0.2 mm behind the edge. The factory edge was also very sharp, it can be said. These two details are how to make a blade of this type a decent cutter. 

The dagger blade is single-edged with a grey surface and a fuller along the middle.

The steel used is Böhler N690. A well-known steel with properties that tend towards the middle when it comes to "budget steel". I put it in parentheses as it is certainly debatable what it is and what it means. Especially if it is contrasted with perhaps more important properties such as blade and edge geometry, hardening and heat treatment.

But it is stainless steel that is excellent for small folding knives. Here, the stainless properties have been reinforced by a surface layer of titanium. Perhaps more for appearance than anything else. 

The marking on this blade is worth a comment. There is a lot of information on the blade, but it is so cleverly hidden that it is barely distinguishable. On the presentation side, you can find SRM's logo, but in a small format and a colour scheme that makes it barely visible. Then they have hidden everything from the serial number, model designation and steel type on the other side in a size that requires a magnifying glass to read. It is found in the blade notch and on the ricasso.

The steel used is N690

Once put into use, the Twin is an excellent pocket knife. It cuts really well, and the blade is, as I said, not too thick, and the edge is sharp. Excellent for EDC use, in other words. But what is the crazy person saying, you might be wondering? A small dagger blade can't be very useful, right? In fact, it is if you use the knife for what small pocket knives have always been used for: small tasks. I wouldn't force this knife into a role it wasn't intended for. It's hardly an outdoor knife or hunting knife, so butchering moose or building a shelter outdoors is, of course, not its strength. 

On the other hand, the Twin is an excellent knife for opening things, the small, quick cuts needed to get into boxes and packaging, removing tape, cutting nylon straps, etc. Then, it is also good for precision work, especially with that tip. So if you've got some debris in your hand that needs to be removed, this is as close to a scalpel as you get.

Handle

Cigar, that's all I have to say about the handle. Or maybe not really everything. But the handle on the Twin has a typical cigar shape. Completely symmetrical, which reflects the blade with a narrower front end and a narrower back end. Both ends are also strongly rounded, which not only gives a softer impression, but also feels that way in the hand.

The handle is both aesthetically pleasing and comfortable to hold

The construction consists of two halves of steel that make up the frame itself. The side panels are recessed into them. The knife is held together by only two screws. A screw at the back of the handle and the pivot screw itself, which is adjustable. Or, well, it would be if it weren't soaked in threadlocking. I have to admit, it won. I came very close to tearing the threads when I tried.

In this version, the frame has the same grey colour as the blade. This makes me suspect that the same titanium coating was used for both, but I'm not entirely sure on that point.

The two halves of the handle are visible, which suggests an integral construction, even if it's not

This version features sides made of a G10 laminate with a carbon fibre surface. The surface is not only well polished but also elegantly curved. There is not a single flat surface on this knife. It not only looks luxurious, it feels so too. It is obvious that some effort has been put into the design. Sometimes simplicity is a virtue.

Det finns en anledning till att den här formen var vanlig på äldre knivtyper, den fungerar i alla grepp!

In fact, the Twin works great in every grip you can think of. This applies regardless of whether you prefer a more powerful hammer grip or one more intended for finesse. But the same approach when it comes to the area of ​​use returns here. Twin is a small and neat pocket knife with the limitations that this entails. If you have large hands and want something solid to hold, this is not the knife for you. Similarly, the knife lacks finger protection, so I also do not recommend that you stab with the knife.

The length of the handle is 102 mm, and the thickness is 12 mm. The advantage of a hidden flipper and this overall shape, however, is that every millimetre of the handle can be used; nothing is wasted.

Opening and Lock

SRM rightly makes a point of equipping the Twin with what they call an "invisible flipper". It's true. Unless you have the knife in your hand or read the description of it, it's hard to tell that this is a front flipper knife. One that works damn well, too.

The entire base of the blade is equipped with jimpings that provide excellent grip for a finger that is pulled over the front of the blade. You don't have to aim or pre-tension your finger, as is sometimes the case with other types of flipper tabs. Just pull your finger, and the blade flashes out.

Twin offers one of the most discreet flipper features I've encountered

In addition to good grip and geometry, the process is aided by a light blade and ceramic ball bearings. The Twin is both easy and quick to open.

And as with all knives with this type of lock, it can, of course, be used to open the knife. Simply pull the locking bolt back, and the blade will swing freely and can be flicked both in and out. The fact is that you have to consciously reduce the speed on the way in, otherwise the blade will bounce back out.

The lock called "Ambi lock" is SRM's extremely well-executed interpretation of a cross-bar lock.

SRM calls their version of the Crossbar Lock the Ambi Lock. It's a technique they've mastered from the start, and the Twin is no exception. The lock is reliable, as it always locks and holds the blade in place with authority. There's no movement in the blade that you can feel.

However, I'm not entirely thrilled with the fact that the pivot screw is so tight that if I needed to adjust the blade, it's currently impossible. 

To Carry

Sometimes I write "it doesn't get much better than this" when it comes to certain aspects of knives. That's something that definitely applies to how the Twin is to carry. The external attributes are there with a length of almost exactly one decimeter. To that should be added, however, that it is a very rounded decimeter. The ends are softly shaped, and the sides are arched.

This means that the maximum thickness of the handle is only found in the middle. At the edges, the handle is only 9 mm thick. Then it is even better with a modest weight of only 70 grams.

Furthermore, the surface of the handle is very soft and does not contribute to any friction that can irritate either a hand on the way down to the pocket or tear the fabric.

But even more notable is the absence of anything that protrudes. As you can see, there is nothing that can be in the way. Then the package is completed with a well-functioning clip.

I like this variant of a wire clip

Twin has a black wire clip that matches the appearance of the knife well. The fact that SRM chose this type gives a lighter and airier impression than a more massive clip would have made, so it is a choice I think is correct. The function of the clip is very good. The spring works, and the ramp that is there comes over most fabric edges. Especially since the material underneath does not provide any friction to speak of. This makes Twin easy to pull and put away. And since it weighs as little as it does, it is basically completely unnoticeable where it is located.

The only disadvantage is that the clip cannot be moved to the left side. But after trying to carry the knife on the left side, it can be concluded that since the model itself is completely symmetrical, you can just pull the knife, twist it in your hand and open it with your left hand as well. No major problems, therefore.

Another advantage of the clip is that it does not interfere when cutting with the knife. On the contrary, it helps when opening and closing the knife, as you can rest your fingers against it for a better grip.

To Conclude

It can be said straight away that, in my opinion, this is one of the best-looking knives SRM has put together. Twin not only has that very dagger-like appearance, but it is also very well made. All quality markers can be checked off. The blade is centred, the factory edge is sharp and symmetrical, the opening is soft and nimble and so on. But what stands out the most is probably the details in the seemingly very simple handle.

It's about things like how they chose to keep the colour scheme consistent with the frame, blade and screws. How the marking is tasteful and discreet, but not least about how they rounded and bevelled all edges. The entire knife is as soft to hold as it looks in the picture.

Twin, a slim little dagger for your pocket that is surprisingly practical

The fact that it is comfortable to grip is followed by the fact that it is pleasant to work with. The knife is well-balanced, which reinforces that it is light. The blade is surprisingly practical given the frames I mentioned earlier. As you can see, it is not a survival knife. But for all sorts of smaller tasks, it is excellent.

SRM Twin is a real jewel in your pocket

The SRM Twin is therefore a pretty good knife for those who like this type of aesthetic but who at the same time want something that, despite its sleek appearance and neat format, is quite practical.

In addition, the Twin is not expensive; currently, the recommended price on the website is $79.95, which is about the same amount in Europe, albeit in Euros.

SRM Knives

Specifications:

Length Overall: 178 mm

Length Folded: 102 mm

Weight: 70 g (weighed by me, stated 70 g)

Blade Length: 76 mm

Blade Thickness: 2,5 mm

Blade Steel: Böhler N690

Handle : G10/carbon fiber

Lock: Ambi Lock/ Cross Bar Lock

Produced by: SRM, made in China

/ J - looking for twins

#knivesandbikes #aliaspostmortem #knivigtvarre