- a solid collaboration between MKM and Ansø
So it is time for the third review of a knife from Italian MKM. The abbreviation stands for "Maniago Knife Makers" and thus is self-explanatory as to where in the world the production of these knives can be found.
The designers, on the other hand, are of a more international nature, even if, in this case, we will only go to Sweden's (where I live) southern neighbor Denmark. This time it's Jens Ansø who sat at the drawing board. However, he didn't sit there for long as this is a production version of the Neo custom model. That's why some may find the look familiar.*
With that said, it's time for what is probably the world's first written review of MKM Goccia.
 |
| MKM Goccia |
Like most knives in MKM's catalog, Goccia can be obtained in several different variations. This particular knife has Canvas-Micarta sides. If you don't like that material, the knife is also available in G10, with a carbon fiber handle, and in several different versions of titanium. The most exclusive also has a Damasteel blade. But already at the time of writing, I think it is sold out.
 |
| Goccia is a production version of Ansø's custom model Neo |
Twitter version: MKM Goccia, a knife for those looking for a solid folding knife with Ansø's design language but who don't want or can't pay the prices for a custom knife.
Blade
Goccia's blade shape is basically simple, it's a drop point. But then it has got that special "Ansø bend" even though there are older and more extreme examples of it in his production. In this case, it is very subdued but it does mean that the back rises slightly before it descends to meet the tip. It gives the blade a little visual extra. Think of an extremely weak Nessmuk influence.
The blade is 85 mm long, 25 mm high at the most and then a full 4 mm thick steel is used. Spontaneously, I can think that it could be somewhat thinner as it is chosen purely for aesthetic reasons.
The finish is a well-made satin. MKM's logo, the text Maniago Italy and steel type can be found on the ricasso. On the opposite side, with the same discreet placement, Ansø's crowned A is found. Overall nicely done.
 |
| Goccia boasts a drop point that has been given a typical Ansø touch |
The steel is consistently among MKM's better knives, M390 from Böhler/Uddeholm. An excellent choice as it doesn't get much better as long as we're discussing folding knives. Assuming the steel is properly heat treated that is. Sometimes Italian brands have been accused by members of the IKC (Internet Knife Community) of keeping the blades too soft. In this case, the hardness is stated as 58-60 HRC. If M390 is found in the lower region of that range, it is not optimal, but if it is at 60, it is good to go.
In general, it can be said about M390 that it is resistant to rust, which was also the case in this knife, and that it keeps its sharpness very well. That also applies to this knife. In addition, it can be said that the factory edge was really nice with high sharpness while being well-centered and even in height. Something that is not a given even on relatively expensive knives all the time.
However, the blade of Goccia is not the thinnest behind the edge. It varies from 0.6 to about 0.8 mm, which is pretty thick. If you add the rather sturdy blade, the full flat ground is needed for the knife to cut efficiently. Or the knife is not really FFG. The blade has a small flat portion which is a good thing for those using fixed-angle sharpening systems.
 |
| The labeling is fairly discreet |
The question is why the same geometry was chosen on this folding knife as a fixed blade for survival situations? And what does it do to the performance?
It becomes almost a rhetorical question. Yes, it makes the knife perform less well. Sure, you can cut an onion or a tomato. A sharp edge and an almost completely flat-ground blade take care of that. But is it effortless? No, it isn't. It is noticeable that there is a millimeter too "much" when regarding blade stock and that the knife is thick behind the edge. It is also reflected when cutting cardboard and the like. However, the sturdy edge and solid handle make Goccia unexpectedly likable when carving. Not so much that I want to call this an outdoor knife but it doesn't make a fool of itself in such situations. The same applies to tamp and rope as well as old rubber car mats. So for an EDC knife, it's something of a blue-collar worker if you can put it that way.
The tip, on the other hand, is excellent for detail work. Sharp, but not too thin, and above all, it is "found" where you expect it, along the center line of the knife. This makes it good for both more powerful penetrating cuts such as when puncturing a plastic can and for smaller tasks like prying out splinters.
Handle
In fact, it is the pattern on the handle that gave the knife its name. Or possibly it was added after the name was a fact. Anyway, Goccia means "drop" in Italian. Now it is more visible on the metal versions of the knife but the sides have been given a step-shaped pattern that rises along the sides and makes them arched. A pattern that mimics rings on the water.
The elegantly shaped sides are then screwed with three T6 screws into a steel frame that is neatly recessed into the sides. It is not lightened in any way, which certainly gives a somewhat heavier knife, but in return makes the knife easier to keep clean because the inside is completely smooth. Speaking of inside, you find the text "made by MIKITA" written on the inside back spacer. A tasteful place to put that information.
 |
| A handle whose Micarta sides have been given a milled step-shaped wave pattern |
Goccia has attractive details in blasted gray titanium. That material can be found in the collar around the pivot screw, the clip, and not least in the backspacer. The latter also hides the enlarged lanyard hole. It is no problem to put both one and two 550 paracords in there if desired.
 |
| The handle is fairly wide and only partially open, as a solid back spacer in titanium takes up the rest |
The material used in the sides is in this version green although it is a very light shade of canvas-Micarta. However, the quality is excellent and so is the fit.
The length of the handle is 11.7 cm and the height is 1.8-2.5 cm. It is paired with a thickness of 1.5 cm. A fairly slim handle in height but that is rather wide, in other words.
 |
| Goccia is really comfortable in the hand |
Opening and Lock
The flipper tab is quite educational. It is low and oblong and only has grooves for a better grip on the front. It gives a good indication, literally in this case, of how the finger should be placed. Then just pull straight back and the blade comes out. Downward cannot be pressed, but it is hardly possible to misunderstand the movement either. If you know what a flipper knife is, that is. If you give this knife to someone who is not familiar with the phenomenon, they will not get the blade out at all as it cannot be opened with two hands. The blade is mostly hidden in the handle and there is nothing to grab onto while the blade cannot be shaken out at all.
 |
| The flipper tab works great, as long as you use it exactly as intended that is |
The reason is that the detent ball offers considerable resistance. The necessity of it is something that can be debated but is in demand among knife enthusiasts. The result is a flipper tab that requires some force to be activated, but in return provides a very snappy opening. This is thus a knife whose blade is really fast when opened.
Another part of the explanation is of course found in the fact that this knife, like many others, has a blade that runs on ball bearings.
 |
| The lock is masterfully executed on this knife |
What prevents the blade from closing over the fingers is in this case a liner lock. A rather sturdy variant, I might add. It oozes quality and there is no play in the blade, nor side to side or up or down. Anything else, on the other hand, would have been a disappointment. The lock is fairly easy to disengage without being the best in that regard.
To Carry
Goccia feels great in a pocket. The curved back means that the only pointy part of the exterior of the knife in the form of the flipper is hidden.
Otherwise, the Micarta is certainly patterned and the material has a certain structure to it, but none of it is course enough to adversely affect how easy the knife is to put into a pocket.
 |
| The clip is in titanium, nicely designed but with a drawback |
Weight and dimensions also contribute to the Goccia being ok in a pocket. The knife weighs 110 grams and the handle is, as I said, almost twelve centimeters long. Completely reasonable dimensions for a good pocket knife.
 |
| The tip is correctly executed, the ramp is good and the space under the clip is spacious. The clip is countersunk and so are the screws. An almost perfect clip if it weren't for the "bumps" you see towards the end that occurred when I bent the clip back twice |
The clip belongs to the more exclusive ones. Not so much that it is what is often referred to as a "sculpted" clip, that is, one milled from a single piece of solid titanium. But the material is the same and to be honest I prefer this variant as they are often better in terms of function. This clip belongs to the "deep ride" category, which means that the knife sits deep in the pocket. This gives two advantages, on the one hand, it is more difficult to drop the knife and on the other hand, it is less visible, which can be beneficial in certain contexts. This is achieved by the clip sitting far back on the handle and having a substantial bend. Occasionally such a clip can give rise to discomfort in the form of pressure when the knife is used, but this has been avoided in this case by the handle being long enough so that the clip will not rub against the inside of the hand and cause hot spots.
It's therefore an excellent clip so far. The tip does not point outwards and cause chafing, while the ramp is sufficient for the fabric to pass under with ease. The same can be said about the space underneath the clip, which has been made larger by the fact that the clip is recessed in the side of the handle and the screw heads are flat.
But then there were two disadvantages. One is that it's not movable so any left-hander might be annoyed. Then it is unfortunately a bit weak, to be honest. By that, I mean that I have already twice accidentally bent it out of position. Then it is enough to remove it and push it back by hand! Neither pliers nor a vise is needed. Unfortunately, this means that if the clip scrapes against something, it tends to bend outwards.
To Conclude
Goccia is a fairly exclusive knife. It is noticeable at all stages, from the design through the choice of materials to the many details that are to be discovered and the production quality. It may not be as unique as its predecessor, Ansø's custom knife Neo, but the lines are of course there.
MKM has built the knife with M390 in the blade and canvas-Micarta in the handle and with details in titanium. That material is found in the collar around the pivot screw, in the enlarged back spacer, and not least in the clip. It just doesn't get much better. It is possible to make it different and more expensive, but not functionally more advanced.
The manufacturing quality is also at a very high level where all the usual boxes can be ticked, such as a good factory edge, a centered blade, and a good fit and finish. The only negative point there is the thin clip that requires some care.
 |
| Goccia is probably intended as a solid EDC knife |
More details that stand out positively are the pattern milled into the arched sides, the text on the inside of the backspacer, the clip unique to the knife, and the internal blade stop. The bolt is attached to the blade itself instead of being found in the frame, as is usually the case.
The knife also feels well-made when you hold it. The handle shape is simple but functional and the stepped pattern makes the sides swell in a soft way to better fill the hand. The balance is good and is found precisely at the finger choil.
Should there be any objection to Goccia's design, it's found in how thick the blade is. Three and a half or even three millimeters of stock thickness would have been enough. Four millimeters are for the sake of appearance and actually make the knife somewhat less practical as it impairs the geometry. Something that is reinforced by the fact that this knife, like many, has a more robust than sharp edge with (far too much) steel behind it. This knife would benefit from a reprofile, to be honest.
But it should not be exaggerated. Criticism on that level is something you resort to when everything else is damn well done. Also, Goccia doesn't cut badly by any means. It could only be even better in that particular area. Especially with such a great steel.
 |
| MKM Goccia is the EDC knife that almost does better in the forest |
Then there's no denying that the MKM Goccia is a damn good-looking knife! It can be seen in the overall style that Jens Ansø is both talented and has been practicing for a few years. The toned-down but elegant lines are emphasized in my opinion by the sober color scheme of this knife where the titanium breaks, albeit barely, against the color of the handle. The overall impression is that it is a very elegant knife.
The MSRP on the website is currently €249.
 |
| Maniago Knife Makers |
Specifications:
Length Opened 200 mm
Length Folded: 117 mm
Weight: 110 g
Blade Length: 85 mm
Blade Thickness: 4 mm
Blade Steel: M390
Handle: Micarta
Lock: Liner lock
Produced by: Mikita, Made in Italy
/ J - likes his drop
* In addition, the version of Ziggy that Ansø made together with Fox was much slimmer than the original, and that version is very similar in appearance to this knife.
Inga kommentarer:
Skicka en kommentar