Review Yggdrasil Knives Muninn XL

  

Introduction

Muninn XL is the second in a series of five throwing knives I intend to review from English Yggdrasil Knives* It is a small one-man company found close to Manchester in England. The man behind the Old Norse-sounding name is Joe Bardsley. In addition to being a knife smith and knife manufacturer, he also likes knife throwing, which led to, among other things, these knives.

In addition to throwing gear, he currently focuses on outdoor knives. So there is a bit of each to discover. But here the focus is on a raven.

Appearance and Dimensions

It's not just Odin's ravens that come in pairs, but also certain throwing knives from Yggdrasil it seems. In plain language, this means that Munnin XL shares length with the previously reviewed Huginn XL, they are both 25 cm long. The thickness is also the same, and this also applies to the entire series. The steel used is 6mm thick and the width of this model varies from just over 30mm to around 23mm at its narrowest. This gives a weight of 254 grams, which makes Munnin the heavyweight of the bunch.

It also means that the knife, albeit by a very small margin, ends up on the heavier side of no spin knives if the limit is drawn at 250 grams, which is not entirely unusual.

A spear, two ravens, and a skiing god. Muninn XL is second from the left

One of Odin's two ravens interpreted in throwing knife format, Muninn XL from Yggdrasil Knives

Then it can be quickly established that the appearance differs quite dramatically both from its raven friend and also from the other Yggdrasil knives. Here we have more of a compact arrow with a longer handle part and shorter edges. They are around seven centimeters long and 11 mm wide. It makes for a more robust knife in general.

This knife is quite shiny. If you want a darker shade, Yggdrasil Forge is known for a finish where the colors that occur during the heat treatment are left behind. It gives a unique appearance and a look that is not found on so many other knives. Original but a bit impractical is what I think about it.

This also applies to all dark or blackened throwing knives. It may look cool, but it's damn boring when you have to look for your knives among leaves and grass in the forest or in the growing autumn darkness up here in the cold north. Well, it should be shiny! It is significantly easier to see.

Material

The material is also the recurring one in all the throwing knives that Mr Bardsley has in production. He starts from a piece of 1080 carbon steel. This means a material with fairly high carbon content, which means that it can be hardened quite hard if desired. It is done here and reportedly the steel is close to 65HRC, which is extremely hard. If the knife was left in that condition it would be so brittle that I suspect it would basically explode on the first few throws. Therefore, the knives are then heat treated so they end up at a more adequate 55 HRC. A number significantly better suited for a throwing knife. Now I just think these numbers apply for the edges and the tip should be added.

So far, the knives from Yggdrasil have proven quite durable in all the parts that are not too thin. The tips have had a tendency to wear off pretty quickly, especially on the more pointed models (read the Lavaeteinn XL where it broke). But that does not apply to the Muninn XL to the same extent. It is quite robust. 

The handles are quite soft and end in this case with a point

That with one exception and that is the handle is too soft in my opinion I'm not sure it's hardened at all. In this case, it means that nicks and splinters easily occur, just like on the other models. It is a scourge if a man like me throws a lot and often at the same target. That is, several knives in a target board, which leads to them occasionally colliding or hitting each other.

To Throw

Although some external dimensions are common to the two ravens, the Muninn XL feels completely different to throw than its brother. On the one hand, it is heavier, but above all, the balance is not the same. Of course, the shorter blade contributes to that. The balance point is found 13.5/11.5 cm from the tip/back end which makes it more neutrally balanced. Certainly still somewhat rear-heavy but to a clearly lesser extent.

There are no major changes that need to be made for a throwing knife to feel different or even completely change properties in the air can be added. Those who have tried to design one themselves know that.

The penetration ability is good and behind the tip is found around 250 g which helps

If you combine those features, this is a pretty good knife to throw most things with. "All round" is an expression that describes the model well. Mainly it is a No spin knife in my eyes but it is not limited to that area.

- Rotational Throwing

Knives with this symmetrical appearance and a weight of more than 250 grams are usually not completely unsuitable for rotational throwing. This applies to the Muninn XL as well. Possibly this model can be perceived as too small if you have to throw from longer distances. Then at least I prefer slightly larger blades for a calmer rotation and more stable behavior in the air. I'm mainly talking about lengths over five meters.

Having said that, it behaves calmly and cleanly from mainly three meters, which is the first usual competition distance (if you don't insist on throwing from two meters, which some, mainly Americans, do). A lap becomes quite natural from this distance and you don't need to compensate in any way.

 

- Half Spin

One of the details that makes this knife more comfortable than the Huginn XL to throw "instinctive no spin" with is the depression above the edges. There you can rest an index finger if necessary without the sensation of cutting yourself. If you then want to move your finger further up the handle, it works perfectly thanks to the flat sides. Here, the short edges help to increase the grip possibilities. It makes a big difference in a positive direction in my opinion.

Then I prefer even longer knives for underhand throwing. Especially when the distances get longer, read over five meters. Then I like to see that the knives are around or over thirty centimeters. But it's a lot about personal preference and taste.

- No Spin

This is the area that this knife is intended for and for that reason, of course, this is where it is at its best. Compared to the other knives from Yggdrasil, this is perhaps the easiest to throw. Much of that can be traced to a combination of weight and balance. Simply put, it's harder to get a lighter knife to stick. This is especially true from longer distances. An excellent example of that is the spear in the first picture called Lavaeteinn, which is actually quite difficult to throw.

"Flight of the Raven"

Here, the extra grams help in that the thrower does not have to use as much power as otherwise. Momentum simply. Then it can be added that it is easy to throw for being a neutral no spin knife. In my opinion, a back-heavy ditto is always easier to learn to throw with. They are self-correcting in the air in a way that neutral blades are not. But in return, Yggdrasil Muninn XL and similar knives are easier to use with slightly different grips.

This is more true for beginners. You can throw everything with No-spin techniques, it's more about finding your personal preferences as everything doesn't feel as good to throw with.

"Ravens and a Crow"

In general, the Munnin XL is fairly easy to learn how to use. The rear end, which swells out slightly in width, helps to stop the rotation at the actual release, which facilitates the throw. My regular grip works fine with the exception that I don't like the tip that forms at the rear end. It rests against my hand and it is no problem if it is thrown one, ten, or even fifty throws. But if you throw a couple of hundred or a thousand throws, it starts to feel against the hand.

A piece of advice from me to all designers and manufacturers, there should only be one pointy end on throwing knives. No corners, edges, or tip on handles. 

Conclusion

Of the Yggdrasil models I've tried, this is one of the easiest to throw. The extra weight gives more authority when the knife hits, which means that it sticks to the targets to a greater extent. This also applies to those made of harder materials. The weight also means that you need to use less power than with, for example, Lavaeteinn XL.

The balance point also makes the Munnin XL more all-round than the other models in my opinion. However, the focus is still on No Spin throwing.

But, there are a couple of details I'm not entirely comfortable with and that I would have changed. One is the pointed end of the handle. It may look good, but it's easy to bump into with your hand every now and then. This applies both when the knife is to be removed from the target and if it is carried in a sheath. Another disadvantage is that it becomes more sensitive to impacts than a rounded top. For those reasons, I always prefer knives with a softer shaped rear end. In addition, the shape also gives a couple of corners that end up against the inside of the hand when you grip the knife, which is not an advantage.

There is another downside to the knife. The material is sometimes perceived as too soft.** All throwing knives get their scars, but here marks, nicks, and metal splinters turn up more easily than usual. It has caused me to cut my hands more than once on this and the other Yggdrasil knives. Now I've learned, but it cost me a little blood, and some sweat but no tears.

Nowadays, even this raven has its scars. The bill is flatter and the plumage is a little tufted on Yggdrasil Knives Muninn XL

Then it can be stated that, in my eyes, the characteristics that make the knife easy to throw contribute to making it somewhat less visually attractive. Shorter edges and longer handles give a less "knife-like" and more arrow-like appearance. It is the same concern that all "Arrow"-like knives suffer from to an even greater extent one might add.

Now it may sound like I'm being negative but in this case, looks aren't everything. Throwing knives can almost be seen as a form of tool and this is a good one anyway. As I said, the models from Yggdrasil have a slightly different character and this one is perhaps the most all-round focused.

If that's what you're looking for and you want something that not everyone else has, Muninn XL is a good option. 

Yggdrasil Forge

Specifications:

Steel: 1080 Carbon Steel

Length: 250 mm

Width: 30-22 mm

Thickness: 6 mm

Weight: 254 g

Balance point: 13,5/11,5 cm from tip/back

/ J - bird tamer

* When I started writing this review they were called Yggdrasil Forge but could then be confused with another company and have therefore changed their name.

** Something that at the time of publication of this text has changed. Yggdrasil can harden and heat-treat knives in a different way than before.

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