Review Brisa Kwaiken 90

  

- When Finland meets Japan

When the Brisa Kwaiken 90 was first presented here on the blog, I wrote that it is a knife I should not appreciate. It still applies. But just as clearly, what at first was only aloofly charming has grown into a strong liking. Part of that may be related to the fact that I have a lot of knives and like something that stands out from the crowd.

Brisa Kwaiken 90

The Kwaiken 90 is a knife that is in many ways an odd creation. Or really only on one but very significant level and that is that it is a combination of a traditional Scandinavian knife and Japanese aesthetics. It's not the most common combination!

"Kwaiken" or as it can also be transcribed from Japanese "kaiken" is a fairly traditional type of knife characterized by what in English is called "swayback". This means that the entire back side of the knife is made up of a concave line. It thus bends in the "wrong" direction compared to most others, albeit rather weakly in this case.

The aesthetics are then crowned with a tanto tip and two pieces of Micarta that make up the handle. That's all. As I wrote in the presentation, these features should have disqualified the knife in my eyes but they didn't and I intend to explain why.

Kwaiken, a mix of Finnish and Japanese aesthetics

Blade

The blade shape and especially the tip are the very point of this knife. It's like everyone can see a "tanto". A word that is unfortunately somewhat misunderstood. Actually, it just means knife/dagger and has nothing to do with the shape of the tip. A "Japanese" tanto is more often softer in shape and this has come to be called an "American tanto" which is actually incorrect as well. This angular variant with a second point where the edges meet was popularized by the Cold Steel brand but they were by no means the ones who invented it. This type of tip is also found on older Japanese knives and swords from time to time.

But we can agree that this is what is commonly referred to as a tanto these days. In addition, a very pronounced one. It is underlined by a thickness of the blade of a whopping 4 mm. Namely, it must be set in relation to a blade length of 90 mm. The height is 22 mm.

At your service, 90 mm Scandinavian ground M390 steel

What makes the form drastic is the grind itself. As it is a genuine Scandi, which means a low saber grind with only one edge, the transition to the point is very distinct.

It is also very well made. It is a must with this type of edge as the smallest mistake is very visible. But it gives a factory edge that is really good.

Something else that is good is the labeling. Brisa's logo along with "M390" is found on one side of the blade. It is otherwise completely sterile. It also means that the finish of the blade, which is a glossy satin, is clearly visible. As I said, the steel is M390, which is a very exclusive knife steel, although it is usually found in folding knives. The reason may be that it certainly takes an extreme sharpness and holds it very well, but in order to do so it must be hardened quite high on the Rockwell scale, so it is not as impact resistant as some other steels. In other words, it is not something you find in knives intended for chopping. But with a nine-centimeter blade, this does not apply to this knife. Another good feature is that it is fairly resistant to rust.

And not terribly to sharpen, but it is a hard material and takes time. Resharpening this knife will not be fun, I suspect. Trying to maintain a consistent "scandi grind" from four millimeters thick stock with this steel becomes a challenge. Therefore, I strongly recommend not letting the knife become completely dull but maintaining the edge frequently.

The blade is 4 mm thick and has a very strong tip

For me, this is primarily an "EDC" knife or an everyday, general-purpose knife. But given the blade's geometry, it's no wonder it excels in some areas and is, to put it mildly, not the best in others.

More concretely, it means that the pronounced edge behaves exactly as well as such things usually do. If you approach everyday tasks such as killing cardboard or threatening tape to life, it is excellent. The same applies to cutting things where you don't need deep, slicing cuts such as cutting tamp and rope or cable ties and the like. After all, the edge is very sharp. The same is noticeable if you cut into an onion or pepper. It goes relatively well under the circumstances. Again, it is work where the edge is in focus. But if you try to approach apples or carrots, for instance, you have a rather expensive wedge in your hand. The Kwaiken cracks fruit, it does not cut them. In addition, the secondary tip tends to cut into the underlay, in this case, the cutting board.

But in return, that is not what it is intended for. Instead, the absolute strength of the knife is found in cutting wood. The edge does not gnaw a little providently at the material, it literally bites large chunks out of it. It looks like an aggressive beaver on the move after carving for a while. This is a Scandinavian knife in disguise, believe nothing else. In addition, the tip can be used as a chisel if required. The Kwaiken 90 is thoroughly sympathetic in these situations. 

Handle

A handle doesn't get much simpler than this. The full tang has got two slabs of Micarta attached to it with two screws. The sides themselves are beveled a little towards the edges but are otherwise completely flat. The end and the front part of the handle mirror each other and of course follow the contours of the slightly curved back. Two T8 screws per side have been used to fasten the sides. 

The handle has a lanyard hole that accommodates a leather strap or paracord depending on which style you prefer.

The sides are screwed in place and can therefore both be dismantled and replaced if necessary

On Brisa's part, the tang itself has been allowed to rise half a millimeter or so above the rest of the handle. It's not something that's done by mistake as it's done consistently around the entire sides of the handle. For my part, I would have liked them to be completely smooth. It rounds off the handle slightly but not enough to make much of a difference. It may be worth pointing out that there are also no additional spacers, but the sides of the handle are close to the steel.

The material in this version is "Ivory-Micarta", a micarta that mimics the appearance of ivory. We will see how this one will look over time but I have other knives in similar materials and they are mostly white when new and then turn yellow over time, just like their predecessor. If you don't want to see that patina develop, the knife is also available in black/ebony Micarta.

The handle slabs are made of ivory micarta

Anyone who has handled a Finnish Puukko or other traditional Scandinavian knife will recognize the feel of this handle. Certainly somewhat more angular but basically just as functional. This means that any grip you can think of works with the Kwaiken 90. Both saber grips and hammer grips feel good. The latter is especially useful as the edge is drawn close to the handle and the Scandi-grind cuts well in e.g. wood.

The length is 98 mm if you measure from the rear tip to the front parts of the micarta slabs. The thickness of the handle is 12 mm and the height is 23 mm.

The Kwaiken 90 has a simple but well-functioning handle

The completely smooth sides with no recesses for fingers and similar grip-enhancing measures give you great freedom in how you choose to position your hand. But that freedom comes with a price, of course. You should only be a seasoned knife user. There are no finger guards or similar. I've read some posts that think it's problematic, but I personally consider it a non-problem. The user just needs to be careful, and you should always be careful with a sharp knife in your hand.

Sheath

The sheath that comes with the Brisa Kwaiken 90 is simple but well-sewn. The leather is good quality and so is the stitching.

This sheath is of the simplest type, which matches the design language of the knife and means that a piece of leather is folded around the knife and sewn along the end. The seam is then reinforced with two rivets, one at each end. It is also simple in that there is no inlay and you, therefore, have to be careful how you insert the knife so as not to cut it. The easiest way is to place the tip in the middle of the opening and then let the back of the blade slide against the leather. That way, no problems arise. Otherwise, you risk cutting your sheath.  

Simple construction and strong stitching. I don't use this belt loop often, I prefer to carry the knife loosely in a jacket pocket or bag

There is nothing holding the knife in the sheath except friction. However, it is sufficient to keep the knife from falling out unless you turn the case upside down and shake it hard, then you will drop the knife. This is not a "tactical sheath" but intended for less demanding use.

The sheath has a large but very simple sewn-on belt loop. It accommodates belts up to 70 mm wide. Because it is designed the way it is, the Kwaiken sits very high on a belt. This makes it difficult to use if, for example, you have a backpack with a belt. But I have to admit that I usually carry the knife loosely in a larger jacket pocket or lying in my bag. 

Conclusion

I probably don't think that the Brisa Kwaiken 90 is a knife "for everyone". By that I mean the design is a bit too purely specific for that. The hunter probably doesn't want it both because the handle is too angular but above all because the tip is, especially as there are two! The same thing would probably be said by those who feel like crafting or otherwise working with wood, even though this knife is very good if not perfect for that area. But it is actually possible to use it as an outdoor knife without it causing problems. But for the "hardcore" outdoor enthusiast, there are many other models that may be more suitable in Brisa's range. Angular tanto tips have their limitations.

The basic problem is that this is not the most practical of knife types. Or it depends on the meaning attached to that word. One of the basic ideas of a kaiken is actually that it should be a self-defense knife. A dagger/knife that at the time complemented swords and could be used by e.g. samurai as an absolute last resort or in spaces where it was too cramped to swing a sword.

With the Kwaiken 90, Brisa has thus renounced some practical aspects in favor of aesthetics and that is something I really appreciate. A statement that may need an explanation. By that, I just mean that our Finnish friends are experts in extremely robust and practical knives. Just look at the Nessmuk 125 that I previously reviewed or their successful Trapper model that comes in several designs alongside traditional puukkos and similar types of knives. Their entire catalog oozes tradition and utility knives a long way. Therefore, this is a breath of fresh air.

With the Kwaiken 90, Brisa has created a solid fixed-blade knife for EDC use

A review on Brisa's website, however, goes one step further and calls this an "expensive box opener" as the person concerned claims that the knife is completely unusable because it lacks finger protection. As a Swede who grew up with a Mora No 1 in my fist, I don't understand the argument at all. If you don't stab with a knife, there is no problem. And if you want to stick the tip into something, you put the handle inside your hand in this case and it still works fine. But of course, if you know that you want to chop the knife in metal in true "Forge in Fire" fashion, you should not buy this knife. But maybe it's obvious to most people?

The same if you know you don't appreciate patina. Ivory micarta is a material that ages and changes appearance over time. If you know that you don't like that feature, you should instead look at this knife with black Micarta. Or as a loose blade, as Brisa as usual offers that option also for those who want to put their own stamp on the knife.

However, the fact is that what the Kwaiken cuts most efficiently is wood, like a real Finnish Puukko

 should

What the Kwaiken boasts, however, is a knife with an appearance that is as unique as it is striking. It is also small enough to use as an "EDC knife" as long as you are not in an office environment, of course. It is also a very well-built but simply constructed knife with exclusive materials.

Specification:

Total Length: 85 mm
Blade Length: 90  mm
Blade Thickness: 4 mm
Steel: M390
Weight: 105 g 
Handle: Ivory Micarta
Sheath: Leather

Produced by Brisa Ltd, made in Finland


/ J - likes fusion

Review SRM 9215

 - a knife with Japanese influences

This model called 9215 is the second knife in a relatively short time that I review here on the blog from Chinese SRM. However, the two differ on many levels. What they have in common are the lock construction, the clip, and the handle material. Then the similarities are over. Where the 7828L was chubby with a slightly square look, this is a long slim knife that undoubtedly offers Japanese influences.

SRM 9215

The flirtation with Japanese traditional daggers or perhaps knives in the form of the kwaiken/kaiken can be clearly seen in the profile, the blade shape, and not least how the handle imitates tsukamaki or the noble art of wrapping a handle. 

In other respects, the knife offers a mix of a material that is good for the price range and SRM's new staples in the form of the Ambi lock and the Ambi clip.

Today we will take a closer look at how those materials and components are put together and how good the result was.

9215 offers Japanese-influenced lines

Twitter version: With 9215, SRM interprets a classic Japanese Kwaiken and the result is both good and beautiful, for those who like the look!

Blade

The blade of the 9215 is slim and rather long. It measures no less than 91 mm in length which is matched by a modest height of 20 mm. It is together with the slightly curved edge that ends with a short steep belly up to the tip that gives the characteristic look that is recognized as a "Kwaiken" or "Kaiken" as it can also be transcribed from Japanese. That look is also enhanced by a swedge on this knife.

In short, the shape of the tip means that it is not as angular as an "American tanto" of the type that, for example, Cold Steel has made itself known for. Then the blade on this knife strives slightly upwards as on a trailing point. All in all, it gives a very distinct look. A nice blade if you like the type.

The marking is also discreet, which means that despite the fact that SRM uses double logos and shares information in the form of steel type and model designation on the blade, it's not an eyesore. Tastefully done in my opinion.

The blade, which is made of D2 steel, measures nine centimeters in length

The stock thickness is 3.1 mm and the material used in this knife is D2. In other words, the thickness is the same as the other model I mentioned earlier, 7228L. But the blade is significantly slimmer and in addition, the grind is significantly lower. This gives poorer cutting properties if the two knives are compared. But in return, I do not think that the person who buys this knife is looking for a utility knife either.

The shape follows the type of knife it is inspired by and has the features of a classic tanto

D2 as a material in knives can be debated. In general, it can be said that these steels take a good edge, hold it for a long time, and that they are relatively wear-resistant by being hard. However, they are not stainless so you have to keep that in mind depending on how and in which environments the knife will be used the most.

A piece of mock-up knife sheath cut out of cardboard. For such tasks, this knife works well

The factory edge gets approved and I have no negative objections. Once at work, 9215 performs as expected. Or, in fact, somewhat more civilized than its origins suggest. As long as you engage in what can probably be called typical everyday chores (EDC), the knife works well. To open packages, cut cardboard for recycling cut a string or rope, cut a plastic bottle into an improvised funnel, make a  "mock-up" knife sheath in cardboard for a set of throwing knives.

Or that last example was perhaps more a typical task in my world than for the common man. For me, however, it has started to become quite common. That and leather cutting. For that, however, I do not use this knife. The blade is too long and the handle too thin to give the control I want in that context. In the same way, this is not a knife I choose to take with me out into the woods, where there is a risk that woodwork will be on the menu.

Handle

As I mentioned earlier, the handle is made to imitate or rather mimic a wrapped handle. This effect is achieved with two layers of G10 in different colors that have been given the characteristic rhombus-shaped pattern. Here it is seen in black and blue, but the knife is also available with a red/black handle for those who are looking for something even more striking.

The handle offers double layers of G10 on top of a steel frame

The construction itself is uncomplicated with a steel frame as a foundation. It has been lightened in an exemplary manner which is a contributing factor to the low weight even though the shape is more significant at that point. Of course, a slim knife means little material.jälva konstruktionen är okomplicerad med en stålram som fundament. Den har lättats på ett föredömligt vis vilket är en bidragande orsak till den låga vikten även om formen är mer betydelsefull på den punkten. En slank kniv betyder förstås lite material. 

The knife is assembled with two small screws on each side into a partial backspacer, in addition to the pivot screw. It is of course adjustable by means of a T8 driver. Then this knife is not very easy to disassemble in any case due to the lock. Like all knives with this type of lock, it contains small springs which require fine motor skills and patience to handle. Nothing for me that is.

Both slim and thin profile that is mostly open in the back

The length of the handle is 12 cm and the height stops at a low 2.2 cm. The thickness is 11 mm. It gives a handle long enough to accommodate all hands, I suspect, but also a knife that does not fill the hand very well given the slim format.

The G10 material in this version is not very coarse or "grippy" but it is enough, especially as the pattern gives increased traction as well. In addition, the handle has two sets of jimpings or grooves for better grip. However, they are not very pronounced so it can be discussed whether they fulfill any function or not.

The back is partially open on this knife and towards the end of the handle, there is a backspacer of G10 which also includes a hole for a lanyard. 

The length and the simple shape make all grips work

When you hold the knife or cut with it, no surprises await. It feels like it looks, like a long straight stick. There is nothing wrong with that as the whole hand fits while the neutral handle does not tell you how it should be held.

But with the shape also comes the disadvantage that it does not fill the hand very well. Also, the angular rear end has a tendency to end up against the inside of the hand when the knife is held in a saber grip. 

But in this case, I do not care much about it as this is still not a knife you work with for longer periods of time. 9215 is a knife for the quick cuts and box openings and in my case the opening of this year's first package of charcoal. Not for carving, cutting into carpets, or anything like that.

Opening and Lock

This knife is opened with a thumb disc. Actually, I belong to those who clearly prefer thumbs studs to this solution. But on this knife, I think they have made the right choice from SRM's side. The disc is barely visible from the side and not very much from above either, which blends in better with the rest of the design than I think thumb studs would have done.

So in terms of appearance, I have nothing against the solution and the function is quite ok as well.

The disc for thumb-opening of the blade is relatively easily accessible

Admittedly, the thumb plate ends up fairly close to the handle, but it rises just enough to give a grip to the thumb anyway. The texture that is found on the edge of the disc is also distinct enough to provide a better grip so that the thumb does not slip off. To facilitate access, the sides have been provided with depressions on both sides, but they are so small that they are almost of a cosmetic nature.

There is no detent ball in this knife, but it's the lock that acts as a resistance and holds the blade in place in the closed position. It gives a different and not as distinct feeling like a ball but still works well. You can flick out the blade if you want, even if the knife is not one of the fastest.

The force provided by the lock is also strong enough to hold the blade in place so the knife does not open involuntarily. It is possible to unfold it halfway with a very strong flick of the wrist, but unlike the 7228L, the opening on this knife is not so smooth that it is possible to open the knife by gravity. Something that can be counted as both a plus or a minus depending on how you look at it all.

"Ambi lock" is SRM's interpretation of a lock with a transverse bolt

"All Quiet on the Lock Front" could be said. With that flirtation with Remarque, I find that SRM leans heavily on their version of a lock with a cross-bolt called Ambi Lock. As can be seen, it is an interpretation of the original from BM.

No news is good this time. It can be stated that SRM knows how to manufacture this type of lock by now. Ambi-lock checks all the boxes. It's easy to access, check. It's easy to handle, check. Can be used with both hands, check. And above all, it keeps the blade in place without moving either horizontally or vertically, check.

It's a well-made lock quite simply. Possibly it can be objected that it requires a little finger gymnastics to be handled smoothly due to the narrow handle.

To Carry

Long and slim, that's all I have to say. Or no, there is a little more to talk about but it is a good summary. As previously mentioned, the handle is not so voluminous but long.

The G10 sides are medium-coarse if you can put it that way. But in return, the pattern makes them grip better against both a hand and unfortunately against a trouser fabric. Thus, the knife is not completely easy to get out all the time. It happens that the pants want to follow the knife upwards. 

TFAC or more every day "Ambi Clip" means that it can be easily removed without tools

The clip is the SRM standardized "Ambi" clip or TFAC as they also call it which stands for "Tool Free Ambi Clip". A technology that simply means that the clip can be removed or shifted from side to side without tools. It is attached to the rear end of the knife as seen. It is loosened by squeezing it like a pair of tweezers, after which the hooks on the metal rods release their grip inside the G10 sides. Then just pull it straight back and it will come loose. A very ingenious construction.

Also in other respects, the clip is good with well-tuned tension, a decent ramp, and proper space under the clip to fit most thicknesses of fabric. 

The clip is not only easy to remove, but it also works pretty well too

Since the clip is of deep ride loop over style, the knife is carried very discreetly even though you have access to over nine centimeters of blade. The construction also means that the knife is fully ambidextrous as it can be shifted from right to left side and the lock can also be handled with both hands as well as the opening disc.

To Conclude

There is a trend in the world of folding knives to draw inspiration from Japanese traditional knives. Or rather, it can be called a category at this point since the phenomenon has been around for a while. A clear example is the long line of knives that Böker released together with Lucas Burnley on the theme. But they were neither first nor last with these design elements as the model is, as I said, a historical knife type.

With 9215, SRM has also jumped on the bandwagon. They do it with honor I must say. Then I have to ignore my personal preferences because I do not like this type of knife at all. The aesthetics do not appeal to me very much and they are not very practical either. Or it depends on how you see it as from the beginning it is not knives for daily use but rather for stabbing people, a self-defense knife. A kwaiken often supplemented a sword to be used as a last resort or indoors if it was too cramped for sword waving.

The look may be a bit polarizing but it's something I think is a strength as it makes knives more interesting in general. It's the upward striving tip I do not appreciate, which is why I do not like Persian-inspired knives either. And then I'm no big fan of tanto tips or handles that curves the wrong way either. Thus, there is quite a lot with this look that does not belong to my preferences.

But for anyone who appreciates the look, this is a good example of a well-executed theme. It is consistently and tastefully done.

9215 works as a long slim EDC knife

Overall, the 9215 is a well-built knife that fulfills what it is intended to do, but I have some negative criticism, even though it is mostly of a subjective nature. The first touches the back of the handle.

The handle ends with a hole for the apparently mandatory lanyard. It could well have been dropped on this knife. It disturbs the look in my opinion and I do not see the point of the feature in this case. The knife is too large to be carried loose in the pocket so it does not need to be fished up with a string and the handle is so long that it does not need to be extended. So why a lanyard? So that the knife does not fly away when chopping wood? Or dropped overboard while fishing? Well, this is not the type of knife so it just feels unnecessary. It is good, however, that it is shaped so that it blends into the rest of the design of the knife.

Then there is another detail with this handle that I do not appreciate at all, I must admit. Unfortunately, that's the shape! In the name of consistency, they have chosen to let the handle bend so that it matches the overall curvature of the knife. This is correct considering the model, but it also means that the handle does not fit me at all. It bends in the "wrong" direction. In the same way, that classic swaybacks do. I always feel like turning the knife upside down, whereupon the handle becomes more comfortable in my opinion.

But otherwise, the 9215 offers a lot of positives. It is a knife with good materials with handle sides in G10 and D2 steel in the blade, it is soundly constructed, and then it has a couple of aces up the sleeve. One is the well-executed lock and the other is of course TFAC - SRM's own invention with a clip that can be removed or repositioned without tools. In addition, which is even better, it works well as a clip!

SRM 9215, a knife for the ones who like Kwaikens

SRM 9215 In my opinion, SRM 9215 has a very clear target group. It is a knife for those who are big supporters of slim pocket knives in general and Japanese-inspired aesthetics in the form of the kwaikens in particular. For those who wish to buy one, the MSRP is 64.95$

SRM - Stay ready for more

Specification:

Length Overall: 212 mm

Length Folded: 121 mm

Weight: 89 g

Blade Length: 91 mm

Blade Thickness: 3,1 mm

Blade Steel: D2

Handle: G10, two colored

Lock: Ambi lock

Produced by: SRM, made in China

/ J -

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