New Knife - Karesuandokniven Tundran

It may not be a secret that I appreciate the Swedish brand  Karesuandokniven. I bought my first knife from them in the early nineties, and the model was Järven. A knife that is still in the range, thirty-five years later. Then I received an Uraka as a gift from my mother a few years later, a knife that is, for that reason, one of my most appreciated.

A couple of them have also been reviewed here on the blog, such as Galten, Pältsa, and most recently Bäver 10. It was a whole six years since I wrote something about the first one. Time flies as usual. Now, however, it is time for news, not just for me but for everyone, as this is a new knife from the world's northernmost knife manufacturer in Karesuando!

Welcome to the model called Tundran.

A box that makes me long for the mountains, you know what it contains

On their website, Karesuandokniven calls the Tundran an all-around knife. This is not misleading in any way, but at the same time, it should be added that this applies to most of their products. The difference between the blades on the different models is not very big from a broader perspective, and the handle is certainly different, but the difference is sometimes subtle.

Karesuandokniven Tundran

In this case, it specifically means a knife with a blade that is 100 mm long, with a height of 21 mm. Proportions that are quite common for this type of knife. The thickness is 3.2 mm.

The steel used is the classic Sandvik 12C27.* A steel that is perhaps somewhat simple but well proven. The hardness is stated at 58 HRC, which is quite soft. It will be interesting to see how it behaves during use. The grind is a classic "Scandi grind" as it is often called these days. It can also be said to be a low sabre grind with just an edge or a zero grind. As you know, it gives a specific set of properties that I intend to discuss more in a future review.

Tundran, a beautiful knife that hopefully performs as well as it feels good in the hand!

The handle is made of dark-stained masur birch with a brass front edge. What distinguishes the handle is that it is relatively narrow and slightly longer than usual, as well as strongly shaped. It is simply curved, with the noticeable stern being particularly noticeable. Even when you hold it for the first time, you can see that it fits very well in your hand.

Other impressions are that the knife is both light and well-balanced. The weight without the sheath is 95 grams, and the entire package, including the sheath, is 150 grams.

The sheath is made of cowhide and is of classic Scandinavian cut. It includes a pendant made of a leather cord, and it ends with a leather nib. The latter fulfils a function, but I will come back to that.

First impressions are that this is an equally beautiful knife in reality as in the picture. A classic Scandinavian knife with roots deeply rooted in the barren tundra or perhaps the lean Norrland soil. The materials are recognisable with wood, leather and Swedish steel.

Good choices that match both the appearance and hopefully the properties of the knife. I have some hopes for the latter, given my previous experiences with products from Karesuandokniven. Stay tuned for a future review of this knife! It just needs to be used first.

Karesundokniven

/ J - looking for his Norrland roots

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

* For example, these dimensions happen to be exactly the same as those found on the blade belonging to Bäver 10, as an example.

Review Karesuandokniven Bäver 10

  

- the companion

This is the larger of two rodents found in the Swedish Karesuandoknivens catalogue, and the model is called, as the title suggests, Bäver/Beaver 10. If you want an even more agile and, above all, smaller knife, there is also a Bäver 8. The numbers have a certain bearing, I can reveal. However, regardless of which knife you choose, you will receive a high-quality product made in Sweden.

Karesuandokniven Bäver 10

Karesuando knives marketed themselves for a while as being the world's northernmost knife manufacturer. Unfortunately, I had to shatter that illusion at one point, when I discovered another one located thirty miles due north. But Karesuando is still damn far north in the world for most people, and now they have reclaimed the throne as the manufacturer I had in mind has now moved production to more southern regions.

The reason I mention geography is that it permeates the entire manufacturing and the company.

Knives, axes and other products from Karesuandokniven stand with at least one foot firmly placed in the traditional, but the other hovers a little above the modern without being trampled down yet. Most materials are sourced from the local area, with birch, reindeer antler, leather and Swedish-made steel. But modern elements have also crept in, such as stainless steel axes and folding knives with carbon fibre frames.

Today's review item, however, does not contain any particular surprises in terms of materials. The question is rather how well they have been used.

Bäver is a traditional hunting and outdoor knife with that little something extra.

Short version: Karesuandokniven Bäver 10, a rodent with a superb bite, nice fur and which is pleasant to hold. A pet for life

Blade

The addition to the name Bäver reveals one thing about this knife, namely the length of the blade. Accordingly, it measures 100 mm. Of that, the edge extends over 95 mm. That is, as with most Scandinavian knives, you can cut close to the handle, which is a feature I appreciate, as that is where you have the most power and control. I am not a fan of the American invention of providing knife blades with "forward choils" as they are mostly in the way when not in use.

The blade is a very slight drop-point bordering on a straight blade. The grind is not unsurprisingly a "Scandi grind"

The steel used in this specific edition is the highly regarded 12C27. If a more exclusive steel is desired, the knife is also available in Damasteel's "Dense Twist" pattern.

There is quite a lot to say about 12C27. Among other things, it is perhaps a bit too simple to find on a knife in this price range, and it is somewhat dated at this point. After all, it is a steel that has been used by Morakniv for many years. But it is also extremely tried and tested, which means that the knowledge of how to harden, heat treat, and best sharpen the steel is also well established. In this way, it is easy to get the most out of the material.

This is noticeable in this case as the blade has held its sharpness very well. During the year I have used the knife, I have not had to resharpen it, but have maintained it with a strop and sharpening rod as I usually do, and it has worked well. It should be added that I have not cut too heavily or roughly with the knife. In plain language, this means no dirty anchor ropes with sand in them or rubber tyres or the like. For those types of tasks, I use other knives. Read "that I care less about".

Then both the material and the finish help to keep corrosion at bay. 12C27 is a stainless steel, and the surface has been given a mirror polish. This means that rust does not take hold even in very humid weather.

The steel is a polished 12C27

The Bävern 10 is a distinct hunting and outdoor knife, and as such it is mainly natural materials with some elements of, for example, nylon rope, tape, thinner plastic and cardboard that are cut. At least that applies to me.

But as I said, wood, both fresh and dry, and meat are what are most relevant given the knife's design. Now I am not a hunter, so no deer have been skinned, and not even a small pike has been filleted, as I am hardly a frequent fisherman either. I take care of the practical parts related to meat handling in the kitchen as I am interested in cooking and also work as a chef. So I have handled fish and also poultry, pork and beef. The knife has also been taken to work so that I would have more user time as background for the review. 

The knife cuts food well as long as you don't get the idea of ​​chopping too many carrots and the like, of course. This type of grind is not particularly good for this. That's just the nature of things. The beaver has a typical "Scandi grind" as it is called nowadays, even though this one has a small micro-edge. The factory edge was otherwise very good - sharp, even and symmetrical.

What happens in this type of material, for example, root vegetables, is that the blade tends to act as a wedge and wants to crack what is being cut. Compared to a kitchen knife, blades made for hunting and especially outdoor activities are thicker to withstand more abuse. In this case, 3.2 mm, which is also well chosen for the purpose.

By that I mean that it is thin enough to cut well in different types of meat and durable enough to handle other things that are relevant, such as mainly wood in different shapes. In that area, this knife excels. The comfortable handle paired with a blade with a good bite gives you pleasure at work. This is a knife you can work with for a long time. The ergonomics are very good.

Then this edge angle bites excellently into wood, so everything from cutting sticks to lighting fires to carving goes well with the Bäver 10. Everything else, on the other hand, had disappointed me.

Handle

Given that the Bävern 10 is actually a slightly larger knife than one might be led to believe from the pictures, the handle is quite spacious. The total length is 11 cm, and of that, 10 cm is available for the fingers. This means that most hands can fit regardless of size. The same applies if you are wearing a thinner glove. The handle is full without being excessively thick. It measures between 25 mm at its widest at the back to 19 mm at its narrowest. It also has a bulge in the middle, although it only measures a few millimetres, so that detail is more of a cosmetic nature than practical. The height varies between 25 and 30 mm.

The materials used are traditional, with a brass finger guard followed by a reindeer antler insert as decoration, and then most of the handle is made of dark-stained birch. The finish is excellent with fine transitions between the materials and a polished surface. 

The handle is mainly made of birch with elements of reindeer antler and a brass finger guard.

It is noticeable that these are proven shapes as the handle literally melts into the hand. At least that is the case for me. This applies regardless of how the knife is gripped. All the most common ways of holding a knife work. Both the hammer grip and sabre grip with a thumb on the handle back/blade base feel comfortable. The same applies if an index finger is placed on the blade's back for precision cuts. Turning the knife to carve towards you feels just as smooth. Much thanks to the fact that the handle is certainly shaped but still in a fairly modest way. 

The handle is slightly widened in the middle and widens at the back

Gripping the knife in a pinch with a thumb on the flat side for really small detail work is also possible, as the handle is not excessively thick at the front.

Bävern 10 bjuder på ett mycket ergonomiskt handtag som är bekvämt i alla fattningar

Then the finger guard doesn't get in the way of work either. But it is quite diminutive with a height of around five millimetres. But it is enough in return for you to feel that it is there. More is not needed on an average hunting/outdoor knife that is not to be used for stabbing, in my opinion.

Sheath

The case that comes with the Bäver 10 is quite simple but works well. It is a traditional "fold-over" type leather case. Slightly less traditional is the internal plastic reinforcement.

What makes the case more locally rooted and somewhat more exclusive than many others is that it uses reindeer skin as a material. On the outside, the Karesuando knife logo is embossed into the leather, as can be seen. 

The case is sewn from reindeer leather.

The fit is good as the knife does not rattle when it is in the sheath. Something I am somewhat allergic to. I assume that all hunters are like that, too, as you don't want anything to make a sound when you are on a pass or sneaking up on something. In my case, it's mostly because I get annoyed by the sound.

The knife is so secure that you can turn the sheath upside down and shake it slightly without it falling out. If you flick your wrist, of course, you have the knife on the ground.

The belt loop accommodates belts up to 40 mm wide

To carry the knife, there is a simple belt loop that is attached with three rivets made of antique-treated steel. The loop is nothing out of the ordinary but allows the knife to hang at a comfortable height. This makes it easy to reach and pull, and put away again. Personally, I am not a fan of knives that sit too high on the belt. Perhaps because I have a certain roundness, which means that the handle then tends to poke me in the side.

The loop takes belts up to about four cm thick. In other words, it works with everything except the widest waist belts.

Conclusion

With the Bäver 10, Karesuandokniven continues to expand its range with functional utility knives in luxury packaging. Function is based on tradition and simplicity. The latter is also what the aesthetics have developed from. It is simple and clean with little gems here and there.

In this case, it is the overall lines together with well-chosen materials that give the model its elegance. When this is then paired with good craftsmanship, it results in a superb knife.

By "luxury packaging", I mean that the knife is made in Sweden and mostly by hand. It gives a special feeling which also permeates the quality control. I have several knives from Karesuando, and they have all been of the highest quality. I have had my oldest (Järven) since 1990.

Autumn - apples, quinces and a beaver

The materials are not only what gives the traditional connection, but also what anchors the knife locally. This applies to both the knife handle and the sheath. As expected, dark-stained birch, reindeer antler and brass are found here. The latter is said to scare away evil spirits, which may be needed. In Sami tradition, the material is linked to magical properties. The sheath is simple but well-made in reindeer leather.

The blade steel is also partly traditional. By that, I mostly mean that for being stainless, 12C27 is quite old. A steel that has been used extensively in Moraknivar and in a significant part of French knife manufacturing for many years. But now it is probably a bit dated, and I think an upgrade could be in order even in the slightly simpler editions of Karesuandokniven's products.

If you are going to stick to stainless steels, some are both equally rust-resistant and are quite tough, and at the same time keep their sharpness significantly longer than this. But when I spoke of gems above, I meant, among other things, that the very shiny blade finish is not only nice to look at but also makes the knife even more resistant to stains.

In terms of function, the Bävern 10 performs exactly as I hoped. The blade has a good bite, whether you are cutting a big piece of meat, cutting a rope or carving wood. In addition, the handle is ergonomic, not only comfortable to hold for a short while but also to work with. Then the knife is light and well-balanced. The knife alone weighs as little as 95 g, and the entire package with sheath ends at 162 g according to my scale. This means that it does not weigh down a pack when you are hiking, for example.

Karesuandokniven Bävern 10, a good companion on all kinds of journeys

So overall, Beaver is what it seems to be. A beautiful utility knife with that little extra that is sometimes hard to describe. What comes from good design, fine materials and solid experience.

The price of the knife is currently around 2645 SEK, and for that, you get a life companion. An excellent gift for someone you love or maybe yourself.

Karesuandokniven

Specifications:

Length Overall: 210 mm
Blade Length: 100 mm
Blade Thickness: 3,2 mm
Steel: 12C27, HRC58
Weight: 95 g (knife only, 162 g with sheath)
Handle: Birch/Reindeer horn/Brass
Sheath: Reindeer leather

Produced by Karesuandokniven, made in Sweden


/ J - in pursuit of my northern roots

Review SRM 418S

  

-  when "micro" became too small

I have to admit that I don't really know how to feel about this knife. It comes from SRM and has been given the unexciting name 418S. I would guess the "s" stands for "small", if not it should. Because there I land no matter how I look at it, that the knife is extremely small and that dominates everything I have to say about it.

In fact, I had a bit of a hard time deciding whether to consider it a knife or a gimmick. Maybe it is something for the pocket, maybe not. A Keyring knife was suggested to me but how on earth do you use a folding knife quickly and easily if it's stuck there? Incidentally, I don't have a bunch of keys, so it's still out of the question for me.

SRM 418S

Who designed this little thing is, like most things with SRM, not public. It's an "in-house" production, so either a gentleman or lady sits in his/her chamber and knocks knives together or it's a design team somewhere in the background. In any case, I think they should have tested this idea one more time before releasing it. Or they just thought it was cute. Because it is. 

This time they had apparently set out to see how small you could make a knife that follows template 1A for a "TFF" or "Titanium Frame lock Flipper" equipped with a flipper tab at the front. The result was this miniature. 

SRM's candidate for the title "world's smallest front flipper"

Twitter version: SRM 418S, the miniature that doesn't know if it should be a ploy or a knife.

Blade

It is not long but it is narrow and thin. It is the blade of the 418S I am talking about and nothing else. It translates concretely to 32 x 13 x 2.1 mm. In terms of shape, it is a small clip point with a distinct swedge. As a decorative element, the blade has been given a milled indentation along with a hole. On the back, not one but two groups of milled grooves are also found. For better traction I suppose. However, there is a lot of detail to squeeze into such a small area.

The 418S has a clip point that offers several visual details

The material, like the rest of the details on this knife, is relatively mature. Here you find an old "Mora knife favorite" in Sandvik 12C27. Not the most modern but very fine steel to be found on a micro knife. As if it were to be used. The finish is blasted and matches the gray shade of the handle well. A lot of text is added in the form of an SRM logo on one side and SRM's other logo (!) on the opposite side along with the steel type and model designation. And yes, of course, a serial number just because. 

A blade with relatively fine steel, too much text, and lousy sharpening

Then follows my biggest objection to this whole concept including this knife. What the hell am I supposed to use it for besides cutting strings and opening taped boxes? A larger knife handles those tasks at least as well, but with this one, you can't do anything else.

In addition, the factory egg is not much to write home about. It capsizes considerably during its short course. It is not surprising as it is very difficult to grind something this small that is not perfectly straight. But it gives the result that the knife is not extremely sharp either. Then, of course, two millimeters is not thick in absolute terms, but it is in relation to the 30 mm edge available here. It is, for example, thicker than an EKA Swede 88 for comparison. In addition, the saber grind only gives a bevel of 7 mm and this micro-blade is a full 0.6 mm thick behind the edge.  

Handle

Well, this handle follows all the conditions that make it meet the template I mentioned earlier. The one for frame lock knives made of titanium. This particular variant is made from the TC4 common in China. Nothing bad to say about that material.

Here, however, you don't get much of it. Specifically, 51mm in length, and the two sides that are 2mm thick each. This gives a total thickness of the handle of 8 mm. The height is 14 mm.

The handle is made of titanium

The surface is nicely blasted, or at least it looks like it. Anyway, it's nice but a little prone to scratches. The construction of the knife is like that of all larger knives in the class consisting of two titanium sides held together by a screw in addition to the adjustable pivot screw in this case. The screw goes straight through a back spacer, also made of titanium. It has been provided with a pattern that, however, does not provide any extra traction. 

418 är konstruerad som en fullstorlekskniv

The blade stop on the knife is attached to the blade and is so small that it is only one-sided, which is not common in knives.

I don't know, this is the only way the knife can be held

In the hand, this knife belongs to the "barely two finger knives" category. This means that there is basically only one way to grip them and that is in a saber grip with the thumb on the top and two fingers around the handle. Then a thumb can be placed on the side of the blade as well but then only a small part of the tip remains to work with. My thumb easily covers the entire blade. So it must be to pick out skewers with.

Opening and Lock

It is in this area that this knife wants to join and compete, I suspect. Several manufacturers have released knives in the "micro flippers" class in recent years. To my knowledge, the number of "micro front flippers" is not as large. And that's what this is.

In order to function, the flipper tab must protrude a bit in front of the handle

In relation to the rest of the knife, the flipper is huge. However, not compared to anything else, so it requires a lot of finger gymnastics in my case to be activated. Once you succeed in that, there is a reward waiting. The little blade is very quick out of hiding. So SRM has succeeded in that part. But to get that far requires getting used to it, as due to its size the tab is very sensitive to the angle at which you press.

The frame lock is well made

The lock is a miniature frame lock. Therefore, they have the same properties as a larger relative, i.e. overtravel stop and a steel insert that can be replaced. Why that would happen, I don't know, but it works anyway. However, the function of the lock is very good, with no movement in the blade and despite the size, it is relatively easy to release.

To Carry

The 418S weighs in at 24 grams, has smooth sides, and is three centimeters long. Do I need to say more? Yes, all sides are rounded too. The result can only be one. The knife disappears into the pocket. I know that is usually said about many knives but in this case, it is true.

Not much that steals space in the pocket

Given the format, the knife lacks a clip and it still wouldn't have been possible to use, so that's good. It does, however, have a hole for a lanyard. Use it! The risk of dropping a knife this small is obvious.* Especially as the minimal weight means you don't know where the knife is.

To Conclude

Along the way, I have come to the conclusion that I probably do not consider the SRM 418S as a real knife but as an etude, a practice piece. Not for piano in this case but for knife makers. The question in the office was "can we miniaturize a knife in this class?" The answer is obviously yes.

The 418S has everything a fully-grown knife should have. A blade with fairly advanced details including double rows of "jimpings", cosmetic details, decent blade steel, and a floating stop pin. The frame and blade have been given the same finish as a larger knife and you will find both a lanyard hole, an adjustable pivot screw, a frame lock, an overtravel stop, and a lock bar insert. It gives a lot to study in a small area.

Then SRM really likes billboarding. That is also found here. In addition to what is found on the blade, albeit in microscopic text, the logo has also found its way to the pivot screw as well. It is certainly almost impossible to see there, but it would have been enough for a small knife like this.

There have been other micro-knives in the class with varying results, such as the CRKT Jettison Mini, which was both early and quite lousy, or, for that matter, the Civivi Mini Elementum, which I reviewed here earlier. If you broaden your view beyond flipper knives, of course, many brands have done very small knives as Spyderco with their Lady Bug and Cold Steel with the Micro Recon, which is, however, slightly larger.

And the small difference in size matters a lot. For me, the smallest I find useful is probably something about the size of a Spyderco Manbug, maybe a Ladybug. This knife from SRM is simply too small to serve any practical function for me. But sure, I have other miniatures too which include a couple of slip joints. But they are also not used for anything.

The 418S is the smallest in SRM's current family of knives made of titanium

However, the SRM 418S is well made except for the sharpening, has all the details that go with the territory, and is the smallest front flipper I've tested. So if you're looking for a fun gimmick to open packages with that also offers quality and is actually quite nice, this might be something for you!

Specifications:

Length Overall: 84 mm

Length Folded: 32 mm

Weight: 21 g (weighed by me)

Blade Length: 32 mm

Blade Thickness: 2,1 mm

Blade Steel: 14C27

Handle: Titan, TC4

Lock: Frame lock

Produced by: SRM, made in China

/ J 

* I say this as I have misplaced two of my other mini knives for now. Both Spyderco Grasshopper Black and Civivi Mini Elementum are on the loose in the Wikström home. I will probably lose this one too. It has already been hiding inside the couch for a couple of weeks at one point.

#knivesandbikes #aliaspostmortem #knivigtvarre 

Review Camillus Bushcrafter 8,5"

 

-  a folding knife for outdoor life

Camillus or Camillus Brand as they are now called is the name of one of America's oldest knife brands. They were founded back in 1876. Then the company existed in the highest prosperity for many years until it didn't and went bankrupt under stormy circumstances in 2007. However, the company was quickly reconstructed and has remained on the market with other owners.

Now they are making a new investment and this means that they have released a long line of news, both folding knives, and fixed blades. The knife to be reviewed today is part of that venture and is called the Bushcrafter 8.5".

Camillus Bushcrafter 8,5"

When this knife was presented here on the blog, I wrote that Camillus seemed to believe in the model. The background to that statement was that right from the start it was available in two sizes and as a fixed blade. Somewhat confusingly, however, is that the latter does not resemble the folding knives except in name. They apparently believe that the common field of use is enough to group them.

Of the folding knives, the smaller one measures 6.75 inches in length, which is just over seventeen centimeters. This larger version is 21.5 cm long or 8.5 inches. Something that the name more than suggests. 

Twitter version: Camillus Bushcrafter, a sturdy folding knife with excellent ergonomics for those looking for a folding alternative to a Morakaniv. 

Blade

If you are to make a knife and name it "Bushcrafter", certain things are obligate. One such is the blade shape. Camillus has not been careless regarding that and thus we are met by a sturdy drop point blade.

The length is 89 mm depending on how it is measured and the height is 30 mm. The thickness is 3 mm or just below. The finish is a nice satin and the markings are quite discreet. Camillus and "titanium" can be read on the presentation page and on the other "Sandvik 12C27" is found on the ricasso.

A sturdy but fairly thin drop-point blade

The steel used is also according to the template and hardly unknown to anyone who has handled a Mora knife or two over the years. It is Swedish in the form of Sandvik 12C27, which was for a long time the dominant component in red from Dalarna. It was good then and it's just as good here. Of course, there are modern and more exclusive steels, but if you are to choose stainless steel for this application, it is not at all a bad choice to use proven steel that most people know how to handle in terms of hardening and heat treatment.

The blade has been given a saber grind in classic fashion. Here, however, they didn't manage to stay on the course so we don't find a "Scandi grind" or zero grind on this knife. Bushcrafter has a clear division into the primary and secondary edges. Besides, they have not chosen a flat grind, which is by far the most common in this context but invested in a substantial hollow grind. In addition to making the knife more difficult to photograph, the edge also bites well into wood.

The factory edge is decent in that it arrived very sharp. However, it is affected by the fact that the edge has a subtle recurve right from the start, thanks to the "plunge line" extending too far out.* Then the edge capsizes a little towards the belly, but it is not too bad. Especially not compared to the Chinese-made Camillus knives I previously discussed in slightly different contexts.

 

The blade, made of 12C27, is a hollow grind

Working with this knife is really nice. In addition to the fact that the edge was quite sharp straight out of the box, the knife blade is also thin behind the edge, which means that the sharpness is managed well. This applies when it comes to processing materials such as cardboard and plastic of different dimensions, for example. But that's not where this knife excels. It is a robust knife and the things I want to cut with this are rope and tamp in various dimensions and above all wood, both fresh and dry.

The blade bites well into wood and is easily controlled

Sympathetic is that the knife lives up to expectations. It's actually one of the better folding knives I've used to carve with. Much of that positive feeling can be attributed to the handle, but the blade also contributes. Having grown up with a Morakniv in hand, one can be a little skeptical about a hollow grind, but the fact is that in this case it is easily controlled. It is no problem to make a "feather stick" or to carve patterns in the bark. Nor does the edge show any tendency to bend or chip even when working in dry, hardwood. Any "batoning" that they mention in their sales texts, however, I would not want to engage in either this or most other folding knives. Then both lock and edge will blow to smithereens. 

But as long as you skip that task, the Bushcrafter is a really nice knife to use. It also applies to cutting ropes. Nylon rope with a bit of sand takes its toll on an edge but in return, the 12C27 steel responds quickly to a sharpening stone. It's a nice feature of a knife that's expected to do some work. I'd almost rather take it than extreme edge holding if it means that the knife is harder to maintain.

Handle

Extra important on a folding knife aimed at outdoor use is, of course, the construction and design of the handle. Here, comfort and ergonomics should be prioritized over ease of carrying, in contrast to EDC knives. Both are of course preferable, but if compromises must be made, one or the other characteristics can be allowed to dominate.

Here, Camillus has chosen to stick to ergonomics. It is mainly noticeable in the size. The dimensions are well proportioned with a length of 12.8 cm and a height that varies from 2.6 cm to 3 cm at most. But above all, it is the thickness that is pronounced. Bushcrater measures almost 15mm across the back. Those measurements are enough to fill most hands.

The dimensions of the handle should be enough for most hand sizes

The handle is characterized by a couple of distinct choices. One is the combination of a pronounced finger guard and a substantial finger groove. It provides both protection and a good grip. To further increase the grip, the handle ends with a small "beak" in the same way that Scandinavian knives often do. It simply stops the hand from sliding backward when cutting.

The other thing that is clearly visible is the handle material. A pair of sturdy sides of brown micarta is what was used. However, the micarta is very smooth so it does not provide particularly good traction. But in return, the shape of the handle is enough to take care of that part.

The back is closed due to the lock mechanism. It is also preferable on a knife for bushcraft as it provides more surface area for the hand. Folding knives are still at a disadvantage compared to fixed blades because of the slot where the blade resides. They do not need more openings that spoil the ergonomics.

The back lock means that the back is not open, which is a big advantage of this type of knife

The sides are screwed into place on the outside of the frame with three small T6 screws in addition to the pivot screw. The latter has a T8 head and is of course adjustable. On this knife, Camillus has ignored a lanyard hole, which I think is good. I simply don't see a reason to add one. Possibly with the exception of if you are going to use the knife when you are near large bodies of water. But then you can put a line around the clip instead and in that way anchor the knife to your person.

Although the Buschrafter is a large knife, it is reasonably well-balanced but a tad butt heavy

The handle is very comfortable I quickly noticed. The increased width and the choice of lock means that the contact surface becomes large. It is particularly noticeable in the crease of the thumb, where much of the pressure ends up when you use a little strength. In the same way, the little finger is relatively spared from pressure. Something that is otherwise the second Achilles heel of folding knives. The blade notch is the culprit there. On the Bushcrafter, the sides are so wide and the blade so thin that the impact is as small as possible.

All common grips work

Bushcrafter is most comfortable in a firm hammer grip. The handle is full and long enough for all fingers to fit. Then this handle works in all grips including a reverse to carve towards the body but also in saber grip with a thumb on the back of the blade. If the latter is to be used a lot, I recommend, however, that you round the spine a little. It is quite angular from the start. Something which, however, is not an oversight but to be able to turn the blade and use it as a scraper. 

Opening and Lock

The thumb studs on the Bushcrafter are not only a good choice but also well-made. This primarily refers to their placement. There are two criteria that must be met in order to be approved by me. The first is about how easy they are to reach with the thumb and how smooth it is to open the blade. This is facilitated by the blade's width and the way the handle is designed. This means that the thumb studs sit far out from the sides of the handle, which makes them easy to "find" with the thumb. This also applies if you wear gloves, by the way.

The thumb studs are easy to use

The second is about them not being in the way when cutting things. In that respect, they should be found as close to the handle as possible. In this case, it is somewhat counteracted by the shape of the grip. Namely, the studs have to come free from the finger guard on the way out, whereupon they end up a little further out on the blade when the knife is open.

The simple shape and rounded top are otherwise exemplary and easy to handle.

 Bushcrafter uses a back lock

The lock is a back lock, as it should be, I almost wrote. But when talking about sturdier folding knives, it is a lock type that dominates. Possibly it is a legacy from older folding knives** but is also used because it is a solid solution both in the basic design and more modern interpretations***.

This version is solid. The locking force is sufficient for the knife to be safe and at the same time not extremely difficult to close. There is no lateral play, and if it occurs, it can be adjusted. As with almost all back locks, you can feel a slight tendency to play upside down if you grab the tip and provoke hard. But in this case, Camillus has succeeded well as that feeling is very weak. 

To Carry

As always, when you invest in a really comfortable handle on a folding knife, they become somewhat less flexible in the pocket. It is of course the length and above all the thickness of the handle that plays a role. Then of course the weight is also important.

That said, the Bushcrafter isn't terribly awkward to carry in your pocket. The weight is noticeable but not a deterrent in the context given that it is a substantial knife. But certainly, the 176 grams remind you that you carry a knife in your pocket.

However, it is mainly the thickness of 1.5 cm that is noticeable. There is quite a bit of volume that must be stored, simply put. 

The clip is unusually small but functional

However, there are factors that favor this knife when it comes to portability. The smooth and fairly polished sides are one such. They do not cause friction against the fabric and therefore do not have a negative effect when the knife has to be pulled or tucked away.

Another advantage this knife has is that it has been ensured that the entire blade is "hidden" when the knife is folded. There are no sharp heels that stick out and similarly, the thumb studs are not too long. Details that make the knife more streamlined in the pocket, even if in this case it is more about a fur seal than a snake if an analogy to the animal world is to be made.

The clip is made of steel and of more or less deep ride type. Not much of the knife is visible when tucked into a pocket. In this case, the main benefit gained from it is that it is harder to drop when out in the woods.

The finish is polished and in the clip, Camillus's logo is found in the form of a knife punched out. It is in that opening that you can attach a line if you are using the knife near the large waters I spoke of earlier. 

About the clip, it can otherwise be said that it offers fairly high tension and that it is small with a good ramp, even if it could be somewhat higher in this case. This particular knife I imagine you also want to carry in a jacket pocket and then the fabric is usually thicker than in trouser pockets.

Then I'm happy about how little it feels against the hand when working with the knife. It's generally one of my pet peeves but in a heavy-duty folding knife like this, it's even more important.

To Conclude

This knife was named "Bushcrafter" and it is a name that gives rise to certain expectations. I think that it should then be suitable for camping, hiking, hunting and fishing, and other outdoor activities. Camillus obviously does as well, as the sales text says that the knife is perfect for "/../carving, batoning, and chopping /../" I don't want to go that far. Hitting a folding knife whose blade lacks a stop pin for the purpose of splitting wood will destroy it. The lock does not hold up to that treatment simply because the lock arm is subjected to forces they are not intended for. And to chop with a knife with a small blade and with this weight, I don't see the point. It's something you do with a sturdy-bladed knife if you refuse to use an axe.

But if we disregard bad sales texts and instead consider the knife itself, it is exactly what it claims to be. A relatively large but above all sturdy folding knife that is excellent for the areas of use listed above. 

Where Bushcrafter does best, in hand out in the forest

Starting from a solid steel frame and thick sides of Micarta and combining it with a solid back lock is a good concept in this context. Especially as the handle is heavily shaped with sides that are certainly flat but have a substantial finger guard, a finger recess, and a "beak". In this way, Camillus has created a very ergonomic handle.

Then they followed the formula that gives a traditional "bushcraft" blade. A drop point with a slightly higher profile with a saber ground. However, I am happy that they departed from tradition somewhat by making the blade in stainless steel. D2 is popular these days but I don't feel it has any advantages over 12C27 that outweigh the tendency to rust.

If something negative is to be said, it is that the knife can be perceived as somewhat clumsy. A large part of the explanation for that can be attributed to the large handle, which brings with it both advantages and disadvantages. It also means that the balance is not completely neutral, but makes the Bushcrafter somewhat rear-heavy. The weight also contributes to that impression.

Camillus Bushcrafter 8,5" is a solid folding knife for mixed outdoor life

Overall, this, my first extended encounter with a Camillus knife, was a pleasant one. Bushcrafter 8.5" lives up to its name and does exactly what I hoped for. In addition, it can be said that it is not a knife that makes the wallet cry. At the time of writing, it costs around $69 on Amazon and just under €100 in Europe.

For that, you get a strong and competent folding knife in well-selected materials made in the USA. A very viable candidate for those who want an outdoor knife in a foldable format. 

Specifications:

Length Overall: 216 mm

Length Folded: 128 mm

Weight: 176 g

Blade Length: 89 mm

Blade Thickness: mm

Blade Steel: Sandvik 12C27

Handle: Micarta on a steel frame

Lock: Lock back

Produced by: Camillus, made in the USA

/ J 

* But here it should be pointed out that this is a US-made Camillus and that they are significantly better sharpened than the Chinese-made knives I have experienced and previously written about.

** Then I think of the oldest sales success with that lock, the Mercator K55K but also the American classic Buck 110 and not least the Swedish EKA Swede 92.

*** Like, for example, Cold Steel's Triad-Lock

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