Review MKM Hero

  

-  a robust folding knife for outdoor life

Most of the knives I have from MKM - Maniago Knife Makers are rather timid in size. That is not the case with this knife called Hero. Here we are talking about a sturdy folding knife that is not discreet. There are, of course, both pros and cons to such a format, and I intend to discuss some of them in this text.

MKM Hero

Hero is a knife designed by the Italian Tommaso Rumici. He has on numerous occasions collaborated with well-established manufacturers and made knives produced by Maserin and Viper to name a few. But this time it's a knife from another Maniagobased company, MKM. It is also a knife that is something of an exclamation point as it is a solid folding knife.

As is often the case with knives from this manufacturer, the model is available in several versions. The handle can be had in a couple of different shades of G10, Micarta, and of course wood or carbon fiber. That should cover most tastes.

As usual, MKM has created a well-built knife with excellent materials

Short version: MKM Hero, a sturdy folding knife for outdoor activities and possibly EDC use for those feeling bold.

Blade

It is not primarily the length of the blade that gives the massive impression. It is large but not extremely long at 88mm. But when combined with a width of over three centimeters and a thickness of 4 mm, you get an impressive blade. It is also ground so that it retains a large part of the thickness near the tip, which makes it strong.

The finish is a very fine semi-polished satin. The marking consists of MKM's logo on the presentation side and Rumici's octopus logo on the opposite side. The observant can also find the manufacturer MIKITA's name elsewhere on the knife.

Hero is equipped with a sturdy drop-point blade

As usual with knives from MKM, the blade gives a very well-worked impression. This can be seen, for example, on the well-rounded blade spine and the grooves found at the base of the blade. They provide a good grip without being too sharp.

The steel is M390 from Böhler often used by MKM. It is one of the knife steels that has been among the best for a few years now. It is simply very good on most parameters such as the ability to take an edge and hold it, rust resistance, and impact resistance. Although the latter may not be its forte. The disadvantages are mostly found in the price and the fact that it can be difficult to grind as it can be very hard. But on that point, the Italians have chosen a different path.  

Stated HRC is found in the range 58-60 and if it is correct (something I do not have the opportunity to investigate) then it is some points below what would have been optimal for the steel on a theoretical level. If the steel's full potential is to be used, it must be tempered to perhaps 61-62 HRC. That is an ongoing debate.

The grind is very high, basically completely flat. It gives 25 mm of secondary bevel for the steel to thin out to the approx. 0.7-0.9 mm it measures behind the edge. The latter number describes the area right at the tip. Normally, an objection that it is too much would have been appropriate. But it must be put in relation to the intended use of the knife. Then it can be said that the original edge was sharp and the factory edge overall decent. 

The finish is a semi-gloss satin

In practice, the knife does not feel particularly thick behind the edge after all. Butchering large cardboard boxes and cutting similar materials with the Hero is nice. The same applies to fast cuts in plastic materials and the like. Even in wood, the edge bites relatively well and in that case, there are other areas that make this knife less optimal for that kind of work.

I also noted that the knife works best for different types of poultry, fish, and meat in mixed kitchen service. Therefore, I am inclined to believe that this broad blade with its substantial belly makes an excellent folding hunting knife. 

Handle

Hero is a knife with quite a large handle. It is 12.8 cm long in total. Of that, the available grip area behind the finger guard is 10.5 cm, which is enough for most hands. Especially as the design of the end of the handle enables the little finger to slide backward, which is good if, for example, you wear gloves and need more space.

The handle is also a full 36 mm high at most and a few millimeters more at the finger guard. This contributes to the fact that it fills the hand well even though it is relatively thin. 

The handle sides can be had in several different materials. This is G10

The fact that the knife is not even heavier is because a lot of it is made of titanium. This applies to the frame itself, the clip, and the bolster. Yes, and then the little decorative splash of color that the collar around the pivot screw makes up. The material in the frame is probably the reason why it is not lightened inside. Such a measure had not contributed much to reducing the weight but had impaired the strength. On the other hand, the back spacer to which the clip also attaches is made of steel, as is the lock bar.

The balance point is found just behind the bolster. Not entirely unusual for this type of construction. They tend to be a bit back-heavy.

Due to the construction, the back is not open. On the inside, the sharp-eyed can read "Made by MIKITA"

In addition to the titanium bolster, the sides consist of a couple of finely treated pieces of G10. As I said, they are softly rounded and this also gives a structure reminiscent of what wood looks like. The different layers are exposed when the material is sanded, which is reminiscent of grain.

The sides are screwed in place with T6 screws. Usually, I don't appreciate such small screws in knives intended to be disassembled. However, backlock knives are not so in this case it is irrelevant. The pivot screw is a couple of sizes larger and can be adjusted with a driver intended for T8s.

It is mainly in the saber grip that the handle of the Hero comes into its own

As mentioned, the handle is large enough to be used even with gloves. However, Hero is comfortable to work with even without them. The sturdy handle invites you to work hard, and then I generally prefer to use a hammer grip. Especially when I have to cut wood or carve. The knife works well in that context but is not perfect. It is simply to thin for that, above all around the front portion of the handle. In addition, the part of the grip that meets the little finger is both too thin and somewhat too angular to be optimal in that respect. There, a hot spot occurs when the knife pivots in the hand during heavy work.

So Hero can be said to be a knife intended for medium heavy usage if you know what I mean. This often leads to a saber grip with the thumb on the back of the blade. Then suddenly everything feels perfect! The fingers fall into place very naturally and no hot spots are felt, not even the clip.

Also in other grips, Hero is easy to work with. This applies, for example, when an index finger is placed on the blade or when the knife is held in a pinch grip. However, it can be pointed out that the thumb studs could have been placed closer to the handle. They are not directly in the way of cutting, but you have to take them into account. With a reverse grip, such as when carving towards yourself, it is noticeable that the handle is angled in relation to the blade, which affects the feeling. 

Opening and Lock

Hero can be opened in two ways. Either you choose two hands and pinch around the generous portion of the blade that is visible or you use the double-sided thumb studs. In any case, this is a knife you open calmly and controlled. The lock construction and design are not intended to act as a fidget toy in front of the TV. In this case, you open your knife, cut what needs to be cut, and put it away again.

Having said that, the action is very smooth and you can tell it's a quality knife by the way the blade swings freely when the lock is fully released. But sure, a large part of that can be attributed to the combination of a heavy blade and ball bearing. Anyway, the tolerances are small. 

The thumb studs are easy to access and give a good grip, almost too good

The thumb studs unfortunately seem to be a direct import from another quality knife. They are quite similar to those found on a Sebenza. It is nothing to aspire to. I find these pyramid-shaped thumb studs too sharp. But by all means, they work very well in this case. The wide blade means that the leverage becomes substantial and the curve for the thumb becomes natural. For the same reason, the grand pyramids are very easy to "find" when the thumb reaches for them.

This is a solid back lock which, with its short lock bar, can also be called a mid-lock

The nature of this knife somehow includes that this should be a back lock, although the position and size of the lock bar means that it can be counted as what is sometimes referred to as a mid lock. In addition, a solid and strong one. The lock bar falls into place with authority and the blade is held firmly. It doesn't move in the slightest, not sideways anyway but up and down you can sense more than feel that the blade can move, which is the case with ninety-nine percent of all back locks. Here, there is so little that it is barely noticeable, but the feeling is there.

In addition to that, it can be stated that the lock bar, like the blade spine, is softly rounded in such a way that it forms a unit. Releasing the lock feels natural, there are probably not many people who cannot handle a back lock. Here the process is facilitated by grooves of a slightly sharper cut than those found at the base of the blade. The force required to press down the lock is well-modulated, which makes the lock easy to handle.

To Carry

You know what I will say under this heading. A knife cannot be the best at everything and there is usually a direct connection between carrying comfort and ergonomics as well as blade length. A large knife is rarely as handy in the pocket as a small one. As I said, this is a solid piece, which is reflected in both weight and outer dimensions. Of course, that affects how this knife feels in the pocket.

But in this case, there are several forgiving features. One such is how thin the Hero is. The thickness is a maximum of 1.6 cm and that measurement is taken in the middle of the handle slabs, which must be pointed out because the handle is heavily arched. This means that the outer dimensions have less impact on how the knife feels in the pocket.

The clip is quite generous in size with excellent function

The weight is the most noticeable in my opinion. Much depends on the fact that it has been summer and in a pair of thinner shorts, the 178 grams feel substantial. They weigh down the pocket in a tangible way.

In the pocket, Hero is discreet despite its size, at least if you're wearing jeans

However, something that contributes to ease of carrying is the eminent clip. Made of titanium and of the "fold over" type, it means that the knife sits deep in the pocket. In addition, it is designed so that the rear end is softly rounded so that it does not press against the hand when the knife is held in a saber grip. In other grips, the rear end of the handle and thus the clip protrudes outside the hand and causes no problems at all.

The clip is attached to the back end of the handle with two screws of the same type and size that hold the sides in place. It can be switched between the right and left side according to need and taste.

The lightly blasted titanium surface is pierced by MKM's logo in the form of three stylized mountain peaks. The thickness is increased enough to give good tension and the ramp is sufficient for all but the very thickest jacket fabrics. The same applies to the space under the clip.

To Conclude

Hero was not an entirely easy knife to review. Namely, it is not a given EDC knife. For that, in my opinion, it is somewhat too large or rather too solid and thus heavy. Therefore it remains to consider it as a folding outdoor knife. But Hero does not completely dominate there either. The handle is not the best if you use your knife to cut wood, at least not without gloves. Seen from my perspective, it is a slight shortcoming.

But that's where I want to place it after all. Outdoors, on the excursion, camping, or why not the hunting trip. Because it turns out that this blade, which in many ways resembles a skinning blade, is really good for handling all kinds of meat. It also excels in man-made materials such as cardboard, plastic, etc.

So the area of use I firmly believe is outdoor life with the exception of "bushcraft" or carving and possibly a particularly substantial daily companion.

The competitors are knives such as ZT 0220, Lionsteel TM1, and Victorinox Hunter Pro

In addition to the substantial weight, Hero also comes with a robust edge and a solid tip. The blade has a lot of steel behind the edge, maybe even a little too much actually. It could also have been kept a little harder. My advice to MKM is to dare to trust the steel to a greater extent in the future.

If you like extremely solid knives, the Hero might work as an EDC option

Like everything I've come in contact with from MKM so far, Hero is very well-built. It is reflected in the choice of materials and the way they are put together, it is also noticeable in the care for the details. The finish on the blade is superb and all edges and corners on the handle are ground and rounded. The quality is reflected, among other things, in the well-rounded blade spine, which then continues into an equally well-rounded lock bar, which then transitions into a back spacer.

That production time has been spent on the knife is also visible in things such as the collar around the pivot screw, how well the grooves on the lock bar are made, and the arched handle sides.

MKM Hero feels absolutely best outdoors as a heavy-duty folding knife or perhaps a hunting knife

A bonus is that the MKM Hero with double-sided thumb studs, back lock, and switchable clip is totally ambidextrous which should be a nice thing to hear for all the left-handed people out there.

Otherwise, it is a knife with a pronounced aesthetic that is robust and well-suited for most outdoor activities, except for carving wooden spoons. So, if that is up your alley and you are looking for a knife that also comes with top-rated materials and is very well constructed, Hero is a knife for you. If you have decided to purchase one, it costs around €349 at the time of writing.

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Maniago Knife Makers

Specifications:

Length Overall: 214 mm

Length Folded: 128 mm

Weight: 178 g (weighed by me, stated 175 g)

Blade Length: 88 mm

Blade Thickness: 4 mm

Blade Steel: Böhler M390

Handle: Titanium/G10

Lock: Back Lock

Produced by: Mikita, Made in Italy

/ J - looking out for a Hero

#knivesandbikes #aliaspostmortem #knivigtvarre 

Recension MKM Hero

 

-  robust fällkniv för friluftsliv

De flesta knivar jag har från MKM - Maniago Knife Makers och som jag skrivit om tidigare har varit tämligen timida skapelser vad gäller storlek. Det gäller inte den här kniven kallad Hero. Här talar vi om en bastant fällkniv som inte är diskret på något vis. Det finns förstås både för- och nackdelar med ett sådant format och något av det ämnar jag diskutera i den här texten. 

MKM Hero

Hero är en kniv designad av italienaren Tommaso Rumici. Han har vid ett flertal tillfällen samarbetat med väletablerade tillverkare och gjort knivar som produceras av bland andra Maserin och Viper för att nämna några. Men nu handlar det alltså om en kniv från MKM. Det är dessutom en kniv som är något av ett utropstecken då det är en rejäl fällkniv. 

Som ofta med knivar från den här tillverkaren finns modellen i flera utföranden. Ett par olika nyanser av G10 finns att tillgå som handtagsmaterial och därtill kan läggas Micarta och så förstås trä och kolfiber. Det torde täcka de flesta smaker. 

Som vanligt har MKM åstadkommit en välbyggd kniv i excellenta material

Kortversion: MKM Hero, en stabil fällkniv för friluftsliv och möjligen EDC-bruk för den som känner sig djärv.

Blad

Det är inte främst längden på bladet som ger det maffiga intrycket. Det är stort men inte extremt långt med sina 88 mm. Men när det kombineras med en tilltagen bredd på över tre centimeter och en grovlek på 4 mm så får du ett kraftigt blad. Det är dessutom slipat så att det behåller en stor del av tjockleken på godset nära spetsen vilket gör den stark. 

Finishen är en mycket fint arbetad satin som sedan polerats något. Märkningen består av MKMs logotyp på presentationssidan och Rumicis bläckfisklogo på den motsatta. Den uppmärksamme kan även finna tillverkaren MIKITAs namn på annat ställe på kniven. 

Hero är försett med ett bastant drop point-blad

Som vanligt med knivar från MKM så ger bladet ett mycket arbetat intryck. Det märks exempelvis på den väl rundade bladryggen samt de räfflor som återfinns vid bladbasen. De ger gott fäste utan att vara för skarpa. 

Stålet är det av MKM ofta använda Böhler M390. Det är ett av de knivstål som varit bäst i några år nu. Det är helt enkelt mycket bra på de flesta parametrar såsom förmågan att ta en egg och hålla den, rosttröghet och slaghållfasthet. Även om det sistnämnda kanske inte är dess forte. Nackdelarna återfinns mest i priset och det faktum att det kan vara svårt att slipa då det kan göras mycket hårt. Men på den punkten har man från italienarnas håll valt en annan väg.  

Uppgiven HRC återfinns nämligen i spannet 58-60 och om det stämmer (något jag inte har möjlighet att undersöka) så är det någon grad under vad som varit optimalt för stålet på ett teoretiskt plan. Skall stålets fulla potential utnyttjas skall det skrämmas upp till kanske 61-62 HRC. Det där är en ständigt pågående debatt. 

Slipningen är mycket hög, i princip helt flat. Det ger 25 mm för stålet att tunnas ut till de ca 0,7-0,9 mm den mäter bakom eggen. Den senare siffran beskriver området precis vid spetsen. I vanliga fall hade en invändning om att det är för mycket varit på plats. Men det får ställas i relation till knivens tänkta användningsområde. Sedan kan tilläggas att originaleggen var vass och att slipningen får godkänt även den.  

Finishen är en halvblank satin

I praktiken upplevs inte kniven som särskilt tjock bakom eggen trots allt. Det är riktigt sympatiskt att slakta stora kartonger och skära i andra dylika material med Hero. Detsamma gäller snabba snitt i plastmaterial och liknande. Även i trä biter eggen relativt bra och här är det andra områden som gör att den här kniven inte är optimal för den sortens arbete. 

Jag noterade även att kniven vid blandad kökstjänst gör sig bäst till olika varianter av fågel, fisk och kött. Därför är jag benägen att tro att det här breda bladet med sin rejäla buk är en förträfflig fällbar jaktkniv. 

Handtag

Hero är en kniv med ett väl tilltaget handtag. Det är 12,8 cm långt totalt. Av det är tillgänglig greppyta bakom fingerskyddet 10,5 cm vilket räcker till för de flesta händer. Särskilt som utformningen av handtagets avslutning möjliggjör att lillfingret kan glida bakåt vilket är bra om man t ex bär handskar och behöver mer utrymme. 

Handtaget är dessutom hela 36 mm högt som mest och ytterligare någon millimeter mer vid fingerskyddet. Det bidrar till att det fyller handen väl trots att det är relativt tunt. 

Skollorna kan fås i ett flertal olika material. På bilden syns G10

Att kniven inte är ännu tyngre beror på att en hel del av den är gjort av titan. Det gäller själva ramen, clipet och bolstret. Ja och sedan den lilla dekorativa färgklicken som kragen kring pivotskruven utgör. Materialet i ramen är troligen skälet till att den inte är lättad invändigt. En sådan åtgärd hade inte bidragit mycket till att minska vikten men hade försämrat styrkan. Däremot är back spacern som även clipet fäster i gjort av stål liksom låsarmen. 

Balanspunkten återfinns strax bakom bolstret. Inte helt ovanligt när det gäller den här typen av konstruktion. De tenderar att vara lite baktunga. 

På grund av konstruktionen är ryggen sluten. På insidan kan den skarpögde läsa "Made by MIKITA"

Utöver titanbolstret består sidorna av ett par stycken fint behandlade bitar G10. De är som sagt mjukt rundade och det ger även en struktur som påminner om hur trä ser ut. De olika lagren blottas när materialet slipas vilket påminner om ådring. 

Sidorna är skruvade på plats med T6-skruvar. Vanligen uppskattar jag inte så små skruvar i knivar ämnade att demonteras. Lock back-knivar är emellertid inte det så i det här fallet är det är irrelevant. Pivotskruven är ett par storlekar större och kan justeras med en mejsel avsedd för T8-or. 

Det är framförallt  i sabelgrepp som handtaget på Hero kommer till sin rätt

Handtaget är som sagt stort nog för att användas även med handskar. Hero är emellertid bekväm att arbeta med även utan sådana. Det rejäla handtaget inbjuder att ta i med och då använder jag företrädesvis hammargrepp. Särskilt när jag skall skära i trä eller tälja. Kniven fungerar bra i det sammanhanget men är inte perfekt. För det hade faktiskt krävts att handtaget hade varit grövre, framförallt över nacken. Dessutom så är partiet kring lillfingret både för tunt och något för kantigt för att var optimalt i det hänseendet. Där uppstår tryck när kniven pivoterar i handen vid tungt arbete. 

Så Hero kan sägas vara en kniv avsedd för mellantungt skärande om ni förstår vad jag menar. Det leder gärna till ett sabelgrepp med tummen på bladryggen. Då känns plötsligt allt perfekt! Fingrarna faller på plats på ett mycket naturligtvis och inga "hot spots" känns, inte ens clipet. 

Även i övriga grepp är Hero lättarbetad. Det gäller t ex när ett pekfinger läggs på bladet eller när kniven hålls i nypan. Där kan dock påpekas att tumknopparna kunde befunnit sig närmare handtaget. De är inte ivägen men man får ta dem i beaktande. Vid omvänt grepp som när  man täljer mot sig märks det att greppet är vinklat i relation till handtaget vilket påverkar arbetet. 

Öppning och lås

Bladet på Hero kan lirkas ut på två vis. Endera väljer du två händer och nyper kring den rejäla portion blad som finns tillgängligt eller så använder du de dubbelsidiga tumknopparna. I vilket fall är det här en kniv du öppnar lugnt och kontrollerat. Låskonstruktionen och designen är inte avsedd för att kniven skall agera stresskula i tv-soffan. I det här fallet öppnar du din kniv, skär vad som skall skäras och stoppar undan den igen.

Med det sagt är gången mycket mjuk och det märks att det är en kvalitetskniv på sättet bladet svänger fritt när låset släppts helt. Men visst, en stor del av det kan tillskrivas kombinationen av ett tungt blad och kullager. 

Tumknopparna är lätta att komma åt och biter bra i tummen, nästan för bra

Tumknopparna verkar dessvärre vara en direktimport från en annan kvalitetskniv. De är ovanligt lika de som hittas på en Sebenza. Det är inget att eftersträva. De här pyramidformade tumknopparna anser jag vara för vassa. Men för all del, de fungerar mycket bra i det här fallet. Det breda bladet gör nämligen att hävstången blir rejäl och kurvan för tummen blir naturlig. Av samma skäl är knopparna mycket lätta att "hitta" när tummen sträcker sig efter dem. 

Låset är en stabil back lock som med sin korta låsarm även kan kallas mid lock

I den här knivens natur ingår på något vis att det här skall vara en back lock även om placeringen på låset gör att det kan räknas till vad som ibland omnämns som en mid lock. Därtill en solid och kraftig sådan. Låsarmen greppar med pondus och bladet sitter stabilt. Det rör sig inte det minsta, inte i sidled i alla fall men upp- och ner kan man ana mer än känna att bladet kan röra sig, vilket är fallet med nittionio procent av alla back locks. Här är det så lite att det knappt förnimmas men känslan finns där. 

Utöver det kan konstateras att låsarmen likt bladryggen är mjukt rundad på så vis att de utgör en enhet. Att släppa låset känns naturligt, det är nog inte många som inte kan hantera en back lock. Här underlättas förfarandet av räfflor av lite skarpare snitt än de som återfinns vid bladbasen. Kraften som krävs för att pressa ned låset är välmodulerad vilket gör låset lätthanterat. 

Att bära

Ni vet vad jag kommer säga under den här rubriken. En kniv kan inte vara bäst på allt och oftast finns en direkt koppling mellan bärkomfort och ergonomi samt bladlängd. En stor kniv är sällan lika smidig i fickan som en liten. Det här är som sagt en stabil pjäs vilket avspeglar sig i både vikt och yttermått. Naturligtvis påverkar det hur den här kniven upplevs i fickan. 

Men i det här fallet finns flera förlåtande egenskaper. En sådan är hur pass tunn Hero är. Tjockleken är som mest 1,6 cm och det måttet tas på mitten av skollorna vilket måste påpekas eftersom handtaget är kraftigt välvt. Det gör att yttermåtten känns mindre i fickan. 

Clipet är tämligen väl tilltaget med utmärkt funktion

Vikten är det som märks mest i mitt tycke. Mycket beroende på att det varit sommar och i ett par tunnare shorts känns de 178 grammen rejält. De tynger ned fickan på ett påtagligt vis.  

I fickan är Hero diskret trots sin storlek

Något som bidrar till att underlätta bärandet är emellertid det eminenta clipet. Gjort i titan och av "fold over" typ gör det att kniven sitter djupt ned i fickan. Dessutom är det designat så att bakänden är mjukt rundad så den inte trycker mot handen vid sabelgrepp. I andra fattningar sticker bakänden av handtaget och därmed clipet ut utanför handen och orsakar inga problem alls. 

Clipet är fäst i bakänden av handtaget med två stycken skruvar av samma typ och storlek som håller skollorna på plats. Det kan skiftas mellan höger och vänster sida efter behov och smak. 

Den lätt blästrade titanytan är genombruten av MKMs logotyp i form av tre stiliserade bergstoppar. Tjockleken är tilltagen nog för att ge god spänst och rampen räcker till allt utom de allra tjockaste jacktygerna. Detsamma gäller utrymmet under clipet. 

Sammanfattningsvis

Hero var inte en helt lätt kniv att recensera. Det är nämligen inte en given EDC-kniv. Därtill är den i mitt tycke något för stor eller snarare för stabil och därmed tung. Då återstår att betrakta det som en fällbar friluftskniv. Men inte heller där dominerar den helt. Handtaget är inte det bästa för att använda att skära i trä med, i alla fall inte utan handskar. Det är sett ur mitt perspektiv ett litet tillkortakommande. 

Men det är trots allt där jag vill placera den. Utomhus, på utflykten, campingen eller varför inte jaktturen. För det visar sig att det här bladet som i mångt och mycket påminner om ett flåblad är riktigt bra till att hantera allehanda kött med. Det briljerar även i människotillverkade material som kartong och plast och liknande. 

Så användningsområdet slår jag fast till friluftsliv med undantag för "bushcraft" eller täljande samt eventuellt en synnerligen rejäl daglig kompanjon.

Konkurrenterna är knivar som exempelvis ZT 0220, Lionsteel TM1 och Victorinox Hunter Pro

Förutom den substantiella vikten är nämligen Hero även försedd med en robust egg och en solid spets. Bladet har mycket stål bakom eggen, kanske till och med lite för mycket faktiskt. Den kunde dessutom ha härdats lite hårdare. Mitt råd till MKM är att i framtiden våga lita på stålet i högre utsträckning. 

Om du gillar synnerligen stabila knivar kan Hero kanske fungera som EDC-alternativ

Som allt jag kommit i kontakt med från MKM så här långt är Hero mycket välbyggd. Förutom att det avspeglar sig i materialvalen och hur den är byggd så märks det på omsorgen om detaljerna. Finishen på bladet är suverän och alla kanter och hörn är slipade och rundade. Kvalitén återspeglas bland annat i den väl rundade bladryggen som sedan fortsätter i en lika väl rundad låsarm som sedan övergår i en back spacer.

Att det lagts ned tid på kniven syns även på saker som kragen kring pivot-skruven, hur väl räfflorna på låsarmen är utförda och de välvda handtagssidorna. 

MKM Hero trivs absolut bäst utomhus som en kraftig friluftskniv eller kanske jaktkniv

En bonus är att MKM Hero med sina dubbelsidiga tumknoppar, back lock samt ett flyttbart clip är helt ambidextriös till alla vänsterhäntas fromma. 

I övrigt är det en kniv med en uttalad estetik som är robust och väl anpassad för det mesta i friluftsväg, förutom att tälja till en träsked då. Så söker du det i en kniv utrustad med topprankade material och som är riktigt välkonstruerad då är det här en kniv för dig. Har du bestämt dig för att införskaffa en Hero så kostar den i skrivande stund ca 349€.

Maniago Knife Makers

Specifikation:

Längd utfälld: 214 mm

Längd hopfälld: 128 mm

Vikt: 178 g (vägd av  mig, uppgiven 175 g)

Bladlängd: 88 mm

Godstjocklek: 4 mm

Bladstål: Böhler M390

Handtag: titan/G10

Lås: back lock

Producerad av: Mikita, tillverkad i Italien

/ J - looking out for a Hero

#knivesandbikes #aliaspostmortem #knivigtvarre 

New Knife - MKM Hero

Contrasts are often what make things interesting in life and therefore I will present a knife from MKM that is radically different from the last one I wrote about called Root.

This model is named Hero and is almost the antithesis of Root. Where the latter is a small and light slip joint with a wooden handle and a sheep's foot blade, this one is none of that.

MKM Hero

On the contrary, Hero is a large and sturdy folding knife. Here, the Italian designer Tommaso Rumici has gone wild. Given what I know of him, I firmly believe he had the outdoors in mind when he designed this knife.

The drop point blade measures almost nine centimeters but the knife is mainly characterized by a large and comfortable handle which is certainly quite thin. But despite that and the fact that both the bolster and frame are made of titanium, the knife weighs 175 grams according to the manufacturer. In addition to that material, G10 is found in the handle sides and exclusive M390 steel in the blade. The blade opens with the help of thumb studs and it locks with a classic back lock. 

Titanium is also found in the reversible clip and as an anodized dash of color in the collar around the pivot. 

In addition to the choice of materials, there are several details that make this an exclusive knife. Among them can be mentioned that the bolster and frame are made in one piece, that the blade runs on ball bearings, and that the spine of the blade is elegantly rounded.

Overall, an interesting knife from MKM that I intend to test in the spring. A report follows, of course.

Maniago Knife Makers

/ J - heading for Italy

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

Ny kniv - MKM Hero

Kontraster är ofta det som gör saker och ting intressanta i livet och därför skall jag nu presentera en kniv från MKM som radikalt skiljer sig från den förra jag skrev om kallad Root.

Den här modellen är döpt till Hero och är närmast en antites till Root. Där den senare är en liten och lätt slip joint med trähandtag och ett sheeps foot-blad så här den här inget av det. 

MKM Hero

Tvärtom är Hero en stor och rejäl fällkniv. Här har den italienska desigerna Tommaso Rumici gått loss ordenligt. Med tanke på det jag vet om honom tror jag bestämt att han haft friluftsliv i åtanke när han formgav den här kniven. 

Drop point-bladet mäter nästan nio centimeter men främst utmärks kniven av ett stort och bekvämt handtag som förvisso är tämligen tunt. Men trots det och att både bolster och ram är i titan så väger kniven in på modiga 175 gram enligt tillverkaren. Utöver det materialet hittas G10 i skollorna och exklusivt M390-stål i bladet. Bladet på Hero fälls ut med hjälp av tumknoppar och det låser med en klassisk back lock. Titan återfinns även i det vändbara clipet samt som anodiserat färgklick som utgörs av en krage kring pivotskruven. 

Förutom materialval finns ett flertal detaljer som gör det här till en exklusiv kniv. Bland dem kan nämnas att bolster och ram är gjorda i ett stycke, att bladet löper på kullager och att bladryggen är elegant rundad. 

Överlag en intressant kniv från MKM som jag ämnar testa under våren. En rapport följer förstås. 

Maniago Knife Makers

/ J - slår in på den italienska vägen

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

Knife Review Viper Dan

- in search for the perfect pocketknife part 25

It's not often you get as positively surprised as I did when I with already high expectations opened the box from Viper Knives by Tecnocut. Despite the name they can be found in Maniago, Italy.

The content was a piece of cutlery baptised "DAN", which is the acronym that reads out "Daily Assorted Needs". Thereby it seems to aim at all the tasks and chores that possibly may appear in every day life and can be solved with an edge. A pocket- or EDC-knife for short.

Viper "Dan 1"

The design is very thougt out and the idea, besides being a practical and efficient pocketknife, is also to be legal in as many jurisdictions as possible.

With that in mind the knife was on purpose given a less "aggressive" appearance by having a flipper that doesn't flip, a lock that isn't a lock and a blade that stays under tre inches, the latter a common upper limit in many countries. 

Old meets new in this knife made by Italian Viper by Tecnocut

Is it possible to create a good knife with those limitations? Of course you can! Which is proven by all classic patterns and slipjoint that exists.

But one question remains, can you make a modern knife with the same postulates? I believe so. There are a few good examples out there like the "UKPK" and "Pingo" from Spyderco for instance. They are also made in Italy by the way. 

Blade

There are numerous ways of shaping a knifeblade, but if they are supposed to be at least somewhat practical everyone keep coming back to some basic ideas. This simple flatgrind drop point variant is one of those. This blade is well executed with a nice polished satin and in my eyes a rather elegant logotype. Well done if you insist of writing stuff on blades. Despite the simple appearance there are details like the finish and softly rounded spine of the blade that makes it feel elaborated and exclusive. The impression is enhanced by a well made grind that is sharp, even and symmetric.

The total length is 73 millimeter which isn't a coincidence, because it keeps the blade under tre inches which is a rather common limitation when it regards knife laws. The stock is three millimeter thick and that is kind of optimal for most EDC-knives I think. It is thick enough to be rigid and feel solid and thin enough to cut well.

A flatground drop point, as simple as it gets

Besides looking good this blade offers a capable tip, one piece of rounded belly for sweeping cuts and some straight edge for heavier tasks. It also extends all the way to the handle without ricasso,  which enables cuts close to the grip where you have the most power and control*. The complexity of the handle are underlined by the nice chamfers towards the front, which greatly facilitates sideways "pinch grips". A really nice touch.

The choice of steel, N690Co from Böhler/Uddeholm, feels adequate in this context. It is a stainless steel that sometimes is being said to be an European version of VG10. It may or may not be but anyway it is as easy to sharpen.

I haven't resharpened the edge at the time of writing, but as usual used both a strop and sharpening rods to touch up the edge. The steel reacts quickly and there are no problems getting it sharp again. 

This steel offers well balanced allround characteristics. Sure, N690 is no "supersteel" and is not the best in any areas, but it's competent enough and it doesn't rust to badly which is a trait I highly appreciate. Especially with knives that actually spend most of their time in a pocket close to the body.

A well chosen steel, N690 from Böhler/Uddeholm

The knife came with a likable edge already out of box and that is important to me. I really dislike when semi-expensive knives arrives almost blunt. If you like me are grown up with classic Mora no 1 as you go to knife and reference you are accustomed to sharp blades even on cheap knives. So there are no excuses for knife companies to be sloppy in that regard.

The factory edge cut hair with ease, a task most knives can do, but it is more how they do it that tells somethings about sharpness and edge angles. The same goes for paper cutting. In this case you could do it but advanced S-curves was out of question. Sharp but not extreme in other words. It's a significant difference between cutting a paper in half and make it curl. 

Exposed to real work Dan showed it's real potential. It was just as good as I hoped for. Especially cardboard and the like was handled with ease. A flatground blade, not overly thick stock and as before mentioned ability to cut close to the handle are the explanations to why it performs well.

And then came the real positive surprise - it is formidable at cutting wood! The blade has good bite and is easy to control both regarding angles and how deep you want the edge to dig in. The rounded spine helps when you want apply downward pressure with your thumb. The handle also proved to be rather comfortable even after working a while.

Dan is decent when commanded kitchen duties. Not as good as a proper kitchen knife of course. They are even thinner with taller blades and therefore in general have a much better geometry for this kind of work. But compared to many other folders it's more than a decent paring or petty knife. But to be perfectly honest there is just one task I do in kitchens using folders and that is opening containers and packages.

That is besides evaluating them for upcoming reviews of course. Since I always carry a knife in my right front pocket that's the first place my hand would go, I don't reach for my finest Japanese "kitchenswords" for those tasks. Cardboard and plastics are not the best friends to hang out with for refined pieces of kitchen cutlery. In these cases I also appreciate one hand opening and closing knives such as the Dan. 

Handle

Dan is built on a solid steel frame, no fuss there. The type of scales varies depending on what version you choose and the knife is available in four different options: black carbon fiber, green G10, black G10 - "Silvertwill" and like in this case maroon canvas micarta. The knife have a backspacer in titanium.

At arrival the color was a bright maroon almost on the pink side. But it darkens quickly since the micarta is bead blasted and the pores open which makes the material age beautifully.

I must admit that I have a soft spot for micarta. Besides looking good and changing character over time it is very nice to the touch and gives a warm feeling in cold conditions.

Scales in maroon canvas micarta. A favourite since it ages beautifully

This is a very well designed handle ergonomically speaking with a couple of details that makes it stand out. The sides are vaulted, which gives a soft feeling in hand. That impression is enhanced by the micarta, which appear and feels like a natural material despite being made out of pressed cloth and a lot of glue. The fingerchoil hasn't got that strange  steep curve that some knifemakers tend to put on their knives. I dislike that kind since it pushes the hand backwards and create hotspots. It is particularly common among flippers. This knife is an example of when it is made correctly. Add to that a clip that is just long enough to hide its tip inside the palm without disturbing to much even if you whiteknuckle the knife.

But there is one detail that stands out and that is the chamfering on the front of the scales. The shape is practically necessary for the opening of the blade but also provides a good platform for all pinchgrips. 

The way the front of the scales are chamfered is admirably executed

The knife is consistently well built and Viper even goes as far as actually list the steel quality of their screws and other hardware on their homepage. An approach that should be embraced by more makers.

The finish is unpeckable with no gaps between materials, well rounded and chamfered surfaces which includes the inside of the frame, the scales, the spine of the blade and the backspacer.

The handle has a lanyard hole but the so common 550-paracord doesnt fit. But on the other hand I think that is kind of overkill on this type of knife anyway both in function and in style, but that's of course a personal preference.

After a brief conversation with the designer via Instagram I found out that there is an idea behind the placement of the lanyardhole behind the clip. It is placed there so that the knife will ride higher in pocket with a lanyard attached for those who prefer that. What a really good idea since it gives you options!

But I'm torned about the whole concept of lanyards. It makes handles look less attractive and more like they are termite infested and I personally only occasionally have use for them. It should be said though that if you have a knife more expensive than say three dollars and are at sea you don't want to be without them. Who wants to hear a tiny splash just to discover that you're newly bought gem of a knife went missing? Or if you do like me and place a knife securely a couple of yards deep inside a massive rubble of stones somewhere in the Norwegian mountains. I know where it is and I'm pretty sure no one will steal it under a couple of hundred ton of rocks. 

Opening and lock

The opening mechanism is one of the more unique features of this knife. It is a frontflipper that doesn't flip, but rather reminds of a shorter version of a friction folder tang. It's not an miss at the drawing board but a well thougt out idea. As afore mentioned one of the main objectives where to make a "non threatening" knife that is legal in most places and at the same time being able to maneuver with one hand.

A "front flipper" - or is it?

This knife utilizes a "semi lock" called "AS" wich should be read out as "Action Stopper". It is a system built around double detentballs, that both keeps the blade open and closed as well as offer a half way stop like on a traditional knife. A symbioses between old an new.

The blade has a convenient half way stop that saves digits. The well placed jimping helps when opening

The function is excellent. The knife is not lightening fast to deploy so for those who feel that this is a necessity, they may look for other options. But it is fast enough for making me happy and it is very much a one hand operation. The half way stop is sympathetic since it makes the knife a bit more secure and easier to handle when folding. The lack of ricasso combined with a sharp blade could have acted like an finger guillotine otherwise.

To Carry

One of this knife's virtues is how it performs in pocket. Once in place it is civilized and friendly. A big portion of that behavior can be ascribed to a near perfect clip. It is a basic steel clip that makes the knife ride deep in the pocket. It holds the knife in place with authority and you don't risk loosing your knife and yet it's easy to pull out of pocket. That is the spring tension is well tuned in. In hand the pocketclip feels as small as can be. Only constructions with hidden clips or extractable clips can be felt less.

A really good clip. It is mounted solidly at the back with double screws

And here is how it looks in pocket. The hole in the clip allows for a lanyard to pass through. 
The knife then rides higher

Well rounded corners and a modest weight are other characteristics that makes this particular knife a joy to carry. Overall a very succesfull combination of materials and shapes. Dan weighs in at 90-95 grams depending on what version you opt for. Not too shabby for a pocketknife with a bladelength over seven centimeters and sturdy full liners.

To Conclude

The conclusion is something of a declaration of love since Viper Dan avoids many of the obstacles that make some pocketknives trip and fall towards being "the perfect pocket knife". It also suites my general needs very well.

I think a substantial part of the explanation why I like it so much can be found in the fact that this is a knife that knows what it is. It's not intended to be a camping knife, a whittler, a selfdefence knife or made for "hard use" whatever that is. It is clearly a knife aiming straight towards your pocket and EDC use. 

"Dan 1" designed by Tommaso Rumici. Not the mug though, it is made by my fiancee but they do match!

Tommaso Rumici, the designer behind this knife have thus succeeded in his perception. For me this is close to a perfect EDC-knife. The knife is light enough to carry yet substantial enough to inpire confidence. The clip allows for a deep, secure and discreet carry while not being obtrusive while working.

The micarta handles and the well tuned clip makes for an easy draw. In hand Dan is well balanced and every grip works. Notable is the chamfered front part of the scales that aids in pinchgrips, a detail often overlooked in modern folders. The blade is phenomenal in its simplicity. A classic flatground drop point in good steel. The shapes gives a belly, a good tip and a bit of straight edge to work with. The edge also extends all the way to the handle which adds control and power.

The somewhat odd solution for a lock is a modern interpretation of a slipjoint combined with the tang of a "friction folder". Not something historically new in any way, but exciting nevertheless and the system provides security by holding the blade in place even if there are no lock in traditional sense. The knife is also able to operate with one hand without being a flipper which makes it appear less aggressive.

Did I mention that it is good looking too?

As elegant as functional. The Viper Dan was a knife that caught my eye the first time I saw it

Are there no bad features on this knife? No negatives at all? Of course there are and they can be placed in the same exact column as the positives if you ask me. It all boils down to preferences. If you are in pursuit of a knife that flipps like crazy equipped with a titanium handle and a framelock and in every other aspect follows template 1A for modern folders this knife is not for you. It is as simple as that.

And of course, the construction and lack of proper lock means that you have to be aware of how you handle the knife, especially if you put some force behind the blade. You can do it, the thumb aids in keeping the blade in place but as said before, there are no lock and the knife should be treated with care. Therefore this is not your "stabby" knife. The same goes for closing the knife, it lacks ricasso or choil so fingers must be kept away when closing the blade one handed.

As proof of what I really think of this particular knife I can mention that I bought its sibbling, the Dan 2 before this text even was finished. It differs from model one by having a modified wharncliffe-blade instead of a droppoint. And my version got scales in G10/Silvertwill. The blade is a tad shorter and the shape makes the grind a bit lower and the bladeshape of course decreases the belly. As you might guess I like that knife as well.

My recommendation? Get a buddy named Dan!

 The product page can be found here!


Specification Viper Dan1:

Length, Overall: 182 mm
Lenght, Folded: 109 mm
Weight: 95 g
Blade Length: 73 mm
Blade Thickness: 3 mm
Blade Steel: N690Co, HRC 57-59
Handle: Canvas micarta/steelframe
Lock: AS, "Action Stopper"

Produced by: Viper by Tecnocut, made in Maniago, Italy


*  This can seem obvious but there is one thing that is really popular in the knife industry for the moment and that is "choils". They give "reach",  that is pushing the entire hand backwards on the handle away from what is supposed to be cut when not used. It can perhaps be logical for knives intended for the nonsence of "self defence". Otherwise they can often feel strange. Of course there are deviations from this rule. 



/ J - advocate for snakes