New Knife - Zitoon Spinner XL

 I have reviewed the original model, the Zitoon Spinner, which is significantly smaller than these. It measures only 29 cm in length. I really liked that model, except perhaps for its size. Since then, I have not practiced much with it, as I only have one knife. In most cases, throwing knives work best in sets of three.

However, my impressions led me to buy the larger US/UK model, which is 12"/30.5cm long, for my wife. This is for two reasons: a longer knife usually behaves a little calmer and is, therefore, easier to learn to throw with, and its length covers most requirements for a competition knife.

For my personal taste, however, it is still a bit too small. But then this version came along! Let me introduce the Zitoon Knives Spinner XL.

Zitoon Knives Spinner XL

An interesting curiosity is that the knife, according to Olivier Feret, the designer and the man behind Zitoon, is based on a customer idea that was later developed into this model. In passing, it can be said that all knives are partly handmade in small series.

What we have here is a veritable monster compared to the previous models. Still a "spinner" as you can see from the hole in the handle. But here the length has grown to a full 35 cm. The width of the handle is 28 mm and the blade is at most 42 mm wide, and the knife's thickness is 6 mm. This gives a weight of 450 g.

This in turn, together with the slightly aggressive tanto tip and the swedge, provides conditions for brutal penetration. Those not in the know may wonder why it is important, but when competing it can be the difference between points and no points in cases where a throw is not perfect. This is especially true for heavier knives that otherwise risk falling off the target.

The steel is, as usual with knives from Zitoon Knives, Swedish Hardox 450, an extremely durable wear-resistant steel and an excellent choice for throwing knives. The handle sides are made of leather that is riveted in place.

It will be incredibly fun and interesting to test these knives this spring. It may be more complicated for me if they become further candidates for competition knives. I have to make up my mind.

Zitoon

/ J - in lust for throwing

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

Ny kniv - Zitoon Spinner XL

Jag har recenserat originalmodellen, Zitoon Spinner som är väsentligt mindre än de här. Den mäter endast 29 cm på längden. Det var en modell jag tyckte riktigt bra om möjligen med undantag för just storleken. Sedan har jag inte tränat så mycket med den då jag endast har en kniv av den modellen och kastknivar gör sig bäst i set om tre i de flesta fall. 

Men intrycken ledde till att jag köpt den större US/UK modellen som är 12"/30,5cm långa till min fru. Det av två skäl, en längre kniv uppträder vanligtvis lite lugnare och är därmed lättare att lära sig kasta med och för det andra så täcker den längden de flesta krav på en tävlingskniv.

För min personliga smak är den dock fortfarande en aning för liten. Men så kom den här versionen! Låt mig presentera Zitoon Knives Spinner XL.

Zitoon Knives Spinner XL

Intressant kuriosa är att kniven enligt Olivier Feret, designern och mannen bakom Zitoon, grundas på en idé från en kund som senare utvecklades till den här modellen. I förbifarten kan sägas att alla knivar är delvis handgjorda i små serier. 

Vad vi har här är ett veritabelt monster jämfört med de tidigare modellerna. Fortfarande en "spinner" som ni kan se på hålet i handtaget. Men här har längden vuxit till hela 35 cm. Bredden på handtaget är 28 mm och bladet är som mest 42 mm brett och tjockleken på kniven är 6 mm. Det ger en tyngd på 450 g.

Det i sin tur ger tillsammans med den smått aggressiva tantospetsen och falskeggen förutsättningar för grym penetration. Den som inte är insatt kanske undrar varför det är en viktig parameter men det handlar om att när man tävlar kan det vara skillnaden mellan poäng och inte i de fall ett kast inte är perfekt. Särskilt gäller det tyngre knivar som annars riskerar att  ramla ur tavlan. 

Stålet är som vanligt med knivar från Zitoon Knives svenskt Hardox 450, ett extremt stryktåligt slitstål och ett mycket bra val för kastknivar. Handtagssidorna är gjorda av läder som nitats på plats. 

Det skall bli grymt roligt och intressant att testa de här knivarna i vår. Möjligen kan de ställa till det om de blir ytterligare kandidater till tävlingsknivar. Jag måste nämligen bestämma mig. 

Zitoon

/ J - kastsugen

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

Spontanous piercing?

Imagine that you are sitting on the TV couch in peace and quiet, watching an English detective story. The descriptions of the environment are apt, as usual. The atmosphere is dark and rainy. Fog is over the moors, and the atmosphere is slightly ominous. Something is going to happen.

Suddenly, blood starts to flow, although not there on the screen but down the side of the forehead and onto the face. Is it some modern invention like acquiring a 3D TV with special effects?

No, it's just me who got a throwing knife in the forehead. This kind of thing happens in the Wikström family home from time to time.

A hole in the head, patched up by the wife

How it happened was a bit unclear at first. However, what happened was fairly easy to figure out. I had just received delivery of my latest order of new throwing knives from France. Beautiful handmade objects originating in Normandy. Since I fell a little in love and wanted to feel them and examine the balance, I sat with one of the knives in my right hand.

With my left hand, I reached for the remote control to pause the broadcast because I had to get some snacks. A little tea goes well with this kind of program. But as it turned out, I bumped the knife handle with the remote control, whereupon the well-balanced knife tipped around in my hand and elegantly swung in with the tip straight into my head. It is also longer than anything else I am used to, so the reach was good. In addition, the tip is very....hm, pointed!

The tip that did it, belonged to a knife that I haven't even had time to introduce yet!

My dear wife didn't understand what had happened at first, but she immediately cried out something like "What the heck are you doing?" It may have been a stronger expression, I don't remember exactly. But off to the toilet to wipe away all the goo with some paper. The hole wasn't that deep, but the head bleeds a lot, as you know. I was happy with that, but my better half thought that a thorough cleaning and bandaging was necessary.

I don't know if there's any real moral to the story. Possibly one should be vigilant against throwing knives when you watch detective stories.

So think about that, my friends!

/ J - engages in spontaneous piercing

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre