Review Yggdrasil Forge Huginn XL

  

Introduction

If you pass through Manchester, England, you might meet Joe Bardsley. Or maybe not, it's quite a big city after all. But it's in that part of the world you find the man behind Yggdrasil Forge. He both forges and manufactures knives of various kinds with a focus on bushcraft and throwing knives.

That's where I come into the picture. This is probably the world's first written review of these knives. I have had these knives with the designation "XL" for a while now. These are, as the name suggests, larger versions of the originals and it was only when they were released I became interested, I must admit. I intend to return to why.

The entire XL family from Yggdrasil Forge. Today's review object Huginn is found on the far left

Like the brand, the knives take their names from Old Norse mythology, and first up is one of Odin's ravens in the form of the Huginn XL. It also happens to be my favorite to throw with

Appearance and Dimensions

Huginn XL has something familiar about it, which is not so strange. This applies to the appearance, how the knife feels to hold in the hand and even to throw. 

Throwing knives must be kept within certain parameters as the area of use has a real influence on how they can be designed. They are thus more limited in appearance than knives in general. Even so, they can feel very different in the hand.

Someone said it resembles an "Arrow". If so, very vaguely. Here in comparison to two such knives from Acejet and Wulflund

This particular knife could be said to belong to the "Arrow" category.* At the same time, I would probably argue that it does not, or at least not fully since the Huginn is almost as related to a classic dagger. Compared to the German arrow, the handle is narrower, the blade is wider, and not least the edges are significantly different with symmetrical wide dagger-like edges. It doesn't look like the "tent stake" that a friend compared that type of knife to.

Huginn XL, a 25 cm long double-edged throwing dagger

As I said, XL is an add-on that can be discussed. Or in relation to the original, it is of course larger. That knife measured a modest 23 cm in length and this one boasts 25 cm. In addition, it has increased in width and thus also in weight. Huginn XL weighs 238 g. This specific knife can be added. It can vary by a few grams as those knives are hand-sharpened. In addition, I myself filed away a few grams when I straightened the tip.

The thickness is well chosen 6 mm. Here you can simply say that throwing knives are often found in two categories. Either the thinner segment which is 5-6 mm or the thicker segment which is around 8 mm. Then, of course, there are exceptions in both directions from that rule. But most professional models are in that range.

The blade on the Huginn is at its widest 31.5 mm and the handle varies in width from 31.2 mm down to 22.2 mm. The secondary edges are about one centimeter broad and they end with a safety edge that is over a millimeter thick. Regarding the appearance in general, it should be added that this is one of the first editions and that the version that is now in production may deviate slightly in terms of dimensions and thus weight.

The softly rounded back is just over three centimeters at its widest

The finish is polished or rather sanded in this case, but all throwing knives from Yggdrasil Forge can be obtained in an alternative version which means that the color that occurs during the heat treatment is left. It gives a kind of oil shimmer in different shades. It looks pretty cool and the pattern becomes unique for each knife. The disadvantage is that it is dark and thus somewhat less suitable for those who have their throwing range outdoors. Anyone who throws will understand what I mean. I can just say that shadows and dark leaves on the ground don't mix well with throwing knives. Or, to be more precise, they do just that. 

At the top of the handle is an etched version of the tree of life, Yggdrasil with a Thor's hammer beneath which is the Yggdrasil Forge logo.

Material

All Yggdrasil throwing knives currently start as a single piece of 1080 carbon steel. After they have been shaped, they are hardened up to 65 HRC and then heat-treated down to a soft 55 HRC. A necessity for a throwing knife. The forces and vibrations that occur during both hits and misses cause knives to break during practice. A throw or two is fine with any knife even some folding knives, thousands and tens of thousands of throws is not. Don't believe anyone who says otherwise.

The material is 6 mm thick carbon steel

The advantage of this type of steel is that it is tough and impact-resistant. Characteristics that are important in a throwing knife. However, the hardening was not quite to the fullest in this version. But it is something that seems to have been fixed now.

On this knife, like its cousins, especially the handles are a little too soft. The result is splinters and notches in the knife, which on more than one occasion resulted in blood wounds. It is enough for the knives to touch each other a little too hard when they stick in the target or hit something when you miss. If you are not careful enough when you pick them up for the next throw, accidents can happen. Sure, that goes for most throwing knives, but here the risk is unusually high.

To Throw

Although the appearance literally screams "no spin", the Huginn XL is actually an excellent all-round knife. It could possibly be objected that it is a bit too light to be an optimal knife for rotational throwing and somewhat too short. But since it is fairly neutrally balanced, that technique also works fine.

The penetration is good, but the knife likes to turn on its side during flight

However, the shape makes the knife feel most natural for no spin  The slightly swelling handle helps with the index finger push, and the knife also has a softly rounded top on the handle, which I appreciate. I'm not a fan of pointy rear ends. It is not pleasant to the hand when handling knives in general or when prying them out of targets. It's something you notice after a while and may not discover from a quick glance at a picture. Things that look cool are not always so when the practical aspects are to be assessed.

In general, this knife belongs to the lighter category when it comes to throwing knives, despite the "XL" suffix to the name. That's why I'm a little skeptical about the originals. Of course, you can throw knives as light as you like, including Bo Shuriken's with a weight of around 100 g, but in general, it can be said that a line between lighter and heavier no-spin knives can be drawn between those weighing under respectively over 250 grams. Although Huginn belongs to one of the heavier ones from Yggdrasil Forge, the knife still belongs to the lighter category. It is not a decisive factor but worth considering. 

- Rotational Throwing

When throwing rotational with these knives, they can be treated like any other shorter and lighter knife. This means that the thrower has to compensate a little for the length by holding a bit further out on the handle and thus making it feel longer. Or rather, that's how I do it. Since both that and the light weight make the knife rotate more quickly, the knife can be angled more forward in the hand while the rotation starts later. The latter is achieved by letting the throw strive towards the target to a greater extent than otherwise.

Throws with Huginn and Muninn and Ullr

If you do this, Huginn XL is fairly accurate from both 3m (one rotation) and 4m (one-and-a-half rotation) as well as 5m (two rotations). Much further than that I don't like to throw this knife, at least not with spin. Knives this light have a tendency to flutter a bit in the air and this is especially true if it is not completely windless. In addition, the rotation is not entirely easy to control. A heavier knife simply spins more slowly and more majestically. This makes it easier to assess the rotation speed and the reverse of course applies to smaller knives.

- Half Spin

For half-rotation techniques, Huginn is very good. Shorter throws from two to four meters work great, especially with military half-spin. The same applies to backhand throws and not least underhand throws. The latter I think is no problem to manage up to six meters. It is certainly possible to throw longer distances with this knife as well, but it is not optimal for that. It is easier to master with longer and heavier knives. At least that's true for me. It is always the thrower that is the measure of everything, unless the knives are completely wrongly designed that is.

Instinctive No spin with an index finger on the edge is not my favorite technique with this knife as it actually borders on being too wide and has too much edge in my opinion. Not that you can cut yourself on the safety edge but that combined with the rather sensitive metal I mentioned earlier makes me hesitate to let it slip out of my hand without checking it first and even then it gives a slightly uncomfortable feeling. If you get over it, of course, that technique also works.

However, if you compare it with a knife that has flatter sides to rest your finger against, such as the Yggdrasil Forge Muninn XL, the difference becomes obvious.

- No Spin

It is, of course, within this area that this knife's main merits are to be found. After all, it has a fairly classic "throwing knife look" and a spearhead shape. Anyone who sees Huginn does not have to doubt what it is. And anyone who knows a bit more about knife throwing quickly realizes that it is mainly a no-spin knife.

Mixed throwing techniques withHuginn XL

As such, it behaves calmly and controllably. No direct surprises in any direction, either negative or positive. The knife performs as it looks, so to speak. This means a knife that has a nice balance in the air and is fairly easy to stick in a target. 

Penetration is good without being exceptional. With the relative sharpness and those edges, I would have expected even harder hits actually. But the tip is quite broad and when I throw it likes to turn half a turn around its own axis whereupon the tip hits the target across against the wood grain. It gives slightly less penetration but not so bad that it affects the overall impression. Then I'm talking about targets made from hard, slow-grown birch being used as a reference**. The modest weight also means that the knife does not have to hit so hard to stay in place. Then it should be added that it is my technique that contributes to its turning, not the knife.

Conclusion

As I do not have a complete set of three of this particular model, there have been slightly fewer throws than usual for the review. But since I've had the knives since early 2023, there have still been just over 1,000 throws with Huginn XL.

With both that time and those throws behind me, I can state that I think this is a good throwing knife model, especially for beginners. Maybe even for the slightly more experienced by all means, but let me explain. I believe that it is the novice who needs extra good knives that are easy to throw and thus learn with. The already fully-fledged can throw basically anything and both stick knives and do it with precision. 

If you are less experienced, it is good if knives are predictable and do roughly what you expect from them. That's what Huginn XL does. It is a knife with the center of gravity slightly shifted towards the back end, which makes it most suitable for no-spin throwing. The same weight ratio also makes it a very good semi-rotational knife. However, this model is not so extreme that you can't use it for rotational techniques. That characteristic also makes it beginner's friendly. You simply don't have to decide! Once you've decided, there will be more knives in your life, believe me.

Then there are things that could be better and that is especially true of this knife. After contact with Bardsley, I know that he has different and better equipment for heat treatment now than was the case a year ago. This means that the knives you buy today are better in that area. This particular knife is too soft, especially in the handle for my liking. Of course, if you only throw one knife per target, indoors with some kind of rubber mat underneath, there might not be a problem. If you, like me have an outdoor throwing range as well as throw in the forest where there is both gravel and stone and not least practice a lot, damage occurs too easily. This particular steel also has a tendency to chip rather than get soft dents, if I put it that way.

It can also be noted that the edges are not completely symmetrical, for example. But those are details that don't matter on a throwing knife and that I consider to be more the charm of a mostly handmade item rather than a flaw. It gives charm and personality. You pay for a handmade product and that's what you get!

Odin's bird and Thor's hammer get along well together. I too enjoy spending time with Huginn XL from Yggdrasil Forge

You also get an all-around focused throwing knife with a focus on no-spin throwing, which also looks good! The finish was good on this example but the other option with the heat treatment color is more pronounced. But be prepared to look further for your knives if you buy the dark version.

Along with that comes the fact that you're getting a pretty unique product that not everyone else has and that you're supporting a small business.

If this sounds like something to you, a set costs SEK 1,900 at the time of writing. The knives can also be purchased separately if desired. There used to be a website, but currently, the knives are most easily bought via Yggdrasil Forge at Etsy. 

Yggdrasil Forge

Specifikcations:

Steel: 1080 Carbon Steel

Length: 250 mm

Width: 31,2 mm

Thickness: 6 mm

Weight: 238 g (Stated 250g)

Point of Balance: 106 mm/144mm from the back of the handle/tip

/ J - let the knives fly

* A model designed by the German knife thrower Thomas "Tom Tom" Hampich and which has gained many followers. 

** At least one, the one to the right in the film clips. 

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

New Knife - Yggdrasil Forge Shard XL

It was, of course, only a matter of time before the fifth model in this series would be acquired as I had previously presented the other four. The series I'm talking about is "XL" from Yggdrasil Forge. It simply means that the man behind this one-man company from Manchester, Joe Bardsley, has made the knives one size larger. This model is named Shard.

  

Then, of course, it can be discussed whether they are to be considered extra large. I don't think so. But on the other hand, I haven't tried the originals.

Yggdrasil Forge Shard XL

In this case, extra-large means a knife that, like the others, measures a length of 25 cm and is made of 6 mm thick material. Incidentally, the material is 1080 carbon steel. The height of the handle is at most just over 31 mm. This gives a total weight of 251 g. This makes it the second heaviest in the series as the cousin Muninn XL ends up at 255 g. The Original Shard is three centimeters shorter and weighs around 200 g.

The finish on this knife deserves a mention as it is unique. Here, the original colors from the heat treatment have been left behind, which gives a shimmering, almost oily-like appearance. 

Variety is nice, but otherwise, I'm quite skeptical about darker throwing knives for mainly two reasons. For one thing, they tend to be harder to find outdoors, and believe me, if you learn how to throw a knife, you also have to look for them. And partly, all dark coating and surfaces have a tendency to rub off. This is especially true for throwing knives as they need to be maintained with a file occasionally to remove metal splinters and large nicks. How it holds up in this case remains to be seen.

What remains to be seen is also how Shard XL behaves when it is thrown. Primarily, it is a knife designed for no spin, but since it is fairly neutrally balanced, it most likely works well as a smaller rotation knife.

Yggdrasil Forge

/ J - curious

Review Zitoon Knives Spinner

  

Introduction

Every top-throwing knife maker has at least one "spinner" in their catalog these days. It has become quite trendy. The function has no direct practical benefits, but it must be admitted that it is quite fun. By the way, it might have a little practical use. I'll get back to that. Today we will take a closer look at a throwing knife of this type that has just been named Spinner from French Zitoon Knives.

Zitoon Knives Spinner

It is a small one-man company run by Olivier Feret who is responsible for most of both the design process when he is not collaborating with other knife throwers as well as manufacturing. It is thus about custom knives or "mid-tech" to borrow an expression from the world of folding knives. A little depending on how you choose to define the concepts.

Appearance and Dimensions

Slim and aggressive Spinner is described on the website and I am inclined to agree with that. The height is a modest 2.9 cm except at the blade where it amounts to 3.7 cm and the length is 29 cm. What makes it look slightly cheeky is, of course, the distinctive tanto tip. They are known for good penetration ability also in other contexts such as swords, daggers, and folding knives, and throwing knives are no exception.

Then it can be added that this knife is available in two sizes. Where this one belongs to the shorter one which is 29 cm. The larger one measures 30.5 cm or 12 inches long to comply with certain regulations mainly in Great Britain and the United States regarding minimum length for rotational throwing knives. 

The spinner is an all-steel knife with a distinctive tanto tip and is prepared to be fitted with a handle if desired

The thickness is 6mm and the tip is robust

There are two holes in the handle in case you want to provide the knife with some kind of handle. Preferably in leather as it is both the simplest and lasts the best. What many people who don't throw knives don't know is that even perfect hits cause handles to break after a while. It is a matter of great forces, which create serious vibrations when the knife hits the target. Especially as it is repeated thousands of times. This is why even the sturdiest "survival knife" breaks after a while. Don't believe anyone who says otherwise. They have thrown a few throws and found that the knife did not break directly. It says nothing.

This indentation is a small subtlety that helps index the knife in the hand

The finish is brushed and the knife is marked on one side with the Zitoon logo found between the finger ring and the handle.

Material

For those of you who have read any of my other reviews of knives from Zitoon Knives, the material will come as no surprise. Here too, Swedish Hardox 450 is used. It is a steel that I have come to appreciate with this and the other knives from Mr. Feret. It is durable and tough and does not easily get chips that can hurt the hand when throwing. Sure, even those knives get their scars from mishits and "Robin Hood hits" but they tend to be relatively gentle in the form of dents rather than sharp edges.

Like all non-stainless steels, it requires a bit of maintenance. Especially if you have been outside in damp weather and thrown. Otherwise, the rust will come like a letter in....um, the mail. Or the way the post office once worked. 

To Throw

This is primarily a knife intended for traditional rotational throwing so it's no surprise that's what it works best for and that's where I focused my review. But like most things, no spin can be thrown with this knife and the same can be said for military half spin. Especially as the knife is quite narrow, the latter is quite nice as well.

Since I don't have a complete set, I don't have the same experience with the knife that I usually have when doing throwing knife reviews. But there have still been just over 1,200 throws with this particular knife, which form the basis of this review.

Spinner is a very easy-to-throw knife that is also suitable for beginners

- Rotational Throwing

The first throws were, of course, from a distance of three meters. For those who don't know, that's where you start because all the knives rotate a revolution in about three meters or just over that. In the case of the Zitoon Spinner, three meters exact is perfect for my technique. 

The balance is very neutral but the rotation is quite quick from this distance. Therefore, I also angle the knife slightly forward with the little finger in the small recess that is on the handle for that purpose. The wrist is kept naturally straight, which also gives a relaxed throw.

A few throws from three meters with a grip on the handle

From four meters a firm grip on the blade applies. The throw must be calm but determined and the knife is tilted slightly more forward than at three meters. Spinner is very "accurate" if you can say so about a dead thing. That is, according to the thrower's ability, it is easy to place. Predictability is a virtue in knife throwing. Not only from the thrower's side but also from the knife's side.

Throw from four meters with a grip on the blade

When you have advanced to five meters, I add a few decimetres so that the knife has time to rotate properly. That is, I stand at a distance of approx. 5.1 m. Otherwise the same grip as before and the same calm throwing style. If too much force is used, the knife wants to over-rotate.

From six meters, the knife must again be angled slightly more forward than from the throw where the knife is held by the handle. When knives are gripped by the blade, it is important, in my opinion, that the designer thought about it. In the best of worlds, the edges/belly are depending on how the blade looks and are sharpened at an angle so that the angle of attack toward the target is correct. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Here, however, it works well. Then there must be a certain "strive" forward in the throw from six meters for the knife to hit correctly.

The same applies to seven meters, light-forward feeling. The front foot is placed at 7.10 in my case.

- Half Spin

I come back to one detail in every review and that is I'm terrible at throwing "Natural Half Spin" where you hold the knife in a pinch grip. I just never learned it and so at short distances I throw "Military Half Spin" to switch to "Instinctive Half Spin" at slightly longer distances which in this case will be around 4.5 to 7 meters. Military with a thumb on the flat side is used from 2 to around 4.5-5 meters depending on the knife. But it makes it a bit difficult for me to judge all knives at very short distances in terms of half rotation.

But otherwise, I like this knife for semi-rotary techniques. Sure, I prefer daggers and knives with even narrower blades or rather tips for this type of throw. Namely, the blade is apparently not very wide, but it widens towards the front end given the shape of the tip.

But the relatively restrained width of the knife simplifies the grip. At the same time, the tanto point helps to keep the knife in the target. 

- No Spin

This is simply not a No Spin knife. But if you absolutely want a slightly larger and heavier knife for the purpose, the Zitoon Spinner is alright. The straight back makes it easy to place your index finger where you want and the knife is not extremely large. Although it crossed the line for me. I set a limit of around 270 grams for an anti-spin knife.

Conclusion

As I see it, Zitoon Knives' version of a Spinnerknife is both very suitable for the beginner as well as for the slightly more advanced thrower. The only people who should not look at this model are those who like really big, heavy, or long knives. At 350 grams and around thirty centimeters, it belongs to the "medium-heavy" category and the slightly shorter group of rotational knives. For more length, for example, The Iron Mistress is recommended instead.

"No Gamble" I named this picture and it is correct. When you buy a knife from Zitoon Knives, you get really good quality

and so far that applies to all the knives I've tested

There are two main features that make me say it is an excellent first rotational knife.* For those who only want to test a few throws, it is possibly too advanced and perhaps expensive. But for those who have decided to start throwing classically, it is very educational in the sense of easy throwing. The rotation is easy to calculate from all competition distances, the knife has no particular peculiarities and the penetration is good. The latter is important as it means you don't have to throw unnecessarily hard, which can mess with the technique.

It also contributes to the fact that not quite perfect hits sticks in the target, which makes learning faster. You can visually see what mistakes you are making.

Zitoon Knives Spinner at my throwing range

But the Spinner is also a really good knife for those who want to progress to the competition arena. Even if you then have to check where you compete about the length of the knife. For the competition thrower, it is the accuracy that comes first. Even in that case, the knife is easily thrown. Personally, I currently only have one knife of this model, which means that it is not relevant in my case. But if you want a set, the knives currently cost €120.

Because of that, in addition to very nice throwing characteristics, you also get a very well-made knife. A more or less custom-made knife from France. Hardening and treatment of steel have so far proven very reliable when it comes to knives from Zitoon Knives. The grinding and finish are also excellent.

Olivier Feret knows what he's doing. Therefore, this is a knife I can highly recommend!

Zitoon Knives

Specification:

Steel: Hardox 450

Length: 29 cm

Width: 28 mm (handle), 37 mm (blade at its widest point)

Thickness: 6 mm

Weight: 350 g

Point of Balance: 16/13 cm from tip/back end

/ J - is spinning of joy

* Something that should perhaps be emphasized is that this is the knife I chose to order as a first set for my dear fiancee who wants to learn to throw more seriously!

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

New Knife - Yggdrasil Forge Lavaeteinn XL

The name of this knife is very interesting. Joe Bardsley, the man behind Yggdrasil Forge, has chosen to spell it Lavaeteinn which can be somewhat confusing, at least for a Swede. More common is Lævateinn which roughly translates to "harmful twig". An expression in the form of an understatement used in the Poetic Edda for a magical weapon, whether a sword, spear, or staff is somewhat unclear. More clear, however, is that names ending in -teinn or -ten often refer to swords in the Icelandic sagas.

Lavaeteinn XL från Yggdrasil Forge

In this case, the harmful twig has been given the suffix XL like the other knives I have presented originating in Manchester, England. Extra Large should be seen in relation to the two-centimeter shorter original knives. This one measures 250 mm in length, is 30 mm wide at most, and that gives a weight of 210 gram. The material is 1080 carbon steel that has been hardened to a high 65 HRC and then heat treated down to a more throwing knife-friendly 55 HRC.

This appears to be a fairly well-chosen size to be a very effective projectile primarily intended for no spin throwing but which is probably at least as good for half spin techniques such as military half spin. That remains to be seen and is something I intend to look into as soon as this damn weather improves.

Yggdrasil Forge

/ J - looking for magical weapons

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

New Knife - Yggdrasil Forge Ullr XL

Ullr or "Ull" is perhaps one of the lesser-known Norse gods. But besides being known for being an excellent skier, he is also said to have been an expert in archery. Perhaps the aim also includes knife throwing? At least one can hope so.

In addition to being a god for biathlon practitioners, Ullr is also a throwing knife model from the English  Yggdrasil Forge. Behind that name is Joe Bardsley, who is both a blacksmith and knife maker and also the designer of this knife. The shape is simple, it's a double-edged dagger and with that, it follows that it should be excellent for, among other things, "half spin" techniques and otherwise being fairly all-round.

A handmade throwing knife from Manchester, England

This particular model, like the others I presented (Huginn, Muninn) from Yggdrasil Forge, has been given the suffix "XL". This means that the knife is 250 mm long, 6 mm thick, and has a width that varies between 26 mm to 29 mm at the most. That is because the edges are "S-shaped". Or rather, it's a throwing knife so the "edge" is in fact around 1.5 mm thick. There is thus no risk of cutting yourself. Not even when the knife is gripped by the blade.

The balance is neutral and is found 10.5 cm from the end of the handle. The weight is 238 grams, which means that it is found in the middle of the models in the XL range.

My first impressions were so good that I've already made a case to carry it in. Maybe that's saying something? As soon as the weather permits knife throwing I will report back on how these other knives from the Yggdrasil Forge perform.

Yggdrasil Forge

/ J - looking forward to testing

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

New Knife - Yggdrasil Forge Muninn XL

We continue the Old Norse theme and in that presentation, I almost feel like uttering the winged words "Tungur Knivur" from the Icelandic/Swedish action-movie from 1984 Hrafninn flýgur. Look, now it's done! This time it is the second of Odin's ravens that have landed in the deep forests of Småland in Sweden. This knife from Yggdrasil Forge has been named Muninn. Then they have been given the suffix "XL" for reasons I will come back to.

Yggdrasil Forge Muninn XL

Actually, the two knives are not exactly alike despite the names. Those of you who read everything I write (and there are quite a few of you, which I'm extremely happy about) know that Yggdrasil Forge is a small one-man company from Great Britain. More precisely, Joe Bardsley, as the man behind Yggdrasil is called, can be found in Manchester. He is both a blacksmith and knife maker and specializes in outdoor/"bushcraft" knives and not least throwing knives. In addition to that, he offers a wide range of other products on his website.

This XL version of the Muninn measures 250mm in length

That's where this knife comes into play. Huginn is marked as a "best seller" on the website and I can quickly understand why. The model for that knife is very famous and popular. Namely, it falls under the category of "Arrow"-inspired no-spin knives.* But even though it is clear where the inspiration came from, the Huginn XL is by no means a copy. That knife is wider and also has more marked edges, for example. There is not a lot of variety available to make a functional throwing knife of this type.

Our other raven, Muninn, has a more angular expression with considerably shorter edges as seen in the picture. It also disqualifies it from participating in competitions organized by Eurothrowers. Something I wrote about earlier. This knife is also in XL design and which means 25 cm in length, 3.1 cm in width, and a material thickness of 6 mm. With those measurements, the weight ends up at 255 g. A heavier knife than the others in the same series, in other words. Of course, it also affects the balance. In this case, I suspect they do well as all-around knives for that reason. But I'll get back to that.

The steel in both of these knives and as far as I know all throwing knives from Yggdrasil is 1080, carbon steel which with the right hardening should be impact resistant enough. Joe states on his website that the knives are hardened to a full 65HRC before being trimmed down to 55 on the Rockwell scale via heat treatment before they are finished.

It remains to be seen how durable the tips of these knives are in particular. Reviews will follow as soon as there is empirical evidence, which the snow puts an end to right now.

/ J - the heathen


* The origins can be traced to German knife thrower "Tom Tom", Thomas Hampich who designed the original. It has since spread and is now available in many versions from several manufacturers. 

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre 

Ny kniv Yggdrasil Forge Muninn

Vi fortsätter det fornnordiska temat och i den presentationen får jag nästan lust att yttre de bevingade orden "Tungur Knivur" från Korpen flyger. Se där, nu var det gjort! Den här gången är det nämligen den andra av Odens korpar som landat i de djupa Småländska skogarna. Den här kniven från Yggdrasil Forge har nämligen döpts till Muninn. Sedan har den fått tillägget "XL" av skäl jag återkommer till. 

Yggdrasil Forge Muninn XL

Egentligen är de två knivarna inte helt lika trots namnen. De av er som läser allt jag skriver (och ni är några stycken, vilket jag är enormt glad för) vet att Yggdrasil Forge är ett litet enmansföretag från Storbrittanien. Närmare bestämt återfinns Joe Bardsley som mannen bakom Yggdrasil heter i Manchester. Han är både smed och knivmakare och specialiserar sig på frilufts/"bushcraft"-knivar och inte minst kastknivar. Utöver det erbjuder han en lång rad andra produkter på sin hemsida. 

Den här XL-versionen av Muninn mäter 250 mm på längden

Det är där den här kniven kommer in i bilden. Huginn är markerade som "bästsäljare" på hemsidan och jag kan snabbt förstå varför. Förlagan till den kniven är mycket känd och omtyckt. Den sorterar nämligen under kategorin "Arrow"-inspirerade no-spin-knivar.* Men även om det står klart vart inspirationen hämtats är Huginn XL ingalunda någon kopia. Den kniven är bredare och har även mer markanta eggar till exempel. Det finns inte hur mycket variation som helst att tillgå för att göra en funktionell kastkniv av den här typen. 

Den här, vår andra korp Muninn, har ett kantigare uttryck med väsenligt mycket kortare eggar som synes. Det diskvalificerar den för övrigt för deltagande i tävlingar anordnade av Eurothrowers. Något jag skrivit tidigare om. Även den här kniven är i XL-utförande och det innebär 25 cm längd, 3,1 cm bredd och en godstjocklek på 6 mm. Vikten hamnar med de måtten på 255 g. En Tyngre kniv än de andra i samma serie med andra ord. Det påverkar förstås även balansen. I det här fallet misstänker jag att de gör sig bra som allround-knivar av det skälet. Men det lär  jag återkomma till. 

Stålet i båda de här knivarna och så vitt jag vet alla kastknivar från Yggdrasil är 1080, ett kolstål som med rätt härdning torde vara slagtåligt nog. Joe uppger på sin hemsida att knivarna härdas till hela 65HRC innan de trimmas ned till 55 på Rockwell-skalan via värmebehandling innan de är klara. 

Det återstår att se hur hållbara framförallt spetsarna på de här knivarna är. Recensioner följer så snart det finns empiriskt underlag vilket snön och kylan sätter stopp för just nu. 

/ J - mannen som talar med korpar


* Ursprunget kan spåras till den tyska knivkastaren "Tom Tom", Thomas Hampich som designat originalet. Därefter har den spridit sig och finns nu i många versioner från ett flertal tillverkare. 

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Review Zitoon Knives Spinning Dagger

"Is This A Dagger Which I See Before Me?" Yes, my dear Macbeth, it is! From the battlefield via literature and film to knife throwing. There is something special about long narrow knives with double edges and that fascination goes back through history.

Zitoon Knives Spinning Dagger

This also applies to these throwing knives, despite the fact that this variant is not actually very narrow and is also not sharp. We're not talking about stilettos. But still, the impression itself is very "daggery", streamlined and symmetrical. The knives in question are, as the title already says, Zitoon Knives Spinning Dagger, handmade throwing knives from Normandy in France.

Appearance and Measurements

For daggers, these are, as I said, quite wide. In concrete figures, this means 38 mm which must be set in relation to a blade length of 180 mm. Although that measurement is pretty uninteresting on a throwing knife to be honest. But it gives the proportions. The total length, on the other hand, is of greater interest and is measured at 320 mm. It translates to 12.5 inches which is probably not a coincidence as it is a length required by some organizations if you are going to compete. Above all, those rules are found in the UK and the USA.

The thickness of the knife is a fairly normal 6 mm. The dimensions together give a total weight of 370 grams per knife. It is not extremely heavy while being relatively much for a dagger.

Spinning Daggers are quite large for being daggers

In terms of appearance, Spinning Daggers are simple and straightforward. You could also say stylish. In addition to the double edges, they are characterized by a glossy polished finish and a pattern on the handle. The latter also provides a bit of tactile feedback when holding the knife.

The double-edged blade is 18 cm long and 38 mm wide

The pattern is laser etched and there are holes for attaching handles if desired

In addition to that, there are two holes in the knife if you wish to provide them with some form of handle sides. In that case, I would suggest leather attached with a couple of rivets. Most other materials have a tendency to break when subjected to the enormous stresses involved in this case.

In addition to that, Zitoon's logo is also found engraved on the handle.

Material

For some reason I'm not familiar with, it seems Swedish Hardox steel from SSAB has gained a foothold among French throwing knife manufacturers.* Now that is not a bad thing as it is generally an excellent steel for throwing knives in my experience. However, it is not really for the area of use it was designed for. The steel (with added numbers like 450,550) belongs to the group of high-strength steels and is found in applications such as dumper flatbeds, excavator buckets, teeth for bulldozers' rip hooks, etc. Really tough tasks, in other words.

What can be said is that is very durable in this application too. It can handle the hard hits throwing knives are subjected to including the occasional hit from other knives. Therefore, it has immediately become one of my favorite steels. It is also quite easy to grind. A feature that is very desirable in throwing knives as they often need to have some jack or sprained tip adjusted with a file and sharpener.

To Throw

For those who know their throwing knives, it is quite obvious what these knives are primarily intended for. A quick look at a picture is enough even if you missed the name. Spinning Daggers are, of course, classic rotational knives. To those who are not as well-informed, it's the type found at the circus, which means that this model deviates in all areas from a no-spin knife. This applies to shape, length, and relatively high weight.

But of course, all that does is that they instead live up to their name. Length and weight make them rotate somewhat more controlled or rather slower than smaller knives. In return, the knives are completely neutrally balanced, which on the other hand increases the rotation speed. The format with the double-edged tip also means that they hit targets with authority and have high penetration. Something that I particularly appreciate as I currently only have access to fairly hard targets made of birch. They demand their knife, especially before they are a bit worn.

Spinning Dagger is easy to learn rotational throwing with as the balance is completely neutral. It is actually found where the logo is

When you start throwing with these knives, you realize pretty much immediately that they are really good as precision instruments. During the test period, an online competition called "Aim Games K19 - The River"* took place. It was the first time I participated in one of these and for that these knives were chosen. Or the "knife" in that case since in this specific round you are only allowed to use one.

One of my contributions to Aim Games K19

In this challenge, the idea is to hit triangle-shaped fields in order to get as many hits as possible on another v-shaped surface. A narrow tip is therefore preferable to a wide one and that is exactly what a dagger offers. In general, it also provides higher impact force, which means that you don't need to add much force for them to stick firmly. That in turn makes it easier to aim. In fact, if you do not throw calmly and harmoniously, the result will not be good. The knives have a tendency to over-rotate in that case. 

Rotational Throwing

My first impression of the Spinning Dagger was that they felt surprisingly heavy. I had to think for a while about why because the weight in grams did not correspond to the first feeling. But the explanation is probably twofold. For one thing, it's a dagger and they tend not to be very massive. The visual impression, therefore, fools you. Then I think it depends on how they are held. The length means that they need to be gripped in the rear, tapered part of the handle, which means that it is a bit further to the balance point. A majority of the 370 grams thus simply ends up a bit away from the hand.

For me, the correct grip from 3, 5, and 7 meters, i.e. the distances where the knife is held in the handle, was to hold the knife far back with the index finger just in front of the broader part of the handle. With a semi-firm grip, the knives naturally want to leave the hand at the right moment. However, that grip must be compensated for by angling the knife forward, towards the target in order to dampen the speed of rotation and thus avoid over-rotation. The further out you grab a knife and remove yourself from the center of rotation, the faster it spins.

Basic throw from three meters with the Zitoon knives

Once the grip is found, the knives feel very neutral. The weight in combination with the weight distribution means that the knives naturally strive toward the target. The rotation is calm but still nimble. The flight path is straight and the knives, if they are not affected, tend to end up at shoulder height.

From three meters it still applies that the knives have to be "started", they have to be made to rotate with a fairly short movement close to the body to get around and you can't be careless with the "backswing".

Spinning Daggers work at longer distances too but I prefer them at shorter distances

From four up to seven meters, it becomes increasingly clear that the knife wants to rotate quickly and it, therefore, benefits from being thrown firmly and methodically but not hard. The word "majestic" usually comes to mind when I see the knives flying. At the same time, the knives need to be thrown for "real", and "non-throws" does not work. By that I mean you have to find the right amount of power. Most knives benefit from a real throw, but here it becomes extra clear. The Spinning Daggers are not forgiving like that.

At short distances, you can also "punch" the knives into the target, i.e. throw almost instinctively with rotation

Once the right angle is found, these knives are very easy to throw. This means that it is also possible to throw them with what is sometimes called a "punch" technique, you "slam" the knives into the board with a flick of the wrist. It is not exactly a competition technique but a type of throw that can be used anyway. That type of throw becomes almost instinctive and very hard.

Half Spin

Although these are knives that at first glance appear to be excellent for half-spin techniques, they are not favorites in that regard. At least not for me. On the one hand, in that case, I prefer knives that are slightly rear-heavy and on the other hand, I think the blade is too wide to get a comfortable grip on. But the same applies here that it is no problem to throw half spin with them, whether you throw with "normal", backhand or underhand throw.

Then it matters that I mostly use "Military half spin" with a thumb on the side of the blade. Then the knife feels wider than otherwise. For those who throw "natural half spin" and thus hold the knives in a handshake grip with one of the edges pointing towards the target, the feeling is different.

No Spin

The reasons why this is not a knife for this type of throwing are the same as why it is good for rotational throwing, but the other way around.

Despite that, it is of course perfectly possible to send the knife away without rotation if you are good enough and above all, it applies to short distances. Then the index finger is placed on the side of the ricasso and then it's just a matter of throwing. But it doesn't feel quite natural to me. This is due to several reasons. One is that the knife is fairly neutrally balanced and a no-spin knife is usually somewhat to very back heavy. If they are neutrally balanced, they are instead shorter.

However, what you feel most when you hold the knife in that way is the weight. Most knives for anti/no-spin throwing weigh between 200-270/280g. Knives for spin throwing rarely weigh that little. What gives authority in one case begins to feel unwieldy in the other.

The other thing that bothers me is the long handle. When the Spinning Dagger is gripped for this type of technique, the handle sticks out of the hand down onto the wrist. It is also not optimal.

Although they are not ultimate for no spin, it's possible 

But as I said, it is possible to throw no spin with these knives as seen in the video above. Mostly because most things can be thrown that way.  

To Conclude

Zitoon Knives is perhaps a brand you may not have heard of before. But they are well worth taking an extra look at. I started by taking inventory of their traditional/rotary throw models for the simple reason that I was in a period of that when these knives were acquired. However, Zitoon is actually perhaps better known for no-spin knives, so I will have reason to come back in that case. In particular, there is a model I have in mind called Big Slim II which I understand is a success.

These are knives of very high quality. At the design stage, it is noticeable that the knives have been thoroughly tested and that the knifemaker himself is a knife thrower. Furthermore, the material is well-chosen and the execution is excellent.

Then it should be added that this is a small one-man company so the knives are to be considered custom or semi-custom depending on how it is now defined. That is, they are made by a man who grinds them and completes the work by hand but they are not forged but machine cut, and the patterns laser etched. But the same can be said for most knives on the market today. However, after contacting Zitoon, you can add or remove details if you wish. Thus, I would call them custom knives. 

Spinning Dagger is a really good option for those who want a powerful dagger to throw with

About the Spinner Dagger, it can be said that the symmetry of a dagger not only affects appearance but also how they are thrown or rather how they are gripped. There are both advantages and disadvantages to the basic shape. The big advantage is found in the fact that there is no up or down on the knife. Whether they are to be pulled or tucked away in a sheath or passed from one hand to another to be thrown, you don't have to think about which way the edge is pointing. Not infrequently, throwing knives otherwise have different characteristics depending on which keel they are thrown with the edge down or up.

In this case, the knife is gripped as far up the handle or blade as you are used to, and then it is just a matter of throwing. Similarly, this model is designed so that the grips in the handle and blade resemble each other thanks to the coil-shaped appearance.

But therein lies the downside. The fact that the Spinning Dagger is a symmetrical knife also means that the handle does not tell you exactly where to hold it as clearly. Not in this case anyway. The indexing that is present is the bulge on the center of the handle. Then it can be reinforced by, for example, making the handle a little fuller with leather grips.*** Or that wasn't entirely true, the pattern found on both sides of the handle actually helps a little bit.

My first meeting with a model from Zitoon Knives was really successful. There will be more!

Without a doubt, my first encounter with Zitoon Knives was a positive one. Initially, I was hooked on the look but then it was the accuracy characteristics that kept me throwing with the Spinning Dagger. Then I don't know in general if I choose a dagger for throws at longer distances, but the jury is out in that case, as they say. 

But at shorter to medium distances these knives are excellent. So if you are looking for a particularly well-made dagger for that type of throwing, Spinning Daggers is a model you should seriously consider. 

Specifications:

Steel: Hardox 550

Length: 320 mm

Width: 38 mm

Thickness: 6 mm

Weight: 370 g/styck (weighed by me)

Balance point: neutral, 160 mm from both tip/handle

/ J 

* It is also used by Throwingzone for example.

** At the time of this writing, I was ranked seventh in the world in the said competition. It was then interrupted by personal reasons for the organizer.

*** Something I've done with other daggers I throw.

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