Review of a #Victorinox Farmer X #SAK

I have been meaning to get myself this knife for a good ten years.  But, well, you know how it is.  

Actually I did suspect that the knife would be capable.  A lot of you guys, especially in the UK, use and love the Alox models, and I really trust your judgement. Let's be honest: I might not have paid those knives a lot of attention had it not been for one grave danger for the survival of mankind in our time. Politicians. 

 Of course I do not want to go into details.  Just make sure you have as little contact as possible to these abominations, the scum of mankind. Means, obey the law, use the grey man strategy and keep your nose to the grindstone.  If you are happy, don't tell anyone, conceal every joy and sorrow and don't rant.  Don't fall for violence, because it is a scam to legitimate further removal of your human rights. 

So, following in the wake of the newest legislative hysteria, since I do love carving in the woods and foraging for my food, I was looking for alternative means of doing so.  I must admit that I chose Victorinox at first because of their non-aggressive image.  Working with them, I soon realized you really need to get to know them first.  Felix Immler really inspired me in the journey, because a journey it is.  Of course there is a main blade, but since it is a Slipjoint, even that needs a bit of a learning curve. If that is what you are allowed to use, this is what you have to use. Politicians do not care about whining. They relish in hurt.  So, the best you can do is not to hurt yourself. The best and obvious way not to hurt yourself with a Slipjoint is learning how to use a knife in general.  

Because, you hurt yourself with a Slipjoint out of the same reasons why you would hurt yourself with any knife.  Honestly.  And I did that myself and the learning curve was sometimes painful.  If you use a knife as a cutting tool, and do it with a bit of care and caution, you should be fine. That is not to say that locking mechanisms were not a good thing. But actually, working with a SAK or Sodbuster, I rarely miss it.  The sharpness of the blades is crucial. 

Working with the standard SAKs, you soon realize that, even though the stay in the blades on the standard SAKs is rather slack, it has a huge potential. 

What if you get a SAK with more stay then? 

So, I thought, well, better to buy it now than when buying knives at all will be made as difficult as in the UK.  

Hats off to Janet Fischer and the good people at Nordisches Handwerk, awesome transaction as usual.  Follow the link, it is well worth it. 

What can I say? Best thing I bought in a while. Carving with it is really addictive.  Harvesting Chaga needs a bit of caution, but is perfectly doable.  The stay is a lot greater than on the red SAKs. It is still really comfortable to open and close still, though. Walk is really smooth with no side play whatsoever, talk is distinct, but discreet. In the hand it feels really solid. 

Out of the box, the blade, which is made from exquisitly tempered 1.4116 (58HRC), could split a fine hair. Whittling shavings on feather sticks is outright addictive.  The blade sails through the wood, hardwood or no, with a swishing sound, and it is really satisfying to produce delicate curls and locks. It makes for precise carving in all applications. 

I produced a shiteload of feathersticks. I carved an absurd amount of hazel...

Like that, see? 🤣 

I also carved about ten little ugly duckling woodspirits, about ten heart pendants  and I lost track of the number of gypsy flowers I carved. Left all those in the woods for others to find and hopefully enjoy.  I carved dried oak, dried beech, elm, ash, hazel, fir, and pine. 

After several hours of rather hard carving it lost some of its frightening sharpness, but it still shaved.  

The saw works extremely well in a pulling motion, but also quite good in a push motion.  It makes for precise cuts and can also serve as sort of a rasp.  The spine can be used for debarking sticks, smooth wooden surfaces and works with a firesteel.  The spine is rather thin, so given that the sparks from the fire steel get as hot as 1000°C they can lead to damage of the edge. I would rather suggest you use a dedicated striker or modify the caplifter. 

Which offers a half-stop for added safety when using it as a screwdriver.  It also offers a notch to work with electric lines.  

The tin can opener is nice and sharp, offers an additional flat screwdriver.  It really is one of the best on the market, period.  It works in a forward motion.  It can also be used for cleaning up the bowl of spoons.  

The awl is another absolute favourite. Period.  It is really sharp and offers awesome control. To me, it is an absolute necessity for a lot of little carving projects, especially toys and carving with kids.  In contrast to the standard SAKs, it works in line with the handle. For more robust works, that is really cool.  On the other hand, the configuration on the other knives has its advantages, too, amongst them a bit more control.  But the awl on the Farmer X is a whole different beast in terms of sharpness and efficiency and can also serve as a reamer.  Also, it is another way to light a fire with a fire steel.  

Another really great tool is the scissors.  You can use it for paper, birch bark, herbs, thinner leather, and even your nails.  And it is one of the very best there is. 

Really diminutive, but an overlooked, but no less cool item is the key ring, which you can use for putting a lanyard on or additional gimmicks like a small torchlight. 

Of course, it is a short blade, and you will not even think about stuff like batoning. On the other hand, this beast carves a glut in maybe ten cuts. 

 The blade is a bit thicker than the standard SAKs with 2.8 mm in the spine.  Thickness above the edge, however, is just 0.2 mm, making it absolutely slicey.  Cutting veggies, meat, potatoes, charcuterie, leather, rope, fabric, you name it.  

If you can afford it, I can really recommend it.  

Make a tool to make a tool to make a tool .☺️

Now some of you guys might know what I mean when I ask myself who made the first tongs. I have no answer to that question, for it is a bit academical. But I like to ask no less, for it illustrates a lot of what blacksmithing is all about. 

I have been meaning to make myself a decent Tomahawk for ages now. In fact I started to forge this one from an old ball peen hammer in the Industriemuseum Ennepetal. But I was unable to continue for lack of opportunity. I forged with children and had little time to make anything more complex than knives, and while knives are in themselves none too shabby an effort, too, they do not require a lot of tools. 

Now this tool in itself is nothing special, it is a taper and that is about it. It is a drift to prepare the eye of a hammer, or, in this case a Tomahawk. An axe or hatchet drift is made differently, but I wanted the hammer poll of my 'hawk to be fully functional, and you need less bulk for a cutting edge, for you need less effort to cut than to crush, nail or even forge something. So more bulk will not hinder the cutting performance and will enhance the functionality of the hammer poll at the same time. Also I am a lazy bum and I want to forge a hammer as one of the next projects, and I can make an axe drift any time. 

I was lucky, because a friend of mine dropped by and (with all Corona precautions followed, in case you asked) helped along with the sledge, so it worked out well in no time. 

 The drift is made from C60 (which I believe is equal to 1060 steel. That way it is less prone to crack when cooled in the bosh. 

I then first staunched the ball peen to a more regular hammer poll, forged the blade and then used the drift to make the cone fitting for the handle. The 'hawk will be fitted more like a hammer and not in the traditional way, which is a handle is mounted from the top with no wooden or metal wedges. The traditional method has the advantage that the hatchet can be taken apart with no tools for sharpening or skinning chores, but I always carry a knife, too, so no problem. The handle will be longer than that of a hammer, though. Stay tuned! 😁 

Some eye candy by Erich

 Erich, the father of my lovely magic troll, recently disappeared. He was sought desperately, until strange sounds from the cellar indicated there was something going on there. Turns out Erich got the knifemaking bug bad;-). I am NOT TO BE MADE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT!;-) Above is a Lauri puukko blade with Goldfield and beech wood.

Below is a silver steel blade by myself as a wgittling knife for his girlfriend, As you can see, it´s selectively tempered. Beech wood with brass mountings. Sweet!

SHE! HAS! DONE! IT! AGAIN!

 So the magic troll has done it again. She mailed me with a picture of her FIRST! knife she has ever made, with a Lauri carbon steel blade, walnut, buffalo horn and reindeer antler fittings. Note these carvings. I am not quite sure if I should hate her or love her even more for her skill... guess the latter will do fine, though;-). RESPECT!!!!!!!

This is a spontaneous carving she did because she felt like it, a fitting for a Birka pouch. Reindeer antler... DOH!!!*ggg*

Of Chrismas fair mayhem, of breaking bonds and forging unity... impressions from a busy end of 2013

 Now, you have waited quite long for one of those posts, and for a reason. After the Chrismas fair mayhem I was simply feeling as if someone put me through a millstone, and did not quite feel like blogging. But here they come, impressions from a busy end of the year. We had one fair at Volmarstein Orthopaedic Institute, which was a most interesting opportunity to boot, for we forged with handicapped persons and kids alike.

 We arrived early and set up forge. It was going to be a very busy weekend with lots of creativity also in finding solutions for enabling people to have a go. We managed, and it was very rewarding seeing the twinkle in the eyes of a person condemned to lying flat on his belly for most of his life, and being able to master the violent fire and the hissing steam and the unforgiving iron! It was worth the ordeal of pre-Chrismas time just to see this spark in his eye, and I hope it was kindled to give him the strength to brave his everyday life. Think you got a hard life? Think again. And my utmost respect goes to those people. Not because they are "special", but because they - for the most part - are stronger than most just because they are mastering their life. Because they are not special, and don´t want to be.

 This guy, however... ;-)

 had some time to spare and some noise to make to attract the customers, and what did he do? Bushcraft whittler from wootz I found in the woods...

 We made this giveaway certificate for the kids and other customers.

 BAKSCHISCH!!!

 Quenching and tempering the blade. Then suddenly it was absolute chaos. When I looked up again, it was dark. People kept coming, we forged with kids and adults and had to find new solutions constantly. i could not take photos, but, hey, you have alreay seen people forging in this blog, don´t you?;-)

 This is far more important;-) at dinner time I had a break and got me a delicious dish, one of my favourite meals: Green cabbage with sausage and fried potatoes.Yum!

 And back to work again, kindling the flame and sparkling sparks...;-)

Next day we met with the good guys from the Insitute´s staff, can tell you, we had quite a laugh together!

 Then Peter dropped by. He´s an accomplished smith himself, as you can tell by his build;-). He provided visitors with mead and ale in his medieval tavern. We had a nice chat and a laugh together, and he is thinking of ordering some Oseberg lamps... get on with it, bro;-)!

 The kids dropped by and had some fun smithing.

 ...and were righteously proud of their accomplishments!

 I made this common cubicle-nosed Iroquois pig that tries to be a Celtic boar but still has room left to grow...;-) as a hiking staff headpiece. Willi´s currently making himself one which I am very fond of, with a ram´s head, but since wild pigs have some significance to me,  thought I´d go for one of these.

 And some fully-integral En-Nep knife with a tang drilled out for balance.

 Then suddenly, Volmarstein fair was over, and we were headed for Schwelm. This was a bit of a stressy actioon, for for my employer I helped organize the fair, we moved the office, I followed several projects at work that needed instant accomplishment, I had to organize three booths and do some forging at the same time. But when we met at Schwelm, all was forgotten. All the politics and the strategies and the hacking about in the office. At the office, I am but scum. But I know steel-and steel knows me. The fires were lit, Rolf, Nick, Willi, Volker and a load of groupies gathered around the booths. Rolf made some great leather tooling work with the kids, Nick offered some tin can play at skittles, and Volker, Willy and myself did some serious blacksmithing show;-) not at all.

 Brought some blades for some back-of-booth display, too. Lousy picture, apologies!

 Nick had a go at the forge himself.

 We met with Arthur, too. He´s a beeskeeper we frequently meet on events around these parts, and it´s always a pleasure!

 In Schwelm we also forged new links for a chain of unity we also did in Bochum at TFH (2,8 m) and Altenessen (3,05m). The idea behind the project is to let people from every social background have a go at forging an individual link, which is then linked to the great chain. We believe in unity amongst all races, ethnies and social caste and background. We believe that while we may not have peace in the world, at least people should pay each other the respect in allowing the thought that every individual human being is shaping the course of this mankind we value far too much. We believe that politicians, bankers and other warmongers have no power over the hearts of the people, and while they will not allow peace, because peace is not profitable, they cannot achieve total mind control.

And, quite personally, we believe, that, when we light the fire hot enough, the deity -or the Gods- will hear us and listen.

At least, iron does.

 Many of the kids we forged with, had alreay been there last year and waited eagerly for our booth to be set up on Saturday and Sunday. Felt good...;-) not being scum for once.;-)

 Rolf had a load of rare and beautiful pocket knives and craftsman´s cutters on display, together with his lovely leather work.

 Also some weekend project blades out of damascus and 440C.

 Nick suffering from the chills*ggg*.

 A dragon head link for the chain. The chain will be displayed at Schwelm Town Hall.

 Rolf suffering from the chills...*ggg*

 And tooling these leather wrist bands with kids and adults alike. He also made knife sheaths for knives we forged by the dozens!

 And this was the chain of Schwelm. 2,5 m of unity were forged in two days.

 And suddenly, the moon was out, and we were packing up.

We had some dinner, fish and chips without the vinegar, had a chat, and were all headed home. Folks, it´s simply good to have you around. You haven´t noticed much of what was going on beforehand, but you have certainly saved me from going mad that weekend.

Cheers to you weirdos and to those other weirdos out there!

On the bench these days... Wootz / Bulat-blades from steel I found in the woods

 I can tell you, I nearly fell on my south, when I learned the "crap steel" I found in the woods actually was refined Wootz! In the etch you can see the characteristical carbide distribution...Click here for a scientific article on Wootz / Bulat / Pulad steel.

 Even if it were not this kind of steel, there´s be no harm done, for it makes for a blade that wickedly sharp and holds an edge very well. Okay, so it got some dents, when I slammed it full bore into an iron rod, especially to the rear, where it did not hit the tempering concoction fast enough, but no harm done... when´s the last time you used a knife to chop through iron rods?;-)

 I fitted a stag antler handle that´s currently being tanned.

 The spine´s rather thick at 5mm, the blade´s 95 mm long. I love the Kopis design, for it makes for a smooth cutting motion!

 And my hadseax is there, finally, and talk of being snobbish, the damascus is of ancient file steel and Wootz steel... as I have learned now. It is wickedly sharp, flexible and boy, I simply love it.

 If you look closely you can see hints of the wootz structure in the layers.

 Okay, I have to remove that glue;-)!!!

The blade´s 105 mm long and 3,2 mm thick, has a high convex bevel with a very slight curve. The handle is bog oak from an old mine with a lovely burgundy colour. Fitting and bolster are brass, the white piece is reindeer antler that will see some carving. Watch this space, I am back...!(that a threat?);-)