Those are the adventures of Mr. Fimbulmyrk, in bushcraft and blacksmithing, mountainbiking and hiking, reenactment, writing, singing, dancing, stargazing and having a piece of cake and a coffee. Pray have a seat and look around you, but be warned - the forest´s twilight is ferocious at times.
So folks, finally a new knife post... you have asked for it, and here it is. I am personally growing really fond of some simple Swiss army knives for various reasons. Now there is nothing wrong with a good sturdy bushcraft knife, and for a backwoods outing, it will always be my primary choice. But a Swiss army knife is sort of politically more correct, as much as I hate speaking the word of these controlmongers. But that is not all there is to it. To be quite honest, there is little more you need for a stroll in the woods. I share a documentation with you with the all-famous hero of the Swiss knife, Felix Immler (visit his channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/Taschenmesserbuch/videos?view=0&shelf_id=2&sort=p&app=desktop), which might open your eyes. I simply like the atmosphere of the knives. They invoque images of sitting by a creek and whittling away or having a snack with grandpa. They are a really proven design and offer a versatility few other tools can offer, but they are a bit more handy than a multi-tool plier. Also I have grown really fond of the new models with walnut scales and have used them now extensively for several years. For example, the second from right is my own Vic forester, which virtually rides in my pocket every day. The effect on the wood you can see when compared to the knife of the magic troll on the far right, which is a backup and finds its place in her EDC rucksack. The huntsman on the far left is the second knife in my pocket, because it offers some additional shears, a hook, a small blade for detail whittling and more useful tools like the awl and saw, corkscrew caplifter and can opener. My newest addition is the New ranger, which is the successor of the Wenger New Ranger. An interesting fact is that, as Wenger went bankrupt after the 9/11 incidents and the following judicial mayhem, Victorinox took over the Délemont facilities and all employees. Also they have a policy that the management must not get more than six times the salary than the lowest fee. But, fact is fact, and fact is that the New Ranger is one hell of a knife.
The knife offers beautiful walnut scales, which are, to be honest, a bit thick to my liking, but a file and some sandpaper changed that and now it is a really handy user that rolls and rocks in the hand like a cinch. Out of the box the saw and main blade came razor sharp as usual. You can bet on that... I have never encountered a Vic or Wenger knife that did not shave outta the box. A real upgrade towards the old Wenger is the tin can opener, which now cuts in a forward motion. The difference to the forester caplifter, which has a liner block, it has no locking mechanism, which makes it a little less usable as a prybar, but as is, the spring has enough stay to keep you relatively safe.
Also, the awl is now sharpened, which makes it a cinch when drilling or punching holes or repairing leather...
The corkscrew is a nice addition which also makes it a valuable addition for a nice picknick outing with a bottle of wine and some good cheese and suasage... which I admit I am a more than a bit partial to... ;-)
Like that, see? ;-)
That video is in German, but it really transports the spirit of this kind of knife. Enjoy! For some reading into the topic, look here:
The other day there arrived a package from Nordisches Handwerk, a supplier of knifemaking goods, knives and bushcraft gear in Germany which I had long anticipated. In fact, I messed up the address, and friendly Mrs. Fischer from www.nordisches-handwerk.de rummaged through their dispatch in a frenzy for me, even if she was in no way obliged to do so. I really love that and I am very grateful for it. Opening the package I saw a webbing load strap and a bag of candy gums as a bonus even before the knife came out. It is a Victorinox forester, none too shabby a pocket knife in the first, but this one is the "wood" version with scales of lovely Swiss walnut with a wonderful grain. The knife offers a knife blade, a saw, a cap lifter with flat screwdriver and a grating and de-insulation notch, a corkscrew, an awl and a tin can opener with screwdriver, plus a saw of decent size. The blade comes in at 86mmx2,5 with a high flat grind with secondary edge bevel. 1 mm above the edge line the blade measures in at just 0.5 mm. The saw is ground thinner towards the spine, the saw teeth are ground alternatingly. Both the caplifter and big screwdriver and the blade are locked with a liner block construction with additional spine spring. Both caplifter and knife blade also offer a security stop at 90°, which is Swiss overengineering at its best. The blade came with zero axial play, but due to the nature of the liner block there is about a mm radial play. Since the tempered steel liner locks all the way over against a tempered steel billet, this does not pose a problem, and with a liner block the primary locking system is the spring, and the block is just for safety purposes. Owning several Vics with a locking system like that with similar layout I can safely say, that, sensible use notwithstanding, I have never encountered any problems. All the tools came with a mirror polish and were 100% centered in the body of the knife. The springs are stiff with good stay, but can be taken out with a sensible easiness... The blade is in the middle layer and supported against the other tools and a steel liner. outer liners are made from aluminium to keep the weight down. I was being informed it was aircraft grade duraluminium, so this should pose no problem either. That this is not a knife to use as a prybar, should be obvious in the first! Out of the box the blade came razor-sharp and I could carve curves into free-dangling paper with it. Compared with a Ranger Wood it feels a bit more nimble and more suited for EDC use. Snacking with this knife is a cinch, as is harvesting ´shrooms. The saw bites like your little sister, the awl can be used for drilling holes in wood and leather. All in all the overall package cost me 59,50 €. And, to be honest, for a bimble through the woods that does not involve batoning and other heavy tasks, this knife will quite certainly be all you´ll ever need. It´s shaving sharp, offers a sensible combination of woodworking tools, and is a joy to look at. There are some minor setbacks (the radial play, but that does in no way affect the knife´s functionality). Also, if you´re shopping for a do-it-all pocket knife for your local stroll through the woods, for snacking and a whittling session with your kids, consider having a look at the www.nordisches-handwerk.de website... might be you´ll find something else additionally there... ;-). I have grown very fond of their service. Thanks, Janet Fischer! 😍
