This is my 4th folder & 1st Casstrom among sub-collection of 8 pocket knives in extensive puukko collection, & I absolutely love it.
It's interesting to compare this Casstrom 17004 w/ 2 similar lockback folders--Helle Bleja H3LS & Karesuando Paltsa RWL34. All 3 5 stars, Helle (Norway) is most robust, Kare (also Swedish) is most nimble, while Cass is in between w/ 7 5/32 total opened length & weighing 3.6 oz, thereby leaning to Helle, making this new folder named after famed Swedish survivalist the most desireable of 3. I'd love to see a folder from Finland, say Roselli or Jarvenpaa, currently conspicuously absent from their offerings. And are you custom crafters of puukkos also listening?
BLADE is stainless steel cryo-quenched Alleima (formerly Sandvik) 14C28N with HRC of 59-60. This trusty re-branded steel is nothing new, but in my other fixed-blade puukkos & Opinels has proven a good compromise between edge-retention & ease of sharpening. This folder w/ ricasso only on edge side makes that a snap. Blade actually measures L 2 15/16" × W 13/16" × THK 1/8". Despite that hefty thickness, since Scandi slope measures a generous 5/16" to edge, it slices quite easily. Overall shape of blade is pretty traditional w/ its typical drop point edge, but spine slopes to tip w/ more-than-usual angle. Result: each side converges to place tip at exact centerline for essentially a spear point. I also particularly like mention of Lapland in inscription on matte-finish blade's obverse side. There's no finger slot to assist opening, but it's really unnecessary since it & inward-curving handle juxtapose so that there's plenty of space to use pinching thumb & index finger to readily open, helped by medium spring tension. I believe with careful practice you could open it with one hand, but I'm not there--yet.
HANDLE: The masur birch scales on mine--personally picked by Redbeard--are as good as they get, having highly contrasting semi-uniform mottling on both sides. That the 1 **** & 5 pins on each side are brass confers further visual warmth. The lanyard hole is also brass-lined, & knife comes with nice round tanned leather lanyard you can thread thru then knot. SS liners & lock, its release of course on spine side but very near pommel where you have most leverage, makes blade easy to open & close plus reduces danger of accidentally slicing fingers. Though compact, knife even fits my XL hands.
SHEATH is not furnished nor is clip standard like on very similar Coffee- or Raven-handled CLF EDC which has right-hand tip-up one. I speculate Casstrom did not want to block any part of beautiful scales with a clip. So this is truly a pocket knife. If I cannot find a secure snap-over-top leather sheath that fits it perfectly, I'll make one myself patterned after brilliant one-piece design that came with afore-mentioned Helle Bleja.
Casstrom has combined form & function into a folding lockback puukko versatile enough to carry to office in suit trousers as great-looking practical accessory or sufficently bushcraft-ready to gut your next white-tail in the field. It comes w/ neither sheath nor pocket clip, but at $134, it's a steal cf to similar $249 Bleja & $280.50 Paltsa. I've carried a pocket knife since 1st Case when 5 years old, & this Casstrom Lars Falt Lockback #17004 is the best yet.
